For a group of students in this semester’s Rock Band class at Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC), retirement isn’t about slowing down – it’s about turning up the volume.
Led by instructor Bradford Knights, the long-running class took on a unique dynamic this semester when several senior citizen students were placed together in the same band. The result has been something special: a group of musicians embracing a new chapter in life.
Retired teacher Kathy Schene, who plays keyboard and piano in the band, suggests, “When you retire, join a rock band.”
Schene is one of the veterans of the class, having taken it multiple semesters. She shared that music has always been a part of her life, having grown up playing the accordion. She began studying piano at PVCC nearly a decade ago and also plays in her church band.
“I love playing these gigs. The experience of going out there and performing in front of a crowd is one of a kind. We play a lot of different genres, as well as our own songs, and I’ve met a lot of nice people along the way,” Schene said.
According to Knights, Schene has a strong work ethic. “She does a lot of work outside the classroom and consistently comes prepared,” he said.
Those interested in the Rock Band class do not need to know how to read music; they only need to know how to play an instrument and have the willingness to work together. The class gives students the chance to experience something many musicians never do, learning how to play with others instead of practicing alone. Students learn the skills that make a group successful – cooperation, collaboration, compromise, and cohesion. The mix of skill levels creates an environment where students naturally mentor one another.
“I always find that the more seasoned players are very helpful to the newer ones, and the newer ones really improve over the semester,” Knights said.
The decision to group several senior students together this semester was intentional. PVCC Music Director Dr. Chris Scinto recognized that many of the students shared similar musical influences and thought they might naturally connect as bandmates. This approach has helped create a strong sense of camaraderie among the group.
Guitarist Michael Bodeen says the supportive atmosphere is one of the class’s biggest strengths. “We are having a grand time,” Bodeen said. “We all click together and it feels like home to me. We are all very supportive of one another.”
This is the first time Bodeen has played with anyone else, saying the experience has “expanded his musical world.”
“Since I was a child, I’ve always toyed around with songwriting, but connecting with PVCC’s music faculty has helped take my music to a new level,” he said.
Elizabeth Millard, another member of the band, sings and plays acoustic guitar. Now in her fourth semester at PVCC, Millard discovered the college’s music program after her coach at Guitar Center suggested she explore it. “I've just learned and grown so much,” she said.
While the band is largely made up of seniors, it also includes Lincoln Webster, a younger student working toward a degree in popular music who plays electric guitar and bass. The mix of generations has become one of the group’s strengths.
“I think it's a great thing being in a band with older people because a lot of the time they are more experienced and I get to learn from them and grow as a musician,” Webster said.
“Lincoln brings an energy that complements the group well,” said Knights. “I really like the dynamic of having Lincoln in the band too because he provides a youthful spark that older people need.”
At PVCC, opportunities like the Rock Band class are part of a broader commitment to music education. The PVCC Music Program offers students a dynamic and supportive environment to develop their musical talents while preparing for transfer or careers in the music industry. Students can study performance, theory, composition, music technology, and popular music production while working with experienced faculty who are active professionals in the field.
The program features a variety of ensembles including choir, bands, and chamber groups, along with recording and production facilities that provide real-world experience through performances, collaborations, and hands-on learning. To learn more about the program, visit the website.