For 13-year-old Owen, Bach to Rock is Special Beyond the Music

Talk about combining talent, hard work, and chemistry! Owen picked up his first guitar just about 18 months ago as a new student at a Bach to Rock school in Indiana. But within a mere four months, he was invited to audition for the popular Bach to Rock student band, Mortal Wombats. It was that audition that secured his spot in the band and launched his future, following his passion as a guitarist.

But to rewind, Owen started his guitar journey with 30-minute weekly guitar lessons with his instructor, Luke. Luke and Owen connected immediately. “Luke is a great instructor, he always explains everything clearly, he’s very funny and friendly, and his teaching style is great (plus he has great taste in music),” said Owen. Luke encouraged Owen to practice alternate picking, a technique for playing single notes which involves using an alternating succession of upstrokes and downstrokes. It is an efficient method that helps many beginning players improve. “I was so proud of myself when I finally learned how to alternate pick on guitar. The skill unlocked so many possibilities!” shared Owen. “Luke gave me helpful exercises and tips for strong practice habits as well.”

Before Owen was invited to join Mortal Wombats, he played his first showcase. Typically, Bach to Rock schools offer two showcases a year to give students the opportunity to play on a real stage with lights, professional sound, and an audience to demonstrate progress and practice performance skills. “I played Enter Sandman by Metallica. I practiced every day and talked about every little thing with Luke because I was so nervous. When I walked up there and played the song, I felt like all my hard work had paid off. Like everything I was practicing for helped in that moment. That was the moment I knew that my true passion was music,” shared Owen.

Owen had another big moment during his first Battle of the Bands in 2025. “We played Anthony’s Song and War Pigs. I practiced a ton,” said Owen. “Walking up to that stage, I was so nervous. When we finished, it felt like the happiest moment of my life. I was doing what I love, playing music with my friends. Nice bonus that we won 2nd place locally AND 2nd place nationally in our division!”

Owen’s parents are huge supporters, both of Owen, and his younger brother Graham, who recently started playing drums. “We deeply value that Bach to Rock feels like a very safe, positive, and supportive environment in which to learn music and build friendships. The team at our school really make this place special beyond the music,” said Owen’s dad, Jason.

“Bach to Rock has a strong positive reputation in our community. When Owen showed interest in guitar, Bach to Rock was the first place we tried. It was an instant match, due to an immediate connection between Owen and his instructor, Luke,” said Jason. Six months later their younger son expressed interest in playing drums. “It was a no-brainer to choose Bach to Rock. Graham’s drum instructor, Peter, is wonderful, and has expanded our loyalty to Bach to Rock.”

Owen’s family feels he has experienced many milestones and growth moments since starting with Bach to Rock. His lesson time was expanded, and with that Owen has seen a clear progression in his musical growth, technical skills, music theory, tone matching and more. Jason also expressed how much Owen has grown in personal confidence, seems happier and has made many new friends. “Owen has grown beyond our wildest expectations since getting his first guitar a year and a half ago and starting lessons with Luke.”

As for Owen, he continues to hone his talent, and practice, practice, practice. He is striving to improve at pinch harmonics, implement more scale modes in his improvisation, and get more into music production. “I also want to improve as a band, focusing on our stage presence and original songwriting,” he said. “I would also love to see my brother progress in his drumming journey, and I hope to see him get into a band soon.”

Owen’s parents are doing everything that they can to support their boys. “We are even building a small studio in our basement that has every instrument and equipment needed for the band to walk in and rehearse together,” said Jason.

With his band, instructor, family and Bach to Rock’s support, we know Owen will continue to strive to become the best guitarist he can be!  Rock on, Owen!!