Images: Ed Alcock     Text: Leigh Johnson

I was cornered into guitar lessons at the tender age of seven. Violet ran a neighbourhood music school walking distance from home, where impeccable cursive on laminated poster-board scolded kids barely thicker than their rented instruments to take off their shoes and wait quietly in the foyer. Not unkind, but invariably decked head to toe in traditional polka-dancing gear, my teacher did little to convince me that playing an instrument was cool. I watched week after week as woebegone children filed in and out of music class, each of us anticipating only the sad pinnacle of our annual effort: a 3-hour recital at the local church. Even my Dad agreed the concert was boring, and several years later, both teacher and student—mutually uninspired by my ultimate acoustic rendition of  “Greensleeves”—agreed it was best I continue my guitar evolution elsewhere. I buried my instrument; as happened to so many aspiring rock stars disillusioned by their own Violets and church recitals, the rock’n’roll dream of a girl kicking ass with a guitar was dead.

But that was when I was a kid. In 2008, New York City teacher and musician Jason Domnarski imagined a rock n’ roll revolution and named it Park Slope Rock School. Fuelled by the uninhibited creative reserves of still-dreaming young folks, and named after its Brooklyn location, the project took off immediately and now boasts over thirty students, aged 8-16, and six young bands.

Following the school’s success, five years and several transatlantic journeys later Domnarski has opened a second school in Paris’s hip 20^th arrondissement. Since September 2011, the new school at SMOM Studios has enjoyed growing success. Domnarski chalks it up to the fact that they are “offering something very different than the traditional conservatory music education predominant in this city. Many of these schools are doing great work and producing some amazing musicians, but I worry that many of them have too serious and myopic a view on music education. Music should be a fun and creative outlet for personal expression. Also, we seem to be the only program offering this band-setting experience. I’ve been hearing from the parents that they’ve been looking for something like us for a while.”

With all classes taught by native Anglophone rockers, PSRS Paris boasts the added value (for parents, especially) of an applied—and awesome!– English activity. Classes are held Wednesdays and Saturdays, and while a minimum level of English is necessary, no musical experience is required. A typical 90-minute session consists of listening to and analyzing songs, learning about famous rock bands and musical concepts, and learning and writing songs as a band.

Says Domnarski of his vision, “For children to work hard at something, they need to be inspired and care about the final result. Having kids work together towards a goal (writing a song, preparing for a performance) gives them a real sense of ownership in the work, and the band environment makes them work hard for their peers.  In addition to learning basic music skills, they learn how to interact with each other in a creative and supportive environment, improving social skills and confidence. But after all this talk and listening, it really comes down to rocking.  And rock music is just a lot of fun to play!”

Not your typical recital-in-a-church-basement, Kids Rock!, the school’s spring concert, coming up June 16^th at the super-hip Bellevilloise, will feature four PSRS bands, plus musical guests. Folks and families of all ages and musical tastes are encouraged to pack this groovy venue and pump friendly fists to the creative success of Paris’ newest rock talent.

Kids Rock! PSRS Spring Concert
Saturday, June 16^th
Doors open at 16h30
Adults €5 / Children €3

La Bellevilloise
19-21 Rue Boyer
75020 Paris
Métros : Gambetta, ligne 3 ; Menilmontant, ligne 2

Park Slope Rock School Paris
SMOM Studios
10, rue Boyer 75020
Métros : Gambetta, ligne 3 ; Menilmontant, ligne 2