Elke
Our son had a wonderful time at Mini keys day camp. All of the music instructors are wonderful, and Jaleel went above and beyond to make our son's time enjoyable. We will be signing up for additional experiences.
Write Your Story. Play Your Music.
Join a real band, write original songs, and develop your musical voice in our collaborative Rock & Write program for ages 9-17.
Create, perform, and grow alongside fellow musicians in our position-based band program where every member plays a crucial role.
Welcome to Rock & Write Bands
Take your place in a real band setting where you'll write original music, develop your skills, and perform alongside other dedicated musicians. Our 45-minute weekly sessions combine focused practice with creative collaboration.
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Band options for ages 6-17
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45-minute weekly classes
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Small group setting (maximum 6 musicians)
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$169/month
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Write and perform original songs
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Designated instrument positions
Rock & Write Bands
Real Band. Real Music. Real Growth.
Rock & Write isn't just another music class – it's your opportunity to be part of a real band. Unlike our exploration bands where students try different instruments, each musician in Rock & Write plays their chosen instrument, contributing their unique voice to the group's sound.
Your Band Experience Will Include:
- Writing and arranging original songs as a group
- Deep diving into lyrics and harmony
- Learning to communicate musically with your bandmates
- Developing your skills on your chosen instrument
- Performing your original music
What Makes Rock & Write Different
Unlike traditional music programs or casual jam sessions, Rock & Write combines structured learning with creative freedom:
- Everyone contributes to the songwriting process
- Each musician has a designated role in the band
- Focus on both individual skill and group dynamics
- Regular opportunities to perform original music
- Deep understanding of music theory through practical application
- Development of arrangement and composition skills
See What Our Parents Say About Us
Chris and Libbey Eads
Our five year old had a blast at rock band camp! He looked forward to going every day and was so excited to show off his songs during the final concert. The teachers are fantastic! Highly recommend!
Joanna Bell
My son has really enjoyed classes at Thrive and they have been so easy to work with. They also can communicate by text which is great for multitasking parents! 😊
Camden Carter
Love the music lessons here
Alicia Brooks
My daughter has been taking lessons here for almost 2 years and we absolutely love it. The staff is wonderful!
Amanda McDaniel
Thrive is an amazing place. The teachers and staff are the best and really care for the students. My boys loved the band class and getting to try different instruments. Give it a try! You will love it.
Paul Sakellariou
Ms. Erika and Mr.Alex are great!
Whitney Carter PT, DPT
Thrive has been a wonderful place for my kids to learn, perform, and enjoy music! Highly recommend! The teachers are friendly and bring great energy to lessons!
Steven Parks
Very engaged group of talented individuals leading and inspiring our young kids to have a love for music! I am extremely impressed and would highly recommend any parent looking for music classes for their children to choose this group! They rock!
Jasmine Harris
I love Thrive Creative Arts! My kids love the classes the teachers are amazing and make the classes very fun for my kiddos!
Elizabeth Miller
Our 7 year old son currently takes drum lessons from Charles as Thrive and loves it. Charles is always helpful and patient, even when our son wants to flip flop between learning guitar and drums. Our son loves to write songs and learn with Charles- we highly recommend him and Thrive!
Susan Simmons
Great music instructors and fun environment!
Aly Robinson
We love Thrive! My daughter has attended jam band, drums and is now doing art! We love Erika Holson, there’s a different project every week to go along with a monthly theme.
Jeannie Beannie
I'm almost the lone adult taking lessons there and Alyssa is my guitar teacher. She's a great teacher...I have really grown so much in my playing since I started taking lessons with her. My form has improved, my facility has improved...For any adults out there in Mechanicsville who want to learn an instrument, this is a great place to learn! An update…still studying with Alyssa 2 yrs later. She is giving me a great musical education. I played some songs for a musician buddy of mine and my friend was just amazed at how far I had advanced. Great school, great teachers.
Declan B
The piano teacher Charles Berry is very good, I’ve learned a lot from him
Krystle Enderle
My child just started taking art classes with Ms. Andrea and she's really enjoyed coming to the classes.
Dulce Reyes
Jesse is amazing! The entire team at Thrive has been so awesome to my littles. My five year old enjoys and looks forward each week to mini keys with Jaleel and my 12 year old Autistic son enjoys private piano with Jesse. You won't find a more welcoming team. From the welcome desk and waiting area with Beth to the instructors who motivate their minds. I'm glad I found Thrive Creative Arts.
DOCTOR JIMMY
i go to this school for violin and guitar its ssoooooo cool 😎😎😎😎😎😎 macey is a good teacher 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥yeesss real 🔥🔥🔥🔥
L Rutledge
Our son really enjoys going here. The private lessons are amazing! The group lessons have been great-we love that he has been able to experience new instruments and songwriting! The entire staff is welcoming and knowledgeable-highly recommend!
Jennifer Young
We have been with Thrive since it opened and have loved watching the growth our son has made with his drumming. Mr. Jaleel is wonderful - he's patient and fun and the kids love his group lessons! The Thrive curriculum is unique and offers the kids many different ways to learn their instruments and collaborate with other musicians. Can't wait to see what's in store next from this talented group of music professionals!
Kimberly Cousins
Kyle is a great teacher! My son has enjoyed having him for both his private lessons and his band! You can tell he really enjoys what he does!
Ross Hudnall
Our third grader has been going to Thrive over the past year and has learned so much. Thrive's instructors are great with kids and make the lessons fun. These aren't the stuffy lessons we all had as kids. I'd highly recommend their program if your child is interested in learning an instrument or music fundamentals. The children are given opportunities to try a variety of instruments so they can find something that really interests them.
Sara Smith
Everyone is amazing! My daughter looks forward to her guitar lessons with Kyle each week!!
Mamta Melwani
Its been a great experience being part of Thrive! Our son truly loves his Piano lessons. The teachers here are wonderful and the front desk staff is very welcoming. The winter concert was such a great show! 👍
Nikki Godsil
They work so well with my daughter and she's progressed so much with her guitar lessons with Thrive!
Susan Daniel
Outstanding music education facility
Tee Daniel
Overall Great Experience! My daughter takes voice & guitar lessons at Thrive and loves it.
Joseph Carter
Excellent music instruction and supportive environment
Cheryl Bower
Welcoming, engaging, supportive, encouraging & creative in all areas of music engagement. We've loved our experiences with Thrive!
Victoria Waldron
Charles Berry is an awesome piano teacher. He is very knowledgeable about music, and I love my piano lessons. Signed Joseph M. Konopka
Sarah Krajisnik
Professional and engaging music instruction
Joanna Ambrose
Our son loves Thrive.
Melly
I'm so glad I found Thrive Creative Arts for my daughter! The teachers are wonderful and passionate about music. They meet students where they are and help them grow as musicians; while developing a life long love for music!
Alyssa Mayton
amazing concert :)
Erica Kellar
Jaleel keeps our little guy engaged and has the patience of a saint!
Rodney Mallory
Awesome music academy
Babyboi 804
Great show awesome job!!!!
Tiffany Pignatello
Maddie has come so far in just a year's time with the violin! She loves working with Macey and is excited to begin Intermediate Orchestra in the fall!
Sheron Wyatt
Kids love the music lessons
Paige Hope
Thrive Creative Arts is an amazing place to learn music. Charles Berry has been my teacher for about a year now and he's great.
Ronny "RJ" John
My son goes to Thrive and the place is wonderful 👍 My son loves the place as well.
I Kri
I have 2 kids that have been at Thrive for over a year, one plays guitar and the other piano. They love attending music lessons and are thriving. Thrive music academy makes learning an instrument fun. Great environment with professional staff. Can't recommend them enough
Virginia Weaver
Great music program! Highly recommend!
Shea Brown
Great company! Awesome staff!
Mayura Patel
Great place for kids to learn music
Pete Haines
Fun filled. Kids obviously have worked very hard,
Landon Sheriff
Thrive Creative Arts has been fantastic! JoAnne has been engaging, kind, and really seems to care about my kid.
Emerald Mejia
Taking ukelele lessons at Thrive is my son's favorite part of the week! He is learning and is having fun.
Dawson Rutledge
Great place for music lessons
C S
Fantastic place for kids to learn music and have a good time doing so. Great communication and excellent teachers!
Katie Foster
We love Thrive! Our son looks forward to his lesson every week.
Amanda Dailey
Wonderful music education experience
Ricky Palmer
My kids love their music lessons here
Will Weber
Our son does guitar lessons and daughter does piano lessons at Thrive and they absolutely love it and so do we. They get a great balance of individual practice and their favorite, band weeks, where they get to practice in an actual band. We definitely recommend!
BJ Peace
My daughter has enjoyed her experience with Thrive Creative Arts, and her instructor Alyssa. Looking forward to continued vocal development!
Walter Klauer
They have great teachers who make it easy for students to learn from.
Jaime
Awesome music program for kiddos!
Kellyann Elish
From my 4 year old's perspective: I like that Mr. Jaleel makes me laugh! I like that he teach me music.
Erika Holson
Thrive Creative Arts has been an amazing place for our budding musician! My fourth grader began guitar lessons last summer and has come so far in just 9 short months, playing full songs and covers of popular rock songs. He's learning to write his own music and dreams of becoming a punk rocker 🎸 Thank you, Thrive, for supporting him on this journey!
Mary Campbell
The front desk staff is extremely helpful in figuring out which classes and times work best. Ash Gill has been an amazing teacher getting the kids to participate and develop their love for music. My granddaughter loves voice classes with Erin Dugai and can not stop 'singing' her praises!! I can not thank this academy enough for their dedication to the children and music.
Jennifer McCay
Our daughter started guitar lessons at Thrive a few months ago. She's really loving it and is sounding so great. What she's learned in such a short time is pretty cool. Thanks to Thrive for helping our girl find her "thing".
Jace SIowick
Great People, son loves it there.
Subba D
Great place for kids to learn every instrument. Wonderful teachers. Very helpful Front office. Thank you, Thrive Creative Arts.
Heather Brooks
Perfect place for music education
Susan Palmer
I've seen my grandson grow so much over the years at Thrive and have loved every minute of all the performances ❤️
Tracie' Steele
My granddaughter just recently started piano classes and has already had her first little concert. It was amazing to see how well the children did and the engagement with the teachers. Great job Thrive!!!
Erin F
We love Thrive! My daughter is excited to come every week and I love that I get to take a lesson while she's in her class.
David Irving
Amazing teachers and great atmosphere
Willian H Leyva
Best experience regarding both music and kids exploring their true flourishing talents
jo kronenberg
my sister loves it here
Milica Curic
Love Thrive Creative Arts!
pop jeff101
Charles is a great teacher!
Lee Fry
Fantastic place for kids to get music lessons. Open format to exchange instruments and discover a passion. Highly recommend!
Audra Barrett Dembele
Thrive is a fabulous studio for art and music, and Alex is a wonderful music teacher. My granddaughter is excited to go to her music class every week and Alex has further encouraged her interests in playing the piano.
Jaime Molbreak
My son had a great experience with Alex and he is excited to continue his lessons at Thrive. It is cool that he has the option to switch instruments as we went there for guitar, but he delighted himself by making a neat sound on the drums.
Jeannie Beannie
I'm almost the lone adult taking lessons there and Alyssa is my guitar teacher. She's a great teacher...I have really grown so much in my playing since I started taking lessons with her. My form has improved, my facility has improved...For any adults out there in Mechanicsville who want to learn an instrument, this is a great place to learn!An update…still studying with Alyssa 2 yrs later. She is giving me a great musical education. I played some songs for a musician buddy of mine and my friend was just amazed at how far I had advanced. Great school, great teachers.4 years later and Alyssa has really given me a great foundation in guitar and music theory in general. Her lessons are always super challenging and fun. I would give more than 5 stars if I could!
jamie sudol
Shoutout to Beatrice Kelly- AMAZING teacher!!! I always leave class feeling like I learned something new. The rest of the Thrive staff is awesome as well! I highly recommend :)-Emma
M Campbell
Callen says Kyle is the nicest and funniest drum teacher ever. I’m glad he is my teacher.
Traci W
My daughter has been taking classes at Thrive for a year now, and she absolutely loves it! She comes home and practices her new skills each week, and I’ve seen her grow and develop so much even at a young age. Her favorite course so far has been Mini Keys with Mr. Jesse and Mr. Alex! They make the class so much fun for the kids, and she often tells me “I wish I could go to music class every day!” Highly, highly recommend!
Ron Williamson
Our daughter loves taking classes at Thrive! We have seen so much growth over the past 1 and a half years!
Laura Sheriff
My son started classes when he was three years old and has loved learning new songs and trying different instruments. He loves Ms Joanne. We love the environment at Thrive!
Brittany Taylor
We love Thrive! Daughter attends for voice and art classes (Ms. Sequoia and Ms. Garcia are wonderful!). Daughter loves going and looks forward to it every week. She loves talking about the things she’s doing and learning. It’s wonderful we have something like this in the area and I’m so thankful I found it.
Lindsay McIntee
We’ve had a great experience with Thrive. My 12-year old really wanted to learn guitar but we didn’t know where to start. Lessons with Kyle have been amazing and my son has made so much progress in a short period of time. He is really enjoying the process. Plus, they’ve been flexible with my schedule and our family’s needs.
Jennifer Sperber-Dernelle (Gigi)
Being from a classically trained piano background, had I even had the opportunity to engage in other things that music has to offer like you do at Thrive, it would have enriched my experience as it does my grandson. Thank you
Kayleigh Frelin Brodeur
Charles Berry is pretty chill. He doesn't get frustrated if I don't do things exactly right. He meets me right where I'm at.
Michael Ambrose
Awesome! Always amazing.
Bhupinder Narang
Professional and caring music instruction
Yuriy Shcherbakov
Awesome show!!!
Grant Kronenberg
Best music school in the area
Traci W
My daughter has been taking classes at Thrive for a year now, and she absolutely loves it! She comes home and practices her new skills each week, and I've seen her grow and develop so much even at a young age (she is 4). Her favorite course so far has been MiniKeys with Mr. Jesse! He makes the class so much fun for the kids, and she often tells me "I wish I could go to music class every day!" Highly, highly recommend!
Darvin Lau
Amazing School, teachers and atmosphere!
RIchard Stepien
Great place to learn music
A G
LaJuan is the absolute best!!!!
Erika Ehlers
We have had a great experience with Thrive Creative Arts. Our child has learned so much in just a few short months. The instructors are excellent and really care about making it a fun experience for their students.
Jessica Gemmill
We absolutely love Thrive! The teachers are so fun and click so well with the kids. The curriculum is creative, modern and fun. My 7 year old loves coming to class every week— and complains every day he doesn't have lessons! I have no doubt that Thrive is building a foundation of fun, joy and love in music for my kiddo to last a life time.
Cassandra Daniel
My high school daughter is loving her guitar and voice lessons. Starting guitar can be intimidating for her age group but Thrive has a great way of meeting the students where they are and helping them grow! She doesn't ever want to miss her lessons:)
Missy Nuckols
My daughter has loved the vocal teacher Ms. Higgins. She has really made her feel special and to help set goals to be her very best!
Raven Shaw
LeJuan is great piano teacher with a fun personality. All the staff are friendly and accommodating to our schedule. Highly reccomend!
Ahwu Fish
Great place for music education
Paula Bell
Awesome program
Art Porter
Awesome experience and fun for the kids. The employees are very nice and energetic
RusticRose VACATIONS
Great place to learn all about music & performing , go Elle go 😊😊
Jenna Powell
My son told me today that he is loving his music class! I am attributing that to his new teacher, Beatrice Kelly. Great experience!
Stefanie Colby
Alex he is very kind and makes classes really 🤩 fun!~Alivia~
Debbie Cousins
Excellent place for music lessons
Samara Wilder
My kid really loves his singing lessons with Erin. He asks multiple times a week when his next lesson is because he never wants to miss one. We really appreciate her and thrive music academy.
R Simms
Mr. La Juan Lee has been very big part of Raj’s musical journey way before Thrive. He has been able to shape and guide Raj into the Pianist he desires to be. Raj has a great teacher and we are thankful to be able to continue this journey with Mr.Lee.
Kimberly Cousins
Thrive has been a great experience for my son. He has really come out of his shell and even joined a band this year!
Tonya Woodard
Great instructors and welcoming environment
Yulia Shcherbakova
We love Charles and Maria love her lessons with him!
JennasLosingIt
We love Thrive for my daughters private piano lessons!
keri-anne west
We love Thrive Music! My daughter is excited to come to class each week and has learned so much already! Her teacher, LaJuan, is engaging, knowledgeable, and fun! Highly recommend!
Wicomico Hall
Fantastic music education center
Sara Majewski
Ms Andrea is wonderful. My child loves creating new art projects each week.
Rita Charles
My 9 Y daughter truly enjoys the atmosphere, teachers and front desk employees. Very professional and upbeat employees motivated to teach music and plays an instrumental part in shaping YOUTH.
Jaclyn Weaver
My son loves taking drum lessons here!
Anjulika Srivastava
Awesome teacher, my daughter love going to class and learning fast
Linsey Powers
Alex teaches me drums at Thrive and he is awesome! Thanks, Conner Powers. Kyle is my drum instructor and he does a great job! I look forward to each lesson and have grown in my knowledge of music. Thanks, Jeffrey Powers
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ROCK & WRITE
How are bands formed?
We carefully match students based on age, skill level, and musical interests to create balanced, collaborative groups.
How do you track progress?
We focus on musical, social, and overall skill development. Students and teachers use a skill tree in iClassPro to mark milestones in areas like rhythm, melody, harmony, songwriting, teamwork, and creative expression. This helps show how your child is growing and developing, even when progress may seem slow from the outside.
What instruments can my child play in the band?
Bands typically include vocals, keyboard, guitar, bass, and drums. Let us know your preferred instrument when enrolling.
Ready to Join the Band?
Give your musician the opportunity to be part of something bigger – a real band where they'll create original music, build lasting friendships, and develop skills that go beyond the stage.
Join a Band