The Paul Green School of Rock is saving rock and roll one kid at a time. And with two locations in Cleveland and many others decorating the U.S. map, they might do just that. And while Jack Black might not be teaching them, the kids who enroll there engage in one of the country's most hip-and-cool experiential music curriculums there is. It stands to reason that the Green's School -- founded in Philadelphia and celebrating a 10th anniversary this year -- is as popular and successful as it is. With popular rock music serving as a launching pad, students at the School of Rock don't just lean how to sift through a legendary songbook, they grow into professional musicians.

Kids ages 7 - 18 who enroll at the School of Rock don't just get to live out some rock and roll fantasy, they learn about the process of a musician play on professional equipment. They learn about musicianship, stage presence and performance and end up rocking out in many of the region's coolest rock clubs. That's right -- these recitals are "real rock concerts at real rock venues in front of real rock audiences," to quote the School's website.

Sound cool? It really is -- and not just for rock music fans, but for kids as well. And until you've been to one of these shows and seen the students rockin' out, you just can't appreciate it.

Intrigued? Check out the Rocky River chapter as it presents three new shows this month at the Jigsaw Saloon (5324 State Road, Parma). The Cream of Clapton (Sat 12/20 at 6:30PM); Women Who Rock (Fri 12/19 at 6:30PM) and The Music of Black Sabbath (Sat 12/13 at 6:30PM and Sat 12/20 at 3:30PM. And early next month, the East Side Schoolers are gonna offer the Best of Both Worlds: Van Halen program.

For tickets, call 440-333-ROCK (7625). http://www.schoolofrock.com.

From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com
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