Teachers at a new music school are excited to guide budding rock stars. The School of Rock Bend offers music lessons followed by the opportunity to jam with other students in a rock band, even performing in public on local stages. The school, opening Oct. 9, is in the same plaza as Blockbuster on NE Revere Avenue. Jeff and Niki Reading are the husband-wife team opening the school, which is part of a music education franchise with more than 400 locations worldwide. A variety of lessons are offered including individual instruments, songwriting, performance and house band.
“To us, having more places in our community where kids and adults can play creatively, express themselves and build their self-confidence is not just a nice-to-have, it’s necessary,” Jeff Reading told the Source. He and Niki are writers by trade who own and operate a communications /public affairs firm.
The teachers are local musicians. Julia Canales is lead guitarist with the band, Not Your Ex Lover. “Music has been a huge part of my life forever,” Canales says. “It’s been a constant through everything. Whatever is going on in the world, whatever is going on in life, it’s always just been my outlet. It’s always been there for me to push myself and challenge and learn new things.”
Jeff Reading says the school year is divided into four-month seasons. The music and performance directors have already selected songs for incoming students to learn. “In January, the themes for our first two shows will be “British Invasion” and “90s Rock,” he explains. In addition, he says there will also be a house band for which students can audition.
“Music is my safest place. Performing and playing is where I feel the most happy, the most confident and that’s something that’s developed over the years,” another teacher, Huddy Mickel from the band, Mama’s Boy, says. “And the idea of getting to be involved with the school and teaching kids and helping them grow that same confidence and passion really excites me.”
“It’s really cool to pay it forward. That’s why I’m excited to be here,” teacher Ryan Lucas told the Source. “Being of service is really important to me and to be able to pay it forward to all these kids and share my experience with them is just a great opportunity.” Lucas has played bass for about 15 years with several bands including Denver Says, Double Jump and Dive Bar Theology.
Other teachers for School of Rock Bend include Mason James, a solo artist and member of Double Jump and The Living Room; Sam Gibney of The Hasbens and Call Down Thunder; Sam Rabolvsky, also of The Hasbens and Mama’s Boy; Beverly Anderson, both a solo artist and member of Mama’s Boy; and solo artist, Brianna Gonzalez.
The cost for lessons varies. School of Rock has programs for students as young as 4-years-old, as well as scholarships available for students ages 8 to 18. Pricing for the performance program, which includes a weekly private lesson and a weekly two-hour group rehearsal for the band experience, starts at $345 per month.
Everyone involved agrees it’s a way for young people to express themselves, build confidence and learn new skills.
Ponderosa Players and Iconic Dance are next door to The School of Rock. “We’re so excited to create a new arts hub, where more members of our community can find their voice, their people and a place where they belong,” Reading says.
Even the school’s interior has a rock-n-roll vibe created by local designers Mac the Fruitbat and Vivi Design Co., but ultimately it’s about the music.
“When I step on stage, there’s no better feeling in the world,” Mickel says.
School of Rock Bend
Opening Oct. 9
211 NE Revere Ave., Bend
Schoolofrock.com/locations/bend
This article appears in the Source October 9, 2025.
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