Van Halen's 'Hot For Teacher' song asked you to 'think about all the education that you've missed and you'll discover your homework was never quite like this'.
So, 'if you've got it bad so bad that you're hot for teacher', it might be time to enrol at the Australian Rock & Metal Institute (ARMI), a one-of-a-kind music school training the rock and metal gods of tomorrow.
ARMI is run by owner/ directors Christian and Connie Broome, who work directly with students to engage their potential and provide avenues of opportunity. “Our big goal was to open the windows of opportunity for people like never before in the music industry,” Christian explains.
“So we wanted to provide a platform to deliver that product. We knew we were onto a bit of a winner because we knew it hadn't been done before; being Australia's first and only heavy metal music school, we were very honoured and humbled to be able to be in the position we are.”
Connie adds: “Being Australia's first of its kind is obviously very special, but having said that it's not all we do; we teach everything from classical all the way up to the heavy stuff. But being Australia's first heavy-metal-specialised facility is certainly our point of difference… we pride ourselves in being an evolution in music education."
Backed by a teaching staff of experienced and dedicated music professionals, ARMI offers a wide range of educational services, including masterclasses with guitar legends like Paul Gilbert, Joe Satriani and Yngwie J. Malsteem, as well as Australia's first and only heavy metal, vocal-coaching programme. “Mitch [Brackman], our vocal trainer, he's something so unique and special,” Christian says.
“He can go from singing or teaching Michael Buble and Mariah Carey and then smash out Fleshgod Apocalypse or Cannibal Corpse, something like that.
“We have the instruments and Australia's first heavy metal vocal training but we also do a lot of music industry mentoring, band management, we do talks and masterclasses with not only well-known Australian artists but international artists as well,” Christian continues.
Since its establishment in 2012, ARMI has become an educational haven for a wide demographic of students wishing to pursue their musical aspirations, regardless of age, sex or genre. “We've got a very strong youth focus as you can imagine,” Christian says, “a lot of the young, hardcore kids and metal kids coming in.
“Our youngest is probably 7 and the oldest being mid-60s; even the old guys we get them up on the stage at our concerts rocking out to The Rolling Stones, smashing out metal versions of 'Jumpin' Jack Flash',” he laughs.
“An older woman who comes in, for example, she wants to learn Dio and she's in her late 50s and in there smashing out 'Man On The Silver Mountain'; it's pretty crazy.”
After a strong year of growth in 2015, Christian and Connie are looking forward to an even better year ahead, promising more concerts and masterclasses; even a few surprises they're keeping under their hats. “We do have a couple of things in the pipeline but I can't divulge them at this point,” Christian teases.“It will be very exciting for Australia, though. "We're aiming to have several masterclasses this year as well as the concerts we do; you'll definitely be seeing more this year, it's a big year we've got planned ahead.”
Australian Rock & Metal Institute is located at Level 1/98 Gawler Place, Adelaide.
