How I Work: Work life of Jill Livick, General Manager of School of Rock

Jill Livick is doing what every person who strummed a guitar in their parents’ garage in high school wishes they were doing: running an actual school for rock stars in training.

To learn more about School of Rock – or if you just want to pick up an instrument and maybe play it live onstage at places like the Visulite – check out Matt McGlothlin’s story on how it’s turning full-time businessmen into part-time rockers.

Office location

Dilworth – 1105 Greenwood Cliff, 28204.

Job Title

General Manager. Rock ‘n Roll Principal. Nurse. Janitor.

Commute (how and how long?):

5 minutes! Two exits down on 277 and I’m here. Makes up for the 6-hour daily communte I endured when I worked in NYC.

What do you do during your commute?

Meditate, listen to one song or call my older brother.

Phone type:

iPhone. 5G maybe? Somehow Verizon tricked me into renting it.

Phone homescreen:

The wolf is a reminder to listen to your intuition.

Desk photo:

Computer:

MacBook Pro and some HP desktop computer from 2006.

Gadgets you can’t live without:

iPhone. Our Breville coffee grinder. Is an electric space heater considered a gadget? If so, I put this first. I’m always freezing!

Do you listen to music while you work?

All day, everyday. We curate Spotify playlists to set the right energy in the lobby. We have a really energetic band of students on Saturday mornings, so our Studio Coordinator created a Spotify playlist called “Saturday Morning Coloring Book” with music by artists like Paul Simon to mellow the kids. It’s a real science.

What software are you a power user of?

Google Apps, Basecamp, Emma and Zendesk.

What’s your favorite spot for a business lunch? Your order?

Earl’s Grocery. The #6 bowl (Duck confit & roasted beet hash).

Social media habits?

Too many! Between the School of Rock, my band (Farewell Albatross) and my personal pages, there seems to be a non-stop barrage of Instagram and Facebook messages to keep up with.  I complain about it just as much as I use it: all the time.

To-do list manager:

Pen and paper. Physically crossing off items is freeing.

What everyday thing are you really good at?

Staying calm under pressure.

What’s your one favorite thing about your job?

I work with an extremely genuine, kind and talented staff. We are teaching young people the skills to become confident adults and find their footing in the world. It’s way more than just a music school.

Best time-saving shortcut or Charlotte life hack:

Learn how to parallel park so you can park in front of the Metropolitan, instead of attempting to find a spot in the actual parking deck. There are usually spots and you won’t have to deal with the madness.

Sleep routine?

2 a.m. in bed, 10 a.m. to rise. I’m working on a healthier schedule.

Where do you go around Charlotte to get away from the office?

First Ward Park, Birdsong, Barnes and Noble and Orange Olive Hair Salon.

What did you eat for breakfast this morning?

An Ensure shake, homemade potato hash, lemon water and 3 cookies. It was a weird morning.

If you weren’t doing your current job, what would you be doing?

I’d probably see if McGill Rose Garden would hire me so I could work with my hands, be outdoors and deliver flowers door to door.

Best job advice you’ve received:

Lead from the back.

Last book you read:

Even Cowgirls Get the Blues by Tom Robbins for the 5th time.  A+

Last movie you watched:

Bad Words with Jason Bateman. B-

What’s one thing people don’t know about Charlotte that they should?

There are incredible musicians writing original music in Charlotte. Venues like Visulite, Milestone, Double Door, Rabbit Hole, Petra’s, Snug Harbor, The Comet Grill, Neighborhood Theater and Evening Muse showcase live music every week.  Even The Fillmore has a small club opening to support local acts. We’re being barraged with messages about venues closing – which is true – but I worry that gives people an incorrect message. The local music scene is thriving. Artists are creating. They just need you to travel outside of your neighborhood, pay $10 and maybe dance a bunch.

Is there anything else that we didn’t ask that you’d like to tell our readers?

Don’t take your life too seriously. Develop your sense of humor.

What other Charlottean would you like to answer these questions?

Drea Cunningham, Photo Artist.

Connect with School of Rock

Website
Facebook<br/>Twitter

Feature photo by Drea Photo Artistry