Between 20 and 30 people from the local music industry will be employed as office staff and music teachers at a new music school at a development outside Stellenbosch.
This is according to Keith Taeuber, co-owner of the new School of Rock campus, which plans to open its doors in December this year. The campus will be at Devonbosch on the Bottelary Road.
“Devonbosch School of Rock will service the Northern Suburbs and the Cape Winelands,” said Leigh Spaun, who co-owns the franchise with Taeuber.
Spaun said that the school will provide “world-class extra-curricular music education for people of all ages”.
Devonbosch School of Rock is located opposite Devonvale Golf Course on Bottelary Road, Stellenbosch. PHOTO: Rentia Weber
Taeuber and Spaun opened the first School of Rock in Claremont, Cape Town, in 2015, and the second in Parktown, Johannesburg, in 2024.
“We saw the business potential within the field of music education, especially in the Winelands area, which has seen a steady influx of families in recent years,” said Taeuber.
“The Devonbosch campus will be one of the largest and most eco-friendly campuses around the world,” claimed Taeuber. “It will be able to accommodate more than 700 students and operate completely off the grid.”
Construction of Devonbosch School of Rock started in February with the aim to be completed by December. SquareTurn Developments are managing the construction, said Reghard Goussard, manager of Squareturn Developments. PHOTO: Rentia Weber
Shaping lives
“Teaching at the School of Rock has been a life-changing experience,” said Revaughn Sackanary, bass instructor and national music director at Claremont School of Rock.
“I ran the vocal department for six years and I’ve had so many meaningful opportunities through School of Rock,” said Nadiah Mony, who has been a music teacher at Claremont School of Rock for nine years.
A mural of musicians at Devonbosch School of Rock by the artist Raphael Ndongo. PHOTO: Rentia Weber
“My daughter, Calla, is a student at Claremont School of Rock,” said Letishia Charles. “The incredible instructors, supportive environment, and friendships she’s made have truly shaped her musical journey.”
“I think it is so important to have private music sector education options for learners, as it gives them a different platform to showcase their talents,” said Amy Jones, a singer, songwriter, and private music tutor. “As a music teacher myself, the need to support every learner in his or her capacity […] is key, and sometimes this can’t always be articulated in one sector.”