On Saturday, June 29 from 3 to 10 pm, around a hundred of Tuck’s Rock Dojo students, 
current and alumni (some flying in from all over the country), will be performing their music to celebrate the Dojo’s 15th anniversary on two stages at the Lake Morey Resort. Admission is free to all, and families are welcome. The lakeside resort will offer concertgoers a large variety of food and beverage options to purchase, similar to their free Summer Concert Series.

Tuck’s is partnering with the Vermont nonprofit Catamount Arts to produce the live music extravaganza, which will draw multiple talented musicians to one venue, including such well-known alumni as Hans Williams, Brooks Hubbard, Grace Tecca, and Spencer Bladyka. Some alumni will be performing with their currently touring bands, including Shy Husky, Rugby, Rivalry, Nautilus, and Fleeting Colours. The Dojo All Stars Band, a 25-member alumni band, will be performing, as well as current student bands Do Not Microwave, Last Jet, Inner Mission, Ragged, Black Magic, and Mini Pentrix.

Tuck Stocking, with the organizational and artistic help of his partner Kata Sasvari, came up with the idea to have the Music Fest after seeing how inspired alumni were to play together at their holiday jam parties. “The students were so happy to see each other again,” Kata says. “We realized that these events were too small, so that started the idea to create a bigger event.”

Another inspiration to gather current and former students together came with an invitation from famous Dojo alumnus and Grammy nominee Noah Kahan. He asked young Dojo musicians to open for him at his September 2023 concert at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion. “We brought 11 kids to play for 10,000 people!” says Kata. “If our community meant so much to our alumni, then we realized there’s something there that we wanted to address.” 

Tuck started his rock music school after attending Berklee School of Music, touring himself as a professional musician, and teaching guitar lessons to young students on the side. His students expressed an interest in playing in bands themselves, but they struggled to find other like-minded musicians. “I had been daydreaming about doing a school where people could come together, learn music through playing it with others, perform music out in the world, and then also record their inspirations,” says Tuck in a documentary film by Nico Lapitino.

Hanover High student guitarist and vocalist Tessa Cullen, class of 2024, says, “I definitely wouldn’t be as passionate about music without Tuck. He’s been one of the big reasons that I’ve stuck through moments where I’ve been unsure or frustrated. He’s a very calming presence and very motivating. Tuck and Kata are just great people, and Tuck is such a great teacher. He does it effortlessly.”

Tuck’s Rock Dojo and recording studio is located in Etna, New Hampshire. The school offers private lessons in guitar (including other forms such as banjo and bass), drums, and keyboards to both young people (ages 10 to 18) and adults. The band program matches students of similar musical interests, age, and experience to practice together for six-week sessions. The bands then perform at venues around the Upper Valley, but for most, the summer music fest will be the biggest event yet.

Eighth-grade drummer Jacob Vahey, who has been in the band program for the past five years and played at the Noah Kahan concert, says, “I think it’s amazing that Kata and Tuck organized this event to celebrate the Dojo’s 15th birthday. I love being around other musicians and playing music altogether. I’m so excited to rock out at this festival!” t

Tuck’s Rock Dojo

3 School House Lane
Etna, NH

(603) 667-0691