Franchisee Ryan Campbell intends to open School of Rock in October at 11112 San Jose Blvd., Unit 25, in Claire Lane Center in Mandarin. The global music school franchises and offers classes, workshops, camps and performance programs for children, teen and adult musicians. SchoolofRock.com says it was founded in 1998 as a single school in Philadelphia. It now has more than 60,000 students and more than 325 locations in 15 countries. There are 15 locations in Florida, and Jacksonville will be the 16th.
Campbell, of St. Augustine, is service manager at CCS Presentation Systems and also has a commercial music background.
He is the franchise owner through 210 School of Music LLC. His LinkedIn profile says music has remained an important part of his life. “For several years I ran the 210 School of Music out of my home, until COVID forced me to pull back in 2020.” Campbell said June 23 he was a music instructor offering lessons out of his home studio for several years before having to shut down the business in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“I’ve always had a passion for music and experienced firsthand as a teenager what learning music – and specifically playing music with others – can do for a person’s self-esteem,” Campbell said by email.
School of Rock says its method combines one-on-one instruction with group rehearsals and live performances, “starting students on their musical journey by playing songs that inspire them.” “This integrated SongFirst approach teaches students techniques and theory while also helping them apply those skills when performing with other musicians.” It offers programs, music and vocal lessons, camps, workshops, resources and events.
Adkins Construction LLC of Jacksonville is the contractor for the estimated $411,000 build-out of 2,888 square feet in a Claire Lane Center space near Ulta Beauty and Mandola’s Italian Kitchen.Lasky Architect of Fort Lauderdale is the architect.
Campbell said he was a shy kid, but through playing drums in church bands he developed the confidence to express himself and connect with others. “I wanted to run a music program that develops a lifelong love of music and truly offers students a pathway to a career in music if they so choose,” he said. “But beyond that, I really connected with the mission and vision of the School of Rock because it provides students a place to belong, where they can embrace what makes them unique, and learn important life skills like confidence and team work while rocking out with their peers on real stages in real rock shows.”
Campbell said that being from the Saint Johns area, he was seeking a location in the 32259 ZIP code but found Mandarin is central to many communities around Jacksonville. Claire Lane Center is south of Interstate 295.
“With Orange Park to the West, Jax Beach to the East, Fruit Cove to the South, and all the areas between I-295 and Downtown to the North, I feel like our location will be a reasonable drive for a large number of Jacksonville residents,” he said. He said that Trader Joe’s and Barnes & Noble anchor Claire Lane Center, making “coming to our location an easy decision for parents who need to pick up groceries while their children are in lessons. And of course the Barnes & Noble is a great spot for parents to kill some time, as well.”
Campbell said drums were his original instrument and still his favorite. He also plays guitar and piano and has done some songwriting and recording. He said he currently is in a jazz trio called Scotty Greenaway and The Rhythm Method, which plays at the Cummer Museum once a month or so. He also was a singer and guitarist for the folk/rock band Wingfield, which used to play at the Riverside Arts Market.
Campbell said his wife, Jessica, will be the school’s assistant manager. They have two sons, ages 9 and 3, who he said are future School of Rock students. “I sometimes joke that starting this business is all an elaborate scheme to get my 9-year-old interested in music,” he said, as well as a way a to build wealth for the family. He said both of their sons have some special needs. “It is our hope that they and children of all abilities will find the School of Rock to be an appropriately challenging and welcoming place to be,” Campbell said. He said his father and business partner, Dean Campbell, played in bands as a youth and young adult. “When I was a kid I’d often hear him singing John Denver and Cat Stevens songs around the house. His influence played a significant role in developing in me a love of music, so it’s great to be able to partner with him in this.”
Campbell said the school also will bring jobs to Jacksonville musicians that enable them “to continue pursuing their careers as artists through flexible scheduling and access to employee perks, such as discounted pricing on musical equipment and access to our recording and rehearsal space.”
- By Karen Brune Mathis
- | 12:00 a.m. July 17, 2023 - The Jacksonville Daily Record
