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About Us

All courses are LIVE! All classes are interactive! You can chat in text or talk to Rob directly to ask questions and be a part of the discussion. All courses are recorded and also available for viewing "On-demand." Watch a quick video here on "How It Works" or scroll down to see the video in the extras.
The Rock and Roll Professor was created to continue to educate people of the importance of jazz, blues and rock and roll music. As a group of like-minded friends realized at the beginning of the new millennium, the memory and appreciation of important musical artists, performers, recordings and stories associated with 20th Century were being lost. This music and its rich history is a fundamental component to the social structure of the last 100 years in America and beyond. We believe it is important to help revive interest in this content and musical history.
This music is fun. And revisiting this music, telling the stories, sharing the music and enthusiasm for Jazz, Blues and Rock and Roll is not only important, but enjoyable.
Our courses (and this organization) are committed to keeping the stories and the music alive, through education and storytelling. The Rock and Roll Professor has a small advisory group led by Rob Joyce. Rob has over 30 years of experience in teaching higher education and two degrees, a B.A. Music Education and a Master of Arts in Education. He also served as the executive director of the Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society and the Dahl Arts Center and Museum, Rapid City Arts Council.
If you have a course idea or feedback about us, reach out to Rob at Rob@theRockandRollProfessor.com.
Rob Joyce is a passionate, enthusiastic and knowledgeable music history professor. As the sole instructor for The Rock and Roll Professor website, Rob Joyce has over 30 years of experience in teaching higher education and holds a Bachelor degree in Music Education and a Master of Arts in Education. He served as the executive director of the Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society and the Dahl Arts Center and Museum, Rapid City Arts Council. He taught nearly thirty-five years in higher education at Augustana University and the University of South Dakota.
Joyce is also an author, a composer, a music producer, a former radio personality and concert promoter. Rob has been teaching short courses for adults for over thirteen years. He is a popular instructor with detailed knowledge and experience in Rock, Jazz, Soul and Blues music. His courses are always popular because of the fun, innovative and relaxed ways in which Rob teaches the topic and is responsive to his class audience. His use of technology, as well as his sense of humor and near “encyclopedic” knowledge of popular music, has made him a favorite of many students all over the United States.


Our Vision
Our vision is to be a leader in helping people discover (or re-discover) the rich popular music history of America in Rock and Roll, Soul, Jazz and Blues music appreciation that shaped our world in the last 100 plus years.
With years of experience teaching in higher education, as well as being a professional musician, composer, radio personality, concert promoter and author, Rob is a perfect host and instructor who shares his experiences, passion and stories about music with you!
Free music appreciation courses are offered periodically, as well as other free content for site members. Join us all year round for short courses in music appreciation, online and in the comfort of your home or office.
What happens after I sign up for a class?
All courses are taught LIVE through the Zoom meeting platform. Classes are interactive with Q&A and discussion with the instructor. All courses are also recorded and may be played back on-demand later for those who are registered for the class and can’t attend in real-time or who just want to replay the course. Once you register for a class you’ll get the Zoom meeting link with all the details on the course session.
Joyce has 35 plus years of teaching music courses in higher education and was a concert promoter for a non-profit arts organization that presented jazz, blues and rock artists for nearly 25 years. He has met a "who’s who" of popular music over the past thirty plus years! Rob is a professional musician as well as holding two degrees in music and education from Augustana University.
For more details on "what happens after I sign up," check out the video "How it Works" or view the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Member video content examples
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