School Of Rock Opens First Ann Arbor Area Franchise

Teddy Tolbert has a new place to explore her musical talents.

Tolbert, a student at the new School of Rock franchise on Jackson Road, has taken vocal lessons, drums and guitar instruction since the performance-based music school had its soft opening last month.

School of Rock, at 6101 Jackson Rd., teaches guitar, bass, vocals, keyboards and drums and combines weekly private music lessons and group band rehearsals to prepare students to take the stage in front of live audiences in an authentic concert setting.

The first franchise was started more than a decade ago and there are currently more than 100 schools located throughout the U.S., Canada and Latin America. There are School of Rock locations in Farmington and Rochester.

Opening a School of Rock franchise in the Ann Arbor area was a career switch for co-owner Dianna Wilson, who left her position as a manager at a factory. Although Wilson said she's not musically inclined, her husband, Gordon, is a musician.

"This is something I could really relate to and to make a difference in someone's life would be awesome. That's what got me going," Wilson said.

After searching for real estate in the Ann Arbor area, Wilson landed on a 2,400-square-foot space on Jackson Road. The parking and visibility were attractive, she said.

School of Rock has seven lesson rooms and a performance room. Wilson said she's already in discussions with her landlord to build a recording studio and potentially expand the performance room.

She also plans to open two additional School of Rock locations in Michigan.

Four instructors work at School of Rock Ann Arbor, and Wilson said they are talented musicians who bring good energy to the school. Music ranges from rock to punk and blues.

"We do it all," Wilson said.

Students combine weekly one-on-one lessons with structured group rehearsals culminating in live performances at area venues.

"They learn how to do teamwork together. Everyone does have different styles when they play," she said.

She added: "If the kids are up on the stage and all of a sudden, the drummer panics a bit and jumps to the chorus too soon, everyone else in the whole band needs to get to that spot, too, and do it kind of discreetly."

School of Rock Ann Arbor offers youth and adult programs.

The studio will celebrate its grand opening with live entertainment from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on March 29. New students can receive a free trial lesson, and there will be discounts on enrollment and camps.

Franchise Ranking History
Franchise 500: #216 (2014), #211 (2013), #289 (2012), #318 (2011),
America's Top Global: #162 (2013)

Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for The Ann Arbor News. Reach her at 734-623-2584, email her [email protected] or follow her on Twitter.

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