Mokena
School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

Mokena

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School of Rock Mokena
9613 W. 194th Street
Mokena, IL 60448
(708) 479-7625

Location Specifics

Located at LaGrange and 194th.

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Hours
  • Monday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Tuesday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Wednesday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Thursday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Friday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Saturday: 9:45 AM - 3:45 PM
  • Sunday: 9:45 AM - 6:45 PM

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

Programs we offer

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

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

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

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

At School of Rock Mokena, 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 Mokena, 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 Mokena
Little Wing
Ages 4-5

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

School of Rock Mokena'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 Mokena 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 Mokena.

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 Mokena 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 Mokena.

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

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

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Mokena

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

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

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Mokena

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Mokena 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 Mokena, 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 Mokena 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 Mokena, 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 Mokena.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Mokena

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Mokena 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 Mokena 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 Mokena, 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 Mokena 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 Mokena, 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 Mokena

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Teacher, Keyboard Teacher Allison Bockel
Allison Bockel
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Allison Bockel didn't begin her music career until she started high school and was heavily involved in choir, Madrigals and theatre, where she discovered her talent and passion as a vocalist. Before entering college, Allison joined the Sound of America National Choir, who toured throughout Europe and were able to sing in some amazing places, including the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Allison studied Vocal Performance and Sociology at Bradley University in Peoria, IL. The Bradley Chorale toured through Northern Italy and sang in such venues as St. Mark's Basilica in Venice. She also was part of the Bradley Madrigals, which had the opportunity to perform at a State Dinner in Washington DC. Allison's performing experience, along with her studies and degree in Sociology (and being a mom) allows her a unique perspective when teaching her students. Allison has been a Vocal and Keys Instructor with SOR Mokena since 2013.
Drum Teacher Anthony Friedli
Anthony Friedli
Drum Teacher
From banging on pots and pans with spoons at 2 years old, to performing at numerous venues and music festivals around the U.S., Anthony Friedli doesn’t recall living a life that wasn’t heavily revolved around music. He acquired his first drum kit at the age of 4, and by age 10, had started playing the tenor drum and performing live with a local drumline. All the while, he had started teaching himself how to play the guitar and piano at home.

Throughout his school years, Anthony played the drums/percussion in his middle and high school ensemble groups, jazz bands, marching band, and drumline, where he set his high school record as the youngest student to join the snare line. Outside of school, Anthony played in a couple of bands and started accepting show offers by the age of 14. At 17, he joined a band that was signed to a record label, which solidified his desire to spend the rest of his life playing music.

Anthony is currently the drummer and co-writer in the bands Broken Robots and Whüzy, and also performs as a session drummer, playing for various rock, hip-hop, country, and EDM artists. Outside of performing, Anthony has produced several concerts and music festivals, has operated the lasers for some of the largest electronic artists in the game, and has also gathered other freelance endeavors in concert photography, film, and music production. He feels that music has truly given him a life worth living, and is honored to help guide and inspire his students here at School of Rock, specifically teaching the instrument that started it all for him.
Keyboard Teacher Brian Volleride
Brian Volleride
Keyboard Teacher
Brian Volleride is our school’s primary piano teacher. He has played in numerous bands and with many stars. His multi-keyboard career has taken him to over 74 countries performing as a musician. He has played with the likes of Chi-lites, The Drifters, The Classic 4, Sugar Blue, John Lee Hooker, Lonnie Brooks and Otis Rush. His band, The Mike Wheeler Band, was recently awarded the distinction of Best Blues Band in the City of Chicago at the 2015 Chicago Music Awards. Brian was inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame in October 2016. Brian loves listening, playing and teaching music of all different kinds, and believes in the power of music to change a life.
Guitar Teacher Dan Becker
Dan Becker
Guitar Teacher
Dan Becker was exposed to music from birth; his father played classical piano and his mom sang alto in the church choir. Dan’s first instrument was the trumpet, but switched to French horn. He picked up a guitar at 15 when he noticed that there weren’t French horns in rock bands. Dan began playing professionally in college, performing in coffee houses and clubs in Chicago. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson College (then a part of Grand Valley State University) with a Bachelor of Philosophy with studies in painting and songwriting. He continued to study music theory, composition, and studio recording at Waubonsee Community College. He played and toured with a variety of bands in the 80’s and taught in local music stores. He formed his own band in the 90’s; Dan Becker and the Tourists. He continues to perform and share his love of music through teaching guitar at School of Rock Mokena.
Eric Somers-Urrea
Drum Teacher
Eric Somers-Urrea has spent the majority of his life working hard to be the most versatile drummer/ percussionist possible. He recently graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Music Performance and studied classical music under his professors William Moersch and Ricardo Flores. While in attendance at the U of I Eric participated in a wide range of classical ensembles, world music ensembles, and even drumlines, and in 2011 he was the recipient of the Edgard Varese Percussion Award for most outstanding undergraduate or graduate percussion student. Eric's true calling, however, is sitting behind the drumset. For most of his life now he has been performing behind the kit at venues large and small. His drumming experience ranges from jazz bands to latin groups to musical pit orchestras to local bands that play anything from indie rock to metal. Eric's latest project, Marina City, is an alternative rock band from Plainfield. Marina City was formed in February of 2012 and has performed at prestigious venues across Illinois including The Canopy Club, The Metro, and a sold out show at Chicago's House of Blues. Whether it's live or in the studio, classical music or metal, Eric has made absolutely certain that he is prepared for every musical situation that arises.
Drum Teacher, Keyboard Teacher Heather Vrsek
Heather Vrsek
Drum Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Professional Drummer with a fervent devotion to music, a sterling reputation, fierce talent and a dream. A compelling musician with a contagious sound and inimitable style, Heather Vrsek has been playing the drums professionally for over 10 years. Her true passion is performing. She gigs locally and nationally, seizing every opportunity to showcase her love for music in front of an audience. Her ultimate aspiration is to play for a group or a company where she can do what she loves everyday, entertain. When Heather is not performing or teaching drums, she spends her time nurturing her many passions which include painting, bass guitar, piano, ukulele, and running. Among Heather’s accolades, she had the privilege of winning the John Belushi Jazz Scholarship from the College of Dupage in 2011. She has even starred in commercials, as well as won the Geneva Drum Competition in 2008 and 2009 and has been recognized as a top performer within her trade. As a woman, Heather is thriving in a primarily male-concentrated arena, as a result of her perseverance and work ethic. Her drive comes from her definitive love for music, her authentic heart and a fortitude to achieve greatness.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher Jack Simborg
Jack Simborg
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Jack Simborg has been a musician since he started taking classical piano lessons when he was 7 years old. When he was 12, he found the School of Rock in Chicago and began taking lessons there. Between the ages of 12-18 he took a combination of guitar, bass, keyboard and vocal lessons. He continued to pursue his passion for music by attending Berklee College of Music in Boston. After completing the core music program, Jack moved back to Chicago and played in various local bands. He joined the School of Rock Mokena staff in the summer of 2018 and now co-runs the Rock 101 program, as well as co-directing core performance program shows. He is also the director of the Adult Band.
Singing Teacher Kathy Gentile
Kathy Gentile
Vocal Teacher
Cue the lights, the music, open the curtain! Kathy has been involved in theatre and music since the age of 12. She began her love of performance by participating in stage plays and expanded into musicals and television commercials. Kathy earned roles in the Sound of Music, No No Nanette, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Kismet, George M, Funny Girl, Where’s Charley, High Button Shoes, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, Sorry Wrong Number, Curious Savage, and Carousel. Each show introduced new opportunities and challenges which helped build her skills, including stage presence and performance techniques. Kathy had years of private vocal lessons with Dan Moore as well as vocal education at Roosevelt University; as a result she can sing classical, blues, pop ballads and power rock. After completing her degree at Loyola University, Kathy became the lead singer of Cat’s Eye, a Chicago-based cover band, in which she performs with her husband, Joe, who is currently the Music Director at School of Rock Mokena. For Kathy, music is, and always has been, a powerful force that gives meaning to each and every day. With such a dedication and passion, she is grateful to be able to share her experience and talents to teach a new generation of vocal students.
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Matt Tate
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Matt Tate is a guitar, bass, and Chapman Stick instructor at School of Rock Mokena. He previously taught at School of Rock Oak Park for 7 years and directed 18 shows (Zappa, Prog Rock, OK Computer...), and ran their Rock 101 and adult Study Hall programs. He has played guitar for over 30 years and the Chapman Stick for over 20 years. “The Stick” is a 12-string tapping instrument with the range of a grand piano. It allows one to perform guitar and bass parts simultaneously through guitar and bass amps simultaneously, playing anything from simple lines and comping chords to complex interlocking polyrhythmic freakouts!

Matt started gigging in 1992 and has taught since 2008. He currently leads the band Pavlov(3) and has performed on Swiss composer Stephan Thelen’s album, Fractal Guitar, featuring David Bowie alum, David Torn. In addition, he has proofread-edited published score books for King Crimson (“The Discipline Era Transcriptions” and “Thrak”) and Stick Men (“Scored”), led by bass and Stick legend Tony Levin. Matt’s earliest inspirations began with Iron Maiden, Beethoven, and Steve Vai which morphed into Frank Zappa, King Crimson, Allan Holdsworth, and Meshuggah. Inspiration remains everywhere! Matt is currently pursuing a degree in Music Education. Previous studies include at the acclaimed Bloom School of Jazz, in private lessons, and by voraciously poring over music books and magazines.

Driven by the belief that learning music is a critical component of every person’s intellectual, social, and spiritual development, a true “second language,” Matt makes every effort to foster in his students a lifelong love of engaging in music. Music is the best.
Singing Teacher, Keyboard Teacher, Guitar Teacher Dr. Michael Burgess
Dr. Michael Burgess
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Dr. Michael Burgess, tenor, is a freelance voice, keys and guitar instructor, and vocal coach, in the NW Indiana and Chicago area. He spent six years as an Assistant Professor of Voice at the University of Texas - San Antonio, as well as adjunct college and university voice positions since 1992. He completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Performance in 2001 at University of Michigan, where he studied voice under world-class singers Lorna Haywood and George Shirley, both of whom possess Grammy Awards for their respective recordings of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem and Mozart’s opera Cosi fan tutti. He also studied under renowned pianist and vocal coach Martin Katz. He received his Master of Music degree from Western Michigan University, studying voice under Christine Carlton, and Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Music from Calvin College. Other influential teachers include prominent tenors Stanley Kolk and Carl Kaiser. He has been an effective music teacher at the middle, HS, and collegiate and professional level for nearly 30 years. His students have gone on to do well and win major competitions like the NY MET, Chicago Lyric Opera Young Artists, Placido Domingo’s “Operalia” Competition/, live and blind auditions for “American Idol” and “The Voice” and gone into the live rounds and finals of those shows as well. Dr. Mike has also trained and mentored scores of successful music educators, theater directors and actors, and band geeks of all kinds! Michael is equally adept (and happy!) singing a variety of genres including rock music from the 70s and 80s, Sam Cooke, Motown, Jesus Christ Superstar, Gilbert and Sullivan, church music and gospel, barbershop and vocal jazz, as well as Bach, Mozart and Rossini (which are his favorites in particular!). His classical training and background, and decades of performing experience in multiple genres of music, allow a great deal of versatility in his repertoire and approach to all styles of singing and playing.
Nathan Van Dyke
Guitar Teacher
Music has been a big part in Nathan Van Dyke’s life. He has been playing guitar for 20 years and hasn't slowed down. Nathan has played in numerous bands since 2007, including Bleed for the Fallen, playing over 1000 shows, with two EPs, a bunch of great memories and most importantly all original music. During the Bleed for the Fallen years, Nathan enrolled at Tribeca Flashpoint Academy in 2010, where he received his Associates degree in Audio Engineering & Film/Video Game sound designing. After graduating in 2012, he went on to run sound at many different clubs in the Chicagoland area, and recorded many bands at his home studio in Grant Park, Illinois. Currently, Nathan has his own Web show, Recording Studio and is the in house audio engineer at a local club in his hometown of Bradley, Illinois. Nathan has been working for School of Rock as a guitar instructor and audio engineer for over 5 years now. Nathan teaches all styles of music ranging from rock, country, blues, jazz and a little classical. Some of Nathan's inspirations include Dream Theater, John Petrucci, Eddie Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and many more. Nathan is a prime example that if you work hard, and don’t let anything get in your way you can reach any level of success in music, and most importantly, your dreams.
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher Terry Rollins
Terry Rollins
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Terry Rollins fell in love with the harmonica when he was 11 years old, followed by the guitar at age 16, the violin at 18, and bass guitar at 19. Terry has been playing the club scene since the 80s with bands like Obsessed, Blind Advantage, and local artist Bobby Dunne. He is also currently performing with 51 Lincoln and Johnny Russler and the Beach Bum band, as well as playing locally in restaurants as a solo act plus his own band, the Rollinstones.

Terry has over 45 years of musical experience to draw from. Terry believes that building a rapport with students is one of the most important aspects of teaching.
Drum Teacher Zack Marshall
Zack Marshall
Drum Teacher
Zack Marshall started his musical path right here at School of Rock Mokena. After years of toying with multiple instruments, Zack started taking lessons in his early teens. Zack performed in countless performance bands, and participated in School of Rock Mokena’s Show Band for nearly seven years, playing numerous venues in the suburbs, Chicago, and the annual trip to Milwaukee’s Summerfest. Throughout this time, Zack also dove deeply into his high school’s various band programs. He performed for two years in the Tinley Park High School jazz band, four years in marching band drumline as a section leader, and four years in the school’s concert and symphonic bands (in the latter of which he won the IHSA’s Illinois Superstate contest during his junior year). Aside from teaching at School of Rock, Zack is also a studio coordinator at the school, as well as a college student pursuing a business degree. He is an avid music fan with ever expanding tastes. He loves percussion in all styles of music, and passes this passion onto his students. He feels rewarded every day he gets to teach in the community that taught him, and pass on his open mind for music to his students.
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher Joseph Provine
Joseph Provine
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Joseph is a passionate guitar teacher with over 40 years of experience in a variety of music styles and genres. He is skilled in creating customized lesson plans along with managing and providing quality instruction to students of all ages, talents, and skill levels. Joseph is committed to individual student growth by teaching in-depth knowledge of music theory and practical improvisation techniques and methods and is dedicated to helping students reach their full potential in music.

Joseph attended Kenwood Academy High School in Chicago, Illinois. At Kenwood, he was an advanced placement music major and an understudy of the composer, author, teacher, and pastor Lena Mclin. After graduating from Kenwood Academy, he went on to pursue a music education degree at Roosevelt University in Chicago in music education along with jazz studies, and also business administration.

Joseph studied classical guitar with Pam Kimmel at Roosevelt University, and he also studied with George Allen, Robert Becker (Roosevelt University), Jack Cecchini, and Curtis Robinson.
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Reviews

My Son has Grown Leaps and Bounds.

I am extremely happy with my son's teachers. It is definitely a family environment where it seems that everyone gets along and encourages each other. He has grown because the instructors push the kids to reach their full potential.

Happy to be part of the family!

School of Rock has given my daughter more confidence and a sense of belonging through music, not to mention all the joy it has brought to her and our whole family. So happy to be part of the School of Rock family!

School of Rock makes us proud!

My daughter started with the School of Rock at age nine and is now 17. She grew up there. The experiences of singing and performing in a band have given her confidence and joy. The kids always exceeded all of our expectations.

Best Music School Anywhere.

The whole idea of getting kids not just taking lessons and learning notes and chords, but learning songs and playing with other young musicians and getting out on stage is amazing. I've been so impressed with them!

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