Today we’d like to introduce you to Adam Lecky.
Hi Adam, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Let’s start when the Kiss Dynasty tour rolled into my hometown of Vancouver BC in 1979. I was eight and that concert changed my life forever! I remember the heat from the flames onstage like it was yesterday. The band that my brother and I loved, blew our minds and the roof off the Pacific Coliseum. It was clear to me then, I wanted to be a Rockstar! My dreams of shooting fireworks from my guitar while ripping a solo quickly vanished as I came to realize how difficult it was to play an instrument. However I didn’t let my lack of natural ability hold me back entirely; jamming with friends in a garage or basement is one of my favorite things to do! Fast forward down a very long and winding road to now, I found the opportunity to help inspire budding musicians learn, perform and discover their passion, which feels oddly like I’ve gone full circle and it’s very exciting. Like so many people, I never landed on a career where I honestly felt passionate. My professional life has been eclectic for sure, everything from a golf pro to a truck driver to a contractor. Sure I have stories to tell, but the passion & desire were missing. The quest to find the perfect path in my professional life took an unexpected turn in 2014. My wife Joanne received a devasting cancer diagnosis and subsequently passed away at age 42. I was 45 at the time and it certainly knocked me down, both personally and professionally. Life can really kick the crap out of you sometimes, but if you can make it through the storm, things may turn out alright. After navigating that tragic experience, I gained a new perspective and a deep desire to embrace life. I strive to not only find my own happiness but also to share that positivity with others and be a bright spot in their day.
Thankfully in 2016 my friends convinced me to travel to Orlando for a conference and I found two fabulous people to share a new chapter of my life. Rebecca and her 12 year daughter, Abrianna. Music bonds people and our new family was no exception. Once I taught Abrianna some chords on guitar, we were jamming together in no time. While I thought being a rock star was the coolest thing ever, teaching and playing music with my new stepdaughter was amazing and the real deal! Frustrations with learning an instrument were the opposite for Abri, she learned so quickly and carried the show. My ability to help her grow as a musician was limited though, so thankfully a new music school opened in our neighborhood called School of Rock (SOR). “Why wasn’t this around when I was young” is a common question among SOR parents. Rebecca and I were so impressed with the SOR program, we couldn’t believe a group of kids between ages 11 & 17 could perform Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’ in its entirety. The kids were so amazing! Those SOR performances will go down as some of the best shows I have ever seen. Being a part of this supportive community of students and parents inspired us and shaped the next chapter in all our lives.
I’m not meant to be the one at the center of the stage commanding all the attention, but rather the one behind the stage facilitating that for others. Investing in a School of Rock franchise was a perfect fit. From that first Kiss concert to teaching my step-daughter a ‘C’ chord to watching her and her bandmates grow into skilled musicians and incredible young adults, all those experiences carved a path to where my passion was finally within reach…AND I will be joining the adult band so the rock star dream lives on!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Nope, bumpy at best. Coming back from losing my wife was an emotional roller coaster and my toughest challenge. Knowing that you can not fix the situation or save the person you love is a true feeling of helplessness. Any struggles after that have come with possible solutions. The culture shock of moving from the west coast of Canada to live in Florida was an adventure, but leaving the comfort of my friends and family was a challenge that I felt I needed to embrace. I’m sure Joanne would would be proud.
We’ve been impressed with School of Rock Winter Park, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
School of Rock is an after-school music program built around performance and music education. We provide a fun, safe environment where students of all ages can learn and play music together. Students combine a weekly private lesson with a group band rehearsal. The performance group practices songs together as a band preparing for the live show. Students work with their instructors in private lessons to learn the song parts (technique and theory). This patented School of Rock ‘Song First’ method has proven to not only provide better results in terms of improving skills of a chosen instrument, but it is also so much fun to learn while collaborating with others towards achieving a common goal…the big show! Rebecca and I were most impressed by the positivity and encouragement we saw in the students. Each kid found a place where they could be themselves while discovering new abilities, making new friends and gaining confidence in themselves. Watching a nervous 14-year-old perform on a stage in a real venue for the first time, then to grow into a confident musician has been the most gratifying experience not only with our daughter, but all of her bandmates. We are so excited to be able to bring School of Rock to the Winter Park community. There will be programs for all ages and all skill levels. Everyone is welcome to find their inner RockStar!
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t think luck has had a lot to do with my life or business. I have had my share of both good and bad luck and feel they have probably evened out to this point.
Contact Info:
- Website: winterpark.schoolofrock.com
- Instagram: schoolofrockwinterpark
- Facebook: schoolofrockwinterpark
