West Des Moines
School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

West Des Moines

Map
School of Rock West Des Moines
7450 Bridgewood Blvd.
Ste 200
West Des Moines, IA 50266
515-999-7625
Hours
  • Monday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Tuesday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Wednesday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Thursday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Friday: Closed
  • Saturday: 10 AM - 4 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

Music programs at School of Rock West Des Moines combine one-on-one lessons with group band practices

School of Rock West Des Moines is proud to serve the West Des Moines community with music lessons taught by real, practicing musicians. Here, instructors teach everything from singing to piano, bass guitar, drums, and keys. At School of Rock, students can perform live shows and develop their skills in a supportive learning environment. Students can also learn how to play a diverse set of musical styles, including country, pop, and rock, and can hopefully follow in the footsteps of Iowa greats like Slipknot. The West Des Moines area is home to great local venues, as well, including Wooly's and the Wells Fargo Arena -- both of which students can one day hope to play at.

Programs we offer

Rock 101 music program in West Des Moines for kids and beginners
Rock 101
Ages 8-13

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

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

Rookies music program for children in West Des Moines
Rookies
Ages 6-7

At School of Rock West Des Moines, 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 West Des Moines, 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 West Des Moines
Little Wing
Ages 4-5

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

School of Rock West Des Moines'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 West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines.

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 West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines.

House Band program for gigging at local venues in West Des Moines
House Band
Age 17 and Under

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

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock West Des Moines

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

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

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock West Des Moines

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines, 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 West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines, 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 West Des Moines.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock West Des Moines

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines, 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 West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines, 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 West Des Moines

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

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

Greg Moore Owner
Greg Moore
Owner
Greg Moore is the owner of the School of Rock locations in Ankeny, Marion, and West Des Moines. After seeing School of Rock students perform in the Chicagoland area years ago, his first thought was, "...WOW—THIS IS AWESOME... Iowa needs a program like this!" From there, he started his mission to bring School of Rock to Iowa.

A big music enthusiast especially appreciating classic rock and '90s alternative, Greg played clarinet and saxophone through his school years. He now enjoys playing bass with the adult student performance group at School of Rock Cedar Rapids/Marion and School of Rock West Des Moines. His son is an alumnus of the School of Rock program who now teaches guitar, bass, and drums at the Cedar Rapids/Marion school. Greg and his wife, Amy, are thankful for all the families in the school community. Nothing is more exciting to them than watching the students advance both on and off the stage through our programs.
Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Singing Teacher Austin Corrick
Austin Corrick
Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Austin Corrick began taking piano lessons at the age of 8 and guitar lessons at age 11, and soon after joined the school band on upright and electric bass and trumpet through high school.

Currently, Austin plays guitar, bass, drums, vocals, piano, trumpet, and tuba, and is a member of the Des Moines-based Latin music group Son Peruchos. He enjoys all types of rock music and loves being a part of a program that sees so much musical talent at such a young age.
 Allegra Hernandez Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar TXeacher
Allegra Hernandez
Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Allegra Hernandez is the music director and guitar and bass teacher at School of Rock West Des Moines. Their first experience with playing music was taking classical piano lessons at age nine, and at age 12, they gained an interest in guitar and bass after listening to rock music. By age 19, they were touring with their Twin Cities-based band and very involved with the DIY music scene. They began their music education studying under renowned instructors at McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul, MN, before finishing their degree at Berklee College of Music with summa cum laude honors. Allegra writes and performs music under their own name with fellow School of Rock teachers Aaron Larimer and Vimka Nochvay, and plays with a number of other local Des Moines artists such as Lani, Abbie Sawyer, and more. They also work with Girls Rock! Des Moines, and enjoys sharing their passion and knowledge for music with their students!
General Manager Rachel Allen
Rachel Allen
General Manager
Rachel Allen is the general manager at School of Rock West Des Moines. She started learning piano from her Nana, who would babysit her and show her how to play. She went on to graduate from Central College with a degree in Vocal Music Performance.

Besides vocals and keyboard, Rachel also plays ukulele, trumpet, and French horn, and has a special fondness for jazz music. Rachel loves working with incredible people in the School of Rock community!
Grace Umbarger Studio Coordinator
Grace Umbarger
Studio Coordinator
Grace Umbarger is the studio coordinator at School of Rock West Des Moines. Growing up, she has always loved singing and was a member of the choir, show choir, and band at her school. A fan of rock, alternative, and indie music, she is currently learning how to play the drums. Grace loves being surrounded by people at School of Rock who love to teach and learn music. She looks forward to being able to play and learn something new every day!
Vimka Nochvay Guitar Teacher, Bass guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher, Singing Teacher, Drums Teacher
Vimka Nochvay
Guitar Teacher, Bass guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Drums Teacher
Vimka Nochvay is a guitar, bass, keyboard, vocals, and beginning drums teacher at School of Rock West Des Moines. She first became interested in flamenco and classical guitar as a teenager, and since then has learned a variety of other instruments. Although she has taken classes on guitar, piano, and vocals at Simpson College, the majority of her education is self-taught. Currently, she is a part of Allegra Hernadez’s project, as well as her own solo project, Vimka. Her favorite parts of working at School of Rock are making connections with her students and fellow staff and watching her students grow into talented musicians.
Aaron Larimer Drums Teacher
Aaron Larimer
Drums Teacher
Aaron Larimer is a drums teacher at School of Rock West Des Moines. Growing up in a music-filled home, he was exposed to a wide variety of styles, genres, and artists at a young age. He began learning drums at 10 years old and participated in concert band, marching band, jazz band, and back-up band for show choir throughout school and multiple jazz groups in college. Since then, he has spent a decade playing at a dueling piano bar and gotten to play with over 60 musicians from around the world, strengthening his improvisation skills and versatility. Aaron currently plays drums with his fellow School of Rock West Des Moines teachers Allegra Hernandez and Vimka Nochvay. He loves not only teaching his students music but also being a positive influence in their lives, and encourages the philosophy that anything worth doing, is worth doing poorly; even a small step forward is still progress!
Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Madison Green
Madison Green
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Madison Green is a singing teacher and keyboard + piano teacher at School of Rock West Des Moines. She started singing in choir at a young age and then entered the school talent show in the second grade to sing “Crush” by David Archuleta. It was then that she discovered that music helped her come out of her shell!

Madison graduated high school from the Idaho Fine Arts Academy, where she studied voice, jazz, contemporary vocals, and musical theater. She then went to Drake University, majoring in Musical Theater. She loves listening to indie folk, funk, hyperpop, jazz, and blues, and singing indie pop, musical theater, and rock. Recently, Madison won “Best Performance in a Lead Role in a Musical” for her part in a rock musical! Madison loves making connections with her students at School of Rock and loves being a part of their process of realizing their artistic voice.
Michael Nesbit Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher, Vocals Teacher
Michael Nesbit
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher, Vocals Teacher
Mike Nesbit is a guitar, bass, keyboard, and vocal teacher at School of Rock West Des Moines. He grew up in a musical family and began taking lessons at a young age, and since went on to attend Berklee College of Music. As a singer, songwriter, recording artist, and performer, he has gotten to work with platinum record-selling and Grammy-winning artists, as well as share the stage with acts such as Vanilla Ice, House of Pain, and Nappy Roots, among others! He currently plays guitar with local group Leradee & The Positives. Mike loves working with students at School of Rock West Des Moines because it reminds him of his own musical journey growing up.
Everett Bartels Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Piano Teacher
Everett Bartels
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Piano Teacher
Everett Bartels is a guitar, bass, and keyboard teacher at School of Rock West Des Moines. Starting with piano lessons as a child, his interest in music grew when he joined the school band. He spent many years playing orchestral and marching percussion and went on to study jazz theory and bass performance at Creative Music Studio in Des Moines, as well as music theory at Des Moines Area Community College. He enjoys listening to a variety of music genres, such as jazz, alternative rock, funk, alternative hip-hop, folk, and pop. When it comes to teaching, Everett loves providing kids the joy of playing music!
 Colin Kompelian Drums Teacher
Colin Kompelian
Drums Teacher
Colin Kompelian is a drums teacher at School of Rock West Des Moines. The son of a drummer, he has been surrounded by rock, punk, and metal music since he was born and began interested in learning drums at 10 years old. At age 14, he started formal lessons at School of Rock and even spent a summer training at Berklee College of Music. He is currently a member of local rock band Steal the Sky and enjoys listening to hip-hop, grunge, rap, and punk, in addition to heavier artists. Colin loves being immersed in the welcoming and kind environment of School of Rock and teaching what he loves!
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher Michael Friedrickson
Michael Friedrickson
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Michael is a guitar and bass guitar teacher at School of Rock West Des Moines. He got into guitar at the age of 7 because of bands like Green Day and All Time Low. He took guitar lessons at Professional Music Center and spent a lot of time during the pandemic playing Polyphia.

Along with guitar and bass, Michael also plays the saxophone and has a love for prog metal, indie, math rock, emo, rock, and pop punk music. Michael enjoys working at School of Rock because he likes watching the students progress in their musical journey.
Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Rylie Shettler
Rylie Shettler
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Rylie is a singing teacher and keyboard + piano teacher at School of Rock in West Des Moines, Iowa. She has been singing for as long as she can remember. Her dad is a singer, and her grandma taught her beginner piano until her backyard neighbor took over. She furthered her love for music at Columbia College Chicago for two years, where she studied musical theater and then received her BA in Music from Central College.

Outside of voice and piano, Rylie also plays clarinet and a little bit of guitar. Rylie enjoys singing and playing show tunes, worship songs, and classical pieces, and she loves to listen to folk, alternative rock, indie, pop (mostly Taylor Swift), show tunes, oldies, and more!
Drum Teacher Ayla Billick
Ayla Billick
Drum Teacher
For as long as Ayla can remember, music has always been her passion. Although Ayla is a drum teacher at School of Rock West Des Moines, she also plays guitar and sings. She loves all types of music, but high-energy rock will always have a special place in her heart.

Ayla's favorite part of working at School of Rock is being able to spend time and energy doing what she loves most, passing on what she’s learned, and seeing it help others grow. You can catch Ayla rocking out on the guitar with the Allegra Hernandez band.
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Grady Stein
Grady Stein
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Grady is a bass, guitar, and keyboard instructor at School of Rock in West Des Moines, Iowa. Although his main instrument is the bass, he began playing piano at the age of 8 and added guitar at the age of 12. His favorite genres to play and listen to include funk, blues, and jazz music.

Grady's favorite part of working at School of Rock is learning new material along with the students. Grady is the bassist for Stutterin’ Jimmy and the Goosebumps.
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Drum Teacher, Singing Teacher Conner Roark
Conner Roark
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Drum Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Conner teaches guitar, bass, keyboard, voice, and drums at School of Rock West Des Moines. He was first introduced to music when he was 3 years old watching his dad play in his band. Conner started playing when he was 13 years old and was self-taught until he went to the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA, and got his Associate of Arts in Guitar Performance and Audio Engineering.

After graduating, Conner moved to Des Moines and has since been involved in the music scene by recording, mixing, and mastering albums for bands needing a solid record. Aside from the instruments he teaches, he also plays the ocarina, recorder, triangle, and kazoo, and he can whistle! Conner mostly listens to and plays metal and hard rock, but he also enjoys dabbling in blues, jazz, funk, R&B, and pop.
Guitar Teacher Brett Buehneman
Brett Buehneman
Guitar Teacher
Brett is a guitar teacher at School of Rock West Des Moines. He started playing guitar at the age of 5. His father taught him to tune it, and from there gave Brett the freedom to discover where it would take him. Outside of School of Rock, he is a certified music therapist and is employed with a private practice geriatric care agency using his guitar to ease Iowa’s senior citizens living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, often in a memory care facility.

Brett enjoys listening and jamming to rock, funk, melodic improvisation, R&B, new wave, and original riffing. His favorite thing about working at School of Rock is getting to experience students’ “a ha” moment, and getting to be present when a student who loves music actually becomes part of the music. Brett would like to share the quote, “Knowledge not shared is knowledge wasted.”
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher Tanner Wright
Tanner Wright
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Tanner started getting into music around the age of 7. His parents are big music enthusiasts and encouraged him to learn drums and piano, then later guitar. Tanner enjoys listening to and playing rock, metal, alternative, and hip-hop music! Currently, when he’s not giving lessons, he’s the drummer in the Des Moines local bands On This Day and No Vacancy.

Some of Tanner’s favorite drummers include Neil Peart (Rush), Steward Copeland (The Police), Jeff Porcharo (Toto), and Joey Jordison (Slipknot). He enjoys working at School of Rock West Des Moines because it allows him to build a strong connection with his students, not only by teaching them to become great musicians but also by helping them develop life skills like hard work, responsibility, and good character.
Drum Teacher Zach Halverson
Zach Halverson
Drum Teacher
Zach is a drum instructor at School of Rock West Des Moines. He started at the age of 12 when his brother, Tyler, started guitar lessons. Zach picked up drum lessons so they wouldn’t be in competition with each other and he is entirely self-taught. Zach is mainly a drummer, but also “can definitely sing (just kidding)!”

When it comes to his taste in music, Zach really enjoys most things but rock is his favorite! Zach enjoys teaching the kids at School of Rock West Des Moines because he enjoys watching them grow from their first lesson. When he’s not giving lessons, Zach plays in the band Through Fire.
School of Rock is where music and learning come together

For over twenty years, our amazing instructors have transformed hundreds of thousands of students across the world into skilled musicians. Become a musician at School of Rock.

Reviews

What I like about the program is that my kids LOVE it!

This is so different from the music lessons that existed when I was a kid. These kids are actually making music and learning to play as a band. The performances are so impressive, and watching the kids gain confidence and express themselves on stage is priceless.

The structure around how kids learn is amazing.

Taking lessons to learn an instrument is one thing, but learning how to be a part of a band is on another level. These kids are learning how to communicate, respect people and their opinions, and how to be accountable for themselves. It’s more than just music here.

It's the best music program in the city.

Dedicated instructors and staff, vibrant atmosphere, and most importantly, it's fun! My 8-year-old has grown leaps and bounds in skill and personal confidence. If you're thinking about checking it out, don't wait, just do it!

The kids have a great time while learning to play.

Lifelong skills and relationships are born here. The staff shares their passion for music and are very professional and accommodating. Wish I had this type of exposure to music when I was growing up!

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