3 O'Clock Rock is an Oakland-based rock-and-roll program offering summer camps for kids ages 7-17 in which students form bands, write and play their own music (guitar, bass, keys, drums, vocals), record, and create album artwork, rotating daily among songwriting, instruments, and art stations. Camps run at multiple East Bay locations (El Cerrito, Alameda, Berkeley, Oakland, Piedmont), with scholarships available through a nonprofit partner.
The practical details
We list only what the camp itself publishes, and programs change — dates, prices, ages and availability can all move after we check. Confirm the details on the camp’s own website and contact 3 O'Clock Rock directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
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★★★★★John CalmeyerWe've had an amazing experience. The staff is so warm ad welcoming and flexible and attendant to our kids' actual interests and abilities. They helped them engage with the joy of making music, the joy of making music together, the ability to really put yourself into the music. Music as a beautiful joyful creative act in addition to the more technical side of music education. Hearing the song that Gabe helped my kids write about Todd the Evil Cat was about all I could have hoped for from a music class. :)
★★★★★Melanie Elms3 o'clock Rock, it's director, Billy, and the teachers are absolutely phenomenal! Billy is made of gold and the teachers are extremely talented, musicians and kind people. I have only good things to say about this program and I'm so grateful to have had it be part of my family for the past 5 years. The summer tours are an absolute blast and an incredible opportunity to learn more about music and the culture of wherever the tour happens. 3 o'clock Rock is a fabulous program that deeply values kids, their love for playing music and their imaginations and it pushes them to rise to the occasion of performing and sharing their musical creations with the world. In short, any kid that gets to learn and make music at 3:00 Rock is extremely lucky!
★★★★★Hannah McFaullWe can’t speak highly enough about 3 O’Clock Rock in our family. We started off in the afterschool program and both kids were instantly hooked. Carver and Axell are so supportive of the kids enthusiasm - their songwriting, playing and performing have grown in leaps and bounds. One kiddo started private guitar lessons with Spencer, and the other has drum lessons with Brendan. They both look forward to their time in the studio each week, and leave their classes absolutely buzzing. We have no plans of leaving and are already looking forward to the kids joining in the showcases and tours! We would happily recommend 3 O’Clock Rock to anyone looking for a music program that really centers what the kids are interested in, supports their curiosity around playing and performing, and has a real love of music at its core
★★★★★Benedicte Lassalle3 O'Clock Rock in Oakland is truly the absolute best rock school in the Bay Area, providing an unparalleled creative community where kids transform into confident musicians and rockstars on real stages, easily deserving five stars! This success is largely driven by their phenomenal instructors, especially Spencer (Rock Band Teacher), who is exceptional at harnessing the chaos of a rehearsal room and turning it into cohesive, energetic music while teaching crucial teamwork and stage presence; and Dylan (Guitar Teacher), a deeply knowledgeable and inspiring musician who patiently tailors lessons to the student's interests, making advanced techniques accessible and building a rock-solid foundation for every aspiring shredder. The entire program, from the supportive atmosphere to the opportunity for students to perform at local venues, is top-notch and a must for any child interested in music.
★★★★★Tova Rabinowitz DeerWe love 3 O'Clock Rock! They worked with both our kids to foster a love of music and creative expression. We regularly recommend their program to anyone who will listen.