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1180 E Riverside Drive, Eagle, ID 83616Monday to Thursday: 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.New bands form every term(208) 555-0113
Overdrive
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Rock school · Eagle, Idaho

A band of your own, and a stage to play it on

Overdrive is a rock school for ages 8 to 18. Every student has a weekly lesson, a weekly rehearsal with a band and a coach, and a show for families at the end of each term.

Try a classSee the weekly schedule
  • Ages 8 to 18
  • Bands of up to six students
  • A show every term
Five teens rehearsing as a band in a garage-style room, with a drum kit, two guitars, a bass and a keyboard, and an adult at the edge of the room

The program

One weekly rhythm: a lesson, a rehearsal, a term

Here is what each plan holds. We go over the figures at your first class.

  • Band program

    Most students start here

    A weekly band rehearsal and a weekly lesson on your instrument, with a show at the end of every term.

    • A 90-minute rehearsal each week with your band and a coach
    • A 30-minute private lesson each week
    • A show for families at the end of the term
    • Earplugs in every rehearsal room
    • A band matched to your age and level
    Term:
    Ten weeks, with the show in week ten
    Cancellation:
    Tell the front desk a month before the term ends to stop at the end of it.
    Refunds:
    What is left of a term in progress is set out in writing when you enroll.
    Try a class

  • Lessons only

    A weekly private lesson on guitar, bass, drums, keys, voice or strings, with no band.

    • A 30-minute or 45-minute lesson each week
    • A teacher matched to your instrument
    • Songs you know, picked with your teacher
    • A spot in the next show if you want one
    Term:
    Ten weeks, starting when a time opens
    Cancellation:
    Tell the front desk a month before the term ends to stop at the end of it.
    Refunds:
    What is left of a term in progress is set out in writing when you enroll.
    Try a class

  • Summer rock week

    Five mornings of band practice that end in a show for families.

    • Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    • Ages 8 to 11, 11 to 14 or 13 to 18
    • A new band on Monday and a show on Friday
    • A coach for every band
    Term:
    One week
    Cancellation:
    Tell the front desk a week before the week begins to move or leave.
    Refunds:
    Set out in writing when you register.
    See the summer weeks

Summer rock weeks

Five mornings, one band, one show

A summer rock week is Monday to Friday. A new band forms on Monday and plays a show for families on Friday.

Summer

Showing 6 of 6

  • Early June

    Week 1: First Band Week

    Ends in a Friday show

    Meet your band on Monday, choose a name, learn three songs you know with a coach and play them for families on Friday.

    • Ages 8 to 11
    • Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    Open
  • Mid June

    Week 2: Garage Band Week

    Ends in a Friday show

    A week of rehearsal for students who have played in a band before. You pick a short set and play it on Friday.

    • Ages 11 to 14
    • Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    Open
  • Late June

    Week 3: Stage Band Week

    Ends in a Friday show

    A longer set, a sound check and a stage. The band plans its own order of songs and plays for families on Friday.

    • Ages 13 to 18
    • Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    Waitlist
  • Early July

    Week 4: First Band Week

    Ends in a Friday show

    Meet your band on Monday, choose a name, learn three songs you know with a coach and play them for families on Friday.

    • Ages 8 to 11
    • Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    Open
  • Mid July

    Week 5: Garage Band Week

    Ends in a Friday show

    A week of rehearsal for students who have played in a band before. You pick a short set and play it on Friday.

    • Ages 11 to 14
    • Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    Open
  • Late July

    Week 6: Stage Band Week

    Ends in a Friday show

    A longer set, a sound check and a stage. The band plans its own order of songs and plays for families on Friday.

    • Ages 13 to 18
    • Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    Open

Sample sessions.

Weeks and ages can change; call the front desk for the latest.

Band levels

Four bands, one path

You play with students your age and at your level. A coach moves a band up when the band is ready, and every student moves at their own pace.

  1. First Band

    Ages 8 to 11
    Skills

    • Keep a steady beat with a drummer and a bass

    • Play one part of a song all the way through

    • Start and stop together by listening

    • Plug in, tune up and put in earplugs

    Moving up

    Your coach tells you and your parents when the band is ready for the next level.

  2. Garage Band

    Ages 11 to 14
    Skills

    • Learn songs by ear and from simple charts

    • Take a turn on a verse or a solo

    • Choose a short set as a band

    • Play for a room of families

    Moving up

    Your coach tells you and your parents when the band is ready for the next level.

  3. Stage Band

    Ages 13 to 18
    Skills

    • Play a full set with changes between songs

    • Write or arrange a part for your band

    • Lead a rehearsal for one song

    • Share a stage with other bands

    Moving up

    Your coach tells you and your parents when the band is ready for the next level.

  4. House Band

    Ages 15 to 18
    Skills

    • Open the show for the younger bands

    • Play a longer set with a sound check

    • Help a coach set up the stage

    • Write songs with the band

    Moving up

    Your coach tells you and your parents when the band is ready for the next level.

Where to startFind your band

Sample levels.

Levels describe who you play with. They are not grades.

Weekly schedule

Rehearsals and lessons by day

Every band rehearses for 90 minutes once a week, and lessons run 30 or 45 minutes. Pick a level to narrow the week.

Fall term

Showing 19 of 19

Monday

  • 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

    First Band rehearsal

    Merrick Howze · Rehearsal room A

    Ages 8 to 11First BandOpenTry a class

  • 5:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.

    Garage Band rehearsal

    Margo Dobson · Rehearsal room A

    Ages 11 to 14Garage BandWaitlistTry a class

  • 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

    Stage Band rehearsal

    Harlan Nunn · Rehearsal room A

    Ages 13 to 18Stage BandOpenTry a class

  • 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

    Voice and guitar lessons

    Margo Dobson · Lesson room 1

    Ages 8 to 18All levelsOpenTry a class

Tuesday

  • 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

    First Band rehearsal

    Isabela Melgar · Rehearsal room B

    Ages 8 to 11First BandOpenTry a class

  • 5:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.

    Garage Band rehearsal

    Ansel Tilton · Rehearsal room B

    Ages 11 to 14Garage BandOpenTry a class

  • 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

    House Band rehearsal

    Margo Dobson · Rehearsal room A

    Ages 15 to 18House BandOpenTry a class

  • 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

    Keys, piano and theory lessons

    Haruka Konishi · Lesson room 2

    Ages 8 to 18All levelsOpenTry a class

Wednesday

  • 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

    First Band rehearsal

    Merrick Howze · Rehearsal room A

    Ages 8 to 11First BandFull

  • 5:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.

    Garage Band rehearsal

    Poonam Mahajan · Rehearsal room A

    Ages 11 to 14Garage BandOpenTry a class

  • 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

    Stage Band rehearsal

    Harlan Nunn · Rehearsal room B

    Ages 13 to 18Stage BandOpenTry a class

  • 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

    Drums and percussion lessons

    Harlan Nunn · Drum room

    Ages 8 to 18All levelsOpenTry a class

Thursday

  • 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

    First Band rehearsal

    Isabela Melgar · Rehearsal room B

    Ages 8 to 11First BandOpenTry a class

  • 5:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.

    Stage Band rehearsal

    Ansel Tilton · Rehearsal room B

    Ages 13 to 18Stage BandOpenTry a class

  • 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

    House Band rehearsal

    Margo Dobson · Rehearsal room A

    Ages 15 to 18House BandWaitlistTry a class

  • 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

    Voice, flute and strings lessons

    Poonam Mahajan · Lesson room 1

    Ages 8 to 18All levelsOpenTry a class

Saturday

  • 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

    First Band rehearsal

    Merrick Howze · Rehearsal room A

    Ages 8 to 11First BandOpenTry a class

  • 11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

    Garage Band rehearsal

    Margo Dobson · Rehearsal room A

    Ages 11 to 14Garage BandOpenTry a class

  • 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

    Lessons on any instrument

    Stanford Bagby · Lesson room 2

    Ages 8 to 18All levelsOpenTry a class

Sample classes.

Times change by term. Try a class to see where a band would fit.

Summer coupons

Coupons for the summer weeks

Show a coupon at the front desk, or mention it when you save a spot.

  • Sample coupon for a summer rock week for ages 8 to 14
    Weeks 1, 2, 4 and 5 Summer rock week, ages 8 to 14 For a student's first rock week this summer. Terms are printed on the coupon.
  • Sample coupon for a summer rock week for ages 13 to 18
    Weeks 3 and 6 Summer rock week, ages 13 to 18 For a teen's first rock week this summer. Terms are printed on the coupon.

Sample offers.

Show nights

Three show nights a year, and summer Fridays

Every term ends with a show for families. Bands play a short set each, and the House Bands close the night.

This season

  • Fall term begins

    Early September · New bands form in the first two weeks.

  • Fall show night

    Mid November · Every band plays a short set for families.

  • Closed for Thanksgiving week

    Late November

  • Winter break

    Late December · Rehearsals start again in the first week of January.

  • Winter term begins

    Early January

  • Winter show night

    Mid March · Stage Bands and House Bands play longer sets.

  • Open rehearsal night

    April · Families sit in on a rehearsal and meet the coaches.

  • Spring show night

    Late May · The last night of the year, with every level on stage.

  • Summer rock weeks

    June and July · A show for families every Friday.

Sample dates.

Months can shift a little from term to term.

Coaches and teachers

Meet some of the eight teachers

Each band has a coach, and each student has a teacher for their instrument. Many of them are the same person.

All the teachers
  • Margo Dobson, director, holding an acoustic guitar in a practice room

    Margo Dobson

    Director, voice and guitar

    Margo runs Overdrive and coaches the House Bands. She teaches voice and guitar to every level and plays rock, blues and pop.

  • Merrick Howze, teacher of ukulele and guitar, holding a ukulele in a bright room

    Merrick Howze

    Ukulele, guitar and first bands

    Merrick coaches the First Bands and teaches ukulele and guitar to students just starting out. He starts every rehearsal by getting the band to listen.

  • Isabela Melgar, keys and songwriting teacher, seated at an upright piano

    Isabela Melgar

    Keys and songwriting

    Isabela teaches keys and helps bands write their own parts and short songs. She coaches the First Bands and Garage Bands on keyboard.

  • Stanford Bagby, violin teacher, standing with a violin in a sunny studio

    Stanford Bagby

    Violin and strings

    Stanford teaches violin and other strings, and writes string parts for bands that want them. He works with students who read music and with those who play by ear.

From families

What families say

“Thursday is the night everyone in our house looks forward to. The coach waits with her band until every parent has pulled up.”

Darby L.Parent of an eleven-year-old

“The show night was loud and a little messy and everyone in the room was smiling. We sat near the back and it was easy to find parking.”

Reva H.Parent of a fourteen-year-old

“I did not know how a band rehearsal worked. The front desk walked me through the schedule and what to bring.”

Neva P.Parent of a nine-year-old

Sample reviews.

Come and see a rehearsal

Try a class and see which band would fit. We will match you to a level and a teacher.

Try a classCall the desk