Famous Rockers Make Surprise Visit in the Hudson Valley

You never know who may pop up in the Hudson Valley. Between celebrity owned businesses, to the cast and crew of various films and TV series being shot around the area, and then of course there are those in the entertainment world that call the Hudson Valley home (current or former).

A lucky group of young rockstars were at their Winter Music Festival recently when some insanely talented musicians were spotted among family and friends in the audience.

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Coheed & Cambria Members Support School of Rock Beacon

We were totally surprised, we had no idea they were coming...

That is what School of Rock Beacon owner Robert Rutigliano shared when discussing some special visitors at the music school's recent winter performance.

Every four months, School of Rock Beacon holds an all day festival where their student performers take the stage. More than 120 students were on the bill for this past weekend's Winter Music Festival, with friends and family, and members of a long-time, locally-rooted band in the crowd?

Turns out Coheed and Cambria's Claudio Sanchez, who was present with fellow band member Travis Stever, have a connection with the parent of a current student at Beacon's School of Rock, and came out to support...and little did they (Coheed) know that one of their songs was actually on the setlist....nor did the students know the band would be part of the crowd.

SEE ALSO: Coheed and Cambria To Play Free Show at Newburgh Brewing, 3/13

'They Couldn't Have Been Nicer' - School of Rock Owner Says About Coheed Members

Rutigliano shared that the vibe changed in the performance space [City Winery], especially when the students who had been planning to perform the Coheed song learned that members of the band were in the room.

Welcome Home, a Coheed and Cambria song was completely randomly on the setlist, so nerves set in. But when the students started playing, Claudio and Travis got so into it, the students were absolutely crushing the song, and it was amazing.

When the set was over, the guys came up to the stage, shook hands with the students and interacted with everyone, it was like a little meet and greet. Rutigliano even met with them himself, sharing they 'couldn't have been more generous, friendly, glad to be there.' He even shared some feedback that he received from the band members.

This is amazing what you guys do with these kids.

Rutigliano reinforced what a wonderful experience this was for the students at the School of Rock, and how you truly couldn't make it up. He shared that the students were so appreciative of the time that Claudio and Travis spent with them, too.

They didn’t HAVE to do anything, they went out of their way to meet everyone, take pictures, encourage the students and just couldn’t be nicer.

School of Rock Beacon

The school itself, which has been helping to create rockstars since just before the pandemic, is a performance based music education program. They offer programs, camps and workshops for all ages, from toddler to kids, teens and adults, and 'make learning to play music fun' while creating a community of musicians.

One of the incredible things about School of Rock is that these students get the opportunity to be on stage at local venues, work with well-known artists and musicians and get that performance experience from the start. To learn more about their programs and performances, click here.