School of Rock (company)
|
School of Rock logo | |
| Industry | Music Education |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | The Paul Green School of Rock Music |
| Founder | Paul Green |
| Headquarters |
114 Shore Drive Burr Ridge, IL |
Number of locations |
126 schools in the USA 5 in Mexico 3 in Canada 2 in Brazil 1 in the Philippines 1 in Australia |
Key people |
Dzana Homan, CEO, Mark Biondi, SVP Operations Carl Hinds, VP Company Operations, Aaron Delfausse VP Development |
| Products | Performance Program, Lessons+, Epic Albums, Band Coaching, Project Studio, guitar lessons, bass lessons, vocal lessons, keyboard lessons |
| Services | Art, Entertainment, Recreation, Education, Children's, Small Business, Performing Arts, Children's Art, Children's Education, Music Lessons |
| Website |
www |
School of Rock (formerly known as The Paul Green School of Rock Music) is a music education program. This for-profit educational company operates and franchises after-school music instruction schools in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Philippines, serving more than 17,000 students[1][2] via 140 locations in 8 countries, becoming the largest after-school music program in the United States.[3] Though they offer a pre-school introduction to music for children age two through six, the majority of their students are in a performance-based program where students are accepted at any skill level, with the goal getting them on stage, playing a concert before a paying audience. The most skilled students in each school form a band and play concerts in their city, and the top students from each school compete to become a member of an "All-Star" band and tour regionally. They have recently expanded to offering career development for working bands, and "Grad School" for adult amateur musicians. Successful musicians occasionally serve as "Guest Professors" and perform with the students.
History
Paul Green began giving traditional individual music lessons in his home in 1996.[4] He invited a group of his students to sit in, or "jam", with his own band with disappointing results. But by the third week, he found that the students who played in a group had advanced much more than the students who received only traditional solo instruction. He modified his teaching method to supplement traditional instruction with group practice, with the goal of putting on a concert. He compared it to the difference between "...shooting hoops and playing basketball". In 1999, the most advanced students played their first public concert at an art gallery.[5]
He took out a loan for $7000 in 2002[6] and established a permanent location for the first Paul Green School of Rock Music in a dilapidated building at 1320 Race St, Philadelphia that has since been demolished.[7] The location had a number of small rooms for individual instrumental instruction as well as larger performance spaces for full band practices. Spin magazine sent Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha to profile Green and the school for the May 2002 issue.[4] Green chose to name the school after himself to avoid both to confusion with the Herbie Hancock television program and to use his measure of local fame, but always referred the program as "Rock School" and answered the phone using the phrase.[8] Additionally, Green established the domain SchoolofRock.com in 2001,[8] first archived May 24, 2002.[9]
In 2002, a crew from the Viacom television channel VH1 filmed for four days at the Philadelphia location for a proposed reality TV series. After the shoot, the producers stopped returning Green's phone calls.[6] In January 2003 filmmakers Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce attended a concert by the students, and decided to make a documentary about the school five minutes after the concert started.[10] They met with Green the next day and began shooting video one day later, intending to follow an entire school year.[11] Midway through the nine months of shooting what became Rock School, they learned that the Viacom movie studio Paramount would be releasing a fictional film to be called School of Rock featuring Jack Black as Dewey Finn, a would-be rock star teaching children to play rock music. Many critics claimed[12] that Black's characterization was based on Green's man-child persona[13][14] though screenwriter Mike White claimed that he had "...never heard of Paul Green before".[5] Green preferred the documentary, saying it "...opened a lot of other doors, corporate partnerships, and given us access to the rock stars that we play with. It was like Jack Black was the nationwide commercial for us and our movie was the industry cred."[15] He considered a lawsuit, but decided against it, reasoning that the School benefited from the film saying "I considered suing, but what are you going to do? It's better, in a karmic sense, to just reap the rewards."[16]
In 2002 Green had more than 100 students, and in order to maintain an acceptable student to teacher ratio, opened an additional location in Downingtown, PA. Expansion continued in counties around Philadelphia, then into southern New Jersey and Delaware. Green's dentist, Dr. Joseph Roberts, became Chairman of the Board of the School and provided funding to expand to San Francisco, CA; New York City, NY; Austin, TX; Cherry Hill, NJ; Salt Lake City, UT and Sandy, UT.
Green was bought out in 2009 by investor Sterling Partners and the management team he had brought in,[17] headed by former Clear Channel executive Matt Ross.[18] Ross remained Chief Executive Officer until 2010, managing the company's expansion and private equity acquisition,[19] when he was replaced as CEO by former McDonald's Ventures executive Chris Catalano,[20] who had previously led the expansion their Chipotle and Redbox businesses.[21] The name was shortened to School of Rock. In January 2012, the headquarters relocated from New Jersey to the Chicago suburb of Burr Ridge, IL[22] with a staff of 14,[21] and an additional 11 employees in Denver, Colorado. The company has 1,500 part-time employees, primarily music instructors in its owned and franchised locations.[23]
In June 2014, Catalano was replaced with Dzana Homan, who had been Chief Operating Officer of the Goddard School child care centers, and had previous experience as CEO of Huntington Learning Centers and Futurekids.[24]
In April 2006, Guitar Player magazine publisher MPN announced a quarterly School of Rock magazine intended to focus on classic rock and musical tips for readers age twelve to eighteen.[25] It lasted less than a year, closing during a contraction of the publishing industry.[26]
Green's non-compete agreement expired in 2013, and he announced plans to open a Paul Green Rock Academy in Woodstock, NY to serve ages 8 to 18, as well as a Woodstock College of Music in Ulster County with Woodstock Music Festival promoter Michael Lang.[27]
Franchising
The CNN Money web site featured School of Rock as one of their Five Hot Franchises on February 12, 2013, stating that there are "more than 10,000 kids enrolled in 105 locations in 31 states, as well as Mexico."[2] A January 2014 profile of CEO Dzana Homan in Entrepreneur magazine increased that number to "more than 145 School of Rock franchises in eight countries".[28]
The company has plans to grow to more than 300 locations in the United States and Mexico by 2015.[29][30]
25 of the locations were owned by the company as of December 16, 2012, the rest by franchisees. Purchasing a franchise requires an initial investment of $137,350 to $304,100 according to a review by Entrepreneur magazine that ranked it #211 of their 2013 Top 500 Franchise Opportunities, up from #289 in 2012, and #318 in 2011. This estimate includes a renewable ten year franchise fee of $49,500. The franchisee also pays an 8% annual royalty fee, and is required to have a net worth of $300,000, and $100,000 cash available. Each location will require from 14 to 21 employees.[31] The majority of the employees are music teachers who are also working musicians.
The franchisee receives training in running the business, IT support including a website, assistance with real estate selection and designing the franchise location, Grand Opening and on-going marketing support, discounts on music equipment and a protected territory.[32] The IT support includes access to a customized task management and internal social productivity site.[23]
The majority of the Schools are in dedicated locations, although in January 2013, the company announced that they intend to expand their program to co-locate with music retailers, who are having difficulty competing with on-line retailers and frequently have surplus floor space. The Charlotte, N.C. location was the model, being co-located in a Sam Ash store but has since moved to a new location.[21]
Curriculum
of the School of Rock
The schools operate year round, offering a variety of programs. During the school year, they function as an after-school program, and during summer, winter and spring breaks they offer a day camp for intensive instruction.
The Burnsville, MN location originated[33] an early childhood music education known as Little Wing, after the Jimi Hendrix song.[34] Children age two to three participate with a parent in the Rockin’ Robin class, and children age four to six participate as part of a drop-off class known as Free Bird. The program of 45 minute sessions is being rolled out to other locations.[35]
At age seven, students can begin weekly lessons in the instrument of their choice in Rock 101 classes. Once a student has basic competence in an instrument, they can move to the Performance Program where they have a weekly one-on-one private lesson and three hours weekly of group band rehearsal that culminates in a concert before an audience.[36] Alternatively, they can move to Lessons+ that features the private instruction only.[37]
The most skilled students of each school form a band and perform at various venues in their city, opening for established regional and national acts. The top 2.5% of each school can audition to become an All-Star. Many schools have songwriting and recording programs as well. In 2011 they introduced two new programs – Band Coaching for existing bands to improve aspects of their performance and Epic Albums where students spend three to four months recording their own version of Nirvana's Nevermind, Radiohead's OK Computer, Led Zeppelin IV, Green Day's Dookie and Black Sabbath's Master of Reality.[38]
Most School instructors are working musicians with ongoing careers in rock music[39][40] and a number are graduates of the program. Instructors are encouraged to stress the fundamentals of both popular music and music theory, using songs from popular bands and artists like Led Zeppelin, The Who, Pink Floyd, and music from genres such as 1980s glam metal, punk rock, and grunge. The teachers generally specialize in a single instrument, though many have skills in additional instruments and students are encouraged to learn multiple instruments. Instruction is available in electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, keyboards, and vocals.[41]
The students are paired with others of similar abilities to form bands, and assigned a band coach. Dependence upon their peers is credited with being more effective than their own parents at ensuring practice discipline.[40][42]
There are occasional Guest Professor workshops featuring accomplished musicians, which include discussions about past experiences, songwriting, live performance, and handling fame. Previous Guest Professors include Jon Anderson, Earl Slick, Dave Stewart, Mike Watt, former Santana drummer Michael Shrieve[43][44] Peter Frampton, Roger Waters, Jackson Browne and Zack Wylde[45] The guest may also spend time assisting the students on their technique[46] and may perform a concert with the students.[47]
Various locations[48] have launched a Grad School program for those older than 18 who wish to participate in a performance based music education program. 5 weeks of 45 minute private lessons are followed by 10 weeks of professionally guided two hour rehearsals leading up to a pair of full length concerts.[49]
Locations take advantage of regional opportunities. In 2014 The Chicago School of Rock launched Rock City Camp: An Opera of Rock in cooperation with The Second City to create an original stage production to be performed at the Athenaeum Theatre. In 2014, they again cooperated to produce a production of Tommy by The Who. The program will run from July 7 through 18.[50] The Portland location has an annual concert of music by Portland bands called Best! of Portland. Every song in the 2014 edition of the show featured a member of the original band, including The Thermals and Typhoon.[51]
In 2012, the School branched out with a variation on the traditional Catskill Mountains summer camp with Metal Camp: Mayhem In The Mountains, an intensive week-long event for musicians age 12 to 18, leading up to a concert.[52] The Guest Professors for the 2012 event were "Metal" Mike Chlasciak - guitarist with Halford, Sebastian Bach and Testament, a teacher at the Chatham location and Jason McMaster - bassist with Watchtower, Dangerous Toys and Ignitor who teaches at the School of Rock Austin.[53] The 2013 event ran from August 19 through 24, 2013, and cost participants $1,299.[54] Chlasciak was again the Guest Professor.[52] Time Out: New York ranked it as one of the best summer camps for kids near New York City.[55]
Fees vary depending on program participation and school location, but it is in the range of "a couple hundred dollars a month."[56] As of May 2012, enrollment at the Wichita, Kansas location started at $225 a month,[57] and $250 a month at the Cleveland, OH location as of July 2012.[58] The School has partnered with MySafeSchool[59] to ensure the safety of their students.
In August 2010, Wendy Winks and Carl Restivo, the former heads of the Hollywood branch, formed The Rock School Scholarship Fund, a tax-deductible 501(c)3 charitable organization[60] to provide instruments and tuition for deserving students of any rock music school in the United States.[61]
Performances
The school has "the ultimate goal of performing live in front of real crowds"[62] and the official motto of the school is "To inspire kids to rock…on stage and in life".[63] The founder of the school stated in the documentary about the school "Don't come to watch kids play music. Come to watch kids play music well".[64]
The School year consists of up to three seasons, each composed of up to five different theme shows (depending on the size of the branch). Each show is dedicated to a particular artist, band, genre, time period or historical event. Although some shows are more technically demanding, students can sign up for any show no matter what the age or skill level (although approval by the show's director is occasionally required). Shows usually consist of 20 to 25 songs chosen by the show's director (usually one of the teachers at the school) to make a ninety minute concert. Three-hour rehearsals are held every week in preparation. The shows are performed at local clubs twice, usually on Friday and Saturday nights, and sometimes Saturday night and Sunday afternoon; however, some of the schools have their own venue for performances. Tickets are sold to defray the rental cost of the venue, usually for $10.
Previously performed shows include Rush vs. Dream Theater, Metallica's Master of Puppets, Indie Rock, Black Sabbath, Santana, Ozzfest, Bonaroo, Warped Tour, progressive rock, The Allman Brothers Band, Guns N' Roses Vs. Motley Crue, Led Zeppelin, Queen, The Beatles, Metallica, Iron Maiden Vs. Metallica, King Crimson, Jimi Hendrix, Devo, Van Halen, Pink Floyd's The Wall, Punk and Reggae, Thrash Metal, Radiohead, Rocky Horror VS. Hedwig, AC/DC, Best of the 80s/90s, Punk rock, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Who's Tommy, Iron Maiden VS. Judas Priest, Frank Zappa, Old School Blues, Women Who Rock, The Doors, Grunge, Guitar Gods, Yes, progressive rock, Rush, Prince, Green Day, The Clash, The Police, Talking Heads, Bruce Springsteen, Motown, The Last Waltz and many more.[6]
Some locations produce a Best of Season show that is a compilation of songs from previous shows, usually to raise tuition for a scholarship.[65] Locations are a mixture of franchised and company-operated, some having been established as independent entities prior to the founding of the Paul Green School of Rock Music and maintain their own traditions and values.[66]
Five Dallas, Texas School of Rock locations will be performing at various Deep Ellum locations over Memorial Day weekend as part of the 3rd annual Rockstravaganza.[67] More than 500 students will be performing as part of 80 bands. Venues are Trees, Club Dada, Boiler Room, Liquid Lounge, and 3 Links beginning April 14, 2013.[68]
On June 28, 2013, the multi-day Gemba competition was launched at Milwaukee's Summerfest music festival. Bands from 200 School of Rock locations traveled to compete in a Battle of Bands. The 2013 edition was judged by Slim Jim Phantom of Stray Cats, David Bowie guitarist Earl Slick, Jim Peterik of Survivor and The Ides of March, Bruce Kulick of Kiss, "Metal" Mike Chlasciak of Rob Halford's band, Eric Bloom of Blue Öyster Cult and Nathan Willett & Matt Maust of the Cold War Kids.[69] The 2013 competition was won by the Seattle School of Rock.
All-Stars
The School of Rock All-Stars is a select group of students comprising the top 2.5 percent of the students in the program,[62] selected via an audition process where the student submits a five minute video clip. The student answers three questions: "What is your favorite thing about School of Rock?", "What is your best School of Rock moment?" and "Why do you want to be an All-Star". They must also include a performance of one Led Zeppelin, Beatles, or Rolling Stones song, and one solo song of their own choice. Originally, there was a single national All-Stars team, but since expanding the number of schools, there are All-Star teams for six different regions to keep tour length manageable. Applicants to represent a particular region are selected by the music directors of School location from a different region.
Once chosen, the students practice together during the school holiday period.[70] They tour such venues as B.B. King's in Times Square, The Knitting Factory and Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles and New York City, The Roxy and Crash Mansion in Los Angeles, Stubbs in Austin, various Hard Rock Cafes and House of Blues, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and many of the biggest festivals in the country such as Lollapalooza, Summerfest and Austin City Limits.
The 2010 All-Stars tour was billed as "Live-Aid Remade" with a set list drawn from the original Live Aid concert 25 years previously.[71] The 2011 All-Stars "Rock The House" tour was a benefit for Ronald McDonald House Charities.[72] The 21 city 2012 All-Stars tour was a benefit for the Love Hope Strength Foundation and included multiple dates at Milwaukee's Summerfest, Connecticut's Gathering of the Vibes and the Van's Warped Tour.[73]
They often tour and play with successful rock musicians, such as The Butthole Surfers, Slash, Les Paul, Brendon Small, LeAnn Rimes, Perry Farrell, Jon Anderson, Peter Frampton, Eddie Vedder, Alice Cooper, Adrian Belew, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Stewart Copeland, John Wetton, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, Ike Willis, and Ann Wilson. Students have performed with Roger Waters' on his 2010 tour of The Wall.[41]
The 2013 All-Stars list was announced April 1, 2013 and included 153 performers from across the United States and Mexico. The performers were assembled into six bands, and played multiple dates including all the days of both Gathering of the Vibes and Lollapalooza festivals. The tour was once again a benefit for the Love Hope Strength Foundation.[74]
Eric Svalgard, a teacher at Green's original School of Rock location and owner of the Wilmington, DE location, assembled a special "Z Team" from nine School of Rock locations to travel to Bad Doberon, Germany to play the 25th Zappanale, a festival of music by and associated with Frank Zappa. The Z Team both opened and closed the show.[75]
Notable graduates
Chicago School graduate Michael Weisman was competing in the second season of the Oxygen reality TV series The Glee Project. On the next-to-last episode of the series that aired August 7, 2012 he was eliminated from the competition.[76]
Two of Paul Green's first group of students were siblings Eric and Julie Slick, who became the drummer and bassist of the Adrian Belew Power Trio, after they played with Belew during his Guest Professor gig at the Philadelphia School in 2006.[77] Eric Slick is also the drummer of the band Dr. Dog. Belew said in a profile in Guitar Player magazine that "These kids give me energy, and make me feel young all over again. They really inspire me to create, and we're just starting."[78]
Philadelphia student C.J. Tywoniak appeared in the film Rock of Ages as the guitarist in the band Wolfgang Von Colt.[79] Fellow Philadelphia student Madi Diaz's songs have appeared in the television shows Drop Dead Diva and Army Wives, and was named by Paste magazine as one of the Top 10 Buzziest Acts of SXSW 2009.[80] Both were featured in the documentary film Rock School.
Chicago student Luke Sangerman is the youngest person to become a permanent performer with the Blue Man Group, beating 150 professionals in an open audition for the Chicago production at age 16.[81]
The Los Angeles location's House Band was the backing band for the "Rock Music" episode of the American television program Dancing with the Stars in 2012.[21]
Locations
United States
| State | Location | Address | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Ahwatukee | 4645 E. Chandler Blvd. #114, Phoenix, Arizona 85048 | web site |
| Scottsdale | 13610 N. Scottsdale Rd #33, Scottsdale, Arizona 85254 | web site | |
| Arkansas | Rogers | 2890 West Walnut, Rogers, Arkansas 72756 | web site |
| California | Burbank | 4516 Mariota Avenue, Los Angeles (Burbank), California 91602 | web site |
| Encinitas | 165 S. El Camino Real Blvd., Encinitas, California 92024 | web site | |
| Fairfax | 7801 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles (Fairfax), California 90036 | web site | |
| Oceanside | 4095 Oceanside Blvd Suite F, Oceanside, California 92056 | web site | |
| Palo Alto | 2645 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, California 94306 | web site | |
| San Diego | 2850 Womble Rd #104, San Diego, California 92106 | web site | |
| San Jose | 5035 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, California 95118 | web site | |
| San Mateo | 711 South B Street, San Mateo, California 94401 | web site | |
| South Bay Los Angeles | 1806 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach, California 90278 | web site | |
| Tustin | 530. E First Street (Larwin Square), Tustin, California 92780 | web site | |
| West Los Angeles | 12020 Wilshire Blvd, West Los Angeles, California 90025 | web site | |
| Colorado | Aurora | 13750 E Rice Place # 100, Aurora, Colorado 80015 | web site |
| Boulder | 3280 28th Street Unit 1, Boulder, Colorado 80301 | web site | |
| Broomfield | 11970 Quay Street, Broomfield, Colorado 80020 | web site | |
| Denver | 216 South Grant St, Denver, Colorado 80209 | web site | |
| Littleton | 5950 S. Platte Canyon Rd, Littleton, Colorado 80123 | web site | |
| Connecticut | Fairfield | 1976 Post Road, Fairfield, Connecticut 06824 | web site |
| Madison | 845 Boston Post Road, Madison, Connecticut 06443 | web site | |
| New Canaan | 41 Grove Street, New Canaan, Connecticut 06840 | web site | |
| Delaware | Wilmington | 484 Century Blvd, Wilmington, Delaware 19808 | web site |
| Florida | Coral Springs | 7544 Wiles Road, Coral Springs, Florida 33067 | web site |
| Miami | 8783 SW 132 Street, Miami, Florida 33176 | web site | |
| North Palm Beach | 11650 U.S. Highway One, North Palm Beach, Florida 33408 | web site | |
| Oviedo | 5420 Deep Lake Road, Suite 1024, Oviedo, Florida 32765 | web site | |
| South Palm Beach | 7433 S Military Trail, Lake Worth, Florida 33463 | web site | |
| West Broward | 6880 Dykes Road, Ft Lauderdale, Florida 33331 | web site | |
| Georgia | Atlanta | 321 Pharr Rd. Suite H, Atlanta, Georgia 30305 | web site |
| East Cobb | 2515 East Piedmont Road, Marietta, Georgia 30062 | web site | |
| Illinois | Chicago | 3043 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60657 | web site |
| Arlington Heights | 17 E Campbell, Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005 | web site | |
| Elmhurst | 105 N. Maple Avenue, Elmhurst, Illinois 60126 | web site | |
| Evanston | 1311 Sherman Place, Evanston, Illinois 60201 | web site | |
| Glen Ellyn | 536b Crescent Blvd, Glen Ellyn, Illinois 60137 | web site | |
| Highwood | 9 Prairie Avenue, Highwood, Illinois 60040 | web site | |
| Hinsdale | 116 South Washington St, Hinsdale, Illinois 60521 | web site | |
| Mokena | 9613 W 194th Pl, Mokena, Illinois 60448 | web site | |
| Naperville | 220 N. Washington St, Naperville, Illinois 60540 | web site | |
| Oak Park | 219 Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 | web site | |
| Plainfield | 24026 Lockport St, Plainfield, Illinois | web site | |
| Indiana | Carmel | 626 S. Range Line Road, Carmel, Indiana 46032 | web site |
| Kansas | Wichita | 1218 S Rock Rd, Wichita, Kansas 67207 | web site |
| Overland Park | 9296 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, KS 66212 | web site | |
| Maryland | Annapolis | 1460 Ritchie Highway Suite 105-106, Arnold, Maryland 21012 | web site |
| Baltimore | 3600 Clipper Mill Road, Suite 115, Baltimore, Maryland 21211 | web site | |
| Columbia | 6935 Oakland Mills Rd, Columbia, Maryland 21045 | web site | |
| Gambrills | 1041 Route 3 North, Suite 10, Gambrills, Maryland 21054 | web site | |
| Silver Spring | 8634 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910 | web site | |
| Massachusetts | Boston | 120 Elm Street, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472 | web site |
| Norwood/Walpole | 1250 Washington Street, Norwood, Massachusetts 02062 | web site | |
| Seekonk | 1295 Fall River Avenue, Seekonk, Massachusetts 02771 | web site | |
| Michigan | Farmington | 22730 Orchard Lake Rd, Farmington, Michigan 48336 | web site |
| Ann Arbor | 6101 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103 | web site | |
| Rochester | 415 Walnut Blvd, Rochester, Michigan 48307 | web site | |
| Minnesota | Eden Prairie | 6585 Edenvale Boulevard #100b, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55346 | web site |
| St. Paul | 417 Broadway, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 | web site | |
| Missouri | Ballwin | 14560 Manchester Road, Ballwin, Missouri 63011 | web site |
| Kirkwood | 104 N. Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, Missouri 63122 | web site | |
| Lee's Summit | 1121 NE Rice Road, Lee's Summit, Missouri 64086 | web site | |
| Parkville/Kansas City | 1315 E. Street, Parkville, Missouri 64152 | web site | |
| Springfield | 1658 E. Sunshine St, Springfield, Missouri 65804 | web site | |
| Nebraska | Omaha | 13270 Millard Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68137 | web site |
| Nevada | Las Vegas West | 9340 W. Flamingo Road, Suite 117, Las Vegas, Nevada 89147 | web site |
| New Jersey | Chatham | 60 Main St, Chatham, New Jersey 07928 | web site |
| Cherry Hill | 1990 Route 70 East, Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08003 | web site | |
| East Brunswick | 3 Lexington Avenue, East Brunswick, New Jersey 08816 | web site | |
| Monmouth County | 256 Route 79, Morganville, New Jersey 07751 | web site | |
| Montclair | 125 Valley Rd, Montclair, New Jersey 07042 | web site | |
| Hamilton/Princeton | 3570 Quakerbridge Road, Hamilton, New Jersey 08619 | web site | |
| Randolph | 540 Route 10 West, Randolph, New Jersey 07869 | web site | |
| Red Bank | 52 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701 | web site | |
| Saddle Brook | 400 Market Street, Saddle Brook, New Jersey 07663 | web site | |
| Somerville | 1 West Main Street, Somerville, New Jersey 08876 | web site | |
| Tenafly | 33 County Road, Tenafly, New Jersey 07670 | web site | |
| Waldwick | 159 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick, New Jersey 07463 | web site | |
| Wayne | 1055 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne, New Jersey 07470 | web site | |
| New York | Bedford | 12 Court Road, Bedford, New York 10506 | web site |
| Blauvelt/Orangeberg | 225 East Erie Street, Blauvelt, New York 10913 | web site | |
| Brooklyn | 327 Douglass St, Brooklyn, New York 11217 | web site | |
| Farmingdale | 540 Smith Street, Farmingdale, New York 11735 | web site | |
| New York | 439 East 75th Street, New York, New York 10021 | web site | |
| Port Jefferson | 4837 Nesconset Hwy, Port Jefferson Station, New York 11776 | web site | |
| Roslyn | 154 Mineola Avenue, Roslyn Heights, New York 11577 | web site | |
| North Carolina | Charlotte | 1105 Greenwood Cliff, Charlotte, North Carolina 28204 | web site |
| Ohio | Highland Heights | 299 Alpha Park, Highland Heights, Ohio 44143 | web site |
| Mason | 755 Reading Road, Suite 1, Mason, Ohio 45040 | web site | |
| Rocky River | 20148 Detroit Road, Rocky River, Ohio 44116 | web site | |
| Strongsville | 16888 Pearl Rd. #4, Strongsville, Ohio 44136 | web site | |
| Oregon | Lake Oswego | 11830 SW Kerr Parkway Suite 212, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035 | web site |
| Portland | 1440 Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard, Portland, Oregon 97214 | web site | |
| Pennsylvania | Allentown | 622 Union Blvd, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18109 | web site |
| Downingtown | 478 Acorn Lane, Downingtown, Pennsylvania 19335 | web site | |
| Doylestown | 135 South Main Street, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18901 | web site | |
| Easton | 19 South Bank Street, Easton, Pennsylvania 18042 | web site | |
| Fort Washington | 425A Delaware Drive, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania 19034 | web site | |
| Main Line | 511 Old Lancaster Road, Suite 4, Berwyn, Pennsylvania 19312 | web site | |
| Newtown | 2852 S. Eagle Road, Newtown, Pennsylvania 18940 | web site | |
| Philadelphia | 421 N 7th St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19123 | web site | |
| Wexford | 11171 Perry Highway, Wexford, Pennsylvania 15090 | web site | |
| Tennessee | Franklin | 616 Bradley Court, Franklin, Tennessee 37067 | web site |
| Germantown | 9309 Poplar Ave, #102, Germantown, Tennessee 38138 | web site | |
| Memphis | 400 Perkins Extd, Memphis, Tennessee 38117 | web site | |
| Nashville | 3201 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, Tennessee 37212 | web site | |
| Texas | Austin | 2525 West Anderson Lane, Suite 138, Austin, Texas 78757 | web site |
| Clear Lake | 1020 W. Nasa Parkway Suite 146, Webster, Texas 77598 | web site | |
| Dallas | 5606 Dyer Street, Dallas, Texas 75206 | web site | |
| Flower Mound | 3501 Long Prairie Rd., Suite 102, Flower Mound, Texas 75022 | web site | |
| Fort Worth | 905 University Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76107 | web site | |
| Frisco | 6891 W Main St, Frisco, Texas 75034 | web site | |
| Katy | 3750 S. Mason Rd., Suite 800, Katy, Texas 77450 | web site | |
| Kingswood | 1580 Kingwood Dr., Kingwood, Texas 77339 (opening soon) | web site | |
| Lubbock | 7802 Indiana Ave, Lubbock, Texas 79423 | web site | |
| Mansfield | 8021 Matlock Rd. #101, Arlington, Texas 76002 (Opening soon) | web site | |
| McKinney | 1600 W. Louisiana St, McKinney, Texas 75069 | web site | |
| Southlake-Keller | 3220 W. Southlake Blvd, Southlake, Texas 76092 | web site | |
| Stone Oak/San Antonio | 109 Gallery Circle, Suite 101, San Antonio, Texas 78258 | web site | |
| The Woodlands | 30420 FM 2978 Suite 440, The Woodlands, Texas 77354 | web site | |
| Utah | Sandy | 9083 S 255 W, Sandy, Utah 84070 | web site |
| Virginia | Ashburn | 20660 Ashburn Road, Ashburn, VA 020147 | web site |
| Norfolk | 430 Boush Street, Norfolk, VA 23510 | web site | |
| Short Pump/Glen Allen | 4300 Pouncey Tract Road, Suite G, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 | web site | |
| Vienna | 111B Center Street South, Vienna, VA 22180 | web site | |
| Washington | Bellevue | 14330 NE 20th St, Bellevue, Washington 98007 | web site |
| Seattle | 13730 Lake City Way NE, Suite B201, Seattle, Washington 98125 | web site | |
Australia
| City | Website | |
|---|---|---|
| Macarthur | 6 Warby Street, Campbelltown, NSW 2560 | web site |
Brazil
| City | Website | |
|---|---|---|
| São Caetano do Sul | Rua São Paulo, 1154, São Caetano do Sul | web site |
| São Paulo Moema | Rua Chanés, 263, Moema, São Paulo | web site |
Canada
| City | Website | |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchener/Waterloo | 78 Francis St. North, Kitchener, ON N2H 5B5 | web site |
| Markham | 150 Bullock Drive, Unit 4, Markham, Ontario L3P 1W2 | web site |
| Orléans | 2003 St. Joseph Blvd, Orléans, Ontario K1C1E5 | web site |
Mexico
| City | Website | |
|---|---|---|
| Guadalajara | Col. Colomos Providencia, Guadalajara, JAL CP 44630 | web site |
| Pedregal | Av. de las Fuentes 557, jardines del pedregal, MEX 01900 | web site |
| Metepec | Av. Estado de México 433, Metepec, MEX CP 52140 | web site |
| San Pedro | Rio salinas #225, Col. del Valle, San Pedro Garza Garcia N.L., MEX 66220 | web site |
| Vía Cordillera | Prolongación Alfonso Reyes, Vía Cordillera, Santa Catarina | web site |
Panama
| City | Website | |
|---|---|---|
| Panama City | Parque Industrial Costa del Este, Calle 3º, Edif. iStorage, Nivel MZ | web site |
Philippines
| City | Website | |
|---|---|---|
| Manila | Connecticut Avenue, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan City, Metro Manila | web site |
References
- ↑ Dunn, Laura (11 November 2014). "Women in Business: Elyse Causey, School of Rock franchise". Huffington Post. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
School of Rock has via more than 140 schools in eight countries, with more than 17,000 students.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kavilanz, Parija. "Five Hot Franchises". Money.CNN.com. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
Today, School of Rock has more than 10,000 kids enrolled in 105 locations in 31 states, as well as Mexico. CEO Chris Catalano, who joined the company in 2009, expects to open another 20 to 40 locations in 2013.
- ↑ "Sycamore Middle School student wins scholarship from School Of Rock Mason". Cincinnati Enquirer. 10 April 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Iha, James (2002). "Schoolhouse Rock". Spin (May): 93–97. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Ogunnaike, Lola (3 November 2003). "November 03, 2003". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
I was shocked by how little the kids were learning. It was the difference between shooting hoops and playing basketball.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Davis, Johnny (22 February 2004). "The real school of rock". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 27 August 2008.
For the first School Of Rock show, Paul's students performed Pink Floyd's The Wall. From start to finish. Recently, they've been tackling the works of Frank Zappa, Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Jimi Hendrix.
- ↑ Stefchak, Cara (23 April 2012). "Music Issue: Learning how to rock". The Temple News. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
Philadelphia was home to the first School of Rock established by musician Paul Green in 2000 at 1320 Race St., which has since been condemned and demolished with the expansion of the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Morales, Wilson (May 2005). "Rock School: An Interview with Director Don Argott, Producer Sheena m. Joyce, Founder and director Paul Green, and student C.J Tywoniak". Retrieved 2 August 2012.
- ↑ "May 24, 2002 archive of the domain schoolofrock.com". Archive.org. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ↑ Moser, Juliet (3 February 2005). "Film Review: "Rock School"". The GW Hatchet. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
- ↑ Vice, Jeff (24 June 2005). "Green relieved documentary shows real 'School of Rock'". Deseret Morning News – via HighBeam Research (subscription required) . Retrieved 30 August 2012.
"The School of Rock" was spawned by a development deal with music TV network VH-1, which initially pitched Green on a reality television show. But when that deal soured, the producers sold the concept to Paramount Pictures, leaving him out in the cold. (According to some reports, Green was not paid for either the scrapped TV program or the movie.)
- ↑ "Rock School review". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
Though you won’t find it acknowledged anywhere, Rock School’s main subject Paul Green no doubt figured into White’s research for his feature film script.
- ↑ Ebert, Roger. "Rock School review". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ↑ Douglas, Edward. "Movie Reviews: Rock School". Comingsoon.net. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
...the real Paul Green is even funnier and more entertaining than Jack Black's fictionalized version of him in School of Rock.
- ↑ Gay, Gerald (August 10, 2006). "School of Rock's elite performing here". Arizona Daily Star – via HighBeam Research (subscription required) . Retrieved 2 January 2013.
The Jack Black movie was actually, businesswise, way better for us because people actually saw that movie," Green said. "Our movie has opened a lot of other doors, corporate partnerships, and given us access to the rock stars that we play with. It was like Jack Black was the nationwide commercial for us and our movie was the industry cred.
- ↑ Davis, Johnny (22 February 2004). "The real school of rock". The Observer.
'I considered suing,' says Paul Green, 'but what are you going to do? It's better, in a karmic sense, to just reap the rewards.
- ↑ Boast, Will (May 12, 2014). "A School for Brooklyn’s Youngest Hipsters". The New Yorker. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
Green went on to expand his business rapidly, opening branches along the East Coast, in San Francisco and Austin, and elsewhere before selling the business to Sterling Partners, an investment firm, in 2009. “Paul had his quirks,” Catalano told me. “He wouldn’t have made great partners with a large equity group. It was the right thing for everyone involved.”
- ↑ "History of the School of Rock". School of Rock DC. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
At the end of 2005, the School of Rock hired radio industry veteran Matt Ross to solidify the management team and fine-tune the strategic plan for the future.
- ↑ "Matt Ross Linked in page". Linked In. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
- ↑ Boudreau, Mark. "Paul Green School Of Rock Ramps Up National Expansion". Rock and Roll Report. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
the original performance-based rock music school, has solidified its new management team and launched an aggressive national expansion that is on target to double the number of branches by the end of the year.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 "School of Rock". Musical Merchandise Review. January 4, 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
A veteran of venture projects for years, Catalano has steered several high-profile brands to success on his own and in his former role with McDonald’s Ventures. There, Catalano and his business partner, Mats Lederhausen, climbed to prominence making household names out of Chipotle and the on-location DVD rental system Red Box.
- ↑ Kapos, Shia (23 January 2012). "School of Rock moves its HQ to Chicago's burbs, sets sights on growth". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 McKeon, Albert (14 February 2013). "School of Rock humming with Salesforce's Do task management application". TechTarget.com. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
It has about 25 employees split between offices in Burr Ridge, Ill., and Denver. It also has about 1,500 mostly part-time employees at its company-owned and franchise locations.
- ↑ Yerak, Becky. "School of Rock gets new CEO". http://www.chicagotribune.com''. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
From 2008 to 2010, Homan was also CEO of Huntington Learning Center, and from 2001 to 2008 she was CEO of Futurekids Inc., a retail computer learning center at which she was also a franchisee.
- ↑ Molenda, Michael (April 2006). "Noise from the Editor". Guitar Player – via Questia (subscription required) . Retrieved 2 January 2013.
I'm jazzed to announce that MPN--the music publishing group that brings you Guitar Player, Bass Player, Keyboard, EQ, and Frets--is partnering with Paul Green's School of Rock to produce School of Rock Magazine.
- ↑ Molenda, Michael (July 2007). "Noise from the Editor". Guitar Player – via Questia (subscription required) . Retrieved 2 January 2013.
In our own house, we've shut down Frets, and ceased publication of the youth-oriented Paul Green's School of Rock Magazine.
- ↑ "School of Rock founder plans music academy for Woodstock". Poughkeepsie Journal. 7 February 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
Paul Green, a Woodstock resident, plans to open a school "very similar to the original School of Rock in Philadelphia," which he launched in 1997. Green ultimately opened 52 School of Rock locations across the nation and sold the company. His non-compete clause recently expired.
- ↑ Moran, Gwen. "3 Women to Watch in the Franchising Sector". Entrepreneur magazine. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
She leads more than 145 School of Rock franchises in eight countries, helping to develop the next generation of musicians.
- ↑ Dezember, Ryan (19 April 2012). "Behind the Music: School of Rock Scores $5 Million Infusion". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
Sterling acquired the School of Rock in 2009 for an undisclosed amount, and most recently pumped $3.5 million into the business.
- ↑ "NetSuite OneWorld strikes a powerful chord for School of Rock". NetSuite.com. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
...growth targets set by School of Rock's new venture capital partners to expand rapidly to more than 300 locations throughout North America and Mexico.
- ↑ "School of Rock Franchise Information". Entrepreneur Media, Inc. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
- ↑ "FAQ". School of Rock. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
- ↑ "Little Wing Rock Preschool Music Education for 2-6 Year Olds". Little Wing Minnesota. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
- ↑ "Little Wing - School of Rock introduces early childhood music education class.". School of Rock. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
- ↑ "Little Wing Naperville". School of Rock Naperville. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
- ↑ Paulin, Ben (29 March 2013). "Opening Act: School of Rock Coming to Norwood". Patch Network. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
A typical program will include a private lesson once a week and then a three-hour group lesson on weekends.
- ↑ "Enrollment handbook". Chicago School of Rock. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
- ↑ "Epic Albums Program". School of Rock. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
This workshop provides in-depth analysis and re-creation of iconic albums
- ↑ Ziezulewicz, Geoff (March 26, 2013). "A School of Rock is opening in Plainfield this May". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
The School of Rock staff is comprised of professional musicians, who all have experience in rock bands, Fein said.
- ↑ 40.0 40.1 McPhate, Christian (Feb 11, 2014). "How Dallas Became a School of Rock Hub". Dallas Observer. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
The music leans more toward indie influences, although teachers like former Polyphonic Spree guitarist Ryan Fitzgerald, Shannon Grady of Hello My Name Is, David Fiegelman of Rodney Parker and 50 Peso Reward, David Ponder of Somebody's Darling, Wade Coffer of Homespun Remedies, Stephanie Burns of Spookeasy and Joel Butterfield of My Son My Executioner are more than capable of teaching all genres of music.
- ↑ 41.0 41.1 Coffey, Kevin (6 February 2011). "I wanna ROCK!". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
Kids ages 7 to 17 can enroll in one of four evening programs that teach guitar, bass, drums, vocals and keyboards.
- ↑ "Making music as popular as soccer? Fast-growing School of Rock aims to expand music making with a unique approach to education. Franchise system offers opportunities for retailers as well.". Music Trades. 1 July 2010. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
When everyone is depending on each other in a band, the kids do a better job enforcing a practice regime then their parents ever could.
- ↑ Prosser, Keegan. "School of Rock opens Bellevue location this weekend". Bellevue Reporter. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
- ↑ "Our Network". Chicago School of Rock. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ↑ "School of Rock: Reading, Writing and Rocking Out!". Bloomberg TV. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
- ↑ "Philly's School of Rock Say "YES" to Steve Howe". Facebook. 6 April 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
Steve Howe – what a class act, a truly gracious guy. He really connected with the kids and took a concerted effort in breaking down their technique.
- ↑ "Roundabout - Jon Anderson & School of Rock St. Louis 2014". YouTube. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
- ↑ "Grad School". Waldwick School of Rock. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
The Waldwick School of Rock teaches students of ALL ages.
- ↑ "Highland Heights School of Rock offers grad school program". The Cleveland Plain Dealer. 17 September 2010. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
- ↑ Carriveau, Cara (March 5, 2014). "A Summer Of Rocking, Performing And Laughing For Teens". The Local Tourist.com. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
Over two weeks, musical all-stars with multiple performance skills in music and theater, will create an original storyline, learn rock music and develop original music to produce a never-before-seen show.
- ↑ Lannamann, Ned (January 22, 2014). "Get Schooled - School of Rock and the Best of Portland". Portland Mercury. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
Now in its third year, the concert pairs students from the Portland chapter of School of Rock with members of local bands, sharing the stage for performances of said bands' songs.
- ↑ 52.0 52.1 "School of Rock Announces Metal Mike as Guest Professor for Metal Camp". The Wall Street Journal. April 16, 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
The special guest professor for the week will be the one and only Metal Mike, most commonly known as the affable guitar shredder who records and tours the world with Judas Priest singer Rob Halford.
- ↑ "Metal Camp: Mayhem in the Mountains". School of Rock. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
- ↑ "Metal Camp". School of Rock. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
- ↑ "Sleepaway camps: The best summer camps for kids near New York City". Time Out: New York. February 7, 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
Music lovers thrive in this unique environment, where attendees receive concentrated music instruction in guitar, bass, drums, keys and vocals, while jamming with like-minded kids.
- ↑ Yerak, Becky (19 April 2012). "School of Rock rolls on with $5 million investment from private equity group". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
It expects enrollment, now at about 8,000, to grow by more than 50 percent in the next two years.
- ↑ Siebenmark, Jerry (28 April 2012). "School of Rock opens on South Rock Road". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
Ramsey said enrollment prices start at $225 a month.
- ↑ Yarborough, Chuck (July 6, 2012). "School of Rock Midwest AllStars Tour features 5 local teens". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
Students pay $250 a month to attend the School of Rock at two locations in Greater Cleveland -- one in Highland Heights and one in Rocky River -- with one soon to open in Strongsville.
- ↑ "School of Rock partners". MySafeSchool.org. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
- ↑ "Organizations Eligible to Receive Tax-Deductible Contributions (Pub. 78 data) - Search Results". Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
- ↑ "About the RSSF". rockschoolfund.org. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
The Rock School Scholarship Fund (RSSF) is the first 501(c)3 non-profit which provides scholarship funds and instruments for children ages 7 to 17 years of age who want to attend ANY rock music school in the U.S.A.
- ↑ 62.0 62.1 "School Of Rock: About". Hangout Music Fest. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- ↑ "FAQ". Retrieved 1 October 2011.
The purpose of School of Rock is: “To inspire kids to rock…on stage and in life”.
- ↑ "Trailer for Rock School". YouTube. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- ↑ "School of Rock Best of Season Scholarship Fundraiser in Denver". ThingsToDoInCentennialCO.com. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- ↑ Dargis, Manohla (3 June 2005). "Often Serious, Often Not, Teaching Rock His Way". The New York Times (New York City: The New York Times Company). Retrieved 7 November 2010.
- ↑ "One of the Biggest Music Events for Kids in the DFW Area Coming on April 14th". PR.com. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
On April 14, over 500 kid and teen musicians from School of Rock’s locations all over DFW will descend upon Dallas’ Deep Ellum neighborhood for an entire day of their own unique rock and roll festival called Rockstravaganza.
- ↑ Tarradell, Mario. "Rockstravaganza festival comes to Deep Ellum clubs". Dallas News. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
The event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., takes place in the renovated warehouse district of Deep Ellum. Participating clubs are Trees, Boiler Room, La Grange, Club Dada and Liquid Lounge.
- ↑ "Franklin School of Rock house band competes in Milwaukee". The Tennessean. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
- ↑ "School of Rock All-Stars". School of Rock DC. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- ↑ McGrath, Kristin (7 July 2010). "Live Aid Remade tour puts School of Rock on the road". USA Today. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- ↑ Lanham, Tom (30 June 2011). "School of Rock All Stars to rock the Rickshaw for Ronald McDonald House". SF Examiner. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- ↑ "School of Rock teams up with Love Hope Strength for 21-city All-Stars benefit tour kicking off June 24". LoveHopeStrength.org. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- ↑ "2013 School of Rock All-Stars". School of Rock. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
- ↑ "School of Rock at Zappanale". http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/soratzappanale''. Pledge Music. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
- ↑ Strecker, Erin. "'Glee Project' exit shocker: Double elimination! 'Some people might not like it, but that's me'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
- ↑ "Adrian Belew bio". adrianbelew.net. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
- ↑ Barry, Cleveland (June 2008). "Adrian Belew". Guitar Player. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
I love the Power Trio," enthuses Belew. "These kids give me energy, and make me fed young all over again. They really inspire me to create, and we're just starting.
- ↑ "C.J. Tywoniak IMDB listing". IMDB. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
- ↑ "Top 10 Buzziest Acts of SXSW 2009". Paste magazine. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
- ↑ Dai, Serena (May 27, 2014). "Blue Man Group's Youngest Performer, 17, Rocks More Than Lakeview's Stages". DNA Info Chicago. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
Luke Sangerman — a 17-year-old high school student who's the youngest performer to ever be in a Blue Man production. In fact, Luke started when he was just 16, beating out more than 150 professional drummers at an open audition last year.