Leveling Up with Rock 101 👆
In one sentence, allow me to unveil how old I am: When I was growing up, I had to create school reports on a typewriter. I am also of the generation who had nuns for teachers and knew how important it was to be kind, rewind. Another aspect of my childhood was the mandated piano lessons. I started when I was four and continued until high school. These lessons were not intended to be fun (I laugh at the thought). Rather, they were meant to imbue knowledge while also building my character (um, I also laugh at that thought).
Fast forward to today, and we discover that some students don’t even know what a typewriter looks like. As for music lessons, students are actually encouraged to follow their curiosities and passions as they explore instruments. (Weird.) Forget about simple memorization and regurgitation - my son is enrolled in Songwriter’s Collective where he understands composition at a level that he can create his own music. Is anyone else flabbergasted? You would think that 12 years of piano lessons would have imparted some level of musical theory on me; however, when my kids talk about music around me, I feel like I am from another planet: the oft-forgotten planet of Yore.
Rock 101 is at the forefront of this musical education evolution. Upon entering the Rock 101 waiting area, you are confronted with smiles, laughter, and instructors having meaningful discussions with both students and parents. The drill sergeant aspect of music education has dropped away to be replaced with independence and respect for what each individual student wants to learn. The result? An awesome student body who has accidentally learned a whole bunch of musical skills - including theory - simply by being allowed the freedom of following their passions.
If we zoom out one more level, we will notice this has also led to students gathering together to form bands. From Rock 101’s earliest years, bands such as HISS have been empowered to explore music from a group perspective. Indeed, Rock 101-initiated bands have performed at a variety of venues, from the TEDx event at the Kimo Theater to local favorites like Launchpad and The Outpost. Rock 101 musicians have even been featured on local television and radio shows. From The Hunnies (a personal fav) to our very own Ken Easton performing with Hooks & the Huckleberries at the Bands of Enchantment, Rock 101 graduates are out there making their marks on the world.
Zoom out one more level with me. From out here, we can see all of the interconnected pieces of a Rock 101 education. We are reminded that rote memorization was never part of the equation when Kevin Herig opened the school in 2011. On the contrary, he felt compelled to create a space where he and fellow instructors could impart a three-dimensional view of what it meant to be a musician. His intent was to pass along all of the lessons he had learned in the music industry so that students would be better prepared to enter into it professionally while also maintaining their joy and curiosity.
Indeed, there are skills other than musicality that are required to embark on a musical career, whether as a fun hobby or as a formal undertaking. Aside from musical theory, students need to understand how to set up equipment, how to communicate with venue owners, how to create a stage plot for the crew, how to act professionally while at a gig, and how to value themselves as musicians.
All of these elements are carefully folded into Rock 101 programs. One-on-one lessons are the birthplace of musical curiosity and development. Summer Sessions are a creative smorgasbord of how to have fun playing music in a band. Becoming a bit more formalized, Band League is an opportunity to engage purposefully in a band setting. Over each 12-week semester, students learn how to navigate relationships as a band as well as the nitty-gritty details of what goes into a great show. From wrapping cables to agreeing on a song choice amidst five different opinions, students are supported in the key elements of band life.
Rock 101 recently took this a step further by creating the Performing Artist Program. This program creates a structured pathway for students, from individual songwriters to bands, to learn skills necessary to be professional musicians. Students must formally apply to be accepted into this program. Once accepted, they are eligible to participate in Rock 101 gigs out in the community, from The Outpost opportunities to Lemonade Day and Bands of Enchantment.
From the outset, the Performing Artist Program asks students to level up. During the application process, they submit information about their gig capability (length, # of songs, etc.) as well as a video of a performance. These are, essentially, the beginning steps to creating an electronic press kit (EPK), a necessary skill for musicians. From here, they will work in a supportive environment as they learn other essential steps in the gig process. The outcome of this program is musicians who are professional and confident as they step into the music business, allowing them time to focus on the thing that matters most: the music!
What we are seeing is music education as a three-dimensional model. Let’s not just learn, let’s also thrive, reflect, and connect! Daniel, a former student, nails it on the head with this testimonial: “Just wanted to say thank you to everyone at Rock 101. Man, it was truly awesome to learn from all of you guys and to experience stage life for the first time! Got to play in front of 20,000 people Saturday, but I couldn’t have done it without you guys!”
If you’re ready to explore music, we are excited to guide you on that journey. You may be wondering where to start, and the good news is that there is no wrong answer. In this new musical paradigm, we follow the things that cultivate a sense of excitement and adventure. As for learning the content, don’t worry—it will unfold from there.
So the question is: Are you ready to level up?!
Rock 101 in the Community:Allison & Kevin on The Morning Brew (2013)
HISS on The Morning Brew (2014)
Allison & Kevin on Coyote 102.5 (2014)
Lenore & Kevin on KRQE News (2015)
HISS on Fox New Mexico (2015)
The Hunnies Documentary (2024)
Beia & Kevin - Bands of Enchantment (2024)
- Danielle Parker