The stage at Asbury Lanes exploded with energy as six students from Red Bank Middle School’s “LIVE TO ROCK” program delivered a poised, crowd-pleasing performance of “Welcome to New York” at Rockit Academy’s recent “East Coast Meets West Coast” spring concert.
Marking only their fourth public appearance, the ensemble showcased an immense boost in confidence since debuting a year ago. The performance featured an exciting milestone for the program, debuting a student drummer and two keyboardists who learned to play their instruments alongside a live, working band.
The show highlighted the success of Rockit Academy’s unique mentorship model. Throughout the school year, the middle school students received technical instruction and performance coaching from Rockit instructor Brittany Iafelice and student mentors Luke Ireland, Emersyn Freund, Max Samuels, and Maddie Freeman.
“The Rockit difference is our commitment to the student,” said executive director Bruce Gallipani. “As a non-profit, we are designed intentionally to benefit the student, not a profit margin.”
Fully funded by the Rockit Live Foundation, the LIVE TO ROCK initiative returned to Red Bank Middle School in January 2025 for the first time since the pandemic, completely removing financial barriers to music education. Open to all students regardless of experience, the weekly after-school program focuses on technical skills, music history, and building confidence on professional stages. Organizers welcome students to join the Wednesday sessions starting in September or at any point during the academic year.
