Naperville
School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

Naperville

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School of Rock Naperville
220 N Washington St
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 922-5400
Hours
  • Monday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Tuesday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Wednesday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Thursday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Friday: 2 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed

Upcoming Special Hours:

  • 12/27/2024: Closed
  • 12/30/2024 - 01/01/2025: Closed

Music programs at School of Rock Naperville combine one-on-one lessons with group band practices

School of Rock in Naperville, Illinois proudly serves the local community and surrounding areas like Lisle, Downers Grove, and Bolingbrook with a revolutionary music education approach. Our quality music lessons are taught by real, practicing musicians and students can learn to rock out on guitar, keyboards, drums, and vocals, across many genres. At School of Rock, students can jam together, perform live music, and develop their skills in a supportive and encouraging learning environment. Our students perform at community-based events like the West Suburban Irish St Patrick's Day Parade and the Naper Nights Summer Concert Series. Our students also regularly play at local venues like the Ballydoyle's Aurora and WC Social Club! Join the band and visit School of Rock Naperville today!

Programs we offer

Rock 101 music program in Naperville for kids and beginners
Rock 101
Ages 8-13

Rock 101 is one of School of Rock Naperville's top programs for kids and beginners. Students have one weekly group rehearsal where they learn to play classic rock songs that have been simplified for beginner musicians. Additionally, Rock 101 students in Naperville have a weekly private music lesson with an instructor who helps them learn the concepts and skills behind their performance songs.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY PRIVATE LESSON
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP REHEARSAL

The Path to Take the Stage

Our music programs for kids in Naperville are designed to get students on stage performing, with the goal of building strong musical proficiency. Younger students at School of Rock Naperville who have participated in the Rookies program can move to our Rock 101 music program once they’re ready. Additionally, students (typically ages 8 to 13-years-old) can begin Rock 101 without any prior experience. The goal of this rock program is to quickly develop a basic competence on students’ chosen instruments before moving on to our famous Performance Program.

Performance music program for teens in Naperville
Performance
Ages 8-18

The Performance Program at School of Rock Naperville is our hallmark music program, where tens of thousands of students enroll each year. It consists of a weekly group rehearsal where kids and teens learn by playing rock music's most iconic songs with a band composed of their peers. Students are assigned songs and parts that are tailored to them based on their age, experience and ability to learn new skills and concepts. Students then work through their parts in weekly private music lessons, refining the skills and concepts that those songs introduce. The goal of this curriculum is to prepare kids and teens for live performances. Every few months, School of Rock Naperville Performance Program students take the stage and play at local Naperville music venues in front of a live audience.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY PRIVATE LESSON
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP REHEARSAL

The Path to Take the Stage

School of Rock Naperville's music programs for kids and teens are designed to inspire by getting students on stage and performing. All of our other music education programs focus on readying students for our famous Performance Program. This is where students develop incredible musical skills. Performance Program students have often gone through our Rock 101 program first or have some previous basic music experience. These young musicians will have custom development plans outlined by their instructors with key concepts reinforced during private lessons and group rehearsals, all with the goal of performing live at a Naperville music venue.

Rookies music program for children in Naperville
Rookies
Ages 6-7

At School of Rock Naperville, our music program for children with no previous musical experience (typically ages 6 to 7-years-old) is called Rookies. Rookies students have one weekly group music lesson where they learn fundamentals like chords, rhythm and song structure. Kids get to learn and experiment with multiple instruments so they can later decide which one they ultimately want to continue pursuing in Rock 101.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP LESSON
  • USE OF SIMPLIFIED ROCK INSTRUMENTS TO TEACH KIDS TO PLAY MUSIC

The Path to Take the Stage

All of our music programs are designed to inspire students to learn and develop a strong musical proficiency. At School of Rock Naperville, younger students who are not ready for a more comprehensive program like Rock 101 can start in Rookies. Additionally, students who have completed the Little Wing program will progress into the Rookies music program. No prior musical experience is needed for Rookies. Once your child is ready for private music lessons (typically older than first or second graders), they will graduate into our Rock 101 program.

Little Wing music program for toddlers and preschoolers in Naperville
Little Wing
Ages 4-5

At School of Rock Naperville our Little Wing music program for preschoolers and toddlers teaches students foundational music skills by playing games and participating in other interactive musical activities. Little Wing students have one weekly group music lesson in which they use classic rock songs to learn about rhythm, song structure, melody and dynamics through play.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP LESSON
  • USE HAND PERCUSSION & OTHER TOOLS TO LEARN RHYTHM PATTERNS & MUSIC SYNTAX

The Path to Take the Stage

The Little Wing music program is the first step in a young musician's journey. At School of Rock Naperville, toddlers and preschoolers who show an interest in music should start with Little Wing. As they get older, they will progress into the Rookies program, followed by Rock 101 and the Performance Program.

Songwriting
Age 12 and over

Our Songwriting program for kids and teens teaches the fundamentals of songwriting, arrangement and music theory, and helps students compose original works.  At School of Rock Naperville, songwriting students receive one weekly private lesson where they learn concepts, technique and theory on an instrument of their choice. These principles are then applied in a weekly group lesson where students work together on songwriting exercises and lyrical workshops.  Every few months, Songwriting students take the stage to perform or band together to record their original songs.

What to Expect
  • 1 weekly private lesson
  • 1 weekly group lesson

The Path to Take the Stage

Our Songwriting program for kids and teens in Naperville is designed to create musical proficiency through the creation of original music. Students at School of Rock Naperville who have completed our Rock 101 program can move to our Songwriting program once they’re ready. Additionally, new students who have prior experience with and basic knowledge of an instrument can also begin Songwriting. The program culminates with a live showcase where students perform their original compositions in bands at a local music venue. Students taking the Songwriting Program online will remotely record their original songs to produce a demo of the class's music.

Remote student playing guitar
Online
All Ages

At School of Rock Naperville, our students can take online, one-on-one music instruction from the comfort of their homes. We call this program School of Rock Remote. This online music program contains weekly one-on-one instruction conducted by our expert School of Rock instructors in a safe virtual lesson room.
 
Students will receive their training using our proprietary education program, The School of Rock Method™, which couples live video lessons with our proprietary Method App™, SongFirst Approach™ and Method Books™. 

What To Expect
  • ONE WEEKLY 1-ON-1 LESSON
  • LESSONS CONDUCTED USING SECURE VIDEO TECHNOLOGY

THE PATH TO TAKE THE STAGE

All of our music programs for kids, teens, and adults are designed to help students gain amazing musical proficiency. School of Rock’s online music lesson program is no exception. Online guitar lessons, online piano lessons, online drum lessons, online singing lessons and online bass guitar lessons are all offered through the School of Rock Remote online program.

Adult music program in Naperville for students over 18
Adult Program
Ages 18+

School of Rock Naperville's Adult Program is for students over 18 years old who are looking to either improve their musical proficiency or pick up an instrument with no prior musical experience. As with most School of Rock music programs, the Adult Program uses a performance-based music education approach. This means the curriculum focuses on learning music concepts and applying them in a live performance setting. Our Adult Music Program includes one weekly private music lesson and a weekly group rehearsal. Every student at School of Rock Naperville is placed in a band of fellow adults and then assigned specific songs as a way of learning key music concepts and skills. Adult students then take the stage to play at a live show in Naperville.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY PRIVATE LESSON
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP REHEARSAL

The Path to Take the Stage

All of our music programs are designed to inspire by getting students on stage and performing, with the goal of building strong musical proficiency along the way. The School of Rock Naperville Adult Program is open to all experience levels and each student will follow a customized learning plan developed by their instructor. Adult students will work together during rehearsal to prepare for a live performance at a real rock venue in Naperville.

House Band program for gigging at local venues in Naperville
House Band
Age 17 and Under

The School of Rock Naperville House Band music program gives students under 18 the opportunity to join a gigging band composed of fellow musicians from their school. These students perform additional live shows throughout the year. All students in the Performance Program have the opportunity to audition for a spot in School of Rock Naperville's House Band. Once selected, House Band members become leaders in their School of Rock community and perform live shows at IL rock venues throughout the year.

What To Expect
  • A GIGGING MUSICIAN'S EXPERIENCE
  • FREQUENT LIVE PERFORMANCES IN COMMUNITY

The Path to Take the Stage

Performance is the core of School of Rock's educational approach. Therefore, we create additional opportunities for students to perform on stages throughout Naperville and the rest of IL. The House Band music program allows each school's most talented students the opportunity to join a band and play routinely in front of live audiences. Once a member, students will gain real music experience associated with gigging musicians and will become leaders and mentors inside the School of Rock community.

The AllStars national tour features the best child and teen musicians
AllStars
Age 17 and Under

The School of Rock AllStars Tour takes the very best students from around the world and sends them on a nationwide summer tour across the United States. Less than 1% of School of Rock students are selected each year to represent School of Rock as an AllStar. All Performance Program students are eligible to audition for this prestigious program. The intensive audition process starts off with video submissions followed by live auditions. Once selected, AllStar students will have an authentic touring experience including traveling on a tour bus, doing tour publicity and starring in nightly performances at famous venues and festivals during a two-week tour.

What To Expect
  • A MULTI-CITY, COUNTRY-WIDE MUSIC TOUR EXPERIENCE
  • PERFORMING ON SOME OF THE BIGGEST AND MOST FAMOUS STAGES IN THE WORLD

The Path to Take the Stage

Becoming an AllStar is the highest level of achievement for a School of Rock student. They play on legendary stages large and small, including The Knitting Factory, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, The Troubadour and Lollapalooza. AllStar students often go on to have accomplished careers in the music industry. Former AllStars have gone on to become touring artists, star in Broadway musicals, get signed to record deals, become finalists on talent competitions like "The Voice" and "American Idol" and have other notable roles in the music industry.

Music Lessons in Naperville

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Naperville

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

At School of Rock Naperville, we offer beginner guitar lessons for kids. Our expert guitar instructors guide your child from start to finish with private instruction and weekly group band rehearsals. Every instructor at School of Rock Naperville is an experienced musician, and they emphasize foundational music theory and technique when teaching guitar lessons to kids. Unlike other Naperville guitar lessons and programs, School of Rock is designed to get students performing in a band.

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Adults

It’s never too late to learn to play the guitar. Similar to our kids guitar lessons, School of Rock Naperville's beginner guitar lessons for adults utilizes a performance-based curriculum. Our experienced instructors teach adult students through popular rock songs, and teach students to play guitar in a way that’s challenging and fun. We believe the best way to learn is by doing, which is why we combine weekly private guitar lessons with group band rehearsals. At School of Rock Naperville, we teach beginner guitar lessons for adults in our Adult Program. This program gets students performing onstage at a local Naperville venue.

Key Concepts
  • Technique
  • Solos
  • Chords
  • Theory

Intermediate to Advanced Guitar Lessons

As students gain skills and experience, we move them along to more challenging programs at higher skill levels. Intermediate and advanced students take the skills they learned in beginner guitar lessons, and layer on more difficult techniques and concepts. School of Rock Naperville offers advanced guitar lessons for kids and adults that teach by playing challenging classic rock songs and emphasize playing the guitar in a real music venue. Our Naperville guitar teachers will work with each student to develop a custom learning plan.

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Naperville

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Naperville is the best option for anyone looking to learn the drums. Our beginner drum lessons get kids behind the drum kit and on their way to taking the stage. That’s why at School of Rock Naperville we combine private drum lessons for beginners with weekly band rehearsals—it prepares students to perform live. With years of experience teaching drums in Naperville, our drum instructors teach beginner drum students core techniques, including how to groove, play rudiments and more.

Beginner Drum Lessons for Adults

Our drum lessons for adults are designed to accommodate all skill levels. At School of Rock Naperville, our beginner drum lessons for adults are built for musicians with little to no experience. We teach adults using the same core performance-based education philosophy as our drum lessons for kids—performing with a band accelerates the learning process. Adult students will perform live at a venue in Naperville. Unlike other Naperville drum lessons for beginners, School of Rock combines private drum lessons with weekly band rehearsals so students are ready to play in front of real, live audiences.

Key Concepts
  • RUDIMENTS
  • TIME SIGNATURES
  • TECHNIQUE
  • GROOVE

Intermediate to Advanced Drum Lessons

More experienced to advanced drum students need a drum lesson curriculum that builds upon foundational skills and continues to grow musical proficiency. That’s why at School of Rock Naperville, our drum lessons are customized for each student and his or her goals. Our Naperville drum instructors integrate more complex techniques and concepts—intermediary grooves, shifts, meters and more—into a student's individual lessons and group band rehearsal, and will also select more difficult songs for his or her live performances.

 

Kid learns to sing at School of Rock Naperville

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Naperville offers beginner singing lessons for kids. Our unique, performance-based approach develops students' musical proficiency by preparing them to perform live. At School of Rock Naperville, our vocal coaches are practicing musicians who integrate key music fundamentals—breathing, posture and more—into a curriculum based on performing with a band. Each week, beginner singing students participate in a private singing lesson and a band rehearsal.

Beginner Singing Lessons for Adults

School of Rock Naperville teaches adults how to sing in our innovative Adult Program. Students develop vocal skills at a challenging pace designed to help you see results with every singing lesson. Adult vocalists learn how to keep tempo, stay on-key and master advanced vocal techniques for a powerful and healthy voice. Our curriculum teaches students how to sing by using popular rock songs that emphasize key concepts. Each week, Adult Program students have a private singing lesson for beginners and group band rehearsal.

Key Concepts
  • TECHNIQUE
  • HARMONY
  • POWER
  • READING

Intermediate to Advanced Singing Lessons

At School of Rock Naperville, our singing lessons for kids and adults are designed to help our students reach a high degree of musical proficiency. Intermediate and advanced singers take skills learned from previous singing lessons and layer on more difficult techniques and concepts. Our advanced singing lessons teach students to sing by performing popular rock songs that illustrate a specific vocal concept or technique. We pair weekly private singing lessons with weekly band rehearsals with the goal of getting musicians to perform live in Naperville.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Naperville

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Naperville offers beginner bass guitar lessons for kids that blend weekly private instruction with weekly band rehearsals. This performance-based approach results in a high level of musical proficiency because it engages and inspires students. Every School of Rock bass instructor is a practicing musician in Naperville and teaches bass lessons for kids that get great results. Beginners learn to play bass guitar by using popular rock songs that illustrate key concepts and techniques.

Beginner Bass Lessons for Adults

Adults looking to learn bass guitar can enroll in School of Rock’s Adult Program. No experience is necessary in our beginner bass guitar lessons for adults. At School of Rock Naperville, our experienced, local bass guitar instructors have the patience and skills to help adult students gain musical proficiency. As with all School of Rock music programs, our bass guitar lessons for adults ciriculum is performance-based, and include both weekly private instruction and weekly band rehearsals.

Key Concepts
  • GROOVE
  • TECHNIQUE
  • THEORY
  • TONE

Intermediate to Advanced Bass Lessons

Our intermediate to advanced bass guitar lessons teach Naperville students the skills they need to become the backbone of a band. Students take skills from previous bass lessons and layer on more difficult techniques and concepts. At School of Rock Naperville, our bass instructors use popular rock songs as a way of teaching students advanced concepts and techniques. We pair weekly private bass lessons with weekly band rehearsals to inspire and engage students throughout the learning process.

Kid learns to play piano at School of Rock Naperville

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

At School of Rock we teach differently than other music schools in Naperville. Our curriculum is performance-based, meaning that we prepare students to perform. Our piano lessons for beginners combine weekly private instruction with weekly band rehearsals. At School of Rock Naperville, our beginner keyboard lessons for kids take key concepts and music fundamentals—finger placement, scales, key differentiation and more—and teach them through popular rock songs. This approach inspires and engages students, which results in attaining a high level of musical proficiency. Our piano teachers have years of experience teaching music in the Naperville area, and know how to coach and motivate students of any skill level to play the keyboard.

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Adults

The School of Rock Naperville Adult Program puts beginner keyboard students in a band. Adult Program students in the Naperville area learn to play piano through a combination of weekly private beginner piano lessons and weekly band rehearsals. At School of Rock, our piano lessons give adult students the chance to perform in a band at local Naperville music venues, taking them out of the classroom and onto the stage.

Key Concepts
  • TECHNIQUE
  • TONE
  • THEORY
  • READING

Intermediate to Advanced Keyboard Lessons

At School of Rock Naperville, our keyboard lessons for kids and adults are designed to help students get results. Intermediate and advanced students take skills learned from beginner keyboard lessons and layer on more advanced piano techniques with concepts. Our local keyboard instructors are all practicing musicians in Naperville, and use popular rock songs as a way of teaching complex skills. We pair weekly private piano lessons with weekly band rehearsals to inspire and engage students throughout the learning process.

Our Experienced Music Teachers

All of School of Rock Naperville’s music teachers are experienced musicians devoted to helping students attain musical proficiency. Our instructors guide students one-on-one to personalize learning, inspire confidence and build social skills.

General Manager Tommy Evans
Tommy Evans
General Manager
Tommy has been a part of the SOR family for the past 8 years. Prior to joining School of Rock Naperville as the General Manager, Tommy was the Music Director at School of Rock Elmhurst and the General Manager at School of Rock Hinsdale. Tommy is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. In 2009, he formed the rock band Secret Colours, since then he has toured nationally and internationally performing at many notable venues across the US landscape such as 1st Ave in Minneapolis and Lincoln Hall in Chicago. Tommy has also performed at many festivals such as Austin Psych Fest (Levitation) and SXSW. Many of his songs have been featured in TV shows such as Graceland, Royal Pains, Shameless and many more. He has worked with producer Brian Deck (Modest Mouse, Gomez, Sage Francis, Iron Wine) to sharpen his songwriting skills and perception of making records. Tommy graduated from Columbia College with a BA in Audio Design and Production.
Adam Krier
Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Piano Teacher
Adam was 17 years old and attending high school in Naperville when he formed the Chicago punk rock band Lucky Boys Confusion. The group signed to Elektra Records and cut two LPs, one of which generated a Billboard Top 40 Modern Rock single in May 2001. In the years to follow, LBC toured non-stop across the US, Canada and Japan and appeared on several national television programs for CBS and HBO. In 2007, Adam formed AM Taxi and signed with another major label, EMI/Virgin Records. His original compositions have been featured on several major motion picture soundtracks, national television commercials and video games.
Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Madison Stolzer
Madison Stolzer
Music Director, Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Madison's passion for music began when he received his first bass guitar in the 6th grade. That passion was refined and developed by the teachers and directors at his two-time Grammy Award-winning high school, Neuqua Valley in Naperville. During his four years with the NVHS music department, Madison played the (upright) bass in both the Chamber String Orchestra & Jazz Ensemble. He was the first musician in the school's history to test into the AP Music Theory course as a sophomore; a course that was previously reserved for upperclassmen only. By age 16, Madison was hired by a local-church to play the bass for a weekly mass and by age 17, he was giving private guitar and bass lessons out of his home.

As his passion for music grew alongside his proficiencies into adulthood, Madison would go on to write and release hundreds of original songs, and form bands that toured the country dozens of times. Of note, he toured and released an EP on Rise Records (WA) with the hardcore band, Emarosa, in 2007. His melodic post-hardcore band, Rosaline, was signed by two different independent record labels; Eulogy Recordings (FL) in 2009 and Good Fight Music (NJ) in 2012. Under Eulogy and Good Fight, Madison and Rosaline released two full-length albums with international digital and physical retail distribution.

Madison believes that the path of creativity is one of the most valuable and rewarding paths in life, and he is passionate about helping to cultivate it in young people. He believes that creativity in all its forms is unlike other skills and traits in that the way to foster it is by providing a supportive, inspiring environment for young people to safely exercise it, experiment with it, and above all, have fun with it.
Studio Coordinator Kaydi Aanerud
Kaydi Aanerud
Assistant General Manager
Kaydi knew her path was in music ever since she was a little girl. She always loved being on camera and singing along to her favorite songs. After noticing how much music impacted her life, and of those around her, she knew it was something she had to do forever. Kaydi grew up in Wilmington, IL and was very involved in choir and theatre in high school. In 2020, she graduated from Millikin University with a degree in music business. Not long after graduation, she joined Recycle The Day as their lead female singer.

During her summers off from school, Kaydi worked at a local youth summer camp. A place that changed her life and is something she will cherish forever. Wanting to find a place where she can combine her love of working with kids and music, she found School of Rock. Her goal, as Studio Coordinator, is to help be a part of creating new life long memories for each and every student!
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Dave Bowers
Dave Bowers
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Dave began playing guitar at age 11, inspired by the dazzling fretwork of players like Eddie Van Halen and Steve Vai. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in jazz studies at North Central College studying with jazz guitarist John McLean. He has performed and recorded with Chicago rock groups Oucho Sparks, Kazy, NYCO, and Umbra and the Volcan Seige. He has recorded commercial music for MTV and Energizer. Dave currently plays in Gipsy Trio and Chanson Du Chat, two bands who music largely inspired by the works of guitarist Django Reinhardt.
Robert Behnke
Drum Teacher
Robert has been playing drums for over 30 years. He has toured the country and recorded multiple albums. Robert has been fortunate enough to be nominated for four Grammys. Currently he plays for a multi-tribute band called LAVA Rock that plays consistently throughout the regional Midwest and is working on bringing LAVA Rock to the national level. Robert is excited to teach everything he has learned to young, enthusiastic drummers to help them become working musicians at whatever level they desire.
Guitar Teacher Eduardo Castillo
Eduardo Castillo
Guitar Teacher
Known as Eddy Castles at several live music bars and clubs in the Chicagoland area, Eduardo likes to perform live renditions of blues classics written by several musical heroes such as B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Albert King. He also enjoys listening to and playing in jam bands that have elements of jazz, rock, funk, and soul. Currently, he is in a new band called The Jone of Art Experience whose sound could be described as electric, blues-folk rock, and soul. He looks to inspire students to use the medium of music to explore their thoughts, feelings, and creativity so that their musical curiosity can lead them to being more kind to themselves and others.
Drum Teacher Matthew Bade
Matthew Bade
Drum Teacher
Matthew has dedicated his life to the arts. Formally trained as a painter (University of Illinois at Chicago and American Academy of Art College), his drumming passion always kept pace with his visual studies. Having discovered both disciplines in grade school, the holistic benefits of nurturing craft became evident early. More recently, Matthew found a dormant counselor within and lent his life experience to at-risk youth and young adults as a guide in the field of Wilderness and Adventure therapy, nationally and abroad. Now his efforts seek to combine previous ventures—as a drum teacher at School of Rock, with a focus on ergonomics/posture, groove, the drummer’s role as peacekeeper, and of course: fun.

Matthew is also a five-time marathon runner, longtime rock climber, and daily yoga practitioner who cannot stress enough the importance of physical health as it relates to drumming.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Emily Vela
Emily Vela
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Emily is a former School of Rock student and House Band alum, playing guitar and bass since she was 14 years old. Emily is now a guitarist and vocalist in a riot grrl band called Bloom!

For Emily, performing is something that helps her feel like a real human. She loves teaching people how to play music because she believes it can really change your life.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Andy Santiago
Andy Santiago
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Andy has been learning musical instruments starting with drums at the age of 8 and eventually progressing to guitar and bass at age 13. By that age, Andy started and joined his own bands and he is also a School of Rock House Band alum. His main genre of interest is Punk, but he explores all genres with equal interest. Andy plays many shows within the local punk scene and venues in Chicago with his band, Scumbag Skippy. Currently, he is working towards his Associate's Degree in Music Business at College of DuPage, hoping to transfer to a four-year university to further his education.
Nolan Manke Drum Teacher
Nolan Manke
Drum Teacher
Nolan has been playing music for a total of 13 years, starting with drums at the age of 7, moving on to guitar and bass around the age of 11. They’ve been playing live music in the Chicago DIY scene since the age of 13, singing and playing bass for their band Bummed Out. Over the last 3 years, Nolan has been sharpening their skills as a musician and songwriter by self-producing, writing, and recording multiple solo albums under the moniker “Christ The Scientist”. Nolan’s main inspiration in regards to SOR and music in general is the overall passion they feel for the art form.“It’s something I feel so physically and mentally attached to; the way it moves me, and has shaped my entire life. It only feels right to pass that same excitement on to the next generation of musicians and music lovers”
Singing Teacher, Piano Teacher Anthony Barone
Anthony Barone
Vocal Teacher, Piano Teacher
Just remember one thing; rules are meant to be broken. Anthony is a singing and piano teacher at Naperville's School of Rock. He has been singing and playing piano for a little more than two decades. Anthony’s background consists of theory, stylization, and finding the Tru-Yu as a musician. His history includes high school theater productions, choir, vocal jazz, and live bands of multiple genres of jazz, classic rock, and progressive metal, while his influences circle back to Video Game Music Scores from Final Fantasy, gentle EDM tracks from Porter Robinson, Michael Bublé, and the classic rock stars of the days. What kind of a musician are you? Let's find out shall we?
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher Sam Kazenko
Sam Kazenko
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Sam began playing guitar at the age of 6 and performed at open mics and other public events at a very young age. He was enrolled at School of Rock at the age of 12 and began taking bass lessons.

Throughout his time as a School of Rock student, Sam developed a strong passion for world music, with influence from Eastern European, Latin, Middle Eastern, and African artists respectively. After his time at School of Rock, he played guitar in a highly active funk/metal band, playing all around the Midwest, and even going on tour for the first time at age 18.

Sam is currently a student of Psychology at Aurora University, wishing to help children with anxiety as a licensed mental health professional.
Vocal Teacher Jason Yost
Jason Yost
Vocal Teacher
Jason is a music education student at Elmhurst University and he has many years of experience with voice, keys, and drums.

Jason feels rewarded for helping others develop their talents using the language of rock and roll. His musical taste is vast and he grew up listening to ’90s grunge, funk, jazz, pop, and classical.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Drum Teacher Jake Anderson
Jake Anderson
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Drum Teacher
Jake has been playing guitar since he was 8 and started his first band when he was 11. His favorite time as a musician was going on tour with his former band, Future Monarchs. throughout Europe. He was an instructor and a director at the School of Rock at various schools for over 5 years where he taught guitar, bass, drums, vocals, and keys. He currently works as a music composer and editor on various podcasts and is finishing up his second solo album in his spare time.
Guitar Teacher Paul Aluculesei
Paul Aluculesei
Guitar Teacher
Paul’s musical journey began with a moment of inspiration—witnessing a live drummer for the first time at his local church. Captivated by the rhythm, he relentlessly begged his parents for a drum set. Instead, they compromised with a quieter alternative: an acoustic guitar. What started as a passing interest quickly transformed into an obsession, evolving into a lifelong passion for music and the art of creation.

This passion led Paul to Columbia College Chicago, where he studied audio design and production, honing his craft while recording with local Chicago artists. His experience would take him to IV Lab Studios where he refined his skills as a producer and engineer, while also contributing as a guitarist to numerous recordings.

Whether behind the glass in a studio or performing live on stage, Paul’s deep love for music is always at the core of everything he does. When he’s not immersed in music, you can find him cheering on the Chicago Bulls, with his loyal dog Milo by his side.
School of Rock is where music and learning come together

For over twenty years, our amazing instructors have transformed hundreds of thousands of students across the world into skilled musicians. Become a musician at School of Rock.

Reviews

The teachers are phenomenal.

Honestly, as a parent, I wondered who would be qualified to play rock and teach kids. Somehow, they find the right ones who can do both.

My kid calls School of Rock home!

After six years, he has grown as a performer, a singer, a drummer, a guitarist AND an artist. We LOVE School of Rock!

We love the personal attention.

My son knows all of the instructors and loves to go to his classes. I personally love the immediate hands-on experience he receives so he can come home to jam out to the songs- in time, no less- almost immediately.

My daughter is so excited each week!

She started class thinking she wanted to play guitar but because she's had the chance to try several instruments, now she says she wants to be a drummer. She loves being able to play real music each week.

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