'The kids are amazing': Why School of Rock is expanding to St. Matthews

Melanie Scofield and her family relocated to Louisville a few years ago to pursue a passion for music education.

Four years after opening School of Rock in Middletown, Scofield is deepening her Louisville roots, adding a second location of the franchised music school in St. Matthews.

The second School of Rock, which opened in August at 4121 Shelbyville Road, more than doubles the school’s student capacity.

The 4,000-square-foot soundproofed space will be used for lessons, rehearsals and performances. Scofield, who is also the school's general manager, said she hopes students enjoy some of the space’s fun features, such as its epoxy-swirled floor and garage door — for that garage band feel.

Between the two sites, 25 music instructors teach vocal and assorted instrument lessons to a wide range of age groups.

Owners Melanie and her husband, Doug Scofield, were led to investing in School of Rock after seeing the school’s impact on their son, who took lessons for a decade in Chicago.

"It was literally like a lightbulb went off for him," she said. "He had been playing guitar, but when he got to School of Rock and started playing with other kids ... it just totally changed how he thought about guitar lessons and playing guitar."

Their son is now studying music at the University of Louisville, teaches guitar at the School of Rock, and continues to write and record his own music in two local bands.

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"I just saw it change his life and the lives of other students," she said. "To me, I saw that this program was filling a niche in music education that didn't exist anywhere else."

Founded in Philadelphia in 1998, the School of Rock has grown to more than 500 planned and existing locations across the U.S. and internationally.

As the Scofields began to explore franchising, it became clear the Chicago area had plenty of locations. Louisville, however, had none.

Scofield and her family had made the trip down to Louisville for years for the annual Abbey Road on the River music festival and loved the city.

So, in 2018, they opened School of Rock at 12001 Shelbyville Road. Through the pandemic, the school grew to more than 300 students. The decision to expand was clear last year when the 3,100-square-foot Middletown location was open seven days a week and reaching its capacity.

St. Matthews was an ideal expansion site, Scofield said, as the area is already home to some existing students and, hopefully, plenty of new ones.

Scofield said the curriculum incorporates a more modern songbook, incorporating rock ‘n’ roll hits from the last 50 years.

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It wouldn't be strange to hear students playing music from The Beatles or other classic and modern bands including AC/DC, Nirvana and Foo Fighters.

"This is music that their parents listen to and that they love, and it’s an easy way for them to get involved in the joy of music," she said.

The school offers youth and adult programs for novices and more experienced musicians alike. A key part of the curriculum is performing with other students, loved ones, and even the public.

School of Rock has formed partnerships with local music festivals, including the annual Beatles-inspired festival beloved by the Scofields, Poorcastle, LRS Fest, NuLu Fest and Belknap Fest, ensuring their students have performance opportunities.

"It just rounds out the whole music education experience for students," she said. "It gives purpose to the lessons that they’re learning."

Seeing kids find their confidence and make friendships is the most rewarding part of the job for Scofield.

"The kids are amazing. I don’t know what else to say," she said. "You can see how they encourage each other and how much of a community has been built."

A grand opening is set for Nov. 5 and will include live music, free trial lessons, tours of the new space, giveaways, and, in true rocker fashion, a ceremonial guitar smash to officially open the new school.

The new St. Matthews location is open from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

Business reporter Matthew Glowicki can be reached at mglowicki@courier-journal.com, 502-582-4000 or on Twitter @mattglo. 

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: School of Rock adds second site in St. Matthews along Shelbyville Road