Let’s Meet the Band

Over the course of 15 years, over 1,000 students have walked through the Main Line School of Rock halls. While most did not pursue a career in music, each story is unique. This school has produced life-long musicians. Whether they are now teachers, performers, or just casual players, the skill set this program teaches goes way beyond an instrument and that message is felt when talking to anyone who went through it.

Annalee Condiles is the General Manager of the Main Line School of Rock after attending Belmont University for Business Management. She graduated from the school in 2020.

“I was in the program for about 5 years,” said Condiles. “It helped me grow musically, but it really made me a more confident person. I got way better at music but I wanted to come back and teach because of how this program helps make people grow.”

What happens to an after-school music program when the world stands still like in 2020?

“Obviously, it was a weird time,” said Alison. “It kind of worked out for us. We got organized and had online lessons ready by the end of March 2020. A lot of other music programs got cut after COVID so being able to organize was really important for us. Not even just high schools, but colleges too. We got an influx of teachers and students.”

While the business seemed to be booming by late 2020 by following the PEMA guidelines and operating with online lessons, this was a program built around human interaction and the students felt something missing.

“I had to graduate with a mask on,” Condiles said. “That was not something I ever expected. This program did so much for me, and I know this was a terrible time for everyone but having this space still helped so much.”

More than half of the teachers now have gone through the program at this location, including the General Manager, Condiles, and Assistant Music Director Claudia Terry.

“I knew that I would eventually come back here and teach. The impact this place has is hard to put into words. I’ve known a lot of people who have come through these doors and call it home,” Condiles said. “That is what is important here. That is why this place has been around as long as it has.”

Molly Martin graduated from the School of Rock in 2014 and now lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where she has lived her dream of being a rock star ever since.

Martin has grown her following by interacting with fans through social media and posting videos where she talks to her fans.

“I loved my time at the School of Rock,” Martin said. “It’s shaped me into the person confident enough to talk to strangers online and be myself. I was 18 when I moved to Nashville and I would have never had the confidence to pull it off if I wasn’t on stage with the School of Rock every three months.”

Dan Cousart experienced something similar. Cousart moved to New York City immediately after high school of pursue his love for music. He has since moved to Nashville to attend Belmont and is pursuing his PHD in mechanical engineering while continuing his dream of playing music.

“I went to Milwaukee, Memphis, Toronto, and New York all with the program. It allowed me to travel the world and play music. It was the coolest thing I could be a part of,” Cousart said. “I wanted to be a musician and try to do it professionally but the fact that I can take it with me on my journey where it takes me is why I love it the most.”

No matter where the students come from or what they wish to pursue, this program provides the roots that are needed to succeed. Every story may not be a success in the traditional eye, but every student that leaves this place does so with experience, confidence, and a family to rely on when they need it.

While you may not actually receive a degree or a diploma, the “Liberal Arts Degree in Classic Rock” as Alison put it means more than a piece of paper. It’s about instilling the values that set these students up for success.