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Who We Are

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Academy of Rock Music (AoRM) is a locally owned music performance program with locations in Newport News & Virginia Beach, VA. Established in 2007, we are proud to be Hampton Roads original rock school. Over the past 15 years, directors Ron Lowder, Vasili Simmons, Nick Gargiulo and Maria Fischer have taught countless AoRM students to perform well over 750 songs ranging from classic rock to metal, from funk to reggae.

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What We Do

 

We place musicians young and old into full-fledged rock bands based on their age and skill level. Our bands consist of 6-8 students per group which can include 3-4 guitarists, 1-2 drummers, 1 bassist, 1-3 vocalists & 1 keyboardist. Bands meet once per week for a 2-hour rehearsal at a dedicated time slot and are led by our team of highly qualified, multi-instrumentalist instructors.

 

AoRM operates year-round, holding spring, summer & fall sessions. Our bands start each session by choosing a song list with the help of their instructors. From there, bands are taught individual parts and work each week towards becoming a tight unit. Each session culminates in a “gig” at one of several very cool Hampton Roads venues. Past venues have included The NorVa in Norfolk and The Bunker in Virginia Beach.

 

Interested in other programs? AoRM also offer private instruction on drums, bass, guitar, vocals & keys. Please contact us for additional info.

Why We Do It

 

AoRM is proud to be producing Hampton Roads next wave of great young bands and solo artists. Several students who have come through our doors have continued on to prestigious music colleges such as Berklee College of Music, Shenandoah Conservatory and Middle Tennessee State University to name a few. AoRM has also spawned several local original bands such as Evan Button, Wild Truth, ALNTN and several more. Check out AoRM’s “Success Stories” on the home page. We’re excited to be a springboard for the next generation of great local talent!

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