Burbank
School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

Burbank

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Map
School of Rock Burbank
2629 W. Olive Ave.
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 980-1522
Hours
  • Monday: 2 PM - 8 PM
  • Tuesday: 2 PM - 8 PM
  • Wednesday: 2 PM - 8 PM
  • Thursday: 2 PM - 8 PM
  • Friday: Closed
  • Saturday: 10 AM - 5 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM - 5 PM

Upcoming Special Hours:

  • 05/19/2024: Closed

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

The School of Rock in Burbank is proud to offer music classes to help teach our community how to play instruments with skill and confidence. We teach everything from drums, guitar, keyboard and vocals. Students can develop skills in playing popular local genres including punk and garage rock. At School of Rock, our students are given the chance to perform live shows and develop their skills in a supportive learning environment. While there are not a ton of music venues specific to Burbank, there's a wealth of opportunities for students to take the skills they learned at School of Rock and perform in the greater Los Angeles area.

Programs we offer

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

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

The Performance Program at School of Rock Burbank 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 Burbank Performance Program students take the stage and play at local Toluca Lake 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 Burbank'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 Toluca Lake music venue.

Rookies music program for children in Toluca Lake
Rookies
Ages 6-7

At School of Rock Burbank, 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 Burbank, 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 Burbank
Little Wing
Ages 4-5

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

School of Rock Burbank'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 Burbank 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 Toluca Lake.

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 Burbank 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 Toluca Lake.

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

The School of Rock Burbank 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 Burbank's House Band. Once selected, House Band members become leaders in their School of Rock community and perform live shows at CA 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 Toluca Lake and the rest of CA. 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 Burbank

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Toluca Lake

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

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

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Toluca Lake

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Burbank 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 Burbank, 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 Burbank 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 Burbank, 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 Toluca Lake.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Toluca Lake

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Burbank 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 Toluca Lake 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 Burbank, 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 Toluca Lake 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 Burbank, 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 Toluca Lake

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

At School of Rock we teach differently than other music schools in Toluca Lake. 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 Burbank, 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 Toluca Lake 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 Burbank Adult Program puts beginner keyboard students in a band. Adult Program students in the Toluca Lake 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 Toluca Lake 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 Burbank, 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 Toluca Lake, 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 Burbank’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.

Ryan Schiff
District Manager
Born and raised in Long Island, NY, Ryan began playing guitar at age 13 after seeing the movie "La Bamba" about rock legend Ritchie Valens. He studied with Grammy-nominated guitarist Steve Briody for several years before starting his own projects and soon became an instructor himself. While still in New York, his band Code Anchor independently released several EPs and one full-length album, "Rosada," while touring extensively nationwide from 2005-2009. A co-writer in the band, Ryan also played lead and rhythm guitar while singing lead and backup vocals. Memorable stages include the Vans Warped Tour at Nassau Coliseum and headlining bills at some of New York City's greatest venues like CBGB's and The Knitting Factory. It was during this time that Ryan began teaching at School of Rock in NY. Hungry to pursue new musical ventures, Ryan departed from Code Anchor and moved to Los Angeles in 2009. Since then, he's been busy writing, producing and performing with his newest project, Lou Pine. As a Sony/ATV artist, Lou Pine’s music has been featured on television shows like “Chicago Fire,” “Gordon Ramsay’s The F Word” and “Food Paradise." Ryan enjoys playing every genre, including jazz, funk, country and folk, but credits the blues and rock n' roll as his main influences. He is the district manager at School of Rock Burbank.
General Manager Selena Lysle
Selena Lysle
General Manager
Raised in Los Angeles, Selena has always been passionate about music, from photographing concerts to working in health and safety at music festivals. She started with School of Rock in 2014 and since then, she’s helped cultivate a welcoming and inspiring community of future rock stars.

Selena has an associate's degree in Business and Studio Photography. She is currently pursuing degrees in Graphic Design and UX Design. Selena loves creating rad artwork and running around with her camera at School of Rock shows. You can catch her custom-made show posters around the school. In February 2023, she was promoted to Multi-Unit General Manager and also leads School of Rock Santa Clarita.

When she's not behind the front desk, she enjoys learning new things, gardening, cooking, and being outdoors.
Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Pierre Karlsson
Pierre Karlsson
Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Before moving to Los Angeles to study music at the world renowned Musicians Institute (GIT), Pierre performed and recorded with various rock bands from his homeland, Sweden. Since graduating, Pierre Karlsson has established himself as a sought after guitarist, composer/arranger and music collaborator whose stylistic flexibility and enthusiasm speaks for itself.

He has been teaching at School of Rock since 2007, sharing his passion and love of music by being a guitar teacher and bass guitar teacher, and directing seasonal shows. Pierre is a multi-faceted musician with credits like the film "Night School" (starring Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish), "Green Eggs and Ham" (Warner Bros) and Hollywood Reel Film Festival winner "The Truth About Marriage," as well as many commercial and indie projects. He has recorded with artists ranging from Benny Mardones (Into the Night) to Dona Oxford and producer/engineer Rob Brill (Paul McCartney), as well as Billy Sullivan (Trekkies) and Daniel Mendez (Motley Crue). His playing has been featured on television broadcasts around the world, including recent credits "Sing Like a Star," "Daily Blast," "Evidence of Innocence" and "Xploration Awesome Planet."
Assistant Music Director, Drum Teacher Katie Cole
Katie Cole
Assistant Music Director, Drum Teacher
Katie Cole has always had a passion for music and has been playing all kinds of instruments for the past two decades. She specializes in drums and has played in multiple touring bands. Katie was in jazz bands throughout high school and college and has played anything from pop to heavy metal. She is currently writing with her bands Dangerkids and Prinze George. Katie also works in music production and session drumming.
Studio Coordinator Emilee Saville
Emilee Saville
Studio Coordinator
Emilee began teaching herself piano in late 2018. Music was always out of reach and she was overjoyed to finally start embracing music. In 2022, she got a job here at School of Rock Burbank! A slow crawl to music finally became a full-time reality.

Emilee is currently learning guitar and is a singer-songwriter in the band The Coordinators with fellow front desk girls Candy and Phoebe. She looks forward to one day becoming a mother, teacher, and professional musician. She is proof that it’s never too late and School of Rock is an excellent place to start, or continue, your musical journey. 
Studio Coordinator Candy Londono
Candy Londono
Studio Coordinator
Born and raised in Burbank, California, Candy has always had a love for music and the arts. A singer-songwriter herself, she writes to inspire and shed light during hard times. She grew up with a vast musical background and a love for all types including opera and classic rock. Additionally, Candy has a love for travel; she lived in Boston for three years and has traveled through multiple states and some countries. Meeting people from all walks of life has always inspired her. Candy is currently working on improving her own songwriting craft and knowledge of instruments, along with many other learning endeavors.
Studio Coordinator Phoebe Randall
Phoebe Randall
Studio Coordinator
Born and raised under the blazing Arizona sun, yet somehow incapable of absorbing vitamin D, Phoebe Randall has loved and valued music since she got her hands on a Hello Kitty boombox and her very first CD—a Britany Spears album she won at Dave and Busters.

Phoebe loves to sing, and has been trying to learn guitar for years, but just can’t get those barre chords down. She graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Art Studies, focusing primarily on animation. She loves how animation is a marriage of moving images and sound, the two made more impactful together than apart.

Phoebe loves that music alone has the ability to transport us to worlds of our creation, and she believes strongly in the therapeutic power of listening to and playing music. Phoebe will often be found listening to her favorite artists while she draws, goes on a hike, or while she’s brushing her teeth. She very much looks forward to supporting you on your uniquely beautiful artistic journey!
Drum Teacher Nick Mason
Nick Mason
Drum Teacher
Nick Mason is one of today's most in-demand session and touring drummers. He has contributed to over 100 recorded releases, as well as appeared in mainstream films and on network television. As an international touring musician, his credits include '80s Sunset Strip idols Pretty Boy Floyd, industrial/metal acts FleischKrieg and DK-Zero, and many many more.

Nick began teaching private lessons over two decades ago and has expanded his role as an educator to include the development of percussion products and tools, as well as speaking at industry conventions. Many of his former students have gone on to great success with their own musical careers, including touring with major artists, recording, and becoming teachers themselves.
Scott Warren
Keyboard Teacher
Scott Warren was the latest keyboardist for heavy metal bands Dio, and Heaven and Hell. Scott is a self-taught keyboardist. He began playing at age six. Later he trained professionally at Dick Grove School of Music. Scott Warren was a member of the groups Warrant, Keel and Berlin.

Today Scott Warren is part of Dio Disciples, which includes surviving members of the final line-up of Dio, along with former Lynch Mob vocalist Oni Logan. He also plays in the band Hellion alongside fellow Dio Disciples member Simon Wright. His most notable work with the band would have to include his keyboard solo on the recent "Killing the Dragon" album on a track titled "Before the Fall." He is a piano teacher at School of Rock Burbank.
Keyboard Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Alexis Angel
Alexis Angel
Keyboard Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Alexis is a much-sought after session/touring musician in Los Angeles. Alexis started learning music at 6 years old and has been heavily involved in it ever since. Some projects that he’s involved in include, playing the part of Ray Manzarek in a Doors Tribute band “Strange Days” and George Harrison in various other Beatles tribute bands. His main focus is on writing original music and session work. His music style ranges from Rock n' Roll, Blues, Latin and Honky Tonk, to name a few.

He has been highly praised by legendary Doors guitarist, Robby Krieger, for his skill on the keyboard, as well as having the ability to play guitar and bass efficiently.

Some of his other passions outside of music include illustration, as his ability to sketch/draw has been another one of his passions since he was in elementary school. Alexis continues to keep chasing his dream of having a career in the arts and is very passionate of sharing the knowledge he has learned to students who are after the same goal.
Marcel Borbón
Marcel Borbón
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Marcel Borbón Pérez is a performer-composer born and raised in Los Angeles, California. From his beginnings as a punk, ska, and reggae guitarist - he went on to study classical guitar, composition, and music theory at Loyola Marymount University.

As a multi-instrumentalist, Marcel has toured internationally on electric bass, played Balinese Gamelan with various LA ensembles, and has honed his percussion and string skills playing the Caribbean and Mexican music of his childhood. Over the years, his musical interests have evolved into making music on synthesizers and drum machines, alongside an incessant studying and appreciation of jazz music and the music of Abya Yala.

His music has appeared on the Netflix series The OA, and he has released 3 albums with his band under Saddle Creek Records. Marcel's passion for music pushes beyond any genre as he constantly seeks to better himself and inspire his students and colleagues.
Drum Teacher Jason Austan
Jason Austan
Drum Teacher
Jason Austan is a drummer, multi-instrumentalist, producer, audio engineer, composer, arranger, and educator. Jason began playing drums at the age 15, being taught by instructors in the area and playing with local bands while growing up in New Jersey. During his early 20s, he turned his passion into a full time career by moving to Los Angeles, California. Focusing exclusively on music, he began his journey by attending the Musicians Institute of Hollywood where he received a diverse education. First, he studied drum set performance and then moved on to audio engineering, live sound, and the independent artist programs. He has played and recorded drums, engineered and produced with countless number of artists and bands in his personal recording studio and other studios around the country. At the same time, he also uses his talents to teach students of all ages the encyclopedia of knowledge he has attained along the way, while keeping in mind the value of self education and finding your own individual voice. Versatility and balance are the key ingredients in his lifelong journey as a musician. Jason is always moving forward, improving with hard work and determination, while never forgetting the joy that music has always brought him.
Drum Teacher Elias Williams
Elias Williams
Drum Teacher
Elias Williams grew up in San Francisco where he began playing drums at the age of six + started playing professionally at fifteen. Having always loved music + seeking to further his knowledge of percussion, he attended the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts World Music Program where he learned how to play a variety of styles including Japanese taiko, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian samba + Balinese gamelan. He was also the drummer of the Blondies, a Bay Area-based indie rock band with which he gained experience playing a variety of live shows between the Bay Area and LA + eventually went on his first tour around the Pacific Northwest.

He returned to his High School as a drum technique teacher + teaching assistant. At this time he began playing with Aylon Cohen, a local blues guitarist who he performed with at a variety of clubs + bars across Northern California + began teaching drum lessons. Elias went on to study at Musicians Institute in the Drum Performance Program, where he studied a variety of musical styles including Jazz, Funk, Classic Rock + R&B. At the beginning of the pandemic he began writing + producing his own music, which he will soon be releasing as part of a duo called Notferadio. He now spends his time producing his own music + works as a drum teacher at School of Rock Burbank.
Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher Bella Primera
Bella Primera
Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Born and raised in Burbank, Bella has been playing music since 2016 when she began taking lessons at School of Rock. As a multi-instrumentalist Bella plays Drums, Bass, Guitar, and Piano in a variety of different styles. Her favorite genres include Classic Rock, R&B, and Pop. She has played venues throughout LA such as the Troubadour and the Whisky a Go Go. During her time at School of Rock, Bella moved her way up through the Performance Program and was in House Band. After graduating out of SoR, she began and is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Music with a minor in Business.
Singing Teacher Tita Farrar
Tita Farrar
Vocal Teacher
With over 30 years of experience in the music industry, Vocal Performance, innate market knowledge and professional skills in the areas of Band development, Vocal Coaching, lead vocals and background vocals, Tita is a Veteran Vocalist who an unmatched passion and dedication to each project. Having a wealth of experience, Tita now focuses on her own recording and creating her online presence. She also has an absolute passion for teaching and making a difference to the younger generation.

Tita is a member of Norwood Fisher’s Trulio Disgracias currently signed with Rope a Dope Records Los Angeles. Tita has also been featured Vocalist for many Big bands in Los Angeles - The Ikeda Kings Orchestra , Big band Express, as well as smaller combo’s, Liz Lomax Band, Paul McDonald sextet here in Los Angeles.

One of her greatest experiences was performing with the Great Stevie Wonder at a private event at the Las Vegas Mirage Penthouse tower. In Chicago, she played with older jazz icons. Tita also performed at Dance Clubs for featured Diva performance with DJ Sets. Tita also got the wonderful opportunity to perform with Roy Ayers at a Bridge Magazine launch in Chicago.

Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher Christian Porro
Christian Porro
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Christian Porro is a multi-instrumentalist, performer, and educator born and raised in Los Angeles. Growing up in a Hispanic household, he gravitated towards music at a very young age, specifically Latin and Jazz styles. He picked up the guitar at the age of 13, after playing the flute and piano since the age of 8. As a child, Christian studied on scholarship at the Colburn School of Performing Arts. After diving into and discovering his love for rock and metal music, he went on to graduate with a degree in Guitar Performance from the acclaimed Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA. Growing up in such an immersive music city, he has had the opportunity to play in bands of all styles across the LA music scene, ranging from metal to salsa to grunge-pop and more. In his spare time, he enjoys writing and recording his original compositions, however teaching has become his most fulfilling passion.
Piano Teacher Joel Hernandez
Joel Hernandez
Piano Teacher
Originally from Fresno, California, Joel Hernandez is a multi-instrumentalist that earned a B.A. in Music Education at UCLA and earned a teaching credential from Fresno Pacific University to work as a classroom teacher. Moving back to LA and now working with School of Rock Burbank, Joel is a keyboard and string specialist having worked with various groups ranging from Early Music Ensembles, Video Game Orchestras to Mariachi and Rock Bands. Instrumental proficiencies include Keys, Guitar, Bass, Violin, Cello, Ukulele and most recently Folk Harp.

Gigging in his free time he mainly plays piano and offers a background in support of learning many various styles of keyboard music. Familiar with Classical repertoire from Baroque to Post-Modern and Pop/Jazz music styles ranging from Snarky Puppy to John Legend, Joel is always looking forward to helping others learn keyboard and having fun with it.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Niko Gemini
Niko Gemini
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Niko Gemini is a Russian-born musician and songwriter. He moved to the US in 2011, after graduating from Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory College, to start his career as a professional musician. 


After joining Davey Suicide for their "The Reckoning" tour, Niko became a permanent member of the band. In 2016, he started his new band, CRY VENOM, with Jacky Vincent (ex-Falling In Reverse). Their first full-length album, Vanquish The Demon, was released via King Records (Japan). The band went on their first tour, following it up with a performance in Japan at the Loud Park music festival in 2017 alongside Slayer, Devin Townsend Project, Meshuggah, Alice Cooper, and others. In March 2017, Davey Suicide's new album, Made From Fire, charted on Billboard and started their Made From Fire world tour that included North America, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Russia.

In November 2017, Niko released his first instrumental solo track, "Alter The Ego." Since then, a new LP with Davey Suicide (Rock Ain't Dead) and multiple solo singles have been released on all streaming platforms.

Niko joined the hard rock band Foundry from Las Vegas, NV in 2020. The band performed at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip festival in 2022 featuring Rob Zombie, Papa Roach, Bad Wolves, Snoop Dogg, and many others. Foundry is currently working in the studio with producer Colin Brittain creating future singles and planning tours.
Guitar Teacher Adam Nye
Adam Nye
Guitar Teacher
Adam Nye lives as a musician and artist. He thrives on stage, where he gets to share his passion for music and the guitar with people all over.

Originally from Los Angeles, Adam began his musical journey after watching the 2003 classic, School of Rock, starring Jack Black. Since then, the fire ignited and it has not diminished.

Specializing in heavy rock styles, Adam plays with an edge and has a special focus on melody. With his experience, knowledge, and love for music, Adam is excited to teach at School of Rock Burbank.
Studio Coordinator Beth Meberg
Beth Meberg
Studio Coordinator
Beth Meberg is a vocalist and newly minted bass player who hails from Seattle, WA. Beth began classical vocal training at age 14 and performed in vocal ensembles, choirs, and musical theater throughout her high school and college career. Notable achievements include being selected for All-State Choir and performing in the University of Washington's vocal jazz ensemble.

After taking a long hiatus from music, Beth found herself at the School of Rock in Burbank. She instantly felt at home and soon her weekly vocal lessons led her to the adult performance program, and then to bass guitar lessons, and then to actually working at the school. Beth firmly and wholeheartedly believes in the power of music to express oneself in untold ways.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Jake Nuffer
Jake Nuffer
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Jake Nuffer is a multi-instrumentalist performer and songwriter born and raised in San Diego, California. He started playing guitar and cello at 9 years old, taking both private and rock band lessons similar to School of Rock. He quickly began playing in many rock, punk, and indie bands throughout his youth gigging professionally.

Jake went on to study Jazz at the New School of Jazz in New York. Shortly after he joined his former band, Fashion Jackson, with the same friends he grew up playing with in his youth rock band lessons. They went on to go on multiple nationwide tours and eventually opened for The 1975 at Pechanga Arena.

Along the way Jake has worked with many artists as a session musician, recording at Rick Rubin's Shangri-La, working with Grammy Award-winning producer DJ Dahi, and playing at Red Rocks as a hired guitar player. Now he writes and produces his own music under the name NUFFER.

Jake has always sought out the community music brings and is thankful for the lifelong friends it has given him. It is his goal to give back what his former rock band teachers had given him when growing up. The impact they had rippled throughout his entire adult career and Jake is excited to try to do the same at School of Rock.
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Kaushik Manikandan
Kaushik Manikandan
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Originally from India, Kaushik is a multi-instrumentalist with influences ranging from funk and blues to heavy metal and prog rock. With proficiency in jazz studies, Kaushik has founded many music schools and has toured his home country playing with many top artists from India and Los Angeles.

Kaushik has a degree in audio production and focuses on arrangement and sound design and its impact on learning instruments. When you don’t see him teaching the guitar, bass, or the piano, he is busy writing music for advertisements and film soundtracks!
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Alexandra van der Hulst
Alexandra van der Hulst
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Alexandra van der Hulst is a singer and actress in the Los Angeles area, originally from Hartford, Connecticut. She began studying music at a young age, beginning with piano and voice, and quickly grew to love all things music and performing! Alex began in musical theater and from there studied classical voice and jazz, in programs such as Hartt’s Music Theater Intensive and the Ensign-Darling Vocal Fellowship at The Bushnell.

Alexandra also had the opportunity to perform at The Metropolitan Opera House with HaZamir Choir in 2017. Alexandra received her Bachelor of Music in Classical Voice Performance at The Hartt School of Music, Dance, and Theater where she performed in various operas, including the lead role in the east coast premiere of the new opera, The Three Feathers, by Lori Laitman.

Alexandra has been seen in regional theater Playhouse on Park’s productions of The Adventures of Dr. Wonderful and Her Dog, and A Charles Dickens Christmas, part of their Theater For Young Audiences series! Working with young performers has always been a passion for Alex, and she is thrilled to continue doing so at School of Rock Burbank!
Drum Teacher Clay Zimmerman
Clay Zimmerman
Drum Teacher
Originally from Harrisonburg, VA, Clay is a performing and recording musician and content creator/web designer. After getting hooked on band classes throughout middle and high school, Clay decided to further pursue his passion for music and art at James Madison University where he graduated with a BA in Media Arts and Design and Music Industry. There he gained valuable performance experience as a member of several student ensembles including the JMU Jazz Ensemble, Marching Royal Dukes Drumline, and JMU Pep Band. This experience helped set him up for his music career in Los Angeles.

Clay has been teaching and playing in LA since moving here in 2021. He has had the opportunity to perform and record with rock and jazz groups such as Cap’n Marble, Agent 18, and The Sages Of Future Soul big band.
Singing Teacher, Guitar Teacher Chad Wolfinbarger
Chad Wolfinbarger
Vocal Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Chad Wolfinbarger’s musical aspirations started innocently enough. Growing up in Charleston, South Carolina, he was introduced to New Wave through his sister. By the time he got to junior high, Chad had graduated to Iggy Pop, but the Euro-centric sounds of Depeche Mode, The Cure, and even Falco had also made a permanent mark on his psyche.

At 20, Chad grabbed his guitar, boarded a plane for the very first time, and moved to Los Angeles. To make ends meet, he held a string of odd jobs—working as an extra on a Celine Dion video, cleaning toilets in exchange for studio time—and eventually landed an internship with renowned songwriter Diane Warren. The affable Chad eventually networked his way to a job at a small label, and through new relationships in the industry found himself house-sitting for a friend of famed Swedish producer Max Martin. Chad labored on and continued to refine his songwriting skills.

The day came when Chad decided that it was now or never and as fate would have it, a phone call that very night would mean things were going to happen a lot faster than he ever imagined. His band's first record went platinum with the single "Show Me What I’m Looking For." The second record paved the way for the band to play arenas with Kelly Clarkson, Gavin DeGraw, The Fray, One Republic, Rob Thomas, and Lindsey Sterling. His newest band, Federal Empire, is currently charting on alternative radio across the U.S. He is the Assistant Music Director at School of Rock Burbank.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher Kapali Long
Kapali Long
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Kapali Long is a native Hawaiian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Honolulu, Hawaii, whose works are described as Americana, Country, and Blues. He is a sponsored and endorsed Gibson Guitars Artist. Kapali has been playing piano and ukulele since the age of 4 and guitar since 9 years old. He has been educating all ages in the craft of guitar and voice for many years and was the former music director at the School of Rock in Burbank.

Along with all types of forms of conventional guitar, Kapali also studies with Alan Akaka for traditional Hawaiian lap steel guitar. He has played at music festivals such as Stagecoach, Echo Park Rising, Smokestack Lightning Festival, Americana West Fest, Americana Fest / ACME WRANGLER World 2023, and Gibson Garage Fest 2023 during CMA FEST 2023 under his name and moniker.

Kapali Long has performed at the Troubadour in LA to Whiskey Jam in Nashville, TN. He has been featured on Billboard.com and in an issue of Acoustic Guitar Magazine. Kapali has performed with Carolina Liar as their touring pianist and guitarist and was slated to be the slide guitarist for Muddy Waters' youngest son, Joseph "Mojo" Morganfield, before his passing.
School of Rock is where music and learning come together

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

Reviews

A TOP-NOTCH MUSIC SCHOOL.

From the owners and general manager to the teachers and other staff, School of Rock provided me with top-notch service and opportunities. These people are committed to bringing the music out of their students and on to the stage.

Thanks for the love of music.

We are so pleased with our time at School of Rock! They create the perfect atmosphere where the kids feel comfortable to open up creatively, explore all aspects of music and get to seriously play!

SUPPORTIVE, COLLABORATIVE AND DEDICATED Staff.

Not only has our son learned structured and technical musicianship, including how to read and play multiple musical instruments well, but he has also been immersed in an extremely supportive and collaborative community.

Gain confidence and get inspired.

School of Rock has been a part of our family's life for the past three years. It is an incredible way for kids to gain confidence, meet other kids who are into music and learn those big life lessons that sound like platitudes but are really true.

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