Beat goes on at the School of Rock

Fairfield, Conn. (WTNH) - Ellis Mayo wasn't always bold on the drums. In fact, he wasn't sure about the School of Rock in Fairfield at all when he first got there two years ago.

"He did not want to walk in the door," Ellis' mother Marinella Mayo said. "He was afraid because it was loud and a new environment. Now you can't get us out of here. He loves it. They call him the mayor."

For Ellis, the best part of the School of Rock is "the drums and making friends that like classic rock."

Ellis, 15, has special needs and goes to a special school. But at the School of Rock he's just one of the kids. The kids who rock.

"I play along to some rock and roll DVDs -- The Who, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen," he said.

There are about 60 Schools of Rock across the county. Kids 7 to 17 with all different talent levels spend 12 week sessions learning guitar, vocals, keys, drums. This particular week News 8 visited was summer Beatles camp.

Music Director Frank Perrouna says Ellis shines here. "He demands relationships with people. He approaches people; 'I'm Ellis. What do you do? I play drums.'

"Music is funny like that," Perrouna added. "Music does things that other things can't do."

Ellis' drum instructor is Eric Schnakenberg, who toured with The Platters. He said Ellis is his best student. "I showed Ellis something on Tuesday and he had it down on Wednesday. One day, not even 24 hours."

"His self-esteem has shot up because he plays in concerts and different places," his mother Marinella said.

And because Ellis is always enthusiastic and ready to play he motivates the other kids.

"I think they're cool," Ellis said. "They rock!"

The School of Rock House Band performed this past weekend at the Gathering of the Vibes in Bridgeport, and on August 5th they will perform at Black Bear Saloon in Norwalk as part of a tribute to the 25th Anniversary of Live Aid.