A BUSINESSMAN who swapped his job in the city to run a rock school is hoping to encourage young people away from electronic screens this year to make music together.

Harmeet Nandra launched The Rock Project Berkshire three years ago and now has 18 schools running in various areas, including Basingstoke and Tadley, with the aim of empowering members to learn music and perform together in a fun environment that encourages creativity.

Harmeet is now aiming to open his 20th school in 2018 - a goal he set himself to achieve within five years of setting up the project.

But the 43-year-old father-of-two said his main focus has always been about giving something back to the communities he operates in, by making the sessions inclusive for everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.

He said: “We have children from private schools, grammar schools and public schools and The Rock Project is a place where they all come together and there’s no divide. Music brings them together.”

The two-hour weekly sessions focus on learning popular songs, from Michael Jackson to Bruno Mars, on either the guitar, drums, keyboard or bass, with tutorial time given by professional musicians, who have all been recruited locally.

Members then join together at the end of the class to play together live, working towards performing on stage in a show-stopping concert in front of family and friends in the summer.

Harmeet worked in the city as a director of a research company, but always had a passion for music and wanted to give something back.

He found out about the franchise through a friend and took the decision to quit his job, before recruiting the help of his brother-in-law, who has a musical background as a drummer and sound engineer.

The pair launched their first schools in September 2015 and now accommodate 600 members.

Harmeet added: “Children come to us who have tried the flute or the violin at school and haven’t got on, and they really engage with us. Sometimes they come in and can’t look you in the eyes and are really nervous and by the end they are standing up performing. That gives you a huge sense of fulfilment.”

Classes run for all ages, and are split into pre-teens, teens and adults.

Harmeet is now looking to pass on his knowledge by training some of his music tutors to open their own Rock Project schools.

He said the best part of his job is hearing positive feedback from members. He added: “We help children and adults feel good about themselves and that’s an amazing thing, and to empower my team to help them fulfil their ambitions. Professionally it’s the most fulfilling thing you can do.

“This was never about making money. I wanted to create an environment where children want to come back and to build a brilliant team around me who have enabled that to happen.”

He hopes the project will encourage young people off electronic devices, adding added: “Teenagers are hooked on devices and we provide them with a place to be with other like-minded teenagers, empowering them and making them feel valued.

“To me it doesn’t feel like work. I love what I do and I wake up every morning feeling blessed to be able to work with amazing musicians and to feel the energy from the young people taking part.”

For more information, go to Berkshire.therockproject.com.