• Players in grades 6-12 are matched according to age, skill level, and genre preference.
• Current and ongoing private lessons are highly encouraged.
• For your audition video, play any cover or original song (with an instrument and singing, or with a backing track).
• Show if you can improvise over a 12-bar blues pattern/backing tracks, demonstrate chord changes, varying rhythm patterns, scales, rudiments, and/or vocal range.
• Lead players should submit two videos, one playing rhythm and one playing lead.
Assessment for All Star Band placement
Submit a video or schedule an in-person audition to be placed in an All Star band this fall.
A comprehensive 9-month performance and education curriculum!
There are multiple bands within the All Star Band program.
• Weekly Saturday rehearsals, with guided instruction by inspirational teachers
• Using rock music as a platform, students strengthen technique, ensemble playing, performance, improvisation, music theory, and songwriting.
• Guitar, keys, drums, bass, vocals, horns
• 9/13/25 – 5/10/25. Winter Break TBD, either 12/15/25 or 12/22/25 – 1/9/26. (Dates 95% confirmed, very close to that anyway).
• Rock covers, songwriting, recording projects
• Performances at venues like Bottom of the Hill and Thrive City
• Tuition – $925 per semester
• Program commitment is two semesters
• Partial scholarships may be available
Some say “it’s only rock and roll,” but at Blue Bear we see teamwork, commitment, growth, courage, responsibility, stage professionalism, and most important, fun!
Students learn what it actually takes to turn individual assignments into a piece of artistic expression. During this process, they learn about their own instrument and craft, yet also learn to listen to what other students are playing. Developing this art of conversation with one’s band mates is one of the most important processes in the program, and an important one for future success anywhere outside the bandstand.
When we started the All Star Band program, we intended to create a place for community and skill building along with a fun platform to rock out. We wanted to give young rockers the best atmosphere for learning and to give them the opportunity to perform in real, professional venues for their performances. We’ve managed just a little bit more than that – we’ve created a collective of dedicated young players willing to learn and develop the traits for success, on and off the stage.
Testimonials
“For the past four years, my daughter has taken private lessons, songwriting workshops, and been in several bands at Blue Bear. If she could be there every day, all day, she absolutely would. She has grown tremendously as a musician and, more significantly, as a person. The teachers are inspiring and create a supportive and welcoming atmosphere that is rarely seen.”
“The Blue Bear All Star Band has been a gamechanger for my teen. As an All Star Band member, my son has learned how to put in the hard work of practice and performance. He has gotten up early to haul gear and assemble drum kits and teach kids during summer. He has experienced grind. But he’s also felt powerful reward. Alongside teachers with intense passion and grit, he has written and performed original songs and shared the stage with Grammy-winning artists. He has performed in storied clubs all over this beautiful city. Only Blue Bear has the history, reach, and reputation to make this happen for the kids of San Francisco.”
“My daughter participated in a summer camp when she was 11. She’s been rocking in the All Star Band program ever since. Under the incredibly talented Spencer’s coaching, Katie has evolved from shy back-up to bold lead singer. The confidence she’s gained from numerous professional-grade stage performances has translated into all areas of her development as she prepares to go off to college, guitars in tow. Blue Bear has shaped her forever identity as a musician and provided a sense of support and belonging through her adolescence. We feel lucky to have access to such a unique place and program and have had so much fun as a family going to all the gigs around San Francisco.”
“My son was worried he didn’t know what it was like to play in a band and now I can’t imagine him not being in a band. He’s learned how to hear instruments, how to improvise, how to play with others, how to have fun and express his love for music with others. Their first concert compared to their last concert shows this growth.”
“They’ve been teaching kids to rock since 1971! I love Blue Bear…the original school of rock!!!“
Jack Black (actor, rocker, video game enthusiast), who recorded David Bowie’s “Suffragette City” backed by Blue Bear All Star band members.
