School of Rock will hold the grand opening of its newest location in Pikesville on Sunday, Sept. 7, from 4-6 p.m. at 1848 Reisterstown Rd, The event is free and open to the public. Guests can enjoy live music, school tours, food trucks, community vendors, raffles, and the School of Rock tradition of a guitar smashing ceremony.

School of Rock Pikesville is owned and operated by Andrew Walen, a Berklee College of Music graduate, professional musician, songwriter and retired psychotherapist. Walen grew up in Baltimore in a family of musicians and performer; his grandmother was an actress in the Yiddish theater, and his mother was a local folk singer. His own musical career took him to Nashville, eventually leading to his professional life as a therapist.

The grand opening celebration will feature preview performances from the Rock 101, Adult, and British Invasion programs, as well as food trucks and local businesses showcasing their products. Guests can take part in school tours and meet the instructors and staff.

“Your child’s enjoyment of music will be equally matched by our focus on inclusivity and mental well-being,” Walen said. “That’s something I bring from my years as a therapist and social worker, and it’s central to how we run our school.”

School of Rock Pikesville offers music programs for all skill levels and age groups, from kids as young as three to adults. Students receive weekly one-on-one instruction on guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, or vocals, and participate in group rehearsals that culminate in live performances at real venues. School of Rock’s patented performance-based model builds musical skills while fostering life skills like creativity, resilience, and teamwork.

Founded in Philadelphia in 1998, School of Rock has become an international franchise with over 650 schools open and in development across 23 global markets and has grown its student count from 4,000 in 2009 to over 70,000 today. School of Rock offers a wide variety of music lessons, including guitar lessons, singing lessons, and piano lessons. The company also sells musical instruments and music gear through its GearSelect program.

For information about School of Rock Pikesville, visit pikesville.schoolofrock.com.