Why didn't they have this class when I was in high school?

Used to be garage bands played in garages, among the grease stains, tires, lawnmowers and pegboards. Today, there is another option: the sparkling new Dr. Pallavi Patel Performing Arts Conservatory in Tampa, FL, an $8-million facility with classes in ballet and flute-playing.

And rock. "Tap into your inner rock star!" reads the brochure. No experience necessary. Fifth graders to adults sign up for eight weeks for $265.

Call it the Juilliard School for garage bands.

Hillsborough: School of hard rock