Terry was born unto a world of music, and before he knew which way was up, he was listening to his Dad’s Beatles and Hendrix albums, and dancing around the living room to Rod Stewart and The Average White Band. His Mom taught Guitar and Piano professionally, and her format for teaching young Terry these instruments would forge the musical philosophy, which he so passionately preaches today.

By the tender age of 10 Terry was soaking up every note from Led Zeppelin, Ozzy, KISS, Iron Maiden, Van Halen, and The Who, courtesy of his older cousins record collection. It was time for guitar lessons, and who else to take from than Mom! Well, in short, Mom demanded acoustic guitar, no pick, and “when the saints go marching in” because this was the proper way to learn to play guitar. However, Terry wanted electric guitar, loud amps, and Van Halen songs?! Seems the proper way to teach guitar, simply turned into the proper way for Terry to get frustrated, and bored! He pleaded…She dug her heels in. He quit and moved onto drums, which she didn’t teach! .

Terry has spent the last 20+ years playing drums, being in various rock and punk bands across the US, self-teaching himself guitar, bass, singing and songwriting, producing albums, and becoming one of the top-rated Rock Music trivia nerds on the planet. He is the drummer & co-vocalist for Dallas based punk band “The Nicholsons”, and also plays out regularly as the guitarist & singer of “The Hyenas”, which also include his two sons ages 8 and 10 on Drums and Bass/Keys. Oh yeah, he also got his engineering degree, worked in the business world for 15 years, and learned a heck of a lot about starting and running businesses. He has worked with kids in many different organizations including Junior Achievement and YMCA.

One day, Terry had an epiphany! What if he combined his love for music, his passion for working with kids, and his business background and opened up Rock Music schools, using the teaching philosophy he pleaded to his mom about when he was 10?!

Terry now owns and manages four branches of the School of Rock, and on a daily basis works with the finest professional rockers who have dedicated their lives to music…collectively they give everything they have to teach, mentor, and help the next generation become the best possible musicians they can be. And we turn it up LOUD and play the best music ever made!! Not only because we love it, but because the more the kids love it, the more they will “practice”, which is the true key for anyone to become the best musician they can be!

P.S. The good news is that despite his musical upbringing, Terry still loves his Mom very much…and she is proud that he is helping young people learn the joy of learning and playing music. But see Mom, I knew I was right