South Wales’ own Jack Black is set to open his latest rock school in Cardiff this September.
Ben Tiffin, who already runs rock schools in Fairwater, Swansea and Llanelli, is launching a new session in Llanishen High School on September 9, teaching 7-18 year old’s how to play guitar, bass, drums and sing in a band.
“We opened the Rock Project Cardiff in Fairwater last year and have been blown away by the success of the school,” the father-of-three explained. “Word spread and we had a lot of interest from the Llanishen area, so it made sense to start a new session.”
Such has been the success of The Rock Project, Ben has left his day-job as an RE teacher to focus solely on his rock schools.
“I think I’ve always had a yearning to be Jack Black,” Ben said. “I’ve been a guitarist in bands for years and have course have a lot of teaching experience.
“The Rock Project is very different to teaching in a classroom. We have a team of gigging musicians who teach the students in small group sessions on their chosen instrument for an hour, before everyone comes together to play as a band and raise the roof in the second hour.
“We make sure they are learning to play the music they love, and the aim is to keep it fun and that helps them enjoy it and learn quickly.”
Ben, who plays guitar for the rock band The Flames said the Rock Project aims to build their students’ self-confidence as well as their musical ability.
“We structure the lessons so that that students learn to play in front of their tutor and peers, then the group as a whole in the band session and we build up to a full-scale rock concert at the end of the year,” he explained.
“The concert is always an amazing event, it really showcases the progress the students have made over the year, and it’s a lot of work, but is a real highlight for everyone involved.”
The Rock Project is divided into two sessions for 7-11 year olds (5pm-7pm) and 12-18 year olds (7pm-9pm). It will take place every Monday at Llanishen High School. All of the instruments are supplied.
For further details visit www.therockproject.com. To contact Ben email [email protected] or telephone 07879 552253.
