Music fills every corner of the School of Rock Portimão. The rhythm of a quiet drum set vibrates behind the insulated walls; laughter echoes from a nearby rehearsal room. But beyond the sound, there is something deeper – a spirit of community, discovery and transformation. Luís António, a Portuguese engineer with a lifelong passion for music, found himself searching for a new project when life began to feel uneventful. Discovering the School of Rock was a turning point – he immediately knew he wanted to bring it to the Algarve. And from that spark, a partnership was born. A space built for sound The school unfolds along a corridor that doubles as a photo gallery, featuring an exhibition offered by the father of one of the students. Behind each door lies a different world – singing, drums, guitar, bass and keyboard lessons fill the air with sound. There’s also a cosy room for musical initiation – the Little Wing programme, designed for the youngest students – where a vibrant mural of cartoon-style musical legends watches over them. Two fully-equipped rehearsal rooms complete the space, one of which the director plans to transform into a recording booth in the near future. Since it opened on 23 September 2024, the school has quickly become a creative heartbeat in the Algarve. What began with 48 students now counts nearly 100, representing 15 different nationalities. With participants from as young as three years old, to adults rediscovering a long-forgotten passion, everyone here shares a single goal: to live music. The school’s schedule reflects its inclusive spirit. From Monday to Saturday, it welcomes students from across the Algarve – from Faro and Loulé to Sagres, Lagos and Monchique. For those who travel long distances, Saturdays have become a key opportunity to rehearse and connect. Amidst the creative chaos, safety remains essential. All rooms are equipped with security cameras, offering a sense of reassurance to parents who leave their children in the school’s care. But what truly builds trust here is the environment – friendly, welcoming and open. Students often stop by even when they have no scheduled lessons, simply to rehearse, socialise or unwind. “This place becomes a second home. Students come to play, to talk, or just to be around music,” says Luís. School of Rock Portimão is part of a growing international family. In Portugal, the brand first arrived in Lisbon’s Avenidas Novas in 2022, followed by Alfragide and finally Portimão. The director believes this is just the beginning. “Our approach is different,” he says. “And more and more people are looking for a place that doesn’t just teach music, but helps them live it.”