let the music play on
Bach 2 Rock
FW FEATURE
BBy Jean Wead
Bach to Rock is unlike anything the Tampa Bay Area has
Bach to Rock is u
ever seen. Located in Lutz on North Dale Mabry Hwy, this
music school is just so cool. “Cool” is really the descriptive
Where else can a person in our area go to learn how to use a
mixing board, play an instrument or produce a song under
the same roof? This is a one of a kind school that is an experience
for anyone to enjoy, whether you are a student or a
parent waiting on their kid. The walls are adorned with band
memorabilia like a guitar signed by the band Sister Hazel or a
Tom Petty and The Heart Breakers. The names to each classroom
and studio are of acts that got their start right here in
Florida, as well. Stars on the doors with names like FL-GA
Line and Casting Crowns are there to remind the students
that there is a lot of talent here in our beautiful state. They are
in good company.
Rick Schmidt bought into the Bach to Rock franchise
about a year ago. He has spent most of his life in the entertainment
industry, with over twenty years in program management.
He spent many of those years at stations like 98
ROCK, where he worked with bands such as Creed, Shinedown,
and the aforementioned Sister Hazel. He eventually
started a music label that operated through Warner Brothers
with a good friend that was. Through that endeavor he met
many contacts and gained even more valuable experience
in the industry. From there, his career turned to marketing,
which he did for the Mahaffey Theatre, where he stayed until
this latest entrepreneurial adventure.
Rick and his wife had the goal of starting a business of
what kind. He said a wise friend told him to “do something
that he was passionate about.” Rick chuckled, “as much as I
love pizza, music seemed the direction to go.”
Once they decided the direction they wanted to go, they
googled around and found franchise opportunities with Bach
to Rock, which was founded in Methesda, MD in 2007. Bach
ages. Their philosophy is that learning music should be fun.
the franchise. He opened the doors to his own Bach to Rock
in October of last year.
Bach to Rock has a broad scope of what they offer. If
there is a child that wants to start a band, they have a program
for that. It will not only teach the student how to play the
14 • APR/MAY 2019 813.682.9364 FLORIDA WOMEN MAGAZINE