Lakewood Ranch music school rocks when it comes to building confidence

As 18-year-old Elena Skretas took the stage for the last time as a School of Rock student, she felt the experience was bittersweet. 

Over three years, she has performed in 48 shows. The 21st Century Indie Rock Concert at Joyland Aug. 16 marked her last.

"I've grown so much as a person through School of Rock, especially through performing," Skretas said. "It's given me so much confidence and so much room to improve in so many areas of my life. I've met amazing people that makes it so worth it."

At the concert, 65 performers between the ages of 8 and 72 took the stage. Most groups were made up of students age 8-17. In order to prepare for the show, 10 weeks of preparation were held.

School of Rock of Lakewood Ranch is a "passion project" that began three years ago with Gary and Kelley Falcon. It combined their love of music and their love of being parents.

"Our modality is music, but our core mission is connection and inclusion," Gary Falcon said. "It's about finding a third space for kids to be themselves and explore their artistic side. Music is very important, but connection is what we do. That really is the essence." 

Lakewood Ranch 15-year-old Maximus Bedell joined School of Rock two years ago.

"I love going to School of Rock because I meet a lot of cool people there that love music as much as I do," Bedell said. "I've loved learning the drums. It's definitely challenging, but fun once you start to really get it."

Bradenton 15-year-old Ben Steiner, who plays bass and guitar at School of Rock, said there's nothing quite like music.

"Not a lot of things can hone that creativity and that's just a great thing," Steiner said. "It's a way to unite people."