My name is Era, and I play the guitar in the band Melodify, formed at the Mitrovica Rock School in Kosovo.
Growing up in the divided city of Mitrovica, I always knew what the Rock School was, but it wasn’t until later that I started getting small glimpses of it through my friends’ countless stories. Their faces always lit up at the mention of the Rock School.
The opportunities offered there intrigued me, and it was clear to me how fun everything was. I often thought about joining; however, I was hesitant because I had no prior musical knowledge at the time, which made me feel nervous and doubtful. However, by the time I was 16, I was convinced. My friends assured me that I’d have the time of my life, and that it would open up new and exciting experiences to me.
I was very nervous the first time I went. I knew everything about the Rock School, but it was my first time being there in person. I went in and saw everything my friends described with my own eyes. The atmosphere there was amazing. You could hear students practicing, a band was covering “Zombie” by The Cranberries, and some students were socializing. I allowed myself to take it all in and felt immediate comfort, as if I already belonged. It truly couldn’t have been a better first impression.
I focused at first on improving my musical abilities, and learnt a few of my favourite songs on guitar. I started playing these with the band that I was in, and something about being able to play all our favourite songs had us on cloud nine. It still does to this day. Eventually, I moved onto learning how to compose. My teacher was amazing, and I came to a point where I could come up with my own guitar parts.
In the summer of my second year, I got a message from the Rock School asking if I wanted to be part of a mixed band, with which I would attend the Skopje Summer School. Without needing a single second to think, I said yes.
I can say without a doubt that that week was one of the most amazing experiences in my life. Being around so many musicians of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds, all coming together to have a great time while making music, was one of the most impressive things I had ever seen. It was only then that I realized how powerful music could truly be.
Era (left) arriving for the Skopje Summer School 2025 with two other students
Spending a week in those rehearsal rooms, having loads of amazing musicians as band coaches, and coming together to form ideas for songs was thrilling. We learned new things, created our own songs from scratch, and performed them at the end of the week, which was incredible.
But the best part was the friendships that blossomed through the Rock School.
Mitrovica Rock School has helped me grow in so many ways. It made me more confident in my daily life and opened my eyes to many things I didn’t know before. The school has given me so much knowledge about the music world that I’ll forever have with me. Mitrovica Rock School became my happy place.
Being a student there, being part of a band, and getting all these opportunities makes me feel more grateful than I can ever put into words. We all get to have fun while working towards a cause greater than we could have ever known. The most impressive thing of all is that this is my fourth year in the Rock School, and I still feel as excited, amazed, and grateful for what it offers its students. Being part of the Rock School has truly been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
For 16 years, Mitrovica Rock School has been bringing the youth of the city together in ways that were previously thought impossible. Through the Rock School, an entire generation of the city’s musicians from both sides of the river have been able to play in ethnically mixed bands. Where there was once only division, now there is hope through music.
But the future of the Rock School is never secure, and by playing your part today, you can help keep the music at this incredibly important playing. What’s more, everything you give today will be matched at no extra cost to you!
