Woodard Band and 945—they're all from School of Rock.” “Music is like a universal language,” Walden says. “What's really cool about music is anybody can love music and participate in music. And the community is built on this idea that you get to be original and you get to be authentic, and you get to be you. And that's a celebration, not a judgement. So, I mean, it's just a really healthy community to get to be a part of, and anybody can be a part of it.” Keeping live music alive Heather Riley was part of the School of Rock Santa Rosa team before getting the opportunity to open her own School of Rock franchise in San Rafael. She says belonging to a franchise means not having to reinvent the wheel. “I was fortunate enough to 'try before you buy' as I helped establish School of Rock Santa Rosa,” Riley says. “This franchise is an excellent business model and the support from the franchisor is outstanding. “The systems, marketing and training a School of Rock franchise has in place are really solid and I gain from a corporation-sized marketing department who never takes their foot of the gas.” The school now has 300 students and a waitlist. Riley says she’s discerning when hiring new teachers. “If I could fit in more summer camps I would, because they are so in demand in Marin County, but we value quality over quantity,” she says. “Our students come focused and ready to rock, and our instructors always go the extra mile.” They have 16 under-18 bands and five adult bands. “All of them are keeping live music alive,” Riley says. Three times a year they host showcases and their mission is to put on real shows at real venues. “We take over Hopmonk [Tavern in Novato] or Sweetwater [Music Hall in Mill Valley] for our showcases and our students fully embrace the buzz from playing live in front of an audience,” Riley says. Riley says the school also has a house band of extremely talented young musicians who get invited to play gigs all over the county. “They’ve been invited back to perform at St. Isabella and St. Anselm school festivals because, in addition to being talented, they're a blast to watch,” Riley says. The school supports the local music scene in other ways too. “We employ gigging musicians who love to teach,” Riley says. “We actively promote their shows, encouraging our families to go out and watch them.” Riley says local live music is her favorite thing and she’s here to keep spreading the word. “Although I've enjoyed festivals and arena shows, I prefer to see and hear my music locally, in smaller venues, where you can get close enough to the stage to feel it,” she says. “We have an extraordinary local music scene both historically and now.” She says the admission price to a local show is a bargain for the talent that can be seen. “If music fans are reading this—please make a point of getting out and seeing your local bands,” urges Riley. “Buy some merch or vinyl if you can so that some money goes directly to the band.” Adds Riley: “And, yes, take some cash for the tip jar.” g
The National Institute of Health published a literature review in December of 2023 about the health benefits of music. Here are some highlights: o Music enhances cognitive function including memory, attention and learning. o Music soothes our emotions with therapeutic benefits like alleviating stress, anxiety, and depression. o Music enhances our physical health, helping with pain management and physical rehabilitation. o Music supports social bonding and communication with others. o Local music teachers and school administrators that we spoke with all mentioned that students who play in school rock bands learn faster, gain confidence and make friends. o Music Therapy has become widely accepted for its therapeutic potential. Health benefits of music
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April 2025
NorthBaybiz 43
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