Wolfchase
School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

Wolfchase

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Map
School of Rock Wolfchase
8385 US Hwy 64
Ste 111
Memphis, TN 38133
901-425-7625
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 - 4 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

Upcoming Special Hours:

  • 05/27/2024: Closed
  • 05/28/2024: Closed
  • 05/29/2024: Closed
  • 05/30/2024: Closed
  • 06/01/2024: Closed
  • 07/04/2024: Closed

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

School of Rock in Memphis, Tennessee is proud to serve the Wolfchase community—including surrounding areas like Arlington, Lakeland, Bartlett, Cordova, and more —with a revolutionary music education approach. Memphis is steeped in musical history—from Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash to a thriving hip-hop scene—and is a great place for budding artists. With lessons from our expert instructors, students can learn to rock out on guitar, keyboards, drums, and vocals, across many different genres including rock, pop, country, and R&B! By jamming in a band together with friends while learning to read and play music by ear, students gain the confidence to truly be a rock star. Our students perform at local festivals like RiverBeat and community-based fundraisers for for community-based charity events for organizations like ALSAC-St. Jude and The Savior Foundation. Our students also regularly play at iconic Memphis venues like Hernando's Hideaway, the Overton Park Shell, Lafayette's Music Room, and Growler's. Take the first step towards stardom and join School of Rock Wolfchase today!

Programs we offer

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

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

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

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

At School of Rock Wolfchase, 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 Wolfchase, 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 Memphis
Little Wing
Ages 4-5

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

School of Rock Wolfchase'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 Wolfchase 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 Memphis.

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 Wolfchase 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 Memphis.

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

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

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Memphis

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

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

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Memphis

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Wolfchase 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 Wolfchase, 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 Wolfchase 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 Wolfchase, 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 Memphis.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Memphis

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Wolfchase 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 Memphis 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 Wolfchase, 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 Memphis 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 Wolfchase, 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 Memphis

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

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

Owner Marc Gurley
Marc Gurley
Owner
Marc's musical journey began at age 11 when he agreed to play drums with a band performing Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" live in front of his entire school. The only problem was he had never even held drumsticks in his hands! He pulled it off on sheer will and was hooked for life. From there he went on to play drums, keys and sing lead vocals with multiple rock bands. His career includes time as the frontman for the original line-up of alternative rock band Dust for Life. With DFL he recorded an album at Powerhouse Studios which went on to gain top rotation on rock radio, and he and DFL performed and shared the bill on a regular basis with powerhouse acts such as Saliva, King's X and Drivin N' Cryin to name a few. Marc is a graduate of Memphis University School and went on to earn a BA in Business Management from Southern Methodist University. He owned and operated a successful multi-unit golf retail business. However, the passion for music never faded, and School of Rock popped up on Marc's radar once he began to explore selling the golf business. As a father of three, Marc immediately understood the mission of School of Rock. In 2012 he joined the School of Rock family and he was lucky enough to do it in the birthplace of rock n' roll, Memphis. Then in 2018, he purchased the other local school, School of Rock Germantown.
General Manager, Music Director, Drum Teacher  Jason Vawter
Jason Vawter
General Manager, Music Director, Drum Teacher
Jason Vawter has been a veteran of the Memphis music scene for almost a quarter of a century. He is a drummer, percussionist, and teacher who specializes in beginner to intermediate drum set instruction and working with children who have special needs. Mimicking the drumming styles of such bands as Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Doors, and Iron Butterfly, he taught himself how to play by researching the best drummers in the business.

Jason has played, both live and in-studio, a wide range of musical genres including but not limited to blues, swing, sludge metal, folk, country, psychedelic rock, punk, and hip-hop. He has appeared on over a dozen albums since 2009, including recordings at the legendary Sun Studio, Jimbo Mathus’ Delta Recording Service, and the studios at the University of Memphis.

Jason was honored to be invited to play the bass drum for the Beale Street Procession Band for the funeral procession marches of Memphis music legends B.B. King, Howard Grimes, Ruby Wilson, and Omar Higgins. He currently teaches drums and manages School of Rock Wolfchase, and also plays drums for his own original group. Outside of music, Jason has appeared in the NBC TV shows Bluff City Law and Young Rock and has a background in theater acting.
Studio Coordinator Hannah Casey
Hannah Casey
Studio Coordinator
Hannah Casey began her musical journey at a young age due to her dad’s love of music. She started singing at the age of 5 and started taking vocal lessons at age 14.

Hannah started off her journey by being a part of her school’s choir from 4th grade until she was a sophomore in high school. Hannah became a student at School of Rock Germantown after doing a summer camp in 2016 and stayed until 2020 when she started college. Hannah was in countless performance shows and was a member of the House Band for three years. In House Band, she toured around the country and got the chance to play the music she loved and make great friends along the way.

While she was a student, Hannah started songwriting with her former teacher, Missy Shackelford, owner of The Song Shack here in Memphis. Since then, Hannah has continued writing music. Hannah was part of a Memphis band, Crowley’s Tears, after graduating with other instructors from School of Rock Germantown. Hannah will be graduating from Christian Brothers University in 2024 with a degree in Biomedical Science and will be pursuing further education to become a healthcare professional.
Guitar Teacher Jack Wesson
Jack Wesson
Guitar Teacher
Jack Wesson picked up a guitar at 10 years old and hit the ground running. Playing off his love of bands like Queen, Thin Lizzy and The Police, he found his passion and learned quickly by always striving to be the hardest working performer in the room.

By chance, he participated in a School of Rock summer camp and instantly fell in love with the atmosphere which cultivated an appreciation of many genres of music. Eventually, Jack was selected for the School of Rock Houseband and used this newfound opportunity to tour the country playing at notable venues in Memphis and many other cities, as well as interacting with notable musicians who have performed with the likes of Alice Cooper, Bon Jovi, and Toto.

Jack has written and recorded numerous tracks with his own band and has sat in with notable local bands in the Memphis area. These days, Jack is focusing on his degree in recording technology at The University of Memphis, and writing and releasing his own original music. Jack hopes to use his experiences to mentor, cultivate and inspire the talent of others.
Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher Jacob Pekas
Jacob Pekas
Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Jacob Pekas is a guitar teacher and drum teacher at School of Rock Wolfchase. Jacob started learning the guitar in his childhood and then he picked up drums a little bit later in his teens. He also produces beats with multiple tools and instruments including DAW software, bass, and synthesizers. Jacob has been with an array of bands over the years in genres spanning from rock, to hip-hop, metal, funk, punk, and even country.

Working as an audio engineer for live music on the weekends, Jacob sees all angles of the stage and knows how to navigate the energy it takes to perform as a band. Also, an avid music lover, he has attended hundreds of shows since being a teenager in the local underground music scene. His favorite band is Ween, which he has seen at least 40 times. Ween has a very diverse and eclectic mix of music, and Jacob draws inspiration in a similar fashion which is expressed through his teaching.
Guitar Teacher Chris Twele
Chris Twele
Guitar Teacher
Chris Twele is a native Memphian and grew up playing guitar at church every Sunday and continues with that passion to this day, 40 years later, at St. Ann Bartlett.

Over the years, Chris had played out with a few local bands, but always considered music a hobby. When Chris left the IT industry after a 31-year career, he was drawn to teaching and began substituting at a few local grade schools.

Soon afterward, he began taking lessons at School of Rock - a bit of guitar, a bit of keyboard, bass, and drums and joined the Adult group. Chris wanted to go to the next level at School of Rock and is now a guitar instructor.

Combining his newfound passion for teaching with a lifelong passion for music, music is no longer just a hobby but a way of life.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Gio Giannangelo
Gio Giannangelo
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Gio Giannangelo, a native of Memphis, discovered his passion for music at a young age. Inspired by Tom Scholz of the band Boston, Gio started playing the guitar in the seventh grade. However, it was the transcendent bass lines of Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers that captivated him, leading him to purchase his first bass after five years of playing the guitar.

In 2023, Gio began giving music lessons to his close friends, who praised his patience and his ability to explain musical concepts in a fun and easy-to-understand manner. Encouraged by their feedback, they asked him why he wasn't doing this for a living. That same year, Gio formed his own band called Neutral Drop, and they made their debut at Cooper Young Porch Fest in April.

Gio's music taste is highly eclectic, drawing influences from various artists such as The Strokes, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foster The People, Tame Impala, Smashing Pumpkins, and the Beatles. These diverse influences are evident in his own music, which showcases his unique style and sound. Gio is thrilled to be a part of the School of Rock community, where he can share his craft and passion for music with other musicians.
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Evann Velasquez
Evann Velasquez
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Evann Velasquez has been singing since she was 6 years old and began taking vocal lessons at age 8. Evann is from Fayetteville, Arkansas, and was a student at the School of Rock in Fayetteville for three years, as well as a House Band student for two years. She began taking keys lessons in her second year and continued to play as well as teach.

Evann moved to Memphis in 2020 to attend the University of Memphis as a commercial music performance student. She is a member of the University of Memphis jazz vocal ensemble, as well as the chamber choir. Evann specializes in advanced vocal skills including all genres and specializes in beginner to intermediate piano technique and theory.
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Gracelyn Penn
Gracelyn Penn
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Gracelyn Penn has been singing and writing songs almost her whole life and was put onstage to help lead music, play piano, and navigate harmonies with her dad at a very young age. More recently, she moved to Memphis to pursue music full-time and graduated from the University of Memphis with a bachelor's degree in Commercial Music Vocal Performance in 2023.

Gracelyn has sung with jazz singers, and countless choirs, pop bands, and rock bands. When playing her own music or shows, she often accompanies herself on piano or guitar. Being trained classically and commercially at a collegiate level, Gracelyn specializes vocally in all genres of music and also specializes in beginner piano techniques and theory.
Keyboard + Piano Teacher Amery Phillips
Amery Phillips
Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Amery Phillips began playing piano after watching his brother pick up the guitar and felt inspired by his brother’s passion for music. Amery quickly fell in love with piano, playing songs by Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles.

Amery and his brother are both former School of Rock students and Amery was involved in performance groups, House Band, and helping with Rock 101 and Rookies programs. He was also selected as a keyboardist for the All-Stars program in 2022, which allowed him to travel and play at multiple venues in Dallas, Texas.

Amery has been in multiple bands in his hometown of Fayetteville, Arkansas, but has since moved to Memphis to pursue a music performance degree. He has always admired and wanted to live in a music city, and Memphis was the perfect fit.

Amery joined School of Rock Wolfchase as an instructor to cultivate the same sense of excitement and wonder in his students that he himself had as a student.
Drum Teacher Tom Lamm
Tom Lamm
Drum Teacher
Drummer and percussionist Tom Lamm started his musical career at 13 years old when he began playing his dad’s drums, eventually taking lessons from Chris Burgess. Tom’s love of music brought him into the choir and orchestra in middle school and carried him into high school where he played melodic percussion: vibraphone, xylophone, and marimba.

Tom left the high school band to focus all of his efforts on drums. Drawing inspiration from bands like The Arctic Monkeys, The Verve, Led Zeppelin, and Yes, he continued his career working with local indie bands. His current projects include the band, Moderoso and supporting local artist Jas RØA.
Drum Teacher Graham Whitworth
Graham Whitworth
Drum Teacher
Graham Whitworth is a skilled and passionate drummer who discovered his love for drumming in 2020 during the quarantine of the COVID-19 pandemic. Coming from a family of drummers, with his uncle and grandfather also being drummers, it's safe to say that drumming runs in his genes.

Graham enjoys playing a variety of genres, but his true passion lies in funk music. Currently, he is the drummer for the award-winning classic rock band Memphis Mojo. Their talent and dedication earned them the prestigious "Best New Act of 2022" award at Lafayette's Tommy Awards. Before joining Memphis Mojo, Graham was a member of the metal band Kill Command, which allowed him to develop both improvisational and highly technical drumming skills.

Graham's talent and recognition in the music industry have led to multiple appearances on Ric Chetter's Radio Memphis. During one of these appearances, he had the opportunity to collaborate with local guitar prodigy, The Flamingo King. Graham has also performed alongside other Memphis-based bands like Cruising Heavy, showcasing his versatility as a drummer.

Graham has had the privilege of performing at renowned live music venues such as Lafayette's Music Room, RockHouseLive, Memphis Music Room, Hadley's, Tony's Trophy Room, Earnestine & Hazel's, Young Avenue Deli, the Delta Fair, and many more. These experiences have shaped him into a seasoned performer, comfortable playing in diverse settings.

In addition to his performing endeavors, Graham teaches at School of Rock Wolfchase and School of Rock Memphis, where he enjoys sharing his knowledge and expertise with aspiring musicians. He finds fulfillment in helping them develop their drumming skills and passing on his passion for music.

Overall, Graham Whitworth is a talented and versatile drummer who brings energy, experience, and a deep love for music to the stage. His contributions to the music industry, collaborations with other artists, and dedication to teaching make him a valuable asset to our roster of instructors.
School of Rock is where music and learning come together

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