Jon Anderson (bottom) and Mike Keneally working with students at Studio House
Paul Green, founder of the School of Rock, began giving music lessons in his living room in 1996, and has now opened Studio House, a facility where established and developing artists can record free of charge while students observe and contribute to the process.
Green has assembled a team of music industry professionals to operate Studio House: Dolce Group’s David Jarrett (CEO), Mike Keneally (musical director), entertainment marketing and promotion veteran Shanon Chaiken (COO), rock photographer Myriam Santos (creative director) and Strokes manager Ryan Gentles (music business consultant).
Since October 2009, Studio House has been operating a pilot program with 14 students ages 18 to 25 on a campus in rural New York state. A number of music luminaries have already visited and recorded at Studio House, including Yes’ Jon Anderson, producer Tony Visconti, Gibby Haynes (Butthole Surfers), John Ashton (Psychedelic Furs), Bakithi Kumalo (Paul Simon’s Graceland), Marco Benevento (Jazz Farmers), Grammy Award–winner Neil Citron, Gail Ann Dorsey of David Bowie’s band, Joe Russo (Phil Lesh & Bob Weir’s band Further) and members of Ween, Bad Brains, Betty and more.
Studio House is currently accepting applications for fall 2011.