Olde Town Arvada’s Rock Life Music Academy helps students realize music dreams

Years ago, Alex Boccia remembers being a young teen watching his first battle of the bands behind a fence near his Illinois home, dreaming that one day he would play that stage and win.

Today, after realizing that dream, he’s helping students of all ages reach theirs through music.

Born out of a passion to teach and play guitar, Boccia’s Rock Life Music Academy helps teach children, teenagers and adults how to play guitar and drums in a low-key, easygoing, yet challenging environment. A guitarist for the local rock bands Old Ironsides Band and A Memory Down,Boccia, 27, understands the demands of the industry and helps students learn not only to play, but also other aspects of what it’s like to venture down the musician’s path.

“A big part of the vision for this place is building the music scene as a whole, starting at the roots –; kids,” he said, referring to the skills of how to join and form a band, meet other musicians and book a gig. “I want kids to have the opportunity to learn how to do these things, but under my support and direction.”

Rock Life offers a variety of lessons to help meet each student’s financial and musical needs. From small group classes, one-on-one lessons, a monthly band jam to band coaching, master classes and coaching for those wishing to hit the road, the academy morphs to fit students wherever they are.

“Alex has a passion for teaching, rather than just going through the motions to pay the bills,” said Brett Schneider, a sophomore at Ralston Valley High School and passionate guitarist who has improved his skills while learning about the music business. “He understands and teaches a lot of music theory in lessons, which helps you understand the music you’re playing and is necessary to write your own music.”

Rock Life, celebrating its first year of business, has been a project long in the making.

Boccia, who has been teaching for more than eight years, started developing his teaching skills, plans and goals for his school back when he was being mentored by professional guitarist Tom Hess

“I don’t want this to be about me,” Boccia said. “I want the students and the bands I coach to help turn this place into whatever they think is cool.”

Situated along Yukon Street in Olde Town Arvada, Rock Life is near several restaurants, breweries and bars that host local musicians and book live music. Along with the school, Boccia also encourages his students to take part in the community, at their schools and to audition for local events, such as Arvada’s Jam Out Hunger, an annual youth battle of the bands and fundraiser for the Arvada Community Food Bank.

“What’s fun about his business,” Arvada’s Mayor Pro Tem Bob Fifer said, “is when you go in, there is such a diverse group of customers, ages, genres. It shows how his talent is beyond the music.”

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