麻豆原创

Sisters Imogen and Phoebe joined Rocksteady about a year ago and they haven鈥檛 looked back, as mum, Lamorna explains:

鈥淭he girls鈥� confidence needed a massive boost. Both have dyslexia and Imogen also has mild sensory dyspraxia – Rocksteady has been like therapy. Their confidence has grown more than we ever could have imagined, and all their fears and anxiety completely disappear when they鈥檙e playing alongside their bandmates. It鈥檚 been a life changing experience for them both.鈥�

Imogen in particular has benefited from the lessons, with her mum reporting that it鈥檚 made a 鈥渃onsiderable difference鈥� to her dyslexia.

Having developed an appetite for performance the girls have since joined a musical theatre group, something that Lamorna says wouldn鈥檛 have been possible without Rocksteady: 鈥淚t鈥檚 given Imogen and Phoebe more self-belief. They are far more ready for a challenge, ready to have more of a voice and they are not afraid to shine. They are thriving.鈥�

Learning and being in a school environment had always been a challenge for 10-year-old Harry. Having refused to attend school for two years and with his confidence and self-esteem at an all-time low, mum Sarah was understandably concerned for her son鈥檚 wellbeing. A chance sighting of a Rocksteady poster at his new school was soon to change everything however, as Sarah explains:

鈥淗arry thought it would be really cool to be part of a band, so we signed him up for lessons and we鈥檝e never looked back. He鈥檚 gained so much confidence, improved his communication skills and developed great new friendships with his band mates. Only two years ago he wasn鈥檛 in education, and now he always gets up early on lesson days as he鈥檚 so excited to get to school. It鈥檚 a huge success.”

鈥淗arry鈥檚 fine motor skills have also greatly improved because of Rocksteady lessons. I鈥檝e noticed that he can hold his pen better and he can also now do up the buttons on his shirt, something that he couldn鈥檛 do before.”

鈥淗arry struggles greatly with his confidence and self-esteem, yet I鈥檝e never seen him look as confident as he did on stage at his Rocksteady concert 鈥� he didn鈥檛 even look nervous! I cannot put into words how proud I was and at the end.”

Rocksteady lessons provide a little respite for Toby-John.

Diagnosed with Autism at the age of 5, Toby-John has anxiety and can find coping with the daily struggles of the school day difficult. However, playing drums alongside his friends in their band helps to ensure he doesn鈥檛 become too overwhelmed. As his Mum, Kerrie, explains:

鈥淭oby-John has several conditions that make school really challenging. In particular noise sensory issues make it hard for him to focus in class. Rocksteady is his escape. He鈥檚 much calmer on the days when he鈥檚 had a lesson as it helps with his anxiety. He loves music and his drums and these lessons provide a release. He feels safe, comfortable and he can express himself, ready to return to class.鈥�

Former Rocksteady student, Seth Grey, is already causing a stir in musical circles with his unquestionable talent, having secured a top five place at the 鈥業nternational Young Guitarist of the Year鈥� competition.

Seth was only six years old when Rocksteady visited his school to run a free live assembly and music workshop. Playing keyboard at first and later switching to guitar, Seth just loved learning the instruments in such a fun environment. Although it was about far more than that, as he explains:

鈥淭eamwork and perseverance were just some of the skills Rocksteady taught me. To learn some of the trickier songs, you really needed to work together and being part of a band helped to push me on and get me to where I am today.鈥�

鈥淩ocksteady opened up a whole new world of music and friendship for me. I built friendships that lasted way beyond the lessons themselves and the experience inspired me to explore different genres and artists that have since influenced my own music.鈥�