Rookies is a music program designed for children (typically 6 to 7-year-olds) with no previous musical experience. As with all our music programs, Rookies is based on the School of Rock Method's core philosophy that performance-based music education is the best way for students to gain musical proficiency. Rookies students have one weekly group rehearsal where they learn music fundamentals like pitch, rhythm and song structure. Students get to learn and experiment with multiple instruments so they are then able to decide which one they ultimately want to continue pursuing in Rock 101.
We invite you to sit in on your child’s Rookies Rehearsal the last week of September. Space is limited so we ask that only parents attend. Stay tuned for more information - we will be posting updates here on the Support Site.
Week of March 20th
Song of the Month: “I Want Candy” by Bow Wow Wow
Song/Genre of the Week: “Bo Diddley” by Bo Diddley
Activity: Clapping the Bo Diddley beat and identifying it in “I Want Candy”
Game: Rhythm Race
*Please stop in five minutes before your child’s Rookies Rehearsal ends each week. The instructors would like to, when possible, have the opportunity to give you a brief description of what took place during rehearsal.
Instructors: All of our instructors have been trained in The School of Rock Method, a unique way to learn to play guitar, bass, drums, keys, and music. Students are assigned songs and parts that are tailored to them based on their age, experience, and ability to learn new skills and concepts. Because we employ working musicians and because we want the fewest disruptions to our customer’s schedule, if an instructor is unable to teach a rehearsal we will have another SoR instructor fill in. Tyler, Jake, and Damon are the current Rookies instructors. Please see their bios below.
Tyler Ward - Music Director
Tyler Ward is a multi-instrumentalist from San Diego. He started with School of Rock in 2007 and worked under the guidance of previous Music Director, Mike Keneally (Dethklok, Zappa, Joe Satriani). Since then, Tyler has acted as Music Director at School of Rock San Diego. As the current Music Director he directs shows, Rock 101, Rookies, House Band, and teaches lessons. When he’s not at SoR, Tyler plays drums with bands like Oh Spirit, Sumatraban, Octagrape, and The Kabbs.
Mikayla Daciolas - Instructor
Mikayla was born and raised in Chicago, IL. She is an alum to School of Rock, where she was a student throughout her 4 years of high school. During her School of Rock days, she played in their House Band as well as several bands of her own. Being the lead singer of the band The Millennials, she toured around the Chicagoland area playing several festivals and venues. Before moing to San Diego, Mikalya managed one of the largest Zipline and Ropes courses in the midwest!
Damon DeLaPaz - Instructor
Damon DeLaPaz, originally from Texas, is a drummer, guitarist, and songwriter. He was a founding member of the punk rock groups Fenix TX, 30footFALL, Demasiado, and Sing The Body Electric. He has also recorded an instrumental solo project called Sci-Fi/Horror. DeLaPaz has recorded, performed and toured with a variety of different bands and also toured as a fill-in drummer for Blink-182, The Vandals, Good Charlotte, Pulley, Home Grown, Ape Machine, Trash Talk (band), and The Last Internationale. Damon has been an instructor at School of Rock San Diego for 10 years, before that he worked at School of Rock Portland.