More Than Music: School of Rock Students Find Confidence, Community, and Connection at ACL 2026

For many young musicians, performing at a major music festival is something they only dream about. But for two School of Rock students, Zara and Nava, that dream became a reality when they took the stage at the 2026 Austin City Limits Music Festival.

As part of AWRCL Media's coverage of ACL Weekend Two and World Mental Health Day, I had the opportunity to sit down with these talented young performers and School of Rock owner Jennifer Moriarty to discuss their experiences, the importance of music education, and the powerful role that music plays in building confidence, creating community, and supporting mental well-being.

What started as a conversation about performing onstage quickly became something much more meaningful.

It became a conversation about belonging, believing in yourself, and discovering that music can provide a safe space to grow.

Young Musicians, Big Dreams

For Zara and Nava, performing at ACL was more than another opportunity to play music. It was a milestone that reflected their growth as young artists.

During our interview, the students described the excitement and disbelief of being given such an opportunity.

One of the young musicians shared how surreal it felt to go from being a student who was still developing confidence to performing at a festival of this magnitude.

And although excitement was certainly part of the experience, so were the nerves.

That is something I found particularly inspiring.

As someone who grew up loving music and once dreamed of becoming a singer myself, I understand how intimidating performing can feel, especially when you're still figuring out who you are.

Yet here were two young musicians, one of whom shared that they were only in seventh grade, already stepping onto a major festival stage.

One student discussed singing, while the other shared their experience playing drums.

Their enthusiasm was impossible to miss.

But what impressed me most wasn't simply their musical talent. It was the confidence they were developing and the support they had found along the way.

Finding Belonging Through Music

When I asked the students about having other young musicians around them, their answers highlighted something that often gets overlooked in conversations about music education.

Music isn't just about learning how to sing or play an instrument.

Sometimes, it's about finding your people.

One student explained that being around fellow musicians serves as a confidence booster and creates a welcoming environment where students feel accepted and encouraged.

That sense of belonging matters, especially during adolescence, when young people are navigating friendships, self-esteem, social expectations, and the pressure to fit in.

For Zara and Nava, School of Rock has provided an environment where encouragement comes not only from instructors but also from other students sharing similar experiences.

And that kind of support extends well beyond the rehearsal room.

It helps young musicians discover that they don't have to face every challenge alone.

World Mental Health Day: The Power of Being Yourself

Because our interview took place on October 10, World Mental Health Day, I wanted to ask the students something that aligned with the mission behind AWRCL Media.

What would they tell another young person who might be struggling with anxiety, confidence, or feeling like they don't belong?

Their responses were simple, encouraging, and meaningful.

One student emphasized the importance of being yourself and trusting that the right people will accept you for who you are.

The conversation also touched on playing the music you love, recognizing your own abilities, and understanding that giving your best effort matters.

These may sound like simple messages, but they are powerful reminders for young people who often feel pressured to be perfect.

Through music, students are learning that self-expression doesn't require perfection.

It requires the courage to participate, grow, and keep trying.

And sometimes, the confidence to step onto a stage can become the confidence to face challenges in everyday life.

A School Built on More Than Music Lessons

For Jennifer Moriarty, the impact of School of Rock is deeply personal.

Her journey with the organization began not as a business owner, but as a parent.

Her son was a guitar student at School of Rock, and when the family prepared to move across the country, he had one important request: their new home needed to be within driving distance of another School of Rock location.

That request made Moriarty realize just how much the program meant to him.

It wasn't simply a place to take guitar lessons.

It was his community.

It was an outlet.

And it was a place where he felt connected.

Moriarty eventually became a School of Rock owner in 2017, turning her personal appreciation for the program into what she described as a passion project.

Nearly a decade later, she continues to recognize the importance of building a supportive environment for young musicians.

During our conversation, she credited the school's dedicated instructors for helping make that possible.

Their encouragement, talent, and positive influence play an essential role in helping students develop as musicians and individuals.

And seeing young people like Zara and Nava take their talents to a stage at ACL is an example of what can happen when opportunity meets encouragement.

Music as an Outlet for Mental Health

One of the most meaningful moments of our conversation came when Moriarty discussed music's relationship with mental health.

She emphasized that students don't have to be the most talented or experienced musicians to benefit from participating.

Her message was that music should be accessible to everyone.

Whether someone enjoys singer-songwriter music, punk, metal, or another genre entirely, finding music that resonates with them can provide a powerful form of expression.

Moriarty discussed how different musical styles can offer different emotional outlets.

For some, music provides comfort and reflection.

For others, more aggressive and energetic styles can offer a physical and emotional release.

That perspective resonated with me personally.

As a military veteran, mental health advocate, and someone who later pursued songwriting and music production, I have experienced how meaningful creative expression can become when words alone don't seem sufficient.

Music allows us to communicate emotions that aren't always easy to explain.

It can create connections between people who might otherwise feel isolated.

And it can remind us that our experiences and emotions deserve to be expressed.

Music is not a replacement for professional mental health care, but it can be an important part of emotional expression, connection, and personal well-being.

That distinction matters, especially as we continue conversations about mental health among younger generations.

Breaking Stereotypes, One Drumbeat at a Time

Another memorable part of our discussion focused on challenging stereotypes in music.

Moriarty spoke about encouraging more women and girls to take up instruments traditionally associated with male musicians, particularly the drums.

As someone who recently experienced the freedom and excitement of taking drum lessons, I couldn't agree more.

We shared a laugh about the empowerment that comes from sitting behind a drum kit and discovering just how expressive the instrument can be.

Moriarty has seen talented musicians of different genders challenge expectations through the School of Rock program.

Her enthusiasm for encouraging mothers and women to try drumming was contagious.

It was a reminder that music doesn't have an age limit, and it certainly shouldn't have gender restrictions.

Whether you're a seventh grader performing at ACL or an adult discovering an instrument for the first time, the opportunity to make music belongs to everyone.

Looking Toward the Future

When I asked Moriarty what she hoped to see for School of Rock in the coming years, her focus was on continued growth and expanding opportunities for students.

She expressed enthusiasm about the program reaching more communities and giving more young people access to its performance-based education.

And, naturally, I couldn't resist asking whether she might consider bringing a School of Rock location closer to Killeen, Belton, or Temple, Texas.

We laughed about the possibility, but the underlying message was sincere.

Programs that combine music education, mentorship, community, and confidence-building can have a meaningful impact on young people.

The more communities that can access those opportunities, the better.

The Bigger Story Behind the Music

Covering Austin City Limits as a media company with a specific focus on mental health has given me the opportunity to have conversations that extend far beyond the music itself.

My interview with Jennifer Moriarty, Zara, and Nava was one of those experiences.

It reminded me that we don't always have to look to established artists or major headliners to find meaningful stories.

Sometimes, the most inspiring voices belong to young people who are just beginning to discover their own.

Watching students develop the courage to perform, the confidence to express themselves, and the ability to support their peers is a reminder of why creative programs matter.

They aren't simply teaching young people how to become better musicians.

They're giving them opportunities to become more confident individuals.

And for those who may be struggling to find their place, that sense of belonging can make a real difference.

As we continue recognizing the importance of mental health awareness, especially among young people, stories like these deserve attention.

Because sometimes, music is more than a performance.

Sometimes, it's where confidence begins.

Sometimes, it's where friendships form.

And sometimes, it's where a young person discovers that their voice matters.

That is a story worth sharing.