Indy’s Rock Garage looking for new music students, members
If you’re ready to rock, then Rock Garage is calling. Rock Garage is for anyone interested in music lessons or wanting to become part of a band. It’s a great opportunity to become part of the musical excitement around Indianapolis.
“Rock Garage is truly all about working with musicians, both young and not so young, beginners to masters, who want to realize their dream of performing on stage,” said Dave Foellinger, co-owner of the Castleton-based music lesson center and rock band program. “Rock Garage is designed to make that happen. We’ve built a system of instruction, rehearsal, and performance second to none.”
Rock Garage’s program is built upon the principles of band chemistry, live experience, and having a good time. For individuals, adults or children who are just starting out, they can choose online or in-person lessons and learn to rock out.
Meet the educators of Rock Garage here:
Preston Nash
One of the leading musician educators, Nash has been playing drums for nearly 40 years. His touring and recording credits include Dope (Sony Records), Primer 55 (Island Records), Society 1 (Earache Records) and many others. Nash has played all over America, Canada, and parts of Europe, on stages including CBGB’s, Carnegie Hall, the Montreux Jazz Festival and Sun Devil Stadium.
As an educator, Nash has been teaching music since the early 1990s, privately as well as at the high school and collegiate level. In 2011, he started the award-winning Ash Rock Program at Sam Ash Music and in 2020 he co-founded Rock Garage. He has earned three degrees in music, including a master’s in Music Theory/Composition from Montclair State University in New Jersey.
John Frye
Teaching for 25 years and playing guitar for 36 years, Frye is well versed in all styles of music and has an extensive knowledge of music theory as well. Frye has a wide range of musical influences spanning many different genres and styles, with his biggest guitar influences being Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Randy Rhoads, Jimmy Page, Steve Lukather, Michael Landau and Scott Henderson.
Frye believes the most important aspect of teaching and playing is to simply have fun and enjoy playing the music you love. He is also an active performer, primarily playing shows all over the Midwest.
Amanda Tewell
Giving instruction on vocals, Tewell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance. She engages audiences and fellow artists during performances with her passion and confidence, her versatility in vocal range and genres, along with her dedication to her continuing training and experience.
In college, she enhanced her skills with dance and linguistics. She completed courses in German and Languages for Singers with French, Italian and Latin, allowing her solo repertoire to flourish. She was a member of the Indiana University Southeast Concert Choir and has performed in classical concert settings, cabarets with Carmel Community Players, operas and pop concerts with the Indiana University Southeast, as well as singing with the Orchestra at Indiana University Southeast and their brass band.
Tewell not only pursues her passion, she advocates and supports others to pursue music and voice education as well. She took the initiative to create a curriculum and support services within the Indiana University Southeast Music Department allowing accommodations for students who have dyslexia in their music education. She also enjoys volunteering her talent with different military and veteran groups.
Eric Jones
Playing drums for over 40 years, Jones has played with over 200 bands and plays Ludwig drums, Zildjian cymbals, Remo drumheads, Vater sticks, and Gibson banjos.
He has toured the U.S. and has played in Europe. His credits include playing for Lindsay Lohan, and he has worked in the studio or live with many established artists such as Steve Lukather, Trev Lukather, Black Eyed Peas, Kelly Clarkson, Snoop Dogg, and many others. He has been in MTV hit videos, live MTV and TV performances, and has performed stadium concerts.
Jones is a graduate of the Percussion Institute of Technology at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, Calif. He has been teaching privately for 25 years, and has taught at two academies in Los Angeles, as well as IRC Music, Sam Ash, and Rock Garage in Indianapolis. He also plays and teaches five-string bluegrass banjo, Logic Pro classes, recording classes, and operates the recording studio at Rock Garage.
Cassandra Hustedt
An Indianapolis-based singer/songwriter with over 10 years of teaching and pedagogical experience, Hustedt is trained in classic, contemporary, and musical theatre.
Her teaching philosophy: “Whether you want to sing back up, be a font-of-band rock star, or just become a better musician, getting to know your voice is so important! Unlike other musical lessons, singing is your internal instrument. We will learn to identify the different ‘tools’ you have in your voice during lessons, recognize that feeling, and use it to approach any song you want to learn. Along the way, I will make sure you gain confidence and embrace your unique voice! I can’t wait to work with you!”
About Rock Garage
Rock Garage was born out of the Pandemic shutdown when Dave and Kate Foellinger, Steve and Kimberly Klinger, and Preston and Rocky Nash joined forces to start a Facebook group for musicians to talk about music, upload their songs and share ideas. The group grew to more than 800 members from all over the world and eventually led to establishing a new website and a physical location in the summer of 2020. The Castleton business, located at 8115 Center Run Road, has three large rooms for bands to rehearse and record their music, and smaller rooms for private lessons.
Click here for more information on how to join Rock Garage.