EAST ROCHESTER, N.Y. — ROC Star Academy continues to help kids reach and exceed their music potential. The academy is in a new, larger space in East Rochester’s Piano Works Mall.
From Rochester famous to international rock star status, musician and songwriter Elvio Fernandes from the multi-platinum-selling band Daughtry is all about helping kids feel like rock stars at his Roc Star Academy.
Fernandes started the music program as a one-week summer rock camp in 2009. ROC Star Academy is now a year-round music academy. Kids have a chance to be in a rock band and play live gigs.
“My whole purpose for this was to form bands and to get kids on stage performing in front of people,” said Fernandes. “I promise you that the kid who is introverted is now standing in front of the stage rocking a guitar solo. That will change his life or her life.”
ROC Star Academy has one-on-one vocal lessons, instrument lessons, music production classes and a band program. They are all led by professional musicians sharing their passion and skills to help these kids belt it out and rock on.
Eighth-grader Sierra Bianchi from Hilton is the lead singer for Guilty Pleasure. Her brother’s in the band too. He plays the sax. They’ve had about a dozen gigs so far.
“The first time I was on stage I was really nervous,” Bianchi said. But once you get up there you kind of just lose what you’re doing and it just all flows out of you. You get caught up in it and it is a great feeling, I love it.”
From rock bands to solo artists, Pittsford junior Adele Rundberg is recording her latest single.
“I’ve gotten a couple of songs recorded,” Rundberg said, “One is on Spotify and it’s just amazing quality. I love it here. I went to summer camp here in 2018 and it was a great experience."
Popstar or rock star, one thing’s for sure and that’s the confidence the kids have.
“We have some incredible bands,” Fernandes said. “We have BB Dang, Own the Night and all these bands that are out literally playing the music scene, making money and enjoying themselves. It’s a great feeling. Is the most important thing I do other than being a husband and father.”
Fernandes is heading back on tour with Daughtry. You never know, he could be the opening act for one of his ROC Star Academy bands someday.
ROC Star Academy is open to kids of all ages. Fernandes says he is thinking about starting a rock star program for adults soon.
For more information, click here.