Rockit Academy, New Jersey’s #1 Program for Aspiring Young Musicians, to Hold Auditions at Brookdale Community College on January 11

“As arts education continues to disappear from school curriculums, I realize more and more the importance of programs like Rockit,” says Rockit Artist Advisory Board member Maureen
Van Zandt. “My time spent with the Rockit musicians and their amazing staff led by Bruce Gallipani has given me hope that rock music will continue to be respected and cherished, and will live on. They inspire me, astound me, and make me very proud to be involved.”

Says Rockit Artist Advisory Board member and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Steven
Van Zandt, “Having devoted my life to educating kids about rock music, I was thrilled when Maureen introduced me to Rockit. They do a fantastic job, with both passion and expertise.”

Other Rockit Academy students and alumni have continued their careers with television appearances, recordings and performances:

-Current Rockit student Camille De La Cruz starred in Broadway’s School of Rock the Musical and will appear on the upcoming Netflix special Sack Lunch Bunch with John Mulaney.

-Alumna Cari Elise Fletcher, also known as FLETCHER, released several singles this year, with “Undrunk” charting at number 16 on Billboard’s U.S. Pop Top 20 chart.

-Christine Meisenhelter, a member of the Rockit Academy from 2009 to 2015, joined singer Conan Gray for his 2019 national tour. Meisenhelter graduated from the University of Southern California earlier this year with a major in music performance. She is currently on Rockit’s Artist Advisory Board.

Rockit vocalist and alumni Jacquie Lee starred on NBC TV’s The Voice and is currently recording with Atlantic Records. Lee also now serves on Rockit’s Artist Advisory Board.

After 11 years at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ, Rockit has partnered with Brookdale Community College, opening doors for even more opportunity for the Academy and its students.Rockit’s future goals include a capital campaign to refurbish a building on the Brookdale campus and a partnership with Brookdale for college credit.

“We were able to bring two programs together that very much have synergy in our missions,” says Dr. David Stout, President of Brookdale Community College. “Bruce’s staff of talented educators and board members have made the difference in so many lives in helping young people along the path toward making their aspirations a reality. Their dedication, mentorship and community focus complement what we do at Brookdale every day across disciplines.”