By Claire Nguyen
Contributing writer
Editor’s Note: This story is part of a summertime series featuring youth camps in Orange County.
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Guitar riffs and banging drums vibrate the rooms inside Los Rios Rock School, where the stage becomes the classroom.
Through the summer, the school opens its doors for weeklong programs focused on preparing the campers to be comfortable with learning music as a group.
When a new group of students walked in on a recent Monday, only half of had touched an instrument before. By that Friday, they were rocking out with their friends on stage in front of a live audience.
Seven-year-old Roslyn Backus has performed concerts before, but this was her first “real concert.”
“I felt a little nervous, but when I got on stage I was so excited and happy,” Roslyn said. “I really wanted to play the instruments because my dream is to become a singer one day.”
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The students in each band begin the week by choosing three songs to perform. Throughout the week, the campers meet with their instructors for three hours a day to learn, rehearse and fine-tune their performance. On Friday, the bands have one run-through of their set before doors open at 11 a.m. for their performance.
Vivienne Hayter, 8, sings with Roslyn Backus, 7, on Friday, July 31, 2026 at Los Rios Rock School in San Juan Capistrano. (Photo by Claire Nguyen, Contributing Photographer)
Kelly Burris cheers and records her son during his performance on Friday, July 31, 2026 at Los Rios Rock School in San Juan Capistrano. (Photo by Claire Nguyen, Contributing Photographer)
Oliver Almaraz, 8, (left) plays the guitar with Rhett Huffman, 8, on Friday, July 31, 2026 at Los Rios Rock School in San Juan Capistrano. (Photo by Claire Nguyen, Contributing Photographer)
Jace Nelson, 10, plays the drums while rehearsing before his band’s performance on Friday, July 31, 2026 at Los Rios Rock School in San Juan Capistrano. (Photo by Claire Nguyen, Contributing Photographer)
From the left, Vivienne Hayter, 8, Roslyn Backus, 7, and Sam Melzer, 9, put colorful stripes in their hair before performing on Friday, July 31, 2026 at Los Rios Rock School in San Juan Capistrano. (Photo by Claire Nguyen, Contributing Photographer)
Blake Severson, 10, practices his bass set before his performance on Friday, July 31, 2026 at Los Rios Rock School in San Juan Capistrano. (Photo by Claire Nguyen, Contributing Photographer)
Jacob Kelly, 10, focuses on playing the guitar during rehearsal on Friday, July 31, 2026 at Los Rios Rock School in San Juan Capistrano. (Photo by Claire Nguyen, Contributing Photographer)
Wesley Johnson, 10, smiles as the audience applauds after his band’s performance on Friday, July 31, 2026 at Los Rios Rock School in San Juan Capistrano. (Photo by Claire Nguyen, Contributing Photographer)
Jackson Stephen, 15, plays the bass during his performance on Friday, July 31, 2026 at Los Rios Rock School in San Juan Capistrano. (Photo by Claire Nguyen, Contributing Photographer)
“You’re not really going to feel confident until you get in the band,” instructor Phil Allen said. “As soon as they’re plugged in, we’re trying to jam it together. They really are learning together all the time.”
The band members are dressed like rock stars once performance time comes. Colorful bandanas, leather jackets, dyed hair and grungy band shirts are only some of the ways the students show their inner performer.
The bands perform everything from rock classics to modern pop. The performance ends with a shortened version of “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen.
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To learn more, visit losriosrockschool.com.