Flashback a few years ago, I am working at School of Rock Rockland as a vocals and keys teacher.   I hear the owner greeting some people and I assume it's my afternoon vocal trial lesson.  I come out to meet them, and greet the mom and dad.  They introduce me to their son,  who was very shy at the time.  So shy in fact that he hid behind their legs.  His father proceeds to tell me that he loves rock and roll very much (we found out later, that was an understatement), and loves to sing, but won't sing in front of people, but they seemed a bit desperate to find an outlet for him.  So they said anything you can do for him would be appreciated.  They didn't expect much, but at least wanted to try.

So I address the litte rockstar, age 11, and say,  "Who do you like?  Who are your favorite bands?" He shrugs, and then quietly says, "Billy Joel".  It so happened that I myself am a big Billy Joel fan and have many of his songs over the years.  So I say, "WHAT?!?!  Get in here!", pointing to the lesson room.  He reluctantly follows as his parents nudge him.

In the lesson room I sit at the piano and start playing a Billy song, I think You May Be Right.  He watches and sits in his chair, kind of looking but not singing or anything.  So I pivot,  and play Big Shot, again,  he watches a little as I play and sing, but not much going on, and no speaking.  I think to myself, how do I manipulate the situation to get this kid to open up a little.  And then it hits me.

I begin to play Only the good Die Young, which I had played and sung many times before and new it like the back of my hand.  I start purposely messing up the lyrics as he listens and then I say, "You know what.  You know how good Billy is on the piano,  it's too hard for me to sing and play this one at the same time, so how about I play and you sing?"  He shrugs and says I guess I can.  And that's where it began.  By the end of the lesson, he said to me, "I don't like to sing in front of people, but I guess I could sing in front of you."  And I knew the spark was lit.

We progressed on with vocal lessons, doing some of his favorite groups... and let me tell you, his parents raised him right.  He wanted to do Journey, Loverboy, Foreigner, The Boss, Ratt, just an endless love for rock and roll.  

He eventually gets to the point he really wants to perform and eventually joined performance group.  Now let me tell you,  when we do our season finale show, some kids dress the part and some kids don't feel comfotable doing that yet.  No problem.  This kid shows up in a jeans jacket with no sleeves, complete with Van Halen, Aerosmith, AC/DC patches, etc, a wallet chain on his jeans,  black boots, and aviator sunglasses.  He even got a fake earring to wear.  Like a little Billy Idol.  

This same kid who "refused" to sing in front of people, was grabbing the mic ala Freddy Mercury,  throwing out high kicks like David Lee Roth and basically being a badass every single time he was on the stage.  Every parent in the place was watching him at some point, because this kid had become a rockstar that day, and although it was his moment, it was mine as well.  I finally understood the true gift teachers get from students and I will never forget it.

Sadly, he ended up having to move away.  His dad talked to me and told me he was pretty upset and to be honest, so was I.  I truly would miss him.  We talked about continuing with virtual lessons, but internet connection/access was maybe gonna be an issue and unfortunatley they were not moving near another School of Rock.  

A year later I get a call from his dad out of the blue, asking if I would be willing to call him on his birthday and say hi, which I did.  I called his dad's phone and they put me on speaker phone and we chatted for a minute or two. 

I truly love watching the kids shine in the spotlight.  I've had time doing it and I know how fun it is to feel that way,  and I am gratefuly I get to pass that on.

Here's to you, Luke. Thanks!