School of Rock — Park Ridge is located at 15 N. Prospect in Uptown.
Call 847-939-4207 or click HERE for more information.

Michele Casey

How did you get started with School of Rock?

I was looking for piano lessons for my daughter. Every place I looked at didn’t have a spark — it was the traditional piano lessons like when I was a kid, and they became a chore to me. I wanted my children to have the opportunity to see how fun and life changing music can be.

School of Rock was fun and exciting, and it has a unique approach to music lessons. It was important to me that my children were really engaged in their music lessons. In my opinion, music is so important that I didn’t want to risk them not having the best opportunity to experience music. I signed up my daughter as soon as School of Rock Park Ridge opened, and I just recently signed my son up.

How have you seen your child’s confidence grow during his or her music lessons?

Absolutely. My daughter is very creative, and School of Rock has given her a creative outlet to express herself. She is learning in a fun atmosphere. She comes from School of Rock saying, “Mom, I didn’t think I could do this, but I did!” School of Rock gives them a safe place to challenge themselves. They can learn from success as well as failures. The School of Rock team is really engaged and critical in helping each child become more confident.

What are the best aspects of the company’s approach to learning about music?  

The program is innovative. It begins with a program where students get to try different instruments and see which one they want to explore more. To start off in music can be overwhelming, but this helps you make sure that they like a certain instrument.

Once in lessons, they can join a rock group. The band creates a social aspect where kids can connect with other kids with the same interests. The students learn to rely on each other, and it is fun. This can even lead to performances, which my usually quiet daughter is excited for. This program has given her confidence to be on stage and perform in front of others.

Would you recommend School of Rock to other parents, and if so, why?

Yes. Absolutely yes. I can speak to School of Rock Park Ridge. Their program is not just lessons; it is a comprehensive program. It teaches music and encourages teamwork and socialization.

What does the future hold for your rock star?  

Both of my kids love School of Rock. Both will continue lessons and bands.

School of Rock gives them a safe place to challenge themselves. They can learn from success as well as failures. The School of Rock team is really engaged and critical in helping each child become more confident.

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Joe Bertucci

How did you get started with School of Rock?

Honestly, I was looking at opening a School of Rock franchise in Park Ridge with a family member. I always thought Park Ridge was a great place to have one, with the kids doing all kinds of extra-curricular activities. The passion that (owner) Jaime (Dominguez) has was almost exactly what I had. His mentality going into this is what I would’ve done, but he did it, and I’m so glad he did.

When they were opening, I stopped in and gave them a card for my restaurant and asked about catering. About a week before their grand opening, the food truck they were going to have fell through, and they called me to help with catering. From that point on, we continued to talk about the businesses, and both my kids are with them and love it.

How have you seen your child’s confidence grow during his or her music lessons? 

It was like pulling teeth at the beginning to get them to lessons and practice. Originally, my youngest started in the introductory program. I have instruments at my house, so they’ve always been involved in music. She was doing beats and rhythms, but because she’d been around (music) and understood it a bit better, she wanted to get right into playing. But she loved the teacher and the kids in class. The instructor, Jen, makes it fun, makes it entertaining. Her confidence when she sits behind her drum set is great.

Sabrina, my oldest, started in the rookie class, where you are with other kids and get to try a variety of instruments, so it’s almost like a band mentality early on. Because of Covid, by continuing through it, they had to choose an instrument earlier than they would’ve normally and did a lot of lessons through Zoom. But it actually worked to her advantage because it allowed her to get into one instrument, and focus on one thing (during the extra time at home) instead of a multitude of instruments. Yesterday during a recital — usually she’s afraid to do things in front of people — she sang and played bass, and she wouldn’t have done that a year ago. She started when she was six, and she’s almost nine now.

Both of the girls are confident enough to play together and work on their music. That really bodes well.

What are the best aspects of the company’s approach to learning about music?

That’s one of the reasons I was interested in a franchise in the first place. When I started learning guitar, I opened the classic lesson book, where it tries to teach you — there’s nothing wrong with that, but I just wanted to learn songs. And the way that School of Rock approaches it, they start teaching you about beats and rhythms and patterns, and you have options to try different instruments. That helps you really get a feel for what you want to do. And that takes time.

If you’re progressing faster than others, they’ll move you along into higher classes. If you’re starting fresh from scratch, it helps to have private lessons, get your base, choose your instrument and then start learning songs and the theories behind why you’re doing what you’re doing. Then when you join bands with different kids, you learn to manage it all. The way it’s structured is great.

Whether you want to learn something new, do some extra curriculars or actually join a band, School of Rock is perfect. If sports aren’t for you, or theater isn’t for you, this is an alternative where you’re still interactive instead of sitting on the couch playing video games. And you learn something valuable that can last forever.

They allow the kids to progress at their own speed and decide what they want to do, and it builds a sense of responsibility that comes with playing in a group.

Would you recommend School of Rock to other parents, and why?

I absolutely would and I do. I have a whole bunch of their cards and hand them out to kids and parents if I hear that they’re even remotely interested in learning about music. They allow the kids to progress at their own speed and decide what they want to do, and it builds a sense of responsibility that comes with playing in a group and knowing your part. It also teaches courage to get out there and play in front of people.

They also do a great job making it safe for parents and kids. While one room is being sanitized, another room can be used. They use dividers and social distancing, going above and beyond to make sure everyone is comfortable. They get it. Everyone is safe and everyone is learning. The flexibility is great too.

What does the future hold for your rock star?

I want music to be a part of their lives forever. It’s an ice breaker for kids being able to express themselves and gives us great things to talk about. I met so many people playing in bands when I was younger. If they want to make a career out of it, it’s a great way to start early and give them the opportunity to make the decision. My oldest plays bass, youngest plays drums, which I tell them is great because they both like to sing, so all they need is a lead guitarist and they can start a band.

Having music as a part of your life — it’s a global, universal language — and being able to utilize that anywhere is a beautiful thing. We always have music around the house, they’re always singing and dancing, and I want it to be part of their lives forever.

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Jaci Reed

How did you get started with School of Rock?

We went to the open house when School of Rock first opened in Park Ridge. My girls had both had some lessons (guitar for one and drums for the other) — and my 15-year-old daughter had attended a camp as a 13-year-old where she got to play with a band — but otherwise they were just practicing with no real opportunity to play with other kids. And they are both fans of rock, from classic to current. We are a big music family.

My daughter has made friends with kids who share her passion, and it’s given her a place where she can be herself away from the pressures of school.

How have you seen your child’s confidence grow during his or her music lessons?

My youngest went from playing some simple beats to playing songs in one practice. She loves being able to play with her sister and with other kids younger and older than her. She feels like a real drummer now. For my oldest, Bella on guitar, School of Rock has truly been a lifesaver. She calls it her second home. She’s in the house band and a performance band, so she’s there three nights a week, and has gone in to play with bandmates other nights too. She’s made friends with kids who share her passion, and it’s given her a place where she can be herself away from the pressures of school.

What are the best aspects of the company’s approach to learning about music?

They get your kids playing real songs — songs they know and like — as quickly as possible while still teaching them the important things. That gets kids engaged. Playing in a group also teaches the kids independence, teamwork and respect for each other and the group.

Would you recommend School of Rock to other parents, and if so, why?

If your kid wants to play an instrument, have fun, play good music and meet other cool kids, then absolutely.

What does the future hold for your rock star? 

My youngest hopes to make house band someday. My oldest is honing her guitar skills and hoping to make music for a long time.

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Mike Loew

How did you get your kids started with School of Rock?

We attended the open-house event at School of Rock when they first opened. We loved the energy of the event and vibe of the owners, the venue and the team.

How have you seen your child’s confidence grow during his or her music lessons?

Hadley’s confidence has grown significantly in the past nine months. She really enjoys playing keyboard and has also developed as a vocalist. She loves it. The instructors are so knowledgeable and fun; they really inspire and build her up. We are very proud of how far she’s come.

What are the best aspects of the company’s approach to learning about music?

It’s fun and relevant to what kids are interested in. They are learning cool rock songs, which creates a strong connection to music — and that is really important in our family. Also, School of Rock promotes a “team” environment with the Rock 101 group, and the kids learn to work together.

Would you recommend School of Rock to other parents, and if so, why?

Yes, we love it! If your child is interested in music, it’s worth the investment to learn through a fun experience with great instructors.

What does the future hold for your rock star?

Our rock star will get back into the Rock 101 group setting in the coming months. School of Rock has done a great job keeping kids safe and maintaining a strong learning environment through the pandemic. She will be ready to perform with her group in a public setting when the opportunity arises, and we are looking forward to that moment! We are so grateful for this experience and pleased with her progress. She has so much opportunity within this program to continue to grow and gain confidence.

The instructors are so knowledgeable and fun; they really inspire and build her up.