Rock School students perform at Skipper's Smokehouse

The Patel Conservatory’s Rock School program is bringing the show on the road!

This month’s Rock School Blowout concert changes venues to the iconic Skipper’s Smokehouse in north Tampa.

Skipper’s is a Tiki style restaurant and oyster bar known for hosting live music nightly from local to well known bands. With its Florida fare including gator tail, conch fritters and smoked mullet and its casual outdoor stage, it’s sure to be a unique and fun experience.

“It’s somewhere different, so I’m looking forward to it,” said guitarist Dan Smith.

Dan has been playing with our Rock School program since he moved to Tampa in the summer of 2013.

“He’s done a lot of other band camps, and what you have there [at the Patel Conservatory] is far and away the best anywhere,” said dad Randy Smith, a software developer from New Jersey.

The family has lived in New Jersey and Puerto Rico and tried rock band programs in both places, as well as locally in Florida and even in Boston.

“Most of these places usually don’t have enough students at his playing level,” said Randy.

Dan’s been playing guitar since he was five years old. He also plays piano, bass and drums.

“I like playing guitar because it sounds cool, and I like listening to music, and I’m good at it,” said Dan. “I’ve definitely gotten better by playing in Rock School because Dean [Tidey] has taught me a lot...besides teaching you the song, he teaches other tools, like how to play riffs, and other stuff that helps you excel.”

Led by instructors Dean Tidey and Paul Stoddart, the Conservatory’s Rock School program places students in a band according to their age and skill level. The groups practice weekly and perform at the end of each session in a Rock School Blowout concert.

"The show is fun because you get to perform for a live crowd," said Dan.

The upcoming concert will feature classic and contemporary tunes, including Dan's band playing R U Mine? by the Arctic Monkeys, Radioactive by Imagine Dragons, and a special guest performance from well known singer and songwriter Christie Lenée.

“Some of these kids are phenomenal,” said Randy.

Come jam with our Rock School bands while enjoying some local flavor on Sun., Nov. 23, 2014 at 3:30 p.m. at Skipper’s Smokehouse at 910 Skipper Rd., Tampa. Admission is free.

For musicians and vocalists interested in our Rock School program, the next auditions will be Sat., Dec. 6, 2014 at the Patel Conservatory. For more information, call 813.222.1002.