Playing music makes you happier because it increases dopamine release, the ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitter. – Harvard Medical School
The act of making music is inherently rewarding for mental health.
The transformative power of music has long been celebrated, and for the students at School of Rock in Briarcliff Manor it’s not only a creative outlet but a way to cope with stress and form bonds. Recently, I had the chance to sit down with some of these young musicians and facilitate a discussion of how music has impacted them, and the mental health benefits that music has on people. In this article, we’ll explore the different advantages to playing instruments and connecting with music.
How Did These School of Rock Students Start Playing Music?
Jess Katz, a sophomore in high school, began playing violin, but thanks to her dad’s taste in rock music, she moved to guitar. “I decided to see if I could learn the basics, but it quickly escalated to more. Now, I can’t imagine not playing guitar,” Jess said.
Freja Davidson, a senior in high school, always loved rock and pop singing. “I’ve always been singing,” she explained, “That’s really where I started. My first instrument was piano, and I started playing classical piano when I was about 5 or 6. Then I wanted to get into guitar since I was hearing a lot of pop on the radio, so I picked up acoustic guitar,” she added. “I played by myself for a while but decided to join School of Rock where I picked up bass guitar. I just want to do as much with music as I can.”
Tristan Robins, who’s only in 8th grade, has been playing all types of music since he only was one and a half years old. He doesn’t recall exactly how he became interested in music but knows that his parents heavily influenced him in his decision to start playing, as they are both musicians that attend School of Rock.
Ben Schrier, who is the Music Director at School of Rock, shared his story. “I started getting into music when I was about 7 or 8 years old, because my parents listened to a lot of rock music. They were from The Beatles and Led Zeppelin generation, so I listened to those records all the time,” he said. “I ended up getting into guitar and studied it in school. I got to tour the world, produce some records, and eventually retired from New York City to be here in Briarcliff,” Ben stated. Now he works with the School of Rock team and loves it.
Lastly, Jim Domzalski, the owner and manager of School of Rock, told me how he got into music. “In my house, you had to pick an instrument when you were 6 years old, and I chose guitar. I played classical guitar from the ages of 6 to13, and it was like pulling teeth to get me to go to lessons,” Jim said. “It wasn’t super enjoyable to me until I started playing with my friends in a rock band, where I realized that music can actually be fun. I ended up getting a business degree and music fell to the wayside.” He spent over a decade in corporate finance and questioned what he was doing with his life. How could he make a more positive impact, he asked himself? “How do I bring something great to the world?” School of Rock was what he decided to do. “I left corporate America and since I knew how to run a business and was passionate about music I decided to open School of Rock in Briarcliff Manor.”
How Does Music Works as a Creative Outlet and Help to Cope with Anxiety and Stress?
“It really helps me because I know I put a lot of pressure on myself in school. For example, just now I was back there doing work, but I can just focus on playing music for the next two to three hours and forget about the stress of school. That’s why I really love it,” Davidson said. “I also try to integrate music into school and have done chorus since I was a freshman. I love that break in the day to sing, be with my friends, and I find it’s a nice creative outlet for me,” Freja concluded.
Katz said, “I’ve dealt with a lot of anxiety and stress since middle school. Especially about school as I tend to stress myself out for no reason. But, playing guitar and music here at School of Rock gives me something else to participate in,” he said. “Instead of worrying about an assignment, I can work on songs for rehearsal.”
“I started out in sixth grade when I moved here and had a bunch of anxiety. It doesn’t show now because School of Rock really helped me,” Robbins said. “Getting out on stage and playing in front of people helped me to adjust to my new surroundings.”
How Can Playing Music Foster a Sense of Community?
“Personally, I’ve made some of my best friends here. There’s another band member, who I’ve being playing with since my freshman year and is one of my best friends, because of School of Rock,” said Freja. “Playing together forms a bond that you can’t find in other ways. It’s really a special thing. You’re all committed to each other in a way that makes you the best you can be. Then you can go and share your talents with the community through performances, Davidson concluded.”
“Playing is a non-verbal connection,” says Katz, “It doesn’t come from a lot of other ways, and at the same time we’ve gotten to know each other really well and have a very close knit group which makes us sound tighter and musically great.”
In a world that often feels chaotic, music brings both harmony and connection. It’s a way to form bonds, relieve stress and anxiety, as well as serve as a powerful tool for self-expression. From helping students like Freja Davidson and Jess Katz find relief from academic pressures to helping Tristan Roberts gain the confidence and overcome aspects of anxiety, music does more than provide an escape – it empowers players to triumph over their biggest fears, connect with others, and form a unique sense of individuality.
School of Rock in Briarcliff Manor has a revolutionary music education approach. Our quality music lessons are taught by real, practicing musicians. Students can learn guitar, keyboards, drums, and vocals, across many genres. Skills are developed in a supportive and encouraging environment, and students gain confidence by jamming together in bands with new friends.
