Today we are celebrating Jessica Gallone as our Entrepreneur of the Day! Jessica is the owner of Rock-n-Roll U.
In January 2017, Jessica Gallone took over Rock-n-Roll U, a local music and performance school in Long Island. Jessica, who earned her master’s degree in social work, had always believed in the power of music to unite, uplift, and inspire. Her journey into music education was both personal and professional. As a single mother, Jessica was looking for ways to connect with her daughter, Giuliana, and Rock-n-Roll U offered the perfect opportunity to do just that. It was also a way to bring together other children who, like Giuliana, were seeking a sense of community after experiencing loss. Jessica and Giuliana had suffered a tragic loss when Jessica’s husband passed away in a work-related accident. The family-like environment at Rock-n-Roll U became a place of healing, where children, some of whom had also lost a parent, found comfort and a shared passion for music.
Rock-n-Roll U offers a range of musical programs, including private lessons in musical theater, a summer camp, and a Band Performance Program where each student has their own band. The school also hosts recitals and live concert events at community venues, providing students with the chance to perform in front of live audiences. In 2017, Rock-n-Roll U also started hosting birthday parties for children, bringing the joy of music to more families.
The mission of Rock-n-Roll U is to provide musical opportunities to children and adults of all abilities so they can learn, improve, and enhance their musical talents. Jessica and her team of skilled instructors, many of whom hold degrees in music education, ensure that every student performs, and no one is left out. The school serves a diverse community, including students who are on the autism spectrum, have Down syndrome, or other special needs. “They are amazing musicians,” Jessica says. “You wouldn’t be able to identify they were a person with a disability when watching them perform.” For Jessica, it’s about helping all students make great social connections and build relationships through their love of music.
Jessica’s background in social work has played a crucial role in her approach to running Rock-n-Roll U. She spent over 15 years pioneering and overseeing a Long Island non-profit organization that serves adults with special needs. This experience has helped her create a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment at the school. Rock-n-Roll U is a proud member of the Smithtown Chamber of Commerce, and Jessica has also coached softball, further embedding herself in the local community.
Rock-n-Roll U’s alumni have gone on to achieve great success in the music industry. Notable grads include Brandon Niederauer, who starred as Taz, a talented guitarist in the Broadway musical School of Rock, and Route III, a band that has performed at prestigious venues such as the Paramount.
When asked about her advice for women looking to start their own businesses, Jessica says: “Really feel out your vision. You want to develop and create something that will not only matter to you, but matter to others. People have to want and desire your product or service. It has to be something they can’t get anywhere else. For Rock n Roll U, it’s community and the opportunity for kids to not only grow and develop to become great musicians, but amazing and successful young adults. We also provide music lessons, theater and band performance groups to people of all ages, all skill levels and all-abilities. That means that we teach people who are also differently-abled to perform and live out their dreams. Do as much research as you can on businesses that are similar to yours. Talk to others about what they love about the product or service, and what they wish they could be better. Find a way to give them the ultimate experience with your product or service. This has been successful for me. My students come back after college and teach. They all want to give other kids the experience they had at Rock n Roll U.”
Today, Rock-n-Roll U continues to thrive and grow, offering music lessons, band performance groups, and theater for people of all ages, skill levels, and abilities. The school remains dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive space for everyone to explore their musical talents and connect with others through the joy of music.
