Who are you?
My name is Lisa Riley and I live in Queen Village with my husband Neville Vakharia, a professor at Drexel University in the Department of Arts and Entertainment Enterprise, and my kids kids Zane, 16 (Academy at Palumbo) and Maya, 11 (Meredith).
Tell us what makes you extra awesome!
After 25 years as a psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of trauma, I decided to make a change in careers and became the new owner of the School of Rock Philadelphia in May of 2019! School of Rock is the leader in performance-based music education. We teach guitar, bass, drums, keyboard and vocals, and our students put on amazing shows at local venues. Our programs, camps and workshops for toddlers, kids, teens and adults make learning to play music fun and create great communities of musicians.
What are your kids doing that is super cool?
Zane began attending School of Rock Philly when he was 11, and has been participating in the performance program playing guitar and bass ever since. He auditioned and became a member of the School of Rock Philly House Band this past September. Maya has been taking keyboard lessons at SOR Philly for the past 2 years.
Why do you call the Philadelphia area home and what makes it a special place to raise tweens?
I have lived in Philadelphia since 1997, and in Queen Village since 2001, and couldn’t imagine raising my family anywhere else. Philadelphia provides the perks of a city with a neighborly vibe. The diversity of the residents makes it a special place to raise a family and exposes children to a variety a cultures, foods, activities, arts and organizations which helps them to develop into well rounded and open minded individuals.
