Music News
School of Rock opens in Saginaw with programs for kids and adults
School of Rock player.
Saginaw now has its own School of Rock. The musical education franchise has opened a location at 6944 Blue Mound Rd. where it's offering programs in performance, songwriting, and forming a band.
The location is owned by Chuck Kraus and Holly Clifford, who bring nearly 50 years of combined experience in music, art, and education.
Chuck is a graduate of the University of North Texas with degrees in Music, Education Administration, and Higher Education Administration who served in the Army Band and spent more than 20 years teaching middle and high school band and orchestra.
Holly is also a University of North Texas alumna with degrees in Visual Art Studies and Childhood Literacy, who has 27 years of experience teaching visual art from kindergarten to 12th grade, with a strong connection to dance and music.
Kraus and Clifford, who have worked in lived in the area for nearly 30 years, have firsthand experience with the program, witnessing its impact on Holly’s son's confidence and sense of personal responsibility.
"Holly’s son started as a student at the local School of Rock and the growth in his confidence from learning to play an instrument and perform with a group inspired us to open our own,” says Chuck Kraus in a statement.
School of Rock was founded in the late '90s by a music teacher, who grew the concept until he sold it in 2009. They recently celebrated their 25th anniversary as well as a benchmark of opening their 350th location, with 14 in the DFW area including Saginaw, as well as Fort Worth, Keller, and Flower Mound.
They offer music lessons on bass, guitar, singing, drums, and piano, drawing from all styles of rock music, with lessons on theory and techniques via songs from artists such as Aretha Franklin, Lenny Kravitz, and Led Zeppelin. They also host camps and themed workshops such as Classic Rock and Best of the 90s. Lessons range from $150 to $350 per month, depending on location.
Some students have moved on to record deals and larger platforms such as American Idol, The Voice, and Broadway.
While younger students get the most attention, the school is open to any age, Chuck says.
"School of Rock Saginaw is a place for everyone, not just kids or experienced players," he says. "Our youngest student is 4, and our oldest is 72. At School of Rock Saginaw, we do our best to create an environment where students feel safe, welcome, and comfortable to take a chance playing an instrument and learning in front of other, growing musicians."
