Our Story
10 Years of Rock and Roll at Leaders of Rock!
In just 10 years, our music school has touched the lives of hundreds of students, held more than 20 concerts, and delivered thousands of music lessons. We’re deeply grateful for this amazing community — and thought it fitting to celebrate our journey through ten photos that tell our story.
It all began in 2015, when I started teaching guitar by carrying my acoustic to students’ houses in Kensington after university, before catching public transport back home to Doncaster. Our very first concert was a lively affair at the Kensington Community Aquatic and Recreation Centre. Soon after, we expanded with our first band programs — giving kids the chance to rock out together. What fun that was!
In 2016, we moved a little closer to home, teaching from Felix and Stella’s house. More students wanted to learn electric guitar, and we turned up the volume! Our concert at MC Square was a bright, joyful occasion, and we even played at my brother’s primary school, Birralee Primary.
By 2017 and 2018, we dreamed of taking our students from garage to stage. Our friends at Mr Boogie Man Bar in Abbotsford said “yes” to hosting a gig, and we’ve been back several times since. For any young musician, being up on stage with the lights on you and the sound all around is an unforgettable feeling. Around this time, we also introduced piano and singing — giving voice to students who wanted to explore new ways to rock.
In 2019, we dared to dream even bigger. We contacted the organisers of Those Who Rock — a massive rock concert at the legendary Hamer Hall in Melbourne — and were thrilled to be invited to perform. Together with our amazing team of students and teachers, we performed before more than a thousand people. Our community grew stronger, our students more confident, and three even auditioned for School of Rock the musical!
The years 2020–2021 brought new challenges. Yet even in lockdown, we kept the music alive with online lessons and virtual Zoom concerts. Seeing the smiling faces of students each week gave me a sense of purpose and reminded me that music truly connects us — even across screens and uncertainty.
In 2022, we embraced a new vision. The pandemic had shown us that music knows no borders, so we extended our teaching to Japan — running two teams of teachers across two countries. Felix and Stella also found a wonderful home for our performances: the Manningham Uniting Church and Community Centre, which remains our stage to this day.
The years 2023 and 2024 saw us rocking outdoors at the Manningham Family Festival — through rain, hail, and shine! Our band programs roared back to life, friendships blossomed, and our students continued to shine, even acing their exams. With the help of our talented teachers, we added drums and bass — finally completing our dream of forming full rock bands!
This year, 2025, has been a full-circle moment. We welcomed Felix — my first piano and guitar teacher (and my dad) — to the teaching team as our piano teacher. We also launched new initiatives like the Mums Guitar Group, Family Bands, Group Lessons, and welcomed our Junior Guitar Teachers. The best way to learn is to teach — and now, the next generation of rockers is inspiring others to find their sound.
We’re also proud to celebrate our students’ incredible achievements — for the second year in a row (2024 and 2025), our talented guitarists and drummers placed among the top 20 in Victoria at the Australian Schools Instrumental Championship.
To all our families, students, teachers, and staff: thank you for your endless support, generosity, and grace. Sharing this journey with you has been one of my life’s greatest joys.
We’ve grown together, and wherever you may go, I hope that music stays with you. Keep discovering yourself through music — it truly is one of life’s greatest gifts.
Here’s to the next ten years of rocking out — from garage to stage!
Yours musically,
Justin, on behalf of Team Rock
