American Idol finalist, James Durbin, and Orianthi (Michael Jackson’s “This Is It”)  will be performing a concert on Friday, March 2^nd hosted by Center Staging in Burbank, CA.  The HELP KIDS ROCK! event is a fundraiser for the Rock School Scholarship Fund that is open to all ages.  Tickets for the fundraiser can be purchased for $15.

James Durbin - The American Idol finalist shot to fame in 2011 with his monster vocal chops and a message to his fans to "keep rock alive."  James released his Wind-Up Records debut album "Memories of a Beautiful Disaster" which broke into the Top 10 on Billboard's Rock Album chart at #8 and #36 on Billboard's Top 200 Album chart.  His album includes appearances by Motley Crue guitarist Mick Mars, as well as songwriting collaborations with James Michael (Sixx AM, Nikki Sixx) and Marti Frederiksen (Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne).  James new single, "Love Me Bad" just entered the Hot Adult Top 40 chart.  For more information, visit www.DurbinRock.com

Orianthi is a musician, singer-songwriter and guitarist.  She is perhaps best known for being Michael Jackson’s lead guitarist for his ill-fated This Is It concert series, and as the lead guitarist in Alice Cooper’s live band.  Her debut single, “According To You,” peaked at No. 3 in Japan, No. 8 in Australia and No. 17 in the U.S.A.  Her second  album, “Believe,” received a worldwide release in late 2009.  Elle Magazine named Orianthi one of the “12 Greatest Female Electric Guitarists.”  She also was awarded “Breakthrough Guitarist of the Year” in 2010 by Guitar International Magazine.  For more information, visit www.Orianthi.com

The Rock School Scholarship Fund (RSSF) provides tuition and instruments to kids ages 7 to 17 who want to attend any rock music school in the U.S.A., but whose parents do not have the financial means.  With music programs being cut back in public schools, private after-school programs have taken their place, but many families cannot afford the $200 to $350 per month for their child to attend. 

 “I founded the Rock School Scholarship Fund when I was running a rock music school in Hollywood,” says founder and Executive Director, Wendy Winks.  “Some kids would come into the school with their parents, take a tour and hear about being in a band and being able to perform on stage at real rock venues, and they would just light up with excitement.  But then I would tell them how much tuition cost, and the parents would look so disappointed.  We didn’t have any kind of financial aid or scholarship program, so with the help of ONE LLP, I created the Rock School Scholarship Fund, the first 501(c)3 public charity that focuses on helping kids who want to attend any rock music school in the country.”

 The RSSF currently works with 14 rock schools in Southern California, Georgia, Massachusetts, and North Carolina.  To participate, a school must teach a rock music curriculum, and students must have the opportunity to perform in a band, on stage.  “The many benefits of music education are well-documented,” says Wendy Winks, “higher IQ, better grades, etc.  But I’ve seen this program pay off huge dividends in building kids confidence, and creating social ties that lead to opportunities that they would never have experienced otherwise.   There are many charities out there that help kids play in an orchestra.  Our mission is to help kids rock!

 “We are thrilled to have James and Orianthi as our special guest performers at this event,” says Wendy Winks. “In addition to James Durbin and Orianthi, the show will include performances by students at two of our LA area schools, Burbank Music Academy, and School of Rock North Hollywood.”