Some students get home from school and complete their homework or doomscroll on social media. However, for the five sophomores that started Valhalla, a rock band, the final bell signals something much louder– guitars amped up, a drummer’s count off, and the making of a set list.
When the thought of starting a rock band first came to sophomore Spencer Newbold, the drummer for Valhalla, he jumped at the idea. Sophomore GC Jusino Ramirez, the lead vocalist and guitarist for the band, immediately wanted in. “Originally, it started out with [Newbold] coming to me in math class with the idea of starting a rock band, and we got together the Sunday after that,” Jusino explained. After recruiting the rest of their players, the band started rehearsing in April of 2025 and have not looked back.
During middle school, Newbold honed in on his love for the drums. He shared, “I first got into playing drums in fourth grade, but I really started focusing in seventh grade when I started playing for the Harmony Jazz Band.” He mentioned how Valhalla had a good balance during rehearsals, saying, “The reason why I have stuck with playing drums is because I love music in general and I love playing with other people…the band is productive at rehearsal, but we still have fun.”
Jusino started his musical career early in life, playing piano on and off since first grade and then picking up guitar. “[Guitar] became something that really called my name, and I’ve done it ever since,” he expressed. Being in a band had been something Jusino always wanted to do. He mentioned, “Being in a band, especially leading one, has always been one of my dreams and it’s nice to do it at this small scale now while I’m young.”
A guitarist for Valhalla, sophomore Wesley Chase started out his musical career playing a different style of music than he plays in the band. Chase commented, “I started out in sixth grade, playing classical through middle school. Then I got really into it in eighth grade and started messing around more with guitar after that. Now I’m in the band.”
The bassist for Valhalla, Kahlo Thomas, had played classical with Chase before transitioning to bass. “I first got into music in third grade and I thought it was fun so I just kept playing. I started with guitar and then moved to bass when we started the band,” Thomas noted.
The keys player for the band, sophomore Clay Macduffee, has played for most of his life. Macduffee expressed, “I first started playing piano around third grade, when I was seven…I think playing has made me more of a perfectionist over the years because I’ve learned to perfect all my songs.”
When coming up with a name for their band, Newbold suggested Valhalla. “Valhalla is a place where warriors go when they die, and it really fits our concept of ascending to a whole new level when you listen to our music,” Newbold described. Macduffee added, “[Newbold] definitely got the name from a YouTube Short or something.”
Valhalla rehearses at Jusino’s house every Sunday, from around 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., working through their setlist until they feel like they have perfected their sound. The band is currently participating in the Loudoun Youth’s Battle of the Bands. At the first battle, the band won second place and are now able to continue to the final round. They will be in the final battle at the Tally Ho concert venue in Leesburg on March 6, 2026.
Before a performance, Valhalla has come up with simple ways to prepare for stage. “We do caveman rituals, we tend to beat on our chest, getting in time with our bodies and each other,” Jusino joked. Newbold remarked, “Real talk, we think our words of affirmation and get ready to perform. We try to be in the moment…We’ll say, ‘We got this, let’s go guys. GC [Jusino], I love you.’”
The members of Valhalla relayed what the hardest parts of being in a band are. Jusino expressed, “Facing all the fame after the instagram account.” Macduffee added, “Everyone tries to talk to us all the time.” Newbold joked, “A lot of people ask me for autographs.”
The band members all have different wants regarding the outcome of the band. Some goals the band has in mind are winning Battle of the Bands, releasing an album, fame, fortune, and continuing to have fun doing what they love to do with each other. Thomas commented, “Being in Valhalla is fun because I get to be in a band and play music with all of my friends.” Jusino added, “My dream for the band is to take us to bigger venues, play for more people, maybe make some money along the way, and be known all around the county.”
Although they are still taking tests and turning in homework, Valhalla is creating a sound that is uniquely theirs. Whether they end up on the big stage or stick with local gigs, Valhalla will have memories that last a lifetime as just five guys that wanted to share their joint love of music with others.