Cresskill
School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

Cresskill

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Map
School of Rock Cresskill
50 Piermont Rd.
Cresskill, NJ 07626
(201) 568-7625

Location Specifics

Parking and entrance are located in the back of the building! We are attached to Energy Fitness and next door to CVS Pharmacy.

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Hours
  • Monday: 12:30 PM - 9 PM
  • Tuesday: 12:30 PM - 9 PM
  • Wednesday: 12:30 PM - 9 PM
  • Thursday: 12:30 PM - 9 PM
  • Friday: 12:30 PM - 9 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM - 4 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM - 4 PM

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

School of Rock is happy to serve Cresskill and surrounding areas with quality music lessons from real, practicing musicians. We teach everything from singing to piano, bass guitar, drums, and even guitar horns. At School of Rock, students can perform live shows and develop their skills in a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Our Cresskill location is an excellent spot for budding musicians to graduate and then go on to perform at one of the thousands of music venues in New York City.

Programs we offer

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

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

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

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

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

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

School of Rock Cresskill'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 Cresskill 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 Cresskill.

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 Cresskill 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 Cresskill.

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

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

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Cresskill

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

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

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Cresskill

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Cresskill 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 Cresskill, 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 Cresskill 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 Cresskill, 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 Cresskill.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Cresskill

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Cresskill 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 Cresskill 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 Cresskill, 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 Cresskill 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 Cresskill, 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 Cresskill

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

At School of Rock we teach differently than other music schools in Cresskill. 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 Cresskill, 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 Cresskill 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 Cresskill Adult Program puts beginner keyboard students in a band. Adult Program students in the Cresskill 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 Cresskill 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 Cresskill, 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 Cresskill, 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 Cresskill’s music teachers are experienced musicians devoted to helping students attain musical proficiency. Our instructors guide students one-on-one to personalize learning, inspire confidence and build social skills.

General Manager Craig
Craig
General Manager
Craig is a dedicated guitarist, passionate musician, and seasoned songwriter spanning the rock, blues, and metal genres. A high-energy bandmate with a performance career that spans two decades, Craig has performed at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Irving Plaza for FUSE TV, and locally with Connecticut's premier cover band, Darik and the Funbags. Craig has recently relocated his family to New Jersey and has his feet firmly planted at School of Rock Cresskill, sharing the magic and the language of music with the future of rock to come.
Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Sarah
Sarah
Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Sarah is known for many things: she's a pop-punk queen, ultimate dog lover, and a person with loud jingly keys, but most importantly, she is School of Rock Cresskill's Music Director. Her musical journey started when she was 10 years old. Sarah desperately wanted a dog and her parents said she could have one if she tried six months of an instrument. She got the grumpiest dog and a new love for the guitar! She became obsessed with the guitar and artists such as Paramore, Sum 41, and The Starting Line.

Sarah spent her high school and college years playing in numerous bands, working with many different artists, and being a live sound engineer for a few venues. She went to NYU for Music Technology and eventually found herself teaching guitar, bass, piano, and vocals at another School of Rock location when she graduated in 2015. She then became the Assistant Music Director in 2018 and then the Music Director in 2022.

Sarah absolutely adores School of Rock! She loves watching the kids grow as musicians by performing with their peers and falling in love with artists that she admired growing up. She loves being a positive role model for the students and getting to work with such amazing musicians every day!
Studio Coordinator Elliot
Elliot
Studio Coordinator
Elliot lives for the energetic side of music! Anything rock, hardcore, metal, and similar genres work for him. Elliot studied Music & Sound Recording at the University of New Haven and was part of their inaugural Study Away program where he got to live in Nashville while studying and working at the world-famous Blackbird Studio.

Elliot has been a drummer for over two decades and can get by on guitar, bass, and vocals. He has been in metalcore and pop punk bands all throughout his life and absolutely loves performing. You can catch him up at the front desk of School of Rock Cresskill, making sure the school runs smoothly day to day while everyone's learning to unlock their inner rock star!
Coordinator, Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Gina
Gina
Coordinator, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Gina is many things: guinea pig owner, resident Stevie Wonder expert, coffee aficionado, but one of her favorite roles is that of a School of Rock vocal/keys instructor and coordinator. After graduating with a degree in Popular Music and Music & Entertainment Business Studies from William Paterson University in 2019, Gina has a deep appreciation for every aspect of music. When she’s not diving into why Stevie Wonder is the greatest artist of all time (because he is), she is most likely writing and releasing music under her solo artist name: Gina Royale.

In 2022, Gina signed a record deal with Vere Music in Nashville, TN, and Warner ADA. While she appreciates music from every angle, songwriting and the creative process will always hold a special place in her heart. Artists and bands that Gina enjoys include Paramore, Fleetwood Mac, Taylor Swift, STEVIE WONDER, The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Alicia Keys, Noah Kahan, and the list genuinely never ends. She loves School of Rock and what it has done not only for her students but for herself as a musician and performer.
Studio Coordinator Emily
Emily
Studio Coordinator
Emily has been an avid musician from the age of 8, starting out by playing cello and trumpet in school, while also teaching herself guitar at home. While in high school, Emily played guitar for various theatre groups and performed in shows such as Tommy by The Who, Legally Blonde, Rent, Once on This Island, and more. After high school, Emily went to William Paterson University where she studied Popular Music and is a recent graduate from the MBA in Music Business program.

While in undergraduate school, Emily played guitar in the band Switch Mob, which toured throughout the Northeast and performed at notable venues such as Gramercy Theatre and The Stone Pony. Currently, Emily plays in the band SPITSHINE where she sings, plays guitar, and writes music. She has also played guitar for School of Rock instructor Gina Royale for the past seven years.
Drum Teacher Chris
Chris
Drum Teacher
Chris has been teaching drums since 2001. He is a former Spaun Drum endorser and is featured on the Vic Firth Educational Program as an educator. If you love drums and metal, Chris is your guy! Past bands include Midian (thrash metal) from 1989-1991, Gomez's Childhood (hardcore) from 1994-1996, and The Binary Code (tech metal) in 2005. Notable recordings include Wolf's Blood EP (2020) and Tears Of Rain (single 2021). His current project is Beyond Shadows, a melodic death metal band. Chris is also the author of the book "Chris Who??!! The Writings and Ramblings Of An Unknown Musical Bore" available on Amazon.
Drum Teacher, Singing Teacher Eitan
Eitan
Drum Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Eitan is a New Jersey-based drummer. Eitan was born and raised in New Jersey and from a young age he had rhythm. After an offhand recommendation from his father, Eitan took his first drum lesson at sleep-away camp and from that point on, he was hooked. Honing his craft back at home, he got so good that his middle school band teacher, who was teaching him at the time, had nothing else to teach him.

Eitan’s next step was to take drum lessons at School of Rock. There, he would join his local school’s House Band and toured on the national level with the School of Rock AllStars, playing at Lollapalooza on two separate occasions. Outside of this, Eitan has played in the metal band Lunatic Fringe and made a splash in the New Jersey metal scene.

Eitan’s love of drums is only surpassed by his love for his family and friends. He is a gentle giant with a kind soul. Eitan specializes mostly in rock and metal music but can also play other popular styles such as pop, disco, bossa nova, and fusion among others. The number of genres he can play is growing every day. Eitan also teaches beginner vocals and has been singing for several years!
Drum Teacher Greg
Greg
Drum Teacher
Greg is a multi-instrumentalist who has a passion for all genres of music. He has been playing in bands since he was 12 years old and has spent most of his adult years touring nationally and internationally. He has played in punk, rock, ska, and reggae bands at legendary venues such as Irving Plaza, 9:30 Club, Union Transfer, Stone Pony, and just about every dive bar from here to Seattle.

Whether he’s playing guitar, keys, or drums, Greg always strives to be the best he can be. No matter how long he has been playing, Greg knows that there is always more to learn.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher James
James
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
James is a multi-instrumentalist and music producer, who strives to forge a relaxed yet creative environment with any project he is a part of. He has been playing guitar for a little over a decade and continues to be a student of the craft. James graduated from the University of the Arts in 2019 with a degree in Music Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology, with a focus on Music Production. His time at the university landed him a job at Spice House Sound, a prestigious recording studio in Fishtown, Philadelphia, where he cultivated his skills as an audio engineer.

Alongside being a guitar teacher and bass guitar teacher at School of Rock Cresskill, James also takes part in other projects such as song production for artists, cover/wedding bands, and his own entertainment company, U.M.E. If he isn't at the school, you can catch James on a gig or at his home studio, working on music in any capacity.
Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Jeanie
Jeanie
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Jeanie grew up in a house where her mother taught about 60 singing lessons a week, so someone was always singing in the living room. It was quite a chance to experiment with music and singing. Jeanie auditioned for a local band when she turned 18 and got the gig! They played all over the Tri-State area five nights a week, packing out a new club each and every night. She has also been in R&B groups, original bands, and wedding bands with 10 to 12 members.

Jeanie took private piano and theory lessons growing up, which is what enables her to write and record her own original songs. She has been performing for over 35 years and she has been teaching kids to be in a band for the last six years! Jeanie loves seeing kids have a great time playing in a band setting. it's like nothing else!
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Jeff
Jeff
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Jeff is a versatile, technically-trained musician with experience in performing, recording, teaching, and producing a variety of musical styles. He specializes in bass guitar and upright bass, but practices and performs with piano, guitar, and cello as well. Whether in the pit band, studio, or touring throughout the country, Jeff displays continuous dedication and pure enjoyment from his work. Through his role as a Personal Assistant to popular bassist Christian McBride, Jeff displayed a working back-end knowledge of the music industry. Jeff has also proven his front-end performance abilities through touring with Macy Gray and continues to do so with Four Celtic Voices. He proceeds to promote himself as a professional in regards to being a teacher and performer but is eager to learn new skills.
Drum Teacher Joe
Joe
Drum Teacher
Joe has been playing drums for nearly 15 years, specializing in various sub-genres of metal, rock, alternative, indie, and more. He has toured the country in support of leading major label acts, playing legendary venues such as the Whisky a Go-Go and the Machine Shop, as well as festivals such as Blue Ridge Rock Fest. He currently plays drums for the NJ-based band, Advents.

In addition to playing, Joe has a hand in music in a variety of other ways. He has contributed to a variety of online music publications since 2013, works as a consultant for bands looking to build a fanbase, and serves as drum tech for Nita Strauss, to name a few. When he’s not behind a drum kit or researching the latest developments in the industry, you’ll most likely find him in the gym, geeking out over obscure metal, or writing a condensed biography in the third person.
Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Joey
Joey
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
From years of touring and gigging in various bands and theatre productions, Joey fancies himself a refined punk! An alumnus of Berklee College of Music for voice, he puts great importance on singing with proper technique that’ll ensure great gigs and longevity for his students. Joey has worked for School of Rock since 2018 and can teach nearly every class from Little Wing to Grad School. He eagerly awaits to work with you!
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Michelle
Michelle
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Michelle has been drawn to music her entire life. Her discovery of 2000s emo and pop punk led her to enroll as a School of Rock student where she was a member of the House Band. She then went on to study music at Bergen Community College while instructing at School of Rock Orangeburg.

Proficient on guitar, bass, piano, and vocals, Michelle is excited to inspire students to embrace their instruments and love of music. When she is not instructing, Michelle can be found writing and releasing original music under the stage name Kasper and gigging with her emo cover band, It's Not A Phase Mom.
Drum Teacher Mike
Mike
Drum Teacher
Mike (a.k.a. Mikey Slams) is a drummer and musician out of New Jersey who has been laying down groovy beats for the last 25 years and counting! With School of Rock since 2013, Mike has been a dedicated instructor and director for a decade now and continues to push himself and his students to strive, grow and enjoy the ride.

With a large catalog of style influences, ranging from classic rock, progressive, jazz, hip-hop, punk, pop, and electronic music, there’s nothing he won’t try out. Some of his most influential musical acts are Led Zeppelin, The Mars Volta, Miles Davis, The Refused, Blink-182, and Foo Fighters just to name a few. With a positive attitude, goal-oriented perspective, and musical versatility, Mike has become not only a valued teacher at School of Rock Cresskill but also a great friend to many.

“It’s been absolutely amazing sharing my love for music and drums over these past few years. For me, being able to connect and make a difference with each of my students has been so special and I’m grateful for every day of it.”
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Mike
Mike
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Mike has over 30 years of experience playing guitar and performing live. His musical journeys have taken him from iconic local venues such as CBGB's and Irving Plaza to some of the biggest music festivals, including Coachella, Bonnaroo, and everywhere in between. Mike has played lead guitar for multiple major label artists, most notably Regina Spektor, Lana Del Rey, and Matt White. Along the way, he's appeared on "The Tonight Show," "The Late Show with David Letterman" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" to name a few, and has opened for musical legends such as B.B. King and Elvis Costello.

In addition to focusing on music education at School of Rock Cresskill, Mike is an active session player that appreciates the art of recording as well as music production, which he studied at The Institute of Audio Research in Manhattan. He enjoys teaching all styles of music including rock, pop, blues, and jazz, and is constantly working to provide the best learning experience for his students.
Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher Sebastian
Sebastian
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Sebastian, also known as Bazz, is a singer-songwriter, vocal coach, and multi-instrumentalist. He is passionate about expressing emotions through music and believes in the power of connection. With experience working alongside Grammy Award-winning producers and songwriters, he strives to guide others in finding their authentic voice.

As a dedicated instructor, Sebastian shares his knowledge and encourages his students to express themselves genuinely. Through his music and teaching, he aims to create meaningful connections and inspire others to discover their own unique musical expressions.
Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Sophia
Sophia
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Sophia, also known in the music industry as Loza Rose, is a 23-year-old Latin American singer-songwriter and recording artist. Born and raised in Paramus, New Jersey, she started her love for singing at the age of 7, alongside being put in piano lessons.

Sophia decided to pursue a career in music at the age of 19 when she came in contact with the owner of her last label. After undergoing artist development to sharpen her craft in songwriting and vocals, she was soon signed with her label at the time. She was also taught the context of writing a song, and exposed to music production and was actively attending studio sessions with her studio engineer Stephen Kellner, with whom she still records and writes music to this day.

Sophia released her first single and electronic pop album "Roses Feel Pain Too" in 2019, and her EP "Jumping Ship" in 2021. Followed by a couple of releases, she started playing shows from Manhattan to Brooklyn in venues such as The Knitting Factory, Arlenes Grocery, and The Bowery Electric. In 2022, Sophia parted ways with her label and is now pursuing her career as an independent artist exploring her Spanish roots and expanding her discography in Latin pop/reggaeton and different Latin-based genres.
Keyboard + Piano Teacher Thom
Thom
Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Thom has written various books and articles on popular music. His research explores connections between music composition, sound recording, and human culture. He taught music composition and arts analysis courses at New York University where he also helped create a program in popular music studies. Currently, he works as a writer, musician, and composer.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Singing Teacher Tom
Tom
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Tom’s love for music is rooted in all forums of rock, pop, and singer-songwriter music. He studied Contemporary Writing and Production at Berklee College of Music. While there, Tom performed with a cappella group, The Charlie Chords, and spent a lot of time composing and producing original music in the school's facilities.

Post-college Tom has worked with various bands and artists as an audio engineer both in studio and live settings. He also enjoys performing as a guitarist and vocalist in several acts in the NY/NJ area. As a School of Rock instructor and show director, Tom hopes to make the lesson room a fun environment while pushing students toward their musical goals!
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

Their Favorite School.

Getting my son ready to go to school in the morning isn't always easy... but getting him to go to School of Rock is!

School of Rock helped my daughter grow.

My daughter is able to bond with others because of their similar interests! She is almost 16 now and has grown so much since she started at 11. She has developed a love for voluntarily helping the younger students learn and grow!

Learn From Real Rockers.

Geared to performance experiences, School of Rock builds confidence and stage presence. Instructors are well qualified in their respective instruments.

My son can try every instrument.

I like the fact that my five-year-old gets exposure to the drums, electric guitar and keyboard all at the same time. I also like that he is exposed to different genres of music than what he's used to.

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