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Rockschool Stories
14 March, 2025
Lola’s Rockschool Story: A Multi-Instrumentalist on the Rise
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A Music Star in the Making
From an early age, Lola’s love for music was undeniable. Now, at just 10 years old and living in Spain, her passion for multiple instruments and relentless drive to improve have set her apart. She is also the Spanish national U10 Alpine Skiing champion, securing 17 podiums in 19 competitions across various regions in 2023-2024.
In music, she has studied and taken Rockschool Electric Guitar and Bass exams up to Grade 7, showcasing her incredible dedication. Her journey is a testament to hard work, family support, and the transformative power of music education in nurturing young talent.
Residing in Spain? Make sure you discover what RSL Awards has to offer in your country!
The Beginning of a Musical Journey
At just six years old, Lola was already captivated by the world of pop and rock music, thanks to the influence of her father. His passion for bands like Coldplay, Queen, and The Beatles inspired her to take her first steps into music, starting with the piano. Over time, her taste evolved, and her love for music deepened – her current favourite band, Black Sabbath, ignited her enthusiasm for metal and expanded her appreciation for the genre.
As a multi-instrumentalist, Lola draws inspiration from some of rock and metal’s greatest names, including Slash (Guns N’ Roses), Paul McCartney (The Beatles), and Joey Jordison (Slipknot). While she may not come from a traditionally musical family, her father’s lifelong love for rock has fostered an environment where music is celebrated. Together, they attend concerts, sing, and even create videos imitating their favourite bands.
Music has had a profound impact on Lola’s confidence and outlook on life. Her parents have seen a transformation in her approach to challenges, developing skills in independent learning, logical thinking, and self-discipline. Performing has become one of her greatest joys, and her enthusiasm for every opportunity on stage continues to grow.
Lola’s Rockschool Journey
Lola’s experience with Rockschool began in September 2023 when she took up learning guitar with the help of our Electric Guitar syllabus, achieving an incredible milestone by passing her Grade 6 exam in just six months. Not stopping there, in September 2024, she embarked on a new challenge, the Rockschool Bass syllabus, and once again, she passed Grade 6 in record time.
Learn to play Guitar with Rockschool
With an impressive 12 Rockschool exams completed in just 12 months, Lola has fully embraced the flexibility and structure of the syllabus. She particularly enjoys the variety of song choices and the dynamic backing tracks that bring the music to life. Her parents appreciate how Rockschool allows for personalisation, stating:
“For the solo part of most songs, you can improvise with the scales and arpeggios you have learned. This allows you to blend your personal style with the classic original, which greatly improves students’ interest in learning.”
A Look Inside Lola’s Practice Routine
Preparing for exams is a crucial time for any student, and with three instruments under her belt, Lola has developed a structured approach to her practice. Each day, she focuses on two instruments, beginning with technical exercises before moving on to performance-based practice. When working on difficult sections, she uses a metronome, gradually increasing the tempo until she can confidently play the full piece to a backing track.
Quick-fire Q&A with Lola
RSL: What’s the hardest song you’ve learned so far?
Lola: “Probably ‘2 Minutes to Midnight’ by Iron Maiden from Grade 7 Electric Guitar – the tempo changes are really fast!”
RSL: What is your favourite Rockschool piece?
Lola: “I love ‘Shadow Realm’ from Grade 6 Electric Guitar and Bass. The riffs and heavy distortion make it really powerful. I even chose it for both my Electric Guitar and Bass Grade 6 exams.”
RSL: How did it feel when you found out you passed your Grade 6 Electric Guitar exam?
Lola: “I still remember the day I got my result – —I had just finished skiing training in Andorra. When I saw that I passed with Merit, I was so happy! I couldn’t wait to start Grade 7 because I had already chosen the songs I wanted to learn.”
Balancing Music, School, and More
With such a busy schedule, including school, multiple instruments, and ski training, many people may wonder: How does she manage it all? The answer? Time planning.
Lola’s parents have helped her structure her time effectively, ensuring she balances schoolwork, music practice, and extracurricular activities. Prioritising tasks and maintaining a well-rounded schedule has been key to her success.
What’s Next?
Lola’s musical journey is far from over. Next on her agenda is taking on the Rockschool Music Production grades, where she will learn to create her own original music using the instruments she has mastered.
For parents wondering how to encourage their children in music, Lola’s parents said:
“Parents should respect their child’s passion for music, support them in learning what they love, and integrate music into their daily lives. The most important thing is passion.”
Lola’s father sums it up best:
“Let the whole world fall in love with you, and let more people be exposed to music and fall in love with music!”
Lola’s story is just beginning, and we can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next.
If you have your own Rockschool Story to tell, get in touch with us at marketing@rslawards.com!
