School of Rock, the national brand leader in music education, is opening a new franchise school in Richmond, VA. School of Rock Short Pump is having its grand opening celebration January 26, 2013, at 4300 Pouncey Tract Road, suite G (in the old American Family Fitness building). School of Rock Short Pump opens its doors for its inaugural season at 11:00 a.m., starting with a ribbon cutting ceremony. At noon, 103.7 The River’s Melissa Chase will be on location giving away prizes. The Domino Effect will play live music. Visitors can get school tours throughout the day. Everyone who signs up before January 27 receives their first week free.
Everyone from beginners and amateurs to professional musicians is invited to the grand opening and to the school. Children and adults who don’t play an instrument yet but who are interested in exploring different options are welcome to come to the grand opening to meet some of the instructors and try some of the instruments, including guitar, drums, keyboard, and singing. School of Rock Short Pump welcomes music enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels.
The inspiration for bringing the School of Rock to the area came from franchise owners Matt and Parker Alter, a husband-wife team who have each always had a passion for music since they were kids. They believe that music can inspire kids of all ages to achieve success in every aspect of their lives. They particularly like the School of Rock brand of teaching–a formula that teaches responsibility, self- confidence and teamwork, all while teaching the fundamentals of music in a rock environment. This style of teaching is precisely what attracted them to the franchise and what they want to offer to the Short Pump community.
Matthew Alter, M.D., grew up listening to his favorite rock bands, playing guitar and going to every rock concert he could. Matt knows first-hand that getting better at any instrument takes a combination of professional lessons and playing with other musicians. Playing guitar in a local band, he has seen how the weekly practices and playing in public have helped enhance his guitar skills and his desire to practice. Matt’s two teenage children are already looking forward to being a part of the Performance Program at the School of Rock Short Pump and helping with the family business.
Parker Alter developed a love for all music genres at a young age. Growing up in the radio industry, she developed an appreciation for the talent and drive it takes to be successful in the music world. When Parker’s two children were young, she dreamed of opening a community center, so area kids could have an artistic outlet. She envisioned the community center would be a place for musicians to jam together, grow as artists and as a community, while putting on great shows. Ten years later, her dream is coming true. School of Rock Short Pump will be that place for kids and adults to come together. In fact, she will be one of the students taking vocal lessons in the School of Rock Grad School Program. Sharing her passion for music, her two children, now young adults, will not only be Grad School Students at the school but will be working with the family business too, truly making School of Rock Short Pump a family affair.
The Youth Performance Program offers a 45-minute private lesson and a 3-hour rehearsal each week with a rock show performance at the end of the season. The Grad School Program offers a 30-minute private lesson and a 90-minute rehearsal each week with a performance as well. The first of many shows will be played at Capital City Ale House Music Hall downtown. School of Rock Short Pump will host Open Houses every Saturday in February, where the public can check out guest artists, take advantage of workshop offers and receive personal tours.
As part of their grand opening celebration, School of Rock Short Pump has also teamed up with 103.7 The River and Trans-Siberian Orchestra to raise money for local public school music programs. With every enrollment into their Performance Program between December 3, 2012 and February 24, 2013, School of Rock Short Pump will donate $100 to the cause. Any amount will to be added to the $1000 donation given away every three weeks. Listen to 103.7 The River, go to www.1037theriver.com or checkout the School of Rock Facebook page at facebook.com/schoolofrockshortpump.
For more than a decade, the School of Rock franchises have been teaching the world to rock on stage and in life. School of Rock’s proprietary performance-based curriculum teaches students to play rock music in a unique and interactive way. There are weekly individual lessons on guitar, bass, drums, keyboard and vocals and weekly group sessions with seasonal performances. The fundamental philosophy is that the best way to learn music is to perform in a rock band. They take students from the lesson room to the stage, developing both their confidence and musicianship with programs designed for all skill levels. Today, School of Rock operates 100 schools in the U.S., Canada, Brazil and Mexico. With new locations opening monthly, they are meeting the tremendous demands of parents who want enriching after school programs for their kids who want to play music. The Grad School Program offers adults a music program for beginners to experts.
For more information about School of Rock Short Pump, please visit www.Shortpump.SchoolofRock.com, call 804-212-3900, or send an email message at shortpump@schoolofrock.com.
