"Launching a biannual drummers showcase might seem a bit unconventional, but it has really become a great way to build a rock performance group from the ground up," Bruce Gallipani explains. "My students have an instant opportunity to learn and play with their peers--budding young guitarists, bassists, and keyboardists. The atmosphere is positive and encouraging. For each showcase, we select a few pieces of both classic and new rock tunes, then study and rehearse them together." Gallipani also enlists the help of other students' music teachers so that everyone is on the same page. In founding Rock it for Kids, Gallipani is excited about creating a community for young musicians to experiment and jam in a moderated setting on a continual basis. He envisions the program soon expanding to a dedicated post-3pm location where kids can plug-in to their music passions together as part of their after-school curricula. The music showcases began a few years back at St. Mary's School in Middletown, New Jersey--conveniently, a township where many ex-New Yorkers have settled. Gallipani's own wife and kids are active in the school community as well, studying dance and music. The proceeds of the shows benefit students involved in the St. Mary's performing arts program through The Steven P. Chucknick Memorial Scholarship Fund, a New Jersey resident who died on September 11, 2001.