Northern Kentucky
School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

Northern Kentucky

Map
School of Rock Northern Kentucky
6415 Dixie Highway
Florence, KY 41042
(859) 999-7625
Hours
  • Monday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Tuesday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Wednesday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Thursday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Friday: Closed
  • Saturday: 10 AM - 6 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

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

Programs we offer

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

Rock 101 is one of School of Rock Northern Kentucky'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 Northern Kentucky 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 Florence are designed to get students on stage performing, with the goal of building strong musical proficiency. Younger students at School of Rock Northern Kentucky 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 Florence
Performance
Ages 8-18

The Performance Program at School of Rock Northern Kentucky 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 Northern Kentucky Performance Program students take the stage and play at local Florence 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 Northern Kentucky'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 Florence music venue.

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

At School of Rock Northern Kentucky, 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 Northern Kentucky, 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 Florence
Little Wing
Ages 4-5

At School of Rock Northern Kentucky 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 Northern Kentucky, 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 Northern Kentucky, 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 Florence is designed to create musical proficiency through the creation of original music. Students at School of Rock Northern Kentucky 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 Northern Kentucky, 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 Florence for students over 18
Adult Program
Ages 18+

School of Rock Northern Kentucky'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 Northern Kentucky 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 Florence.

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 Northern Kentucky 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 Florence.

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

The School of Rock Northern Kentucky 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 Northern Kentucky's House Band. Once selected, House Band members become leaders in their School of Rock community and perform live shows at KY 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 Florence and the rest of KY. 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 Northern Kentucky

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Florence

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

At School of Rock Northern Kentucky, 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 Northern Kentucky is an experienced musician, and they emphasize foundational music theory and technique when teaching guitar lessons to kids. Unlike other Florence 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 Northern Kentucky'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 Northern Kentucky, we teach beginner guitar lessons for adults in our Adult Program. This program gets students performing onstage at a local Florence 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 Northern Kentucky 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 Florence guitar teachers will work with each student to develop a custom learning plan.

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Florence

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Northern Kentucky 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 Northern Kentucky we combine private drum lessons for beginners with weekly band rehearsals—it prepares students to perform live. With years of experience teaching drums in Florence, 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 Northern Kentucky, 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 Florence. Unlike other Florence 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 Northern Kentucky, our drum lessons are customized for each student and his or her goals. Our Florence 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 Florence

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Northern Kentucky 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 Northern Kentucky, 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 Northern Kentucky 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 Northern Kentucky, 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 Florence.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Florence

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Northern Kentucky 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 Florence 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 Northern Kentucky, 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 Florence 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 Northern Kentucky, 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 Florence

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

At School of Rock we teach differently than other music schools in Florence. 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 Northern Kentucky, 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 Florence 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 Northern Kentucky Adult Program puts beginner keyboard students in a band. Adult Program students in the Florence 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 Florence 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 Northern Kentucky, 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 Florence, 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 Northern Kentucky’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 Ashby Rosenberger
Ashby Rosenberger
General Manager
Ashby’s love of music runs deep. He got his first electric guitar at age 12 and hasn’t looked back. He’s never played professionally, but has spent years playing in groups with friends for fun. He sees music as the world’s most easily accessible and ubiquitous form of therapy. The world needs more music - and musicians! - which is why he finds managing a School of Rock so gratifying.

Ashby graduated from Ohio University with a BFA in acting. He grew up in the Cincinnati area but moved to Chicago shortly after college where he lived for 15 years, before moving back to Cincy in late 2019. Before joining School of Rock, Ashby directed business administration and office services for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing in Chicago, where he spent 7 years sharpening his management skills. Ashby has been with School of Rock NKY since we opened in April, 2021. He has great expectations for the future of our school and is eager to watch our school and our students reach new heights!
Music Director, Guitar Teacher Brandon Harris
Brandon Harris
Music Director, Guitar Teacher
Brandon Harris started with School of Rock Cincinnati in early 2022 and is now the Music Director for School of Rock Northern Kentucky. In addition to serving the school as Music Director, Brandon teaches guitar lessons and directs Performance Program groups and Rock 101 classes. Brandon believes that being in a band is so much more than just playing in front of a live audience; he believes it is an opportunity for students to develop healthy relationships and build a community that supports each other.

Brandon utilizes his experience working in the mental health field to teach students music and help them grow into confident individuals. Brandon loves a wide range of music, from classic bands like the Beatles to heavier bands like Mastodon. As Music Director, Brandon is excited and prepared to use his teaching experience to help School of Rock Northern Kentucky further build upon their already amazing music community.
Assistant General Manager, Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher Alex Lail
Alex Lail
Assistant General Manager, Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher
Alex has loved music all her life. She started singing in choirs at 8 years old and never looked back! She went on to play flute, marimba, vibraphone, and tuba throughout her schooling. Her focus has since shifted to bass guitar and vocals. Some of her favorite performances include playing at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Kentucky Derby with the University of Louisville Cardinal Marching Band.

After working at Disney World Resort for two years, Alex moved back to Kentucky to pursue teaching. She taught preschool for four years before joining the team at School of Rock Northern Kentucky, where she still gets to teach littles and help them foster a deep, lasting love for music. Music education is one of Alex’s passions and her goal is to imbue every child she meets with that same love and devotion. In addition to teaching the Little Wing and Rookies programs, Alex also hopes to use her role as Assistant General Manager to help School of Rock NKY grow into the best it can be!
Keyboard + Piano Teacher Kat Buckler
Kat Buckler
Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Arriving from Texas, Kat has played the keyboard for over a decade. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Keyboard Studies from A&M University-Central Texas and her Master of Music Theory from Texas State University. Now pursuing her Ph.D. from CCM, she is excited to join the local community.

As a teacher and a disabled musician, Kat strives to inspire other musicians and students to follow their musical passions no matter their disability or age. Whether your goal is to learn that cool song you heard on the radio or prepare for the stage, she is here to help!
Bass Guitar Teacher Mason Daugherty
Mason Daugherty
Bass Guitar Teacher
Mason Daugherty is a bass teacher who's been playing professionally in a myriad of genres since 14. He holds a degree in Jazz Bass from Morehead State University and is currently pursuing his Masters at CCM. His expertise includes both electric and upright. He is very excited to be joining the team at School of Rock.
Vocal Teacher, Drum Teacher, Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher Sam Gorman
Sam Gorman
Vocal Teacher, Drum Teacher, Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher
Sam comes from a musical family and learned how to play drums and sing at the annual Gorman Family Christmas Jam. Sam studied voice and drums at Denison University, graduating in 2013. He still plays with several classmates from Denison. Sam likes to make and keep it FUNKY!
Drum Teacher Travis Gray
Travis Gray
Drum Teacher
Travis showed interest in the drums from a very young age. Because of this, his parents signed him up for weekly drum lessons, which started a lifelong passion for playing the drums. Once he was in high school, Travis auditioned and earned a spot in his school’s drumline. After he graduated, he went on to play for multiple world-class drumlines.

Travis is now an active gigging drummer in the Cincinnati region. He has used his extensive background in marching percussion to refine his technique and playing style on the drum set. His goal is to inspire others to fall in love with the drums, just as his teachers did for him.
Keith Humphrey Guitar Teacher
Keith Humphrey
Guitar Teacher
Growing up in a musical household, Keith has been exposed to music of all genres his whole life. He began playing bass at the age of 7 but switched over to guitar and saxophone about two years later. As he experienced and learned more within the classical, rock, and pop genres, he landed his first professional gig at 12. In his early teen years, he began playing slide guitar, electric guitar, and lap steel. During this time, he began studying with midwestern blues guitar phenom Paul Holdman, who taught him extensive guitar theory and techniques. His father, a fellow musician, also taught him advanced music theory. He began to get more serious with woodwinds as well, diving into bari saxophone, flute, and later contrabass clarinet. This all lead to him playing in the Indiana All-State Band and the Indiana All-State Honor Band in back-to-back years. In Late high school, guitar once again became his primary focus when he began studying jazz guitar with the world-renowned guitar player, instructor, author, and editor Sandy Williams. With Sandy’s guidance, not only was he accepted to play in the Indiana All-State Jazz Band, but was accepted into every music school he auditioned to with multiple scholarships. He accepted the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music’s offer, where he is currently finishing his undergraduate in Jazz Studies under the direction of Brad Myers. Keith has marketed himself as a “hired gun,” playing with various one-off shows as well as being an in-demand sub-guitarist. He has also done extensive pit theater work with the Indianapolis branch of the Summer Stock Stage Company and The Rick Weil Theater Company. Currently, he plays with Bluewater Kings, Monte, The Interstate Commerce Commission Organ Quartet, My Exact Style, Philadelphia Phil, and Friends, as well as various jazz groups, one-off shows, and record dates. He also has toured around the Midwest with various acts, including Rosewood Coast. He has a passion for teaching that developed in high school when he became an instructor of woodwinds at a summer camp his junior year. He began teaching at various music stores around the Cincinnati area before finding his home at the School of Rock. His biggest goal as a teacher is to open students’ eyes to how impactful music is on human life, to expose them to many different genres and subgenres of music, and to further their love and understanding of music.

Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Rob Keenan
Rob Keenan
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Rob Keenan is a guitarist, singer/songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Cincinnati, OH. He is a local solo performer and was in the internationally recognized duo Dawg Yawp.

Rob has been singing most of his life and began piano lessons at the age of 7. He started writing songs on the guitar in high school and fell in love with music. Rob played and recorded with his band Echoes and continued studying at Indiana University, graduating with honors at The Recording Workshop. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston and since has performed and toured nationally.

The sitar/guitar/synth psychedelic folk duo Dawg Yawp played NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert in 2017 and has been featured on Consequence of Sound, Conan O’Brien’s “Team Coco,” and beyond. He teaches guitar, bass, keys, and vocals at School of Rock in Cincinnati and NKY. Rob loves all things sound!
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher Jake Kolesar
Jake Kolesar
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Jake Kolesar is thrilled to join the School of Rock team! An active member of the Cincinnati music scene, he plays bass in the local indie rock band The Earthly Delights and in the jazz guitar duo YesterSwing. Specializing in keyboard and guitar, Jake has recorded original music and performs regularly as a solo artist. As a teacher, he strives to cater to the unique goals of each student, focusing on the styles that they are most interested in learning. Jake is also passionate about teaching songwriting, improvisation, and music theory.
Singing Teacher Jeannie Marie
Jeannie Marie
Vocal Teacher
Guitar Teacher Justin Martin
Justin Martin
Guitar Teacher
Justin has been trying to pick out a melody on any instrument you put in front of him since grade school, eventually settling on guitar and bass in his early teens. A series of fun if ill-fated garage bands developed throughout his college years and beyond, accompanied by further study of all the guitar’s possibilities across different styles. As time wore on, collaborative musical endeavors unfortunately had to be placed on the back burner, but Justin still spent his free time exploring jazz, expanding his keyboard playing, and mining the depths of music history through internet and record bin alike.

Guitar of course remained a constant through it all, and through a strange confluence of life events that is best recounted in person he eventually began focusing primarily on solo acoustic finger-style playing. Over the past several years this had led to him learning dozens of popular songs across nearly every genre imaginable, developing a repertoire he is hoping to bring to performance in the very near future. In the meantime, he is also excited to get back to his electric guitar roots with School of Rock, exploring the myriad possibilities of the instrument along with the students he is teaching.
Drum Teacher Eric Mayleben
Eric Mayleben
Drum Teacher
Eric's music career began when he convinced his 5th grade band teacher to let him switch from saxophone to drums. By the 7th grade, his band was playing atschool dances and pool parties. By the end of high school, you could find them playing at bars on Fridays & Saturday nights. Over the years, Eric has played in several local, regional, and national touring acts including Forehead, The Kelly Richey Band, Matt DeCoster, Chrome, DixZ Highway, Reeking Havoc, The Amy Sailor Band and 90 Proof Twang. He's enjoyed national radio airplay with his band Lorenzo, whose Hollywood Records' debut release was recorded at the world famous Sunset Sound in Hollywood, CA and produced by none other than Kevin Churko (Ozzy, Hellyeah, Disturbed, 5 Finger Death Punch, Halestorm, Papa Roach).

Eric's current band, 90 Proof Twang, is a southern Rock/Country band from Cincinnati, Ohio that formed in 2012. 90 Proof Twang released “Six Pack” in 2014 and "Poor Boy's Paradise" in 2015. You can hear “Baby, I Got This” from the new cd on the 99.3 Country Aurora, Ind., WAIF Cincinnati 88.3, Country 103 Gladwin, Michigan and Classic X Radio.com. They've been awarded "Best Country Band" by City Beat Magazine in 2015, 2017 and 2018. 90 Proof Twang plays about 100+ gigs a year and have shared stages with acts such as Blackberry Smoke, Craig Morgan, Chris Jansen, Jackyl, The Steel Woods and more.

Eric has been teaching students almost his entire music career. And once again, Eric is offering lessons at School of Rock NKY in Florence. Each lesson is tailored to match the students abilities and to fit what the student wants to achieve. Call today and schedule a lesson with Eric!
Vocal Teacher Alaina McKeown
Alaina McKeown
Vocal Teacher
Alaina has been surrounded by music from a very young age; her grandparents, great-grandparents, and even her father, Andy McKeown (who might sound a little familiar) have been gigging and playing since before she was born. From rocking out to Shinedown in the car at age 2, to her first ever Halestorm concert at 11, to middle school choir at 13, Alaina has always been drawn to the community music has to offer.

During high school, Alaina balanced a steady diet of rugby tournaments and student government with weekly vocal lessons and yearly performances. Now, as a graduating Psychology major from the University of Cincinnati, she's excited to take what she knows about music and what she knows about people to help others experience the boundless love music has given her.
Guitar Teacher Andy McKeown
Andy McKeown
Guitar Teacher
Andy comes from a long line of musicians and music teachers, including his grandmother, his uncle, his mom, and his dad. Andy watched his parents gig for years before picking up the guitar at 12 years old. He played in several bands in high school then took a long break while establishing a family and a career outside of music.

Andy continued to play guitar on his own before rejoining the gigging scene 10 years ago. He has a great interest in vocal and instrumental harmonies and how they work together. With a deep love of music and how it connects people across all ages, races, socioeconomic backgrounds, etc., Andy is excited to impart his love of music and his 30 years of guitar playing to a new generation of students.
Singing Teacher Allison Moll
Allison Moll
Vocal Teacher
Allison hails from the mean streets of NKY but has lived in NYC for the last 16 years. Music, especially singing, runs deep in her family DNA and she has been singing publicly since she was 4 years old. Most of her childhood she was known as the youngest of The Monroe Sisters and sang all over Kentucky, Ohio and Illinois. Knowing her love of music and singing she joined any choir she could, her favorite being Show Choir and singing with her Jazz Band in high school which led to her getting to sing all over Europe when she was 16. Growing up a preacher’s kid she dreamed to grow up and be Amy Grant. She has performed on multiple stages, churches, clubs, bars and parks. She also enjoyed every musical she could audition for and loves winning lottery tickets to Broadway shows but tries hard not to sing along.

Allison most recently has served as the Creative Arts Director at Forefront in NYC leading bands and singers. As well as working on her own recording project, she also has had the privilege of singing BGVs on more than a dozen projects and loves working in recording studios. She loves the process of learning a song and working with multiple people to create a beautiful sound and emotion. No matter how long it takes. After working with a vocal coach in her late 20s she realized the great need for stretching her voice and confidence. She constantly talks about her high school choir director and music mentors that saw something in her she hadn’t and would have never seen herself. They pushed her to not only be a better musician but to see singing in a whole new holistic way. But she also credits 8 years of piano lessons and her oldest sister for her love of harmonies as she would always demand she sing the melody so Allison and her other sister had to find the harmonies. Now she loves teaching them.

Allison has a deep love and connection to singing and finds her joy and passion there. She believes music can bring people together like nothing else can. She and her husband and son have just returned to their roots in Cincinnati which is where they met and married. She has 4 kids all who are incredible musicians and loves singing with them. She had a dream to be the next Partridge Family so she is crossing her fingers that her son, Ellis, will be the drummer that will complete the band. And that they aren’t embarrassed to jam with her.
Drum Teacher Stephen Schwarz
Stephen Schwarz
Drum Teacher
Stephen (pronounced Stef-en) Schwarz has been a drummer for what seems like his entire life. He started playing drums at the age of 10, when his sister and her band would leave their equipment he would sneak in and play their drums. Stephen’s parents finally got him his own drum set when he was 17 and he never looked back. He has been playing professionally since that time and still currently plays with three local bands. Stephen has played with some of Cincinnati’s largest touring bands including Prizoner, Relics & Bad Habit. He also owned and operated the best drum shop in the area. Stephen’s teaching style is a bit unorthodox as he is self-taught, but his technique and style are both well developed.
Cameron Smith Bass Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Singing Teacher
Cameron Smith
Bass Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Cameron Smith is something of a performing arts renaissance man, dipping his toes into all of the different artistic pools, but being careful to never fully submerge himself into any of them. However, he certainly comes close.

Cameron has been playing guitar since the age of 12, bass since the age of 16, keys since the age of 20, and singing throughout his whole life. He’s only drummed for 3 years, but he really likes it, and is hungry to learn more.

Born in Chicago, but raised in both Cincinnati and Northern Michigan, Cameron was homeschooled until college, where he moved to Southern California to enroll in the Young Americans College of the Performing Arts and earn his degree. Founded in 1962, The Young Americans were the first show choir in existence. It was here Cameron learned to sing professionally.

The Young Americans tour and outreach programs allowed Cameron to travel the world and work with thousands of kids of varying ages and backgrounds. He has toured in America, Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Germany, Poland, Hong Kong, Thailand, South Korea, and Japan (where he spent most of his time). He toured mainly as a singer and guitarist, but also did some tap, jazz dance, and hip hop, and even ran sound and lights!

Cameron has also worked two summers at the Boyne Highlands dinner theater as a performer and house bassist. It is the oldest dinner theater in America, with notable alumni including Marc Cherry, Stephanie J Block, Eden Espinosa, and Mark L Wahlberg. He also spent a summer working at French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts, where he taught and directed bands at the Rock Shop, where the band Maroon 5 formed. He was featured in the pit orchestras at FWF for the shows, Pippin, Theory of Relativity, Mean Girls, Zombie Prom, and Spring Awakening.

Cameron is proud to be teaching Guitar, Bass, and Vocals at School of Rock. He aims to help kids and adults achieve their goals, and to develop a voracious appetite for music, as well as a deep passion for on stage performance. He hopes to reveal to students the great strength they have within themselves and the impact that they have on everyone around them.
Singing Teacher Lindsay Travis
Lindsay Travis
Vocal Teacher
After 13 years in the Big Apple, Lindsay is returning to her midwestern roots! Cincinnati born-and-raised, she studied voice, musical theatre, and viola at the School for Creative and Performing Arts and earned B.A. from Northern Kentucky University's Theatre and Dance Department.

In NYC, she went on thousands (literally thousands) of auditions for Broadway, tours, and regional productions, attained membership in Actor's Equity Association (the professional union for performing arts). Favorite rolls include, Val in A Chorus Line, Laurey in Oklahoma, and under-studying (and going on for!) Sandy in Greece. Lindsay's classical training and musical theatre experience gives her a unique passion for vocal health and proper technique. Singing should be fun and never forced!

On her days off you'll find Lindsay chasing after her three young boys and teaching them the lyrics to "Bohemian Rhapsody" (both the original and the muppet version). Favorite jams include CCR, Earth,Wind & Fire, and Sam Smith.
School of Rock is where music and learning come together

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Reviews

What I like about the program is that my kids LOVE it!

This is so different from the music lessons that existed when I was a kid. These kids are actually making music and learning to play as a band. The performances are so impressive, and watching the kids gain confidence and express themselves on stage is priceless.

The structure around how kids learn is amazing.

Taking lessons to learn an instrument is one thing, but learning how to be a part of a band is on another level. These kids are learning how to communicate, respect people and their opinions, and how to be accountable for themselves. It’s more than just music here.

It's the best music program in the city.

Dedicated instructors and staff, vibrant atmosphere, and most importantly, it's fun! My 8-year-old has grown leaps and bounds in skill and personal confidence. If you're thinking about checking it out, don't wait, just do it!

The kids have a great time while learning to play.

Lifelong skills and relationships are born here. The staff shares their passion for music and are very professional and accommodating. Wish I had this type of exposure to music when I was growing up!

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