January 17, 2010
"TALK OF THE TOWN"By Bonni Brodnick
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Your kid wants to be a rock star. Well, keep the rose-colored glasses handy because 2010 could be his/her lucky year. The Paul Green School of Rock Music in Bedford inspires young rockers with a method that completely changes the paradigm of studying music. For a monthly tuition, kids get a private 45-minute lesson on bass, drums, guitar, keyboard or vocal. The year-round program has a rolling admissions process for three 14-week semesters (winter session is about to begin). The finale is a real show (which is like a recital) at a real rock venue with real lights, amps, a soundman and light man, and where your very own rock star gets to perform live to a large audience (of friends and family).
“Our goal is to combine the one-on-one music lesson with the performance experience,” said Jamey Staub, School of Rock music director, and an audio engineer and producer in NYC. His main instrument is drum and percussion, but he also teaches voice, keyboard and guitar. “There are 20 kids in the show, and the goal is to learn and perform 20 songs. So along with music and performance techniques, the kids learn a lot about social skills and working together. We really encourage inter-activity.”
“I love everything about School of Rock: the music atmosphere, the cool teachers, and the friendly kids. And we all have something in common: music,” said Jordan Bernacchia, a drummer and junior at Fox Lane High School. With musical taste ranging from hard rock to thrash metal, this die-hard fan of Nirvana, The Who, Metallica, and Lynyrd Skynyrd likes to play songs where he can go completely nuts and “anything with a lot of scratchy singing.”
Cassie Kalman, a 5th grader at Pound Ridge Elementary School, is in full accord. “School of Rock is a great/fun place to learn to play/sing cool music.” And the Goldstein family has their own rock band going. Meeghan (13-year-old drummer), Riley (10-year-old vocalist and keyboardist) and McKenna (8-year-old electric guitarist), all students at Rippowam Cisqua, are full-fledged School of Rockers.
Cassie Kalman, a 5th grader at Pound Ridge Elementary School, is in full accord. “School of Rock is a great/fun place to learn to play/sing cool music.” And the Goldstein family has their own rock band going. Meeghan (13-year-old drummer), Riley (10-year-old vocalist and keyboardist) and McKenna (8-year-old electric guitarist), all students at Rippowam Cisqua, are full-fledged School of Rockers.
“It’s a great feeling to play with other kids in a band,” said Meeghan, who has been grooving at rock school for two years. “You get committed to the group and if you don't practice, you feel like you're letting everyone down so you want to work harder. And I love the shows. The performances are fun to be a part of and I can't wait for our show this week.” (At Rack ‘N’ Roll Café in Stamford this Friday, Jan. 16 at 6 p.m. and on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. The school’s Classic Metal Show, which will feature music by Iron Mate, Deep Purple, Judas Priest and Black Sabbath, is Friday, Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 24 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10. **If you call School of Rock and inquire about the program, you’ll get a free ticket.)
“It is hard to say what I like best about going to School of Rock,” added Riley. “But if I could describe it in one word, it’s AMAZING!” For adults who never want to grow old, the Court Road studio offers “Grad School”, along with advanced programs in recording and songwriting. Bring out your inner Ozzy Osborne. Call 234-0418 or go to www.schoolofrock.com/westchester. You can even pull some strings if you check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1Yt4uUsgbE.
The Pound Ridge Theater Company and Acting Company of Greenwich proudly announce auditions for the regional premier of the hilarious 2006 off-Broadway madcap musical comedy, “I Love You Because,” with book and lyrics by Ryan Cunningham, and music by Joshua Salzman. This modern-day musical retelling Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” with genders reversed will be directed by Larry Schneider, with musical direction by Howard Kilik, and choreography by Lala Ghahreman. Auditions are Tuesday-Wednesday, Jan. 26-27 at 7 p.m. for the 14 performances that will run Friday, April 23 through Saturday, May 22, split up between Conant Hall in the Hamlet and the First Congregational Church in Greenwich. Bring music in your vocal range for two contemporary musical theater songs, preferably one belter and one ballad. You may also be asked to learn a brief dance at the auditions. For complete information, to read a plot synopsis, a summary of the six roles, and to listen to all of the musical numbers, go to www.accentoncomputers.com/ilyb.htm. For more information, you may also write to iloveyoubecausepr@gmail.com
The Pound Ridge Theater Company and Acting Company of Greenwich proudly announce auditions for the regional premier of the hilarious 2006 off-Broadway madcap musical comedy, “I Love You Because,” with book and lyrics by Ryan Cunningham, and music by Joshua Salzman. This modern-day musical retelling Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” with genders reversed will be directed by Larry Schneider, with musical direction by Howard Kilik, and choreography by Lala Ghahreman. Auditions are Tuesday-Wednesday, Jan. 26-27 at 7 p.m. for the 14 performances that will run Friday, April 23 through Saturday, May 22, split up between Conant Hall in the Hamlet and the First Congregational Church in Greenwich. Bring music in your vocal range for two contemporary musical theater songs, preferably one belter and one ballad. You may also be asked to learn a brief dance at the auditions. For complete information, to read a plot synopsis, a summary of the six roles, and to listen to all of the musical numbers, go to www.accentoncomputers.com/ilyb.htm. For more information, you may also write to iloveyoubecausepr@gmail.com
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