10 years of rock and roll at Leaders Of Rock!
In the space of 10 years, our music school has impacted 100s of students, held at least 20 concerts, and delivered 1000s of music lessons. We feel very grateful for this community, and thought it was fitting to tell the story of our music school through 10 photos.
In 2015, I started teaching guitar by carrying my acoustic to students’ houses in Kensington after university, and took public transport all the way back to Doncaster. The first concert was a lively one in Kensington Community Aquatic and Recreation Centre. We expanded by offering band programs where kids could rock out together. How fun!
In 2016, we moved a bit closer to home and started teaching guitar in Felix and Stella’s house. More students wanted to learn electric guitar, and we cranked it loud! Our concert at Manningham Square was a bright occasion for sure! We also had a concert or two at my brother’s primary school - Biralee Primary School.
In 2017 and 2018, we dreamed of taking our students from garage to stage, and contacted our friends at Mr Boogie Man in Abbotsford for a gig. They said yes, and we’ve been back ever since. To think that your childhood could begin right on stage, in front of lights, sound blaring behind you, is a dream come true. And so we started performing more and smiled as we performed confidently on stage to family and friends. We also started teaching piano and singing, giving voice to those interested in rocking out in this way.
In 2019, we dared to dream bigger, and were asked by one of our students to contact the coordinators of a big rock concert - Those Who Rock. We gathered our best team of students and teachers, and performed in front of 1000+ people at the legendary Hamer Hall in Melbourne. Our team grew bigger, and our students got better. We even had 3 people audition for the musical School of Rock!
2020 to 2021 were very different years for our music school. We still kept the spirit of music alive through online lessons and came together for virtual Zoom concerts. It was very endearing that our community stood with us during a global pandemic, and it goes to show that music really brings people together. I know, as a teacher, logging onto Zoom to see the wonderful faces of my students, gave me a sense of purpose in the midst of uncertainty.
We entered 2022 with a different vision. The pandemic taught us that music can unite people through borders, so I thought, why not take music lessons overseas? Through hard work and dedication, we managed to maintain 2 teams of music teachers across 2 countries, one in Australia and Japan. Felix and Stella also found a wonderful venue - Manningham Uniting Church and Community Centre - our home base for performance to this day.
2023 and 2024 saw us perform outdoors at the Manningham Family Festival. Through rain, hail, and shine, students got up to perform in front of the general public, and got a roaring applause from all walks of life. Our band programs kicked back into gear, with many friendships formed and experiences made. Our students also passed exams with flying colours! Through the help of many teachers, drums and bass were introduced to the music school. We can now form full rock bands!
In a full circle moment, we welcomed Felix to the teaching team as a piano teacher this year. Felix was my first piano and guitar teacher (and is my father). 2025 has seen our community light up and come together, through new programs like the Mums Guitar Group program, group lessons, family bands, and the introduction of our new junior guitar teachers! The best way to learn is to teach, am I right? And so the next generation of rockstars is ready to pass on the love of music and inspire younger students to play music that they love.
I am proud of this community. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to build this music school with you. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and we have raised many.
To all the families, students, teachers, and staff, thank you very much for your endless support, generosity, and grace. Moreover, thank you for this incredible opportunity to serve you through music. It has become one of my life’s blessings.
You have grown together with me, and wherever you may go, I hope that music stays with you. Keep discovering yourself through music, for it is one of the greatest gifts in life.
Here’s to 10 more years of rocking out, from garage to stage!
Yours musically,
Justin on behalf of Team Rock