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To quote legendary Australian band AC/DC, “For those about to rock…we salute you!” The soul of Coconut Grove is truly artistic and the School of Rock stands as a testament to the enduring power of music in this community.
Laura Sintes, owner of School of Rock Coconut Grove, recently shared with us the organization’s mission – her overture, if you will – and the unique services they offer. As part of the Coconut Grove BID, School of Rock plays a pivotal role in enriching the local arts and music scene.
Join us in this exclusive interview as we delve into the harmony of music, education, and the spirit of our community.
BID: Let’s start off with a quick overview of your mission and the range of services you offer.
SINTES: School of Rock’s mission is to enrich lives and to inspire kids to keep the music alive. We do this through a performance-based approach. We put on shows to teach music, not the other way around. We do this by combining lessons with band ensembles. Each group is comprised of the five essential ingredients of rock: guitar, drums, keys, bass, and vocals. We also offer introductory group sessions for kids ages five to seven, as well as lessons for adults.
BID: What sets the School of Rock apart from other music learning programs.
SINTES:: What makes us stand out from other music learning programs is the community building component. All attendees of School of Rock are part of a band with peers of a similar age and skill level. Showing up to a band rehearsal ready to perform is great motivation for kids to practice their instrument. They end up getting better at it faster than if they were just taking individual lessons.
BID: How long has the School of Rock been in the Grove, and what inspired opening your doors in this particular Business District?
SINTES:: School of Rock Coconut Grove opened in February of 2021. The Grove is such a vibrant neighborhood where the arts have always been at the core of its culture. School of Rock is a great fit for the Grove business district.
BID: Coconut Grove is an iconic rock-n-roll neighborhood with much of its history rooted in the 60’s music scene? Artists such as David Crosby, Joni Mitchell, and The Jefferson Airplane used to hang out and even perform around the Grove. Does this history ever spill over into your work?
SINTES: Of course it does! The Grove is a true gem and yes, we often include music from some of the iconic artists that have made an impact locally such as the ones you mentioned in our seasonal curriculum.
BID: Please share a few success stories of students who participated in the Coconut Grove School of Rock program. Are graduates of the program stepping out and “shredding” on bigger stages?
SINTES: As a matter of fact, our very first School of Rock Coconut Grove House Band recently completed a four-day tour and performed at Summerfest, the largest music festival in the world. They performed alongside some big names including Earth, Wind and Fire and Dave Matthews Band. Many of our students have successfully auditioned and earned a place in prestigious music magnet schools such as New World.
BID: Do you collaborate with other businesses within the BID to support and enrich the vibrant local arts and music scene?
SINTES: Absolutely. School of Rock is often present at the major community events such as the Coconut Grove Arts Festival and King Mango Strut. We also collaborate with other businesses in the area including those in the BID by cross promoting our services.
BID: What is it about music, specifically live music, that is important for people to learn? What skills off the stage do you think music provides?
SINTES: Live music is all about teamwork. It’s a lot like a sport, some players can be great individually, but if they are unable to work with others, the team won’t be successful. Our band rehearsals teach kids about collaboration, patience, and perseverance. These are skills that spill over every aspect of their lives. A show does not come together in a single day, rather, it takes practice and dedication to realize the end result. The satisfaction and boost in confidence that comes from performing live in front of an audience extends beyond the time on stage.
BID: How does the School of Rock foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie among its students and the wider Grove community including the BID?
SINTES: School of Rock is all about building community. In a time where face to face social interaction became scarcer, School of Rock provided a safe environment where kids could interact with others who share a common interest. Maybe some students might feel like they don’t fit in socially in their academic school, but they all call School of Rock their “happy place.” As I mentioned, School of Rock is always willing to participate in all the events that foster a sense of community here.
BID: What’s the background of most of the teachers? Are they formally trained and seasoned live performers from local bands – or a little bit of both?
SINTES: Our teachers are a combination of both formally trained and/or lifelong musicians who are proficient on their instrument. The majority of them are active in the local music scene, and some even go on national tours during the summer with well-recognized bands.
BID: What resources and facilities does the School of Rock offer to create an inspiring and supportive learning environment for anyone that wants to hone their craft?
SINTES: School of Rock Coconut Grove is a school with over a dozen lesson and rehearsal rooms with state of the art equipment. Our instructors go through a rigorous training that is standardized and proprietary to the School of Rock method. Our students have access to our patented interactive app where they can access over 1,000 songs and record their practice to get live feedback.
BID: What’s on the horizon, like upcoming events or future plans that the School has in store for the Grove community? And finally, outside of music, what’s your passion?
SINTES: Every season presents itself with new opportunities to showcase our students. We’re looking forward to putting together a first Winter Music Festival that will bring over 20 House Bands from different Schools of Rock across the U.S. and Latin America. We’re also looking forward to participating in the Fall and holiday season events sponsored by BID. As far as our passion outside of music goes, it’s to make a positive impact in kids’ lives.
