Business Details
15 Years
experience
Your Trusted Performing Arts School in Ocean Springs
Founded in 2011, Rock U 2 has established itself as a premier destination for music, dance, and acting education along the Gulf Coast. Our performance-based approach emphasizes individualized instruction, small class sizes, and frequent performance opportunities to build confidence and technical skill. With experienced instructors like Summer Baldwin, a New York-trained performer and director of our Dance & Acting Department, and Ryan Raines, a choreographer with extensive regional theater experience, we combine personalized teaching with a structured curriculum. Recognized as one of the Nation's top businesses and honored by the National Small Business Administration, our programs include year-round lessons, summer camps, and recording studio access. We serve students from Pass Christian, MS to Mobile, AL, offering flexible scheduling with in-person and online options while maintaining a commitment to safe, creative, and low-stress learning environments.
Services
Music Lessons
Dance Classes
Acting Workshops
Summer Camps
Recording Studio
Music Store
Guitar Repair
Birthday Parties
Vocal Groups
Private Lessons
Details
- Year established: 2011
Highlights and features
- We offer year-round music and dance programs with small class sizes (max 8-10 students)
- Our instructors include award-winning performers and educators with regional/national experience
- We provide quarterly performance opportunities to build self-confidence and stage presence
- We offer flexible in-person and online lesson options for all skill levels
- Recognized as Mississippi's Small Business Persons of the Year by the National Small Business Administration
Services
Music Lessons
Individualized music instruction for all skill levels. We offer voice, piano, guitar, drums, strings, and brass lessons with experienced educators. Our curriculum combines technical training with student-preferred repertoire to maintain engagement while developing fundamental skills. Lessons available in 30, 45, or 60-minute formats with flexible scheduling options.
Dance Classes
Comprehensive dance education covering ballet, jazz, hip hop, and contemporary styles. Classes emphasize technical development, creative expression, and performance preparation. Our non-competitive program accommodates ages 3 through adult with structured lesson plans focusing on safe movement practices and artistic growth in a supportive environment.
Summer Camps
Immersive summer programs combining music, dance, and acting training with performance preparation. Weekly themes include rock band intensives, musical theater workshops, and creative arts camps. Participants develop technical skills while building confidence through collaborative projects and final showcase performances for family and friends.
Recording Studio
Professional recording services for solo artists and bands. Our studio offers demo production, full album recording, and music video creation. Services include engineering, arranging, producing, and commercial recording with industry-standard equipment and experienced audio professionals supporting both student and community artists.
Birthday Parties
Customizable celebration packages featuring music, dance, or theater themes. Options include instrument exploration sessions, choreography workshops, or theater games parties. Our 1.5-2 hour events provide all necessary materials and professional instruction with flexible scheduling for weekday or weekend bookings.
People
Tim Alamsha
Co-Founder
Co-founder of ROCK U 2 with extensive experience in music education and business development. Recognized with Mississippi's Small Business Persons of the Year award by the National Small Business Administration.
Barbara Alamsha
Co-Founder
Co-founder and administrator of ROCK U 2, managing operations and student services. Active in local education initiatives with over a decade of experience in arts program development.
Summer Baldwin
Director of Dance & Acting
Executive Director of Dance & Acting with a BFA in Theater/Dance. Former New York performer and choreographer with professional experience in theater, aerial dance, and film production.
Ryan Raines
Choreographer
Award-winning choreographer with experience in show choir, theater, and competitive dance. Former director of Downstage Productions Theatre and recognized for innovative choreography in regional productions.
Questions
What performing arts programs do you offer?
We provide music lessons (voice, piano, guitar, drums, strings), dance classes (ballet, jazz, hip hop), acting workshops, summer camps, and recording studio access.
Do you offer lessons for different age groups?
Yes! Programs available for ages 3 through adult, with beginner to advanced levels in all disciplines.
Are online lesson options available?
Yes, we offer virtual music lessons and dance/acting classes through secure online platforms.
What makes your summer camps unique?
Our music and dance summer camps combine technical training with performance preparation in a fun, collaborative environment with professional instructors.
Do you have performance opportunities for students?
Yes! We host quarterly rock concerts, dance showcases, and theater performances to demonstrate student progress and build confidence.
What are your class sizes?
We maintain small class sizes with maximum 8-10 students for personalized attention and safe learning environments.
Reviews (3)
Timothy White
Nov 29, 2021
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This is a great school. The teachers have helped my son develop the technique to realize the potential of his musical talent. I started playing music at approx the same age as he did, and by year 4 of him being enrolled in RU2, his technical ability had far surpassed were I was at that same age.
Laura Cummings
Nov 15, 2020
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Excellent learning facility for adults and children alike. They teach dance, music and performance arts. Private as well as small class lessons are offered and they are affordable too. I'm changing my review to two stars, because I was kicked out for not wearing a mask. Makes have been proven to be useless, and they aren't necessary. I'll never go there again
Marci Lafferty
Feb 25, 2020
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My children both took voice lessons from Rock U 2 for 5 years. They learned so much and had lots of fun. Mrs. Barbara was their voice coach and Mr. Tim was their music producer. These two are both such an inspiration. Their love for music and children is obvious, you can tell their work is not "just a job"- they LOVE what they do and it shows. During the years my two children took lessons, they got to perform at Tom's extreme Pizzaria, The Shed BBQ, The Hard Rock Cafe' and many other places. Mr. Tim professionally recorded multiple songs and produced a music video for each of them that will be a treasure for a lifetime!
Rock U 2 Academy of Popular Music is a great place for kids and even adults to explore their love of music, dance, performing arts, or music production. I highly recommend them to anyone interested in a great place to learn and have fun!
Rock U 2 Academy of Popular Music is a great place for kids and even adults to explore their love of music, dance, performing arts, or music production. I highly recommend them to anyone interested in a great place to learn and have fun!