Whiz Kids: Charlie and Drew Bunge

This Week's Whiz Kid: Drew Bunge, 11

School: Highcrest Middle School

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Playing in the School of Rock.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness:  I just moved here from London going into the fifth grade. I took bass and the local choir in England so, I looked for something that would help me continue these skills. My parents and I looked through different music teachers and things until something had caught our eye. "School of Rock: Saving Rock and Roll one kid at a time." This looked very good, but at the same time very...... different (for lack of a better word.) So, I went into this place and suddenly, I knew I belonged there, from the classic rock posters on the wall to the smiling, talented, and cheerful staff and student's who help us. Now, I'm sure you're wondering, "What is School of Rock?" The School of Rock is a performance based music school. If you are a very skilled rocker, you land yourself in show rockers. Show Rockers is where you take 45 minute lessons every week, and then meet every saturday for a three-hour "Jam session." You are working towards a show where you play at real venues just like real bands! Every show you play has a genre an so far I have played genres such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Americana/Roots Rock. There is also a place for less experienced players called Rock 101. This is our "House Band" at School of Rock. My friends and family have helped me through everything and above all I thank them the most.

This Week's Whiz Kid: Charlie Bunge, 13

School: Wilmette Junior High School

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: I am really proud that I am able to get in a big group and perform really fun and great gigs in front of live audiences. I play in a group of kids ranging in the ages of 7-17 and we all find it awesome that we can perform really cool gigs.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: The group was created through a group called School of Rock. All the kids in the band take lessons at School of Rock. Then we meet once a week for three hours to jam and practice our songs. With help from teachers at School of Rock they help us perfect our songs, so that we can be ready to preform in front of audiences. We also choose special themes or bands for certain gigs. So far with our band we have done Rolling Stones music, Americana music, and Beatles music. We are currently practicing for a free choice show, where each kid gets to pick a couple songs to learn and play. The School of Rock where we meet to practice is in evanston. So our shows are mostly in the North Shore. The band has played shows at Schuba's, The Heartland Cafe, Dirty Nellies, Tommy Nevins, Space, and many more places. Even though I spend lots of time jamming in my band, I find time to play travel soccer for the Wilmette Wings. Wings is a great club and I am glad that I can do it. I play Wings with a bunch of my friends so we all work together to be the best team we can. I have been playing soccer for 6 years now, and I still enjoy playing. I feel that as long as your doing what you want and your with people that you want to do it with, you can have a great time.