- July 15, 2025
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Ten years ago, Sarasota resident Drew Townson visited Country, Bluegrass, Blues and Other Music for Uplifting Gormandizers, a historic club in New York that played a pivotal role in the development of punk music in 2015 and beyond.
At 8 years old, he was put behind a drum set at the club for a photo and he knew right then he had a passion and drive to learn the drums.
He now describes drums as music's “backbone,” the one essential instrument to keep the tempo.
“When I am up there playing, I feel a sense of freedom and purpose,” Townson said. “I feel like it's when I'm at my happiest is when I'm on stage performing for people, and entertaining people because that's the crux of it all, is being an entertainer.”
The School of Rock House Band from Lakewood Ranch is going on a seven-city tour with the highlight being a performance at the historic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 13. The band consists of eight members ranging in age from 12 to 18, with Townson being the oldest.
The house band is directed by drummer Drew Jagos, 20, who was a student at School of Rock in Orlando for 12 years before taking the house band director position in September 2023. He said the Lakewood Ranch School of Rock might have the smallest house band, as other School of Rock franchises (more than 400 exist across 16 countries) typically have between 15-30 members.
“These kids are getting the whole rock star experience, eight to 10 hours every day on the bus and four to five hours of playing gigs between all of the bands,” Jagos said. “One major thing about the tour is that a bunch of schools come together, so it's not just like our group independently going on tour.”
Each night, their setlist will range from six to 13 songs with a runtime of 30-45 minutes. They have 56 total songs that they are set to perform.
“We have about 56 songs now getting ready for tour, and I sing every single one of them,” said singer Elena Skretas, a 17-year-old Lakewood Ranch resident. Besides working on her own music, Skretas volunteers her time to help the younger kids.
“Every group ends up relying on her in one aspect or another," Jagos said. "She's a jack of all trades, and can be tossed any tunes and confidently get up on stage and hit it with little to no rehearsal.”
Skretas said she used to be terrified of being on stage but has found a passion for it. She said it is an honor to be able to play at such a historic place [The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame].
“I know we are a real band, but you know, it makes us feel like we're professionals,” Skretas said.
Jagos himself went on seven tours with School of Rock and got to play at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.
“Now I’m going to the venues and booking the shows rather than just showing up with my drumsticks and jumping on stage,” Jagos said. “Now I'm the one in cahoots with the venues, and then I get to watch them all go up on stage, and cheer from the sidelines.”
Jagos said that along with a passion for music, a common occurrence is gaining confidence through fashion and style.
“[Townson] was definitely leaning in the direction of finding out who he was ... the spiky bracelets and the skinny jeans and stuff,” Jagos said. “Over these past couple months, dying his hair, getting his piercings, I like seeing him fall into exactly the kind of person he wants to be.”
“When I got here, I knew that I was free and that I could express myself without being judged without anyone batting an eye. That's the thing I love about this place,” Townson said. “No matter who you are, no matter what background you come from, you're always going to be welcome.”
“I remember my very first day here, I was stoked,” said Chase Devore, a 15-year-old Bradenton resident. “I was ecstatic. I was bouncing off the walls. It's like, I'm going to be at School of Rock.”
Devore plays bass in the house band and wants to become a professional musician one day.
“Once I get on stage, I love it, but it goes past the stage for me,” Devore said. “On the stage, I can express my love for these people and for what I'm doing, but I think my love for School of Rock, for everyone here, is displayed more accurately day to day.”
Devore said when he accomplishes something, he shares it first with other students at School of Rock.
“Even when I'm not here, I'm in the group chat, because these are my people,” Devore said.
“These kids are so family- and music-driven, they're making sure they all keep moving in the right direction, holding everybody accountable and making sure that they don't show up to rehearsal and not have practiced, letting the other bandmates down,” Jagos said.
“Music is not just the pretty sounds, but what it can remind me of,” said Devore. “I think for a lot of people, music is a feeling.”
