Progreso: Overview of the top 19 music camp

Friendly staff and wonderful experience. I highly recommend. They are very easy to work with and it’s so much fun!

School of Rock is amazing, and I highly recommend it!

Dennis Moon has proven to be a very energetic teacher with enthusiasm and good character. My son has expressed to me a lot of respect for him based on the 30min a week he spends with him. My son is always energized after a class with Dennis and motivated in a way I have never seen. 2 thumbs up for School of Rock

Last week, my eight year old daughter attended the song writing camp at the School of Rock in Fairfax.  We live in the Bay Area, and travelled down south for my son to attend a filmmaking camp.  My daughter is a young musician, and I thought that while in LA, it would be a fun opportunity for her to attend a music camp.

While I am not sure that my daughter actually learned anything she didn’t already know prior to the camp, just being around other young musicians is I think a positive thing.  Of the two music teachers, she said that Todd was a friendly teacher and very supportive.  However, of the other teacher, Anthony, she said “he was kind of nice, but not really.” Her feelings were hurt when she asked him to write down the chords for one of the songs they’d started creating (so that she could practice in the hotel room) and he responded in a rude tone “do you even know how to play the guitar?” and didn’t write them down.  While Chloe has been playing the piano for three years, she only 6 months ago started the guitar, and she’s still learning.  Cut the kid a break.

But the thing that really upsets me about this camp is what one of the other employees did (and I am leaving the employees name out in the hope that this review will lead to self-refection and positive changes in their future).  For people who are considering sending their child to one of these camps, FYI, they offer to the get the kids a lunch for $10 a day, and I suggest you always send your child with that exact amount.  On the first day of camp, I sent my daughter with two $5’s for lunch, and a $20 for emergency.  At lunch, she was unable to locate one of the $5’s (which she later realized had simply tightly pocketed itself within the other $5).  She went to the employee as they were the person in charge of getting the lunches, and told them that she couldn’t find a $5, but that she had a $20.  The employee said that was fine, and then asked my daughter if she would either like her $10 change, or would she rather have the employee keep it and apply it towards the next day’s lunch.  My daughter said the employee could apply it to next day’s lunch.  But, the next day when it came time for lunch, the employee approached my daughter and asked her for $10.  My daughter reminded the employee that she had given her a $20 bill the day before, and that when the employee had told her she could either give her change or apply it to the following day’s lunch, that my daughter had told the employee to apply it to the following day.  But, the employee’s response was that they would never do that; that if my daughter had given the employee a $20, they would just give her change, and that my daughter had to give the employee another $10 if she wanted lunch.  Unfortunately, the initial $20 transaction had taken place in the small office that the employee sits in, with just the two of them present, so there was nobody to witness what the employee did.  Obviously, my daughter wanted to eat, so she gave the employee another $10.  This left my daughter believing that one of two things had occurred.  She thought either the employee honestly didn’t remember that they’d told my daughter they’d apply to the next day the $10 dollars change owed her (which my daughter found hard to believe because in her words “there were only 8 kids and — is too young to have memory problems”) OR that the employee stole $10 from her.

This was a one week, Mon-Fri camp, and I found about the problem Wednesday morning before dropping her off. I did not feel comfortable addressing this with the employee and then leaving my daughter there. Suffice it to say, I made sure she had exact change for the remaining three lunches. On Friday, I had to send her with ten $1’s and told her to make sure the employee counted them out in front of her. I asked my daughter what she learned from the experience with the employee. She said that she learned you can never trust anybody, especially if you don’t know them. It stinks that my daughter had to learn that from an adult at a music school.

This place has to be the new gem for kids to learn music and expand their musical talents. Knowing Jason and Cecilia and their passion I’m sure this place will be a success.

School of Rock is one of the best music education programs I have ever seen. The community at this school has a passion for what they do and it really shows. Students get to come out of their shell when they play here, and build the skills and confidence to take their music out to the world. Highly recommend for anyone looking to learn an instrument.

This place is unique in the delivery of lessons. The kids are working toward a performance or jam session goal, not a recital. We love all the instructors, every one!

Teacher’s passion makes kids to enjoy and learn more. Weekly practice sessions/orchestra in a group setting gives more confidence to play in a concert. Good exposure by playing in concerts every season.

My 9yo twins had a great time in the week-long summer day camp. They learned 5 songs (stressed out, best day of my life, try everything, dunked on, cheap thrills) and performed for the parents in the back of Sancho’s taqueria. Counselors were great. We had our kids go buy their own lunch at the nearby subway.

I love this place for my 9-year-old. School of Rock is serious about Rock and serious about Fun!

Great folks!
My child has been taking lessons for over almost 2 years now. He started with drums and electric guitar recently.
They helped him develop genuine interest in music, and so he looks fwd to practicing at home.

I am disappointed with our experience at this place. Here are the reasons why:

1. The class neglects to teach fundamental music concepts such as notes and rhythm to the kids. This lack of foundation is a significant drawback.

2. Rather than gradually introducing beginners to these basics, they immediately thrust them into rehearsals with more advanced children. This approach is demotivating for newcomers who are still learning.

3. My child expressed a clear disinterest in attending these classes, which is a testament to their dissatisfaction.

4. As parents with limited musical knowledge, we attempted to supplement at home with various apps, but it became evident that children need proper instruction and practice in the basics before tackling complex songs.

We provided this feedback to the teacher on multiple occasions, but they merely suggested that we encourage our child to practice at home, without addressing the core issues.

This dissatisfaction has persisted through the third class, and when we requested a cancellation, nobody showed any interest in understanding or rectifying the situation.

If you are seeking a beginner’s music institute for your child, I would strongly advise looking elsewhere, as this place does not meet those needs.

Love the place. Great teachers! But I am shocked by how insensitive the Eric at front desk could be. I understand that the No show policy is tough because they have to pay the teachers. Yes I get it. But the way he relays is “No matter if you die or kid dies or any one dies in the family, there is nothing we can do about it”. Shhh! Chill!!

May be don’t give him front desk duties if he can’t handle people. I feel very sorry for the owner or management of this place.

What a morbid and insensitive way to communicate.

A few days back spoke to a gentleman, may be not so much of a “Gentleman”, about the program, fees, and policies over all. It was a turn off. May be I caught him on a bad day. One star because I only spoke to him and the way he explained to made me think, I should find another place. Seems very inflexible place especially if you have young kids.

I love the program for many reasons, starting with:
-They are professionally organized with so many songs that I personally enjoy.
-The instructors are fantastic and “real” with the kids, helping with their growth for the real world. There is no babying and enabling, it’s about fun and teaching them to follow direction without attitude. Love this!
-Joey has been my daughters instructor since the beginning of time (March will be 2 years). He is very encouraging, lifting and very real with her…priceless.
-The shows are the best! They are so well planned, and make the kids feel accomplished.
-My only complaint is the parking, lol…secret is to show up early.

Thanks guys, we appreciate you and your influence! All the best, Kimberly

My child has been going to School of Rock HB for 5 yrs. I’m glad SoR paved the way for non athletes to have a scheduled, schooled and goal-oriented platform to show their skills, improve and stay out of trouble.

The instructor is engaging and helpful. My son looks forward to the lesson every week. He especially loves that he picks the songs they work on rather than simple, repetitive note and scale work.

It’s an ok school there can be sassy people if your going into juniors it’s worst if you are a hyper person you will most likely be liked for a little while and then when someone does a mean thing you will probably be mad but there’s the good times to

Discrimination from the owner of the franchise

We’ve loved our School of Rock experience! It’s been such a great way for my daughter to learn guitar, but also to learn to work with others, building up a full set and performing live at a real venue! It was beyond what our expectations of what music lessons could be. And the School of Rock instructors and staff have been like family these past few years!

School of Rock has been wonderful for my 6 year old. He is gaining confidence, learning about music, and working on his social skills all at the same time! It’s also very safe and clean, with reasonable covid protocols and accommodations for his severe food allergies. It’s an awesome, supportive environment filled with adults and kids that ROCK!

School of Rock has been home for both my kids for more than 6yrs now, what an incredible concept to take kids give them amazing music instruction and then put them together in a band setting and “LET THEM ROCK”…. both my kids have performed at some of the greatest music venues, the same stages graced by legendary Rock Stars I’ve watched them ROCK on stages from the Sunset Strip to the Amazing Red Rocks play Lollapalooza share the stage with artist like Josh Homme (QOTSA) Joey Santiago (Pixies) Twiggy (Marilyn Manson) Danny Cary (Tool) Gene Simmons (KISS) the list goes on. I could go on and on about all the great inspiring things that happen at SOR, but the most important thing my kids have taken from their time here is not the, life long friendships, amazing memories, dedication, incredible instruction BUT its the “CONFIDENCE” that they instill in these kids confidence not only on stage but truly in LIFE….

The owner is absolutely wonderful! Friendly staff and my daughters both love it! Great place overall!! Highly recommend it!

Great great great teachers. Love there system.

What an incredibly welcoming and supportive community of instructors and staff! I’ve learned more in the last 1.5 years than I have in the previous 35 years of playing guitar by ear. What’s even more exciting is that I’ve been able to put my improved skills to use in a real band setting, which is something I never thought I could do.

My son had a lot fun at your summer camp! We appreciate the school’s dedication and hard work to make it a great experience.

School of Rock consistently delivers. For the last two years they have provided an awesome music education and experience for our son. They never miss a beat!

Awesome place. Great instructors and classes. I highly recommend!!!

Great

B)

Great place for anyone ages 4 – 80 wanting to play music or sing!

Great for kids

The School of Rock Venice is a first class institution. Starting from the welcome desk to the lessons and or the rehearsals Venice school is top notch, professional and fun and educational. Reasonably priced for all it’s services Venice School of Rock is THE place to take your youngsters.

The teachers here are amazing!! So engaging and knowledgeable

Love this place!!!!! Raz is the man!!!!

School of Rock WLA is amazing! The teachers are so dynamic and the program is wonderful for all ages and abilities. My daughter loves it!

Great staff great location great music

Kelly who “runs” the school is absolutely awful. She is unprofessional, combative, lacks follow-up skills, lacks customer service skills, and is incredibly rude and unable to resolve conflict. I would never send my child to a place that is run by a person like Kelly. That said, I pulled my child out of the summer camp.