In the history of rock & roll, stories of self-taught genius are plentiful. Over and over again, musicians speak of initially taking some instruction, only to drop it after rapidly becoming frustrated and bored by a regimented, unimaginative instructor who has little knowledge of or appreciation for rock music. What's not often stated is that going one's own way usually makes for a tougher and longer learning process than would be required with good instruction. And the school of hard knocks can be especially painful when attempting to cope with the business aspect of the music business.
The common-sense but also revolutionary idea behind Rock School - with locations in Kirkland and Seattle, Washington - is to provide young people ages 12 - 21 with a strong musical foundation, arming them with the skills, knowledge and self-confidence needed for a successful career in music, or for life in general. We're excited to have the opportunity to interview Wendy Simmons, the founder and President of the Board for Rock School.
Wendy Simmons Interview
TCZ: Can you tell us about the Rock School and what services you offer to your students?
Wendy: Rock School is a non-profit corporation operated out of Kirkland, Washington whose purpose is to provide a positive environment for creativity and artistic musical expression. Rock School exposes aspiring young musicians to a rich musical curriculum designed to inform as well as inspire. While attending Rock School, dedicated musicians age 12 to 21 will have support and guidance while participating in the most informative, educational, and challenging program of their lives.
With well over 150 years of combined experience in the music field, our mentors provide the guidance, inspiration, and challenge necessary for students to take their music to the next level. During the sessions, students are given the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to become professional musicians. In addition to instrument lessons in guitar, bass, vocals, and drums students gain hands-on technical experience in critical areas such as recording, songwriting, marketing, music theory, and on-stage performance, as well as an understanding of the determination and dedication it takes to succeed in the music industry today.
Whether it's pop or punk, metal or blues, Rock School provides the essential technical training and fundamental knowledge necessary for success. Above all, Rock School is dedicated to the development of the whole person through mentorship with caring, supportive, and inspiring professional musicians.
TCZ: Can you tell us a little about yourself and how Rock School has changed your life.
Wendy: I am a drug/alochol specialist and therapist working in an alternative high school (home of the Kirkland site) and in private practice. I started at the school 6 years ago and realized that there was something missing in our school and in our community. Music classes that the students actually wanted to take after they reached a certain age and began to offer programs at my two schools in guitar and recording (since we happended to have an unused recording studio).
That was the beginning of Rock School and it has snowballed since then. Four years ago we applied to be a non- profit and expanded the offering to include the other instruments and additional classes. Three years ago we began the summer camps and last year we added the second site of Rock School in Seattle.
Rock School is my second full-time job! Luckily I love it since we are not at the point yet where I can become a paid staffer.... It combines all the things that I believe are important in life - helping others, finding your passion and giving teens a positive outlet for their creativity.
TCZ: This seems like such a great idea � not only for the musical instruction, but also for de-mystifying the business aspects of the music industry. There would seem to be great demand for a service like this. Are there Rock School facilities outside Washington State?
Wendy: We are currently only in Washington, however we do have plans to expand to Southern California in the near future - then possibly in other venues. There are some other programs that offer summer camps and of course The Rock n Roll Camp for Girls in Portland is an amazing program.
TCZ: We would expect that working with kids must be extremely rewarding, but also challenging at times. Have you run into any humorous or unexpected challenges since Rock School began?
Wendy: The best example was last summer while filming our first live DVD of our show after camp in Seattle. A new teacher was working with a band and did not know that because of the audience and venue students were not allowed to swear in the songs would be performing. A band had decided to have the F word repeated about 30 times in their song - I found out from another parent the day before the show and they were told that they would have to change their lyrics. The singer was not happy about this censorship and to express her unhappiness she flipped off the audience of parents and younger siblings throughout the course of the song. Needless to say the editing of the DVD was tricky!
Luckily we have not had many problems - the students love the program and their teachers and the worst we see is a very high percentage of hyper boys during the summer camps. The girls-only camp is the easiest by far! Plus, I am a therapist/counselor by day - so that really helps keep things together!
TCZ: Rock & Roll has become a smaller segment in today�s fragmented music industry, but new vistas are opening up via the Internet and new technologies. Are there specific strategies you show students to help prepare them for success in 2006 and beyond as indie artists?
Wendy: During recording class students us Protools and also get to play around with lots of other software that has been donated to the program. We also have a getting your music heard via the internet component included in the program. One of many things that sets us apart is the focus on getting our students ready for the next step in their music - whether they just want to play better and join a band and play our shows or if they want to learn how to record their demo, book their own shows and market themselves. We are from Seattle - so our students know the power of going indie! Check out The Soap Buddies - our first graduates on our Top 8. They have put out their own CD, booked their own shows and have quite the fanbase .
TCZ: Any plans to incorporate video production into your curriculum?
Wendy: We do have some plans for this and the equipment available through another program. We have a partnership in the works and may test pilot it this summer.
TCZ: There are some great bands in your list of supporters � how did you manage to round up such an impressive collection of well-wishers? Are any of them former students?
Wendy: We have a great adviosry board with great contacts and also a really supportive music communtiy in Seattle. Booking bands for benefit shows is always a challenge since so many great bands in Seattle want to support the cause. We also have very supportive parents and family members - one is a tour manager on the Warped Tour and also worked with Green Day, another one is in a big Seattle band who shall remain nameless. Basically, anyone who finds out about us has said the same two things - I wish they had this when I was a kid and how can I help.
TCZ: You�ve obviously done a lot of work to reassure parents that you�re promoting positive goals and behaviors for the kids who attend Rock School. But have you met any great parental resistance on any one issue and why do you think that is and how do you address those concerns?
Wendy: Parents have been concerned about exposing their kids to potential bad influences since our program is offered to everyone regardless of financial status. I assure parents that I started Rock School as an alternative for ALL teens to give them something positive to do after school and during the summer and I believe as a drug and alcohol specialist that you cannot simply tell kids to say "no" to drugs and alcohol you have to give them something to say "yes" to and that is where we fit in. We have strict policies about behavior and expectations for our students to do well in school, have goals for further education and trained staff to support and guide them. My teachers are trained on topics such as the warning signs of drug/alcohol use, behavior issues and depression and on how to intervene if they are concerned about a student.
TCZ: Tell us about a typical day for say a beginner vocals student at the Rock School.
Wendy: Students sign up for the classes they wish to attend and a typical weekly schedule for a student might be:
Mondays: Advanced guitar (2 hour group lesson)
Tuesdays: Band 101 (2 hours with their band and mentor writing songs, praciticing for shows, getting songs ready to record, and also includes band information sessions on topics for all bands such as setting up your gear, making press kits, making posters for your show, booking shows, and field trips to see other bands sound check, recording studios, radio stations, etc.)
Wednesdays: Vocals (1 hour- from vocal exercises to working on singing your songs the best) and songwriting (1 and 1/2 hours - did I say our focus is completely on original music?)
Thursdays: Recording (2 hours) Bands rotate through the studio taking turns on both sides of the board. Bands record one another and learn how to run the gear as well as what it is like to be in a real studio.TCZ: How many weeks does a typical program last and what services do you offer the student after successfully completing their program?
Wendy: We offer a school year program and take new students monthly - students stay as long as they want and progress through the classes as we offer beginner to advanced instrument lessons. We also offer intensive summer camps they can attend to meet new people and keep up with their skills. Many students choose to only attend during the summer as well.
We offer ongoing support for our students after they graduate such as promotion of their band, spots at our shows and referrals to schools at the college level. We also have internships available to our graduates.
TCZ: Do the students perform at any fundraisers in Washington State to help raise money for the school?
Wendy: We have 2-3 showcases during the school year and one showcase after each summer camp. The students are the opening act for local bands who volunteer their time to headline the show to bring in the crowd to raise money for scholarships, gear and other costs of the program.
TCZ: Many indie artists say today their biggest challenge is being heard via air play and promotion in the mainstream media. Does the Rock School have any affiliates in these areas and what services do they provide to the students?
Wendy: We do have some great contacts on our advisory board now - one of our board members is a DJ on two stations in Seattle and we have strong support from another station in town as well. Our radio stations in Seattle are amazing! Local music shows are on all of the stations our students listen to.
TCZ: How can other artists and fans contribute to the success of the Rock School?
Wendy: As a non-profit we are always in need of donations of gear and financial contributions as well. We have kept the price low to ensure that students can afford to come and offer scholarships to ALL who qualify. Rock School is run by volunteer board members and many of our staff are volunteers as well. We always need volunteers, interns and advisory board members to help out the cause. Touring bands can invite us to sound checks and meet and greets (some we have attended include Green Day, Concrete Blonde, Macy Gray, Train, Steve Vai, and dada) or offer to do a benefit show for us while they are in town playing a larger gig or donate some of the money from a local show to the program. We also love special guests and vistiors to the program.
TCZ: Do your programs run through out the year or because of the age group you work with 12-21 are classes available only during the summer months?
Wendy: We run from October to June after school 4 days a week and offer summer camps - including a two-week hip hop camp, 2 two-week co-ed camps and 1 two-week girls only camp this summer.
TCZ: Is there anything we haven't covered that you would like to share or expand on?
Wendy: If anyone is wanting to start something like this somewhere else- please email me. I am all about sharing what we have learned and having something like Rock School in every community we can throughout the country is a goal we at Rock School all share.