Club Rock Trains Students on How to Be Stars

Kids ages 4-16 can get a taste of the rock star experience at Club Rock, an afterschool program operated out of the Boneyard in Mayfield Heights.

"It's for kids who have a passion for singing. It's not an American Idol thing," owner Stephen Johnston said.

He said the classes are different than taking music lessons or learning to play in a rock band. At Club Rock, the emphasis is on singing and performing. Students learn how to perform and end the session by singing in a concert with a professional backing band.

Because they're performing with trained musicians rather than fellow students, singers can get a real sense of what it's like to be a professional, Johnston said.

"It's a real band playing behind them. In a way they're professional musicians," he said.

When students have their concerts, parents can go to a reserved spot to take pictures and videos.

"The Boneyard has been just wonderful for us," he said. "Parents can drop their kids off and get something to eat."

Club Rock students learn slowly, starting by singing along like karaoke and then turning down the music and turning up the vocals to give a clearer picture of what they sound like.

At eight weeks, they start rehearsing with a backing band and that changes everything, Johnston said.

"The band comes in and you get the concussion of that coming at you," he said.

Students choose the songs, although inappropriate lyrics are altered. Selections range from heavy metal to Little Mermaid to pop singers like Katy Perry and Taylor Swift.

Johnston said it's surprising how many kids pick songs that are older than they are.

"I had two older brothers, so I was listening to older songs. Now, they hear what mom and dad listen to. One wanted to do Squeezebox by the Who. I asked, 'How do you even know that song?' Part of it is Guitar Hero. It's introduced them to songs like Slow Ride by Foghat and White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane."

Band members have to learn an extensive repertoire.

"We call them the jukebox. They need to know 70 to 80 songs," he said.

Also working with students are vocal coach Avril Burg, who sings in the cover band Run Avril Run; dance and movement instructor Kayla Yanish, a dancer since age 8 who has taught ballet and hip hop; and acting coach Kelsey Krakora, who has a background in choir, band, dance, cheerleading and modeling.

Johnston said Club Rock changes up the experience for returning students, who work with the teachers to move beyond the basics of singing and performing.

"We give them a little more skills. They also learn by watching the DVD of their show," he said. "In watching them over three years, I can see how they've changed. They learn about what an audience reacts to. It's one thing to know a song, it's another thing to own a song."

In addition to fall, winter and spring sessions, Club Rock has added a five-week summer camp that will start in August and costs $275.

"We started with 14 kids three years ago and now we're sold out at 70. It's really caught on," he said.

"The focus is really on understanding how to be an entertainer, being aware of the audience. It's about self-confidence," he added.

Johnston knows about the rock experience, having toured as a guitarist in Makbeth, a Los Angeles-based band.

"We had a record contract and released one album," he said. "That's not a lifestyle if you want to have a family. The two cannot co-exist. I'm lucky that I get to stay in music, but I have a schedule to keep."

He uses that experience to teach students about things such as working through the problems that inevitably arise.

"I've seen it all. We were playing at an Air Force base in California when the MPs came in and were doing a drug raid," Johnston said. "You're like the band on the Titanic, you just keep going."

He also explains that it's OK to be nervous and even seasoned performers still get jitters.

"I tell them it's alright to be nervous. You can feed off of that."

Johnston said he sees the change in students who become more confident and that can translate into other areas of their lives.

"It really encourages them to get out of their shell and go for it," he said.

Johnston, who teaches guitar at a Sam Ash music store, said many students also go on to take lessons on an instrument.

"It's the real music," he said. "Many go on and start learning an instrument. We encourage that."

Spring sessions will end with concerts on May 24, 25, 31 and June 1. Admission is free, however, for varsity students Club Rock requests a $5 donation at the door.

Johnston said students are grouped by age so they feel more comfortable.

"Kids are very sensitive to age. To a 15-year-old, an 11-year-old is like a 5-year-old," he said. "With the varsity kids, we have a limo pick them up at school. They get the rock star experience. We give them a taste of the good life."