MORE THAN JUST MUSIC TEACHERS.
The Detroit School of Rock and Pop Music® offers music lessons, live band programs, music field trips, rehearsal rentals, recording studios, videos and more to Metro Detroit musicians, young and old.
STOP PRACTICING… START PERFORMING®
MISSION
Our mission is to establish a diverse musical community focused on the pursuit of excellence through a positive, motivating, and educational environment.
VISION
Our vision is to be recognized and respected as one of the premier music education facilities in the country, providing unparalleled guidance and mentorship to those in our care, and bringing positive and enriching value to the community at large.
HOW WE FULFILL OUR MISSION
- Private Music Lessons and Mentorship
- Student / Adult Band Programs
- Jazz / Songwriting / Studio / Blues Experiences
- Summer Camps and Workshops
- Field Trips / School Programs
- Recording Sessions
- Professional Rehearsal Rentals / Tour Prep
- Community Involvement and Performances
- Advocacy for LIVE Music in our Community
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Professional Music Services
OUR TEAM
We have a team of the most passionate local professional musicians in Metro Detroit ready to help you with your music.
Tiffany Belzar
Voice Lessons
Dan Belleville
(Online) Guitar Lessons / Banjo Lessons / Film Scoring / Video Game Music
Matt Callaway
Guitar Lessons / Bass Lessons / Jazz Guitar Lessons
Chris Codish
(Online) Piano Lessons / Keyboards / Jazz Improvisation
Steve Kendzorski
Lesson Sub / Rehearsal Director
Thom Monks
Rehearsal Director Sub / Classical Percussion Lessons
Brent Nagy
Drum Lessons / Rehearsal Director Sub
Ken Pesick
Piano Lessons, Guitar Lessons, Bass Lessons Drum Lessons
Rocco Popielarski
Rehearsal Director / Electric and Upright Bass Lessons
Mike Racette
Drum Lessons
Andrew Schuster
Recording Engineer / Live Sound / Production
Julie Spicer
Piano Lessons / Voice Lessons / Rehearsal Director Kidz Rock / Keyboards
Michelle Urena
Saxophone Lessons / Piano Lessons / Flute Clarinet Woodwind Lessons
Ray Urena
Guitar Lessons / Rehearsal Director
Sherry Gittinger
Founder / Voice Lessons / Vocal Techniques Class / Office / Billing / Scheduling
Jason Gittinger
Founder and Executive Producer / Office / Admissions / Strategic Planning
LEADERSHIP
You’re success in a music school or lessons can only be attained when the motivations of the leadership, faculty and supporters align with yours.
JASON AND SHERRY GITTINGER
The Detroit School of Rock and Pop Music® was founded in 2007 by Jason and Sherry Gittinger. Opened in 2008, the school has quickly become one of the “jewels” of Metro Detroit, providing enrichment for students young and old, mentorship for teenagers, and entertainment for communities all over the region. They’re Summer Rocks! program has expanded over the years to include summer tours to cities all over the country, festivals and events around the region and hosting international “artists in residence” for the community, making the school’s impact even greater.
Having two daughters of their own, Jason and Sherry know what it’s like to need positive mentors for their children’s passions and work tirelessly to make sure that the students in their care are motivated and challenged to become better musicians and people. The their girls were small they would roam the building on the average weeknight, older students were asked for piggy back rides and younger students were asked to play with them in their practice room, creating a family friendly environment second to none. As they’ve grown, they now take their own lessons, make their own music, and attend DSRP camps, events and activities themselves.
Jason has been one of Metro Detroit’s finest professional drummers and percussionists for many years, amassing a huge list of artists and projects with whom he’s performed. His numerous production credits run the gamut of live productions, advertising projects, recording projects and television shows. While music is his primary passion, Jason now commits a lot of his time outside the school volunteering to improve the community and consulting with lots of other companies across various industries. He is a Past-Chairman of the Board of Directors and currently serves on the Executive Board for the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce, he has been the Chairman of the Royal Oak Commission for the Arts for the City of Royal Oak since it’s inception in 2012, he has served on the Community Relations Board of the Detroit Institute of Arts and he also volunteers his time with The Live the Music Foundation, a non-profit he helped found, helping to raise scholarships and equipment grants for students and to promote the inclusion of live music events in the community. He come from a family of professional musicians, has a degree in Jazz Studies from Wayne State University, and has recently completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program.
Sherry Gittinger has enough energy to power a small fleet of motor vehicles. It’s a fuel that burns full-throttle, ignited by the heat of her soulful voice and the power and passion of her performance. Born and raised in Warren, Michigan she began singing at age 4 giving “backyard recitals” for anyone who would listen. By high school, she was an accomplished vocalist with many division I and division II ratings under her belt at annual Solo and Ensemble Festivals. She went on to study vocal music at Oakland University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music.
A bundle of positive energy, Sherry has a reputation for the utmost professionalism, quality, and musical diversity. Her professional vocal pursuits are a musical potpourri and include everything from theater in shows such as Bye Bye Birdie, A Chorus Line, and Little Shop of Horrors, to show choir and vocal jazz ensembles along with a big band, to singing in live shows at Cedar Point Amusement Park and performing in various wedding bands. She has performed with recording artists such as Johnny Preston, Dickie Lee, and Little Eva. Sherry is also a “go-to” session singer for local recording artists in the Detroit area and is very comfortable in the recording studio, and recently led and directed The DSRP Choir as they accompanied the band Foreigner at 10 sold-out shows at DTE Energy Music Theater opening for Kid Rock.
Jason and Sherry also started a “faculty and friends” capstone band with DSRP teachers and some of the best musicians in Metro Detroit called The Detroit Retro Society. They have performed in all kinds of situations across the country, from Presidents and Billionaires in Washington DC to back yard parties and weddings. You can check them out at https://www.DetroitRetroSociety.com
They live in Royal Oak, Michigan.
TESTIMONIALS
“I have to say that although we travel 30 miles one way, bringing my son to The Detroit School of Rock of Rock and Pop Music was the best thing we ever did.”
“My 13-year-old daughter has been enrolled for just a few months and she has already performed live at the Hard Rock Cafe and the Palace of Auburn Hills!!! No other “music school” in the area can generate these incredible opportunities for its students. Jason Gittinger and his staff have far exceeded my expectations. Long live DSRP!”
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
OUR STUDENTS HAVE PLAYED OR BEEN FEATURED…
