Dalton Rapattoni makes it to the final three on American Idol

Dalton Rapattoni sang his way to the top three on American Idol Thursday night.

The Sunnyvale-native teaches at a local ‘School of Rock’ where students and fans held a watch party.

Dalton attended the School of Rock in Frisco but was a teacher at the Rockwall and Dallas branches.

Students say Dalton's success on the show gives them tremendous inspiration.

"He found music, and music made his life turn upside down,” said School Of Rock student Austin Baty. “I think music has helped all of us in our own different way, and all of us aspire from it differently.”

Teachers at the Dallas school say they've seen a huge influx of new students who see Dalton on the show and want to follow the same path he did. It's even prompted them to add new classes.

The teachers and students at the school are not only proud but say Dalton is the kind of performer who will stay down to Earth with the fame that comes with it.