Student of the Month: February 2025 Edition

Feb 1

There are many things that we love about music here at Rock 101. Something we LOVE more than anything else is watching students have fun with music! Check out our Students of the Month for February, two individuals who epitomize the element of FUN!

Lydia Hall

A purple ukulele can’t be rocked by just any individual. You have to have a distinct personality and a cheerful outlook on life, not to mention some spunk…you definitely need to have some spunk. Luckily for us, Lydia Hall fulfills all three categories. Lydia is a 1st grader who began taking ukulele lessons in November. This purple-loving, cheerleading cat wrangler chose to take lessons after being inspired by her 1st-grade teacher, who plays the ukulele in class every day. Her awesome purple ukulele was a birthday gift from Lydia’s grandmother, who is a musician herself!

Lydia feels enthusiastic about learning ukulele. For her, music is something that shifts her mood and makes her feel upbeat and excited. Emma adores having Lydia as a student due to her positive attitude and her strong work ethic. Says Emma, “Lydia has been FLYING through the Ukulele book with me! In a little over a month, she learned 7 chords with various strumming patterns as well as even began composing her own songs by arranging chords and strumming patterns in different orders! She’s an absolute rockstar!”

Lydia carries the joy of music with her, and we are excited to be part of that journey. Rock on, Lydia!

Rikki Monagle

There are only two things you need to know about Rikki Monagle. First and foremost, Rikki spent several years as a collegiate mascot. Yes, that’s right. She dressed as a cougar and was seen at games and other functions, often riding a Harley with fireworks coming out of the back. For no other reason than this, we are in love with her. Secondly, Rikki is an avid follower of the Student of the Month program. How did she feel to finally be nominated? Next. Level. Excitement.

Though Rikki grew up singing, she has been taking guitar lessons for about a year while also participating in Sip ‘n Strum, adult group guitar lessons. She loves the combination of one-on-one lessons with Kendall, where she can focus on details, and the group setting of Sip ‘n Strum, where she finds community and connection.

This rock-climbing lover of the outdoors - who is also obsessed with her dog Rosie - has found guitar to be an outlet for expressing all emotions. Regardless of whether she is feeling angry or joyful, the guitar helps her to feel and then to release these emotions into the world. Music in general is something that adds spice to her life. Genres and songs ebb and flow as she shifts and moves through different seasons. It is something that carries memories and creates the rhythm of her life.

Kendall enjoys his lessons with Rikki, both the individual lessons and at Sip ‘n Strum. Says Kendall, “Teaching Rikki is always a great lesson. She's open to working on all sorts of different music. She improves each week from practicing and she learns vocal melodies on the guitar by ear (on her own!). Not to mention she kills it at Sip and Strum.” As for Rikki, she has a message for all potential adult students out there: Do it! She encourages her fellow adults to try something new. She has found the lessons to be a good challenge and she is impressed with how Rock 101 is flexible in working with her schedule.

To Student of the Month’s #1 fan, we salute you!