2nd Annual “Skoolz of Rock” Held at La Porte Civic Auditorium

Leadership La Porte County’s battling bands event offers young musicians a chance to be heard


1st Place: Vultress - Paul Uhrina, Anthony Capuano, Jordan Gaboian, Alex "Chucho" Barrios

Valparaiso band Vultress may have been the last to take the stage at the La Porte Civic Auditorium Saturday night, but members Anthony Capuano, Jordan Gaboian, Alex “Chucho” Barrios, and Paul Uhrina certainly didn’t lack energy. Their high-octane performance not only revved up the crowd, but helped to nab them a first place finish at the second annual Skoolz of Rock Battlin’ Bands competition.

“We are flattered and honored,” keyboardist and vocalist Capuano said after the results were announced. “We are just glad we could gather with other rock and rollers for a positive cause.”

Organized by Leadership La Porte County, the event gives young musicians the chance to play in front of a crowd and lets the entire community hear local bands and what they have to offer. Proceeds from ticket sales directly benefit Leadership La Porte County’s youth program.

“The whole idea is to involve our youth in a fun, crazy activity that appeals to them,” said Monica Komasinski, executive director of Leadership La Porte County. “It allows us to champion youth talent while involving them.”


2nd Place: Vacation to Earth- Brenden Carpenter, Andrew Nolte, Josh Claussen, Paul Tumo

The family-oriented event attracted six bands from La Porte and Porter counties and gave them a chance to play a large venue with professional sound and lighting capabilities. For most of the bands, including runner up Vacation to Earth, whose members are South Central students and graduates, it was the largest venue they’ve played.

“The atmosphere here is great. It’s a lot better than playing in someone’s back yard,” said Paul Tumo of Vacation to Earth. Local musicians Christian Fritto and Brian Daley and Brian Brophy of WIMS radio were the evening’s judges and scored the acts by musicianship, stage presence, and originality. Top placing bands received prizes donated by the event’s sponsors. As the first place band, Vultress took home $200 and a slew of other prizes including a band photo shoot, a four-hour recording session, a prize package from Ernie Ball Guitar, and a live gig performance at the Great Lakes Grand Prix in Michigan City this summer.


3rd Place: Finding New Life- David Carmel, Tyler Toll, Blake Hall, Samuel Carmel

Second place band Vacation to Earth scored a $150 cash prize, while Finding New Life, in third place, received $100. Dan Silverman of Left to Center won a 1960s-style Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster in a raffle drawing, and the two-man band Unity won the audience’s fan favorite.

For La Porte resident James Cornwell whose son, Josh, plays with Christian rock band Agape T.R.E.A.D., Skoolz of Rock had a positive impact not only for the band members, but the community as a whole.

It gives everyone the opportunity to band together as a community,” Cornwell said. “When you have drugs and other negative issues around, this gives our kids the opportunity to expand their abilities and reach their potential. … We are all here to support our kids.”


Fan Favorite: Unity - Nick Woloszyn Kasim Whiting

Sponsors of the second annual Skoolz of Rock Battlin’ Bands included: Roxy Music, Polish Falcons, Packaging Logic, Inc., The La Porte Jaycees, Swanson Center, Worthy Recovery, General Insurance Services

In-kind sponsors included: AIM Water Treatment, Al’s / Valueland, American Licorice, Brian Brophy, Buffalo Wild Wings, Bunny Bread, City Pure Ice, Emma’s Eats, Ernie Ball Guitar, Gordon’s Food Service, Great Lakes Grand Prix, Jeff and Megan Apple, Jim Fields Graphics, Kemp’s Office City, Krogers, La Porte Savings Bank, Leadership La Porte County board members Ludwigs, Ryan J. Bolger Photography, TCB Manufacturing, T.E.A.M. Services, Vic Firth, Willow Tree Recordin.


Left of Center- Andrew Osika, Tyler Sharp, Justin Mann, Dan Silverman

Agape T.R.E.A.D.- Andrew Kayser, Sarah Drake, Josh Cornwell, Trevor McDonald