Campers come together at School of Rock Lakewood Ranch

By Madison Bierl
| 11:00 a.m. July 17, 2026

Addison Gutowitz, 13, and Harriet Shore, 11, learn skills on electric guitar from 17-year-old Max Froemel in the guitar breakout session.

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When Lakewood Ranch 12-year-old Mason Garcia showed up for the 21st Century Modern Rock music camp at School of Rock, he said he would rather be at home.

As the camp went on, though, he understood that he was making considerable strides in learning the bass, an instrument he had limited ability on before the camp.

Now, he wishes the camp wouldn't end.

Although he didn’t previously play bass guitar, he does play cello in the orchestra at Dr. Mona Jain Middle School so bass came a lot easier to him.

“Music can get you through hard times, happy times, sad and mad times,” Garcia said.

The camp took place July 13-17 and each day the 12 campers learned a new song. The four songs they learned were "Fell in Love With a Girl" by The White Stripes, "R U Mine?" by Arctic Monkeys, "Maps" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs and "Go with the Flow" by Queens of the Stone Age.

Lakewood Ranch’s Harriet Shore, 11, has been a camper at School of Rock learning electric guitar for two years. Last year she attended the Taylor Swift-themed summer camp with younger kids so she is excited to be with older kids this year.

Shore said music is a great way to connect. She wants to work on her skills to eventually be part of the elite house band at School of Rock that plays real gigs.

“You get to meet new friends and it's much better than being in a regular summer camp,” Shore said. “You get to learn so many new things, get to meet many new people, and it also invites kids to join the School of Rock because they can see how fun it is.”

Drew Jagos, the lead instructor of the camp, said being able to watch campers make friends, build confidence and grow musically makes a world of difference. It reminded him of his own experience as he was a camper at School of Rock in Orlando for 12 years prior to becoming an instructor.

Some of the kids had never touched a musical instrument before or heard of rock bands like Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, or Black Sabbath.

"To see them be introduced to the genre, and all of the fashion and personality that comes with it, is more than rewarding," Jagos said. "These kids will never be the same and that’s good. The world needs more rockers."

Lakewood Ranch's Ash Kohlmeyer, 13, says she is happy to be part of a community that comes together through music.

East County's Everleigh Hough, 9, is the youngest camper and says she enjoys music because it puts smiles on everyone's faces.

Lakewood Ranch's Brooke Sanscrainte, 11, is a third-year camper who plays piano and sings.

Lakewood Ranch's Hariet Shore, 11, has been a student at School of Rock for two years and loves how much music connects people.

Drew Jagos, the lead instructor for the 21st Century Modern Rock music camp, says the camp is a great opportunity for kids who have experience in playing instruments as well as newbies who have never played before.

Max Froemel, Drew Jagos, Lyia Lester and Chase Devore work as instructors for the 21st Century Modern Rock music camp.

Lakewood Ranch's Zachary Stephenson, 13, is a student at School of Rock and has only been playing bass for a couple of months.

Lakewood Ranch's Naomi Barrera, 11, is a first time camper who says singing makes her both nervous and happy.

Lakewood Ranch's Maddox Munafo, 13, has been a student at School of Rock for three years and says he loves how drums improve his hand-eye coordination.

Lakewood Ranch's Mason Garcia, 12, is learning bass and signs his name to the wall of past students who have performed with School of Rock.

Bass players Mason Garcia, Zachary Stephenson and Mason Sessions learn from Chase Devore, who joined School of Rock in 2024, in the bass breakout session.

author

Madison Bierl

Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.