What is the Schmitt Music Rock Star Academy?
Schmitt Music Rock Star Academy is a new lesson program for beginning to intermediate students of guitar, bass, keyboard, drums and vocals! Schmitt Music's passion is to help our customers pursue their musical dreams. We're committed to accelerating your journey from the garage to the stage by providing you with the best possible education experience. We look forward to creating many Rock Stars!
Summer Programs » Age 7 and up!
Rock Star Academy Level 1 8-Day Camp
$299
Beginning week of June 11, 2012
This is the same course that will be offered in the Fall as an 8-week program. It is a very intense course in a short amount of time that will include instruction on instruments, music theory, music appreciation, and music history. After completion of this course your child will be able to begin with Level 2 in the Fall. Tuition and face to face hours for the Summer Camp are the same as for the fall 8-week program.
* Book fees for Level 1 & 2: Vocals - $25.00, Guitar, bass, drums & keyboards - $40.00. Level 3 Fees to be determined. Fees will be collected on the first day of class.
Intro to Rock Star Academy
$120
Beginning week of June 11, 2012
- 4 daily 2 hour sessions
- For beginning rockers
- Limited education on instrument
- Music theory, appreciation, and history
- End of session concert playing one or two songs
- Students who complete Intro to Rock Star Academy can then enroll in either the 8-day Summer Camp or Level 1 in the Fall.
* Intro to Rock Star Academy books are $15.00
Intro to Rock Star Academy
$120
July 9 - 12 from 10:00 - 12:00pm
- 4 daily 2 hour sessions
- For beginning rockers
- Limited education on instrument
- Music theory, appreciation, and history
- End of session concert playing one or two songs
- Students who complete Intro to Rock Star Academy can then enroll in either the 8-day Summer Camp or Level 1 in the Fall.
* Intro to Rock Star Academy books are $15.00
Rock Star Academy Level 1
$299
July 16 - 29, 23 - 26 from 12:30 - 3:30pm
- 8 daily 3 hour sessions
- For beginning rockers
- Weekly 1 hour group lesson
- Weekly 2 hour group classes
- End of session concert
- Content to include: Gear set-up, basic knowledge of I, IV, V rock/blues chord progressions, basic knowledge of time, key, scales and song structure, intro to rock history, beginning band formation and stage performance tips.
* Book fees for Level 1 & 2: Vocals - $25.00, Guitar, bass, drums & keyboards - $40.00. Level 3 Fees to be determined. Fees will be collected on the first day of class.
Intro to Rock Star Academy
$120
August 20 - 23 from 10:00 - 12:00pm
- 4 daily 2 hour sessions
- For beginning rockers
- Limited education on instrument
- Music theory, appreciation, and history
- End of session concert playing one or two songs
- Students who complete Intro to Rock Star Academy can then enroll in either the 8-day Summer Camp or Level 1 in the Fall.
* Intro to Rock Star Academy books are $15.00
Rock Star Academy Staff
Our Rock Star Academy staff have several years of teaching and professional stage experience. They look forward to welcoming you to the Rock Star Academy and teaching you how to ROCK!
Mike Salow - Lead Guitar, Bass Guitar, & Voice Instructor
Mike Salow is a versatile guitarist/vocalist with over a decade of playing experience. He is currently a senior at McNally Smith College of Music pursuing a B.M. in guitar performance with a music business minor. He has done most of his work with fusion, jazz, blues, metal, pop, and rock bands/ensembles and on occasion, has done classical work for weddings.
Most recently Mike was lead guitarist & backing vocalist for Minneapolis based rock band, Chester Bay. After joining the band in September of 2009, the band toured throughout the upper Midwest, was featured in Rolling Stone magazine, and also opened for national acts such as Candlebox, Eric Church, The Bodeans, Los Lobos, Fitz and the Tantrums, and The Avett Brothers.
Wanting to focus more energy on his schooling, Mike decided to take a break from gigging in October of 2011, and has currently started building a larger clientele of students throughout the metro area. He now teaches guitar & bass at several schools around the Twin Cities.
Mike has been featured on thruthinshredding.com, received an Outstanding Solo award at the Elmhurst Jazz festival, in Chicago, with the Kirkwood Community College Jazz Big Band, and has also had success in select international guitar competitions via YouTube, placing 1st in one and being a top 12 finalists in another.
Joe Holmes - Percussion & Piano Instructor
Joe's been playing the drums for nearly two decades now. It's brought him all across the country playing for crowds big and small. After hitting a plateau in high school Joe opted to take an independent study in place of band to put together an audition. That audition would land him a spot in the 2003 world champion Blue Stars drumline. After two summers of corps style drumming Joe was accepted into the University of North Texas music program. He studied there for five years playing with a wide variety of ensembles including steels bands, drumlines, symphonies, and of course the occasional late night jam session. In addition to his percussion prowess, Joe is well versed in piano, as well as acoustic & electric guitar.
After meeting his soon to be wife they moved back to his homeland where they've been ever since. Bouncing around the Midwest eventually landed him here where he teaches all things percussion, runs a few drumlines here and there, and occasionally does full percussion overhauls for band directors here in the metro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can attend Schmitt Music's Rock Star Academy? SMRSA is open to students from 7 and up. Vocalists, keyboardists, guitarists, bass guitarists and drum players are all eligible. No experience needed!
Does my child need to have their own instrument? Students need to bring their own electric guitar and bass. Drummers should bring sticks. All other equipment provided.
What if I have an instrument but it needs repair? Please make sure that you have a quality instrument and that it is in good working order before you begin at the Academy. If you have questions or concerns about your instrument, visit any Schmitt Music store before your lessons begin. Students who are looking for a new instrument may benefit from their teacher's advice by trying instruments from the Schmitt retail floor during the lesson process.
Will I have to practice? Yes. It is important to schedule a consistent, daily time to practice. You wanna be a star, you gotta practice!
Will all students be included in the closing concert? Yes!
Can I pay monthly? We ask that tuition is paid in full at the time of registration.
What else do I need to know? A handbook will be provided to you at the time of registration that will answer many questions that you may have including tuition, attendance, bad weather, withdrawals, practice and repairs.
Who can I talk to about Rock Star Academy? You can contact rockstar@schmittmusic.com — Kris Knutson, Education Manager, 763-398-5046 or kris.knutson@schmittmusic.com
