Management Team Of School Of Rock Chatham Win Award For Top International Music School

Art and Jamie Lima, the directors of School of Rock Chatham, were recognized as managing a “Top Overall School” among over 150 international School of Rock franchises. The award was based on the quality of School of Rock Chatham’s curriculum and faculty, and level of student enrollment. School of Rock Chatham has received such awards of excellence for three consecutive years.

“Being recognized as a ‘Top Overall School’ is a huge honor for us, and it wouldn’t have been possible if not for our amazing students, their supportive families, and our awesome team of teachers,” says Jamie. “We’re thrilled that we get a chance to positively influence so many young people every day, and wish that School of Rock existed when Art and I were growing up!”

Jamie, a vocalist who studied music theory, art and fashion while attending University of Kentucky, met Art, a New Jersey native, in 2004 while the two were working in Atlanta. Jamie relocated to the New York area and both she and Art played in bands that were active in the tri-state area’s live music scene. They formed their own independent record label and entertainment corporation, and released an album of original material that generated a rave review in Guitar World Magazine.

Their involvement with School of Rock began in 2006, when Jamie and Art were presented with the opportunity to teach at the School of Rock location in Red Bank. In 2007, they joined the management team that opened School of Rock Chatham: Jamie with dual roles as the School’s General Manager and Vocal Instructor and Art as the Music Director.

“My job is to understand students’ strengths while challenging them with song casting selections in our seasonal Performance Program shows, which I organize and run,” says Art, a multi-instrumentalist, who studied music at University of Connecticut. “Students learn their assigned parts and I expect a high level of execution for each student’s assigned material, which for our current season includes tributes to Frank Zappa; the Rolling Stones; Arena Rock featuring hits by Heart, Journey, Kansas, and Boston; and CBGBs. The result of all the hard work is seen in the magic that happens on stage at our show performances.”

Along with Art’s work at the Chatham location with the Performance Programs, he also “coaches” the School’s Street Team house band, which performs at community events in and around the Chatham area; is a National Director of the regional School of Rock AllStars, which is comprised of top SoR musicians from around the country; and runs a summer tour group, which features top School of Rock Chatham student musicians who perform each year at the Milwaukee Summerfest, billed as “the world’s largest music festival.”

“With all my groups, I commend every well-executed achievement, and motivate students to strive for the best performance they can give,” says Art.

While Art focuses on the musical aspects of School of Rock Chatham’s students, Jamie adds performance coaching, incorporating her fashion and design expertise to the curriculum. She conveys lessons in stage presence, achieving a cohesive band “look”, and recovering gracefully when faced with inevitable equipment snafus while performing. Between the two Limas, the School of Rock Chatham students are prepared for almost anything once they take the stage.

“In our nine years with the School of Rock organization, we’ve seen how learning and performing music not only develops the creative and teamwork skills of our students, it also gives them confidence, focus, and maturity that extends into all facets of their lives,” says Jamie, who along with Art continues to write and perform original music with their band Fate28. “School of Rock’s welcoming environment provides a place for students to accept and embrace their individuality, and meet other young people who share their passion and uniqueness.”

Photo (L-R): Art and Jamie Lima (CREDIT: David T. Kindler)