Our son started out with a few of their summer camp weekly programs, and then started with a band/lessons a couple of years back. The instructors are first-rate, and they are truly committed to each student’s musical growth. I’m constantly amazed by how good these ‘kid bands’ sound with just a few weeks of rehearsal—and a lot of behind the scenes efforts by the school staff to get venues lined up, sound equipment working, etc. The ability to perform real shows at fun venues (M3, Ellicott City Main Street, etc.)—and the friendships forged among bandmates and parents alike—truly makes Soundcheck a wonderful experience.
We wanted a FUN way for our son to get into music (I did several years of piano, and the mandated practice sessions often felt like chores). After looking at several options, we settled on SoundCheck. From the owner to the instructors, everyone is genuinely excited about music (most are professional musicians in addition to teaching), and they manage to get the most from the kids.
The curriculum is focused on playing the instrument, so the students get immediate gratification as they play along with familiar songs. In the process, they’re also learning age-appropriate music theory without even realizing it.
The individual lessons are great, but the real magic happens in the band program. They learn lessons about teamwork, supporting each other, and getting out of their comfort zone – important stuff, especially during those challenging pre-teen and teen years.
As a side note, I’ve been impressed with the school’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. They offer online lessons, which work really well, and for those who want to come to the school for in-person lessons and rehearsals, they have a rigorous program to ensure that everyone is as safe as possible.
Highly recommended as both a creative and social outlet.
Greatest music school ever
My son has taken lessons, attended summer camps and played in the rock band programs at SoundCheck. A great school and a great environment to learn music. Besides Playing guitar, singing and Drumming , my son has learned self confidence, how to perform in front of a crowd and the kinship one achieves when making music with others.
School of Rock
Address: 3529 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008 , Telpaneca , Maryland , United States
My son is a drummer and joined to apply his years of lessons into a real band situation that the other music lesson place did not offer. He LOVES it. Staff are fantastic and he has made some great friends here too! Highly recommend.
Our child is thrilled going to DC School of Rock. Now he wants to go every day. The attention that he gets is unbelievable. Thank you so much to Chris and his team for delivering marvelous experience for our kids. Keep up the great work!
My five year old loved the school! She feels like a rock star 🙂
Owner contacted me about working there, was rude and inconsiderate on the phone. Very disappointing.
Beware! While the program might be interesting, the Cleveland Park location is poorly run and it will bring you more headaches than benefits.
Summer Camps @ Cecil Elkton Station
Address: 107 Railroad Ave, Elkton, MD 21921 , Telpaneca , Maryland , United States
I’ve been at Levine for four years now. My violin has improved so much because of it, it’s been an amazing experience so far.
Music teachers at the top of their art, for all ages and levels.
My 8 year old son first did one of the 3 week summer camps, and is now enrolled in group piano. His playing abilities have really progressed rapidly, and he enjoys playing. He even tolerates practicing at home most days. I’d certainly recommend Levine for both summer camp and also weekly lessons during the school year. If the weather is nice, there’s a small outdoor play area for siblings.
Administration is a mess. I was ignored by different people. I don’t know this place, but at my job, I was expected to reply and respond when asked a work-related question.
Drama Learning Center
Address: 9130 Red Branch Rd STE I, Columbia, MD 21045 , Telpaneca , Maryland , United States
I have been at Drama Learning Center for almost 10 years now. I love it there so much. They have something for everyone. From their Broadway Babies class all the way to TYA Teen Professionals, Drama Learning Center teaches all of their students different theatre skills, while making sure they are have fun as well. Their general classes on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights are basically like a “recreational” class. Just like in soccer you have rec, rev plus, travel, etc., these general classes will teach you the basic theatre skills. The next class up isn’t exactly a class. It is a company. It is called TYA Teen Proffesionals. TYA is for the older, more advanced students.(grades 8-12). TYA so has a Junior Company, and for short, JCo.(grades 6-12)If you’re child is interested in theatre, this will be the place for them! If you are a child and you are reading this, and you are interested in theatre, tell your parents about Drama Learning Center!!!
DLC is a great place for children of all ages to learn, develop, and have fun! I love that they get to learn from smart, caring staff with a wide variety of professional experience. Highly recommended!
DLC is a wonderful place for my child to experience theater, gain confidence, and shine.
We gave DLC another chance with Matilda this time but they keep disappointing us. (1) No opportunity to rotate lead roles, the same kids get the lead role on all productions. Also, same age group but one get better role than the other. This is inequality (2) I may be over react, but it seems like Asian kids get a fewer lines and “white” kids get a lot more this is consider race discrimination. (3) No learning or development, if the child always be an ensemble over and over again, how do they develop? The kids are there to learn, develop, be confidence, and enjoy, not to be disappointed and discourage. They spent hours and hours at the center and at the end, they only get to say 1 or 2 lines in the entire show, that’s very discouraging. (4) We raised our concern to the director and he didn’t even bother to response. This is rude and unprofessional in my opinion.
We attended one of its program for young kids. Overall, this was the worst experience we had. It was WASTE of time and money. It was boring in all dimensions. I felt like they do not appropriate programs for little kids, and they did not bother to design one. But in sake of money, they still opened such programs.
Here was our experience.
First of all, the main complaints went to the center not the teacher. the center did not have a rigorous plan for programs of young kids. A lot of free dance without proper engagement made classes so boring. The content was not enough to engage little ones. I did doubt the competence of the teacher, but again the main blame went to the class design by the center.
Among the total 6 classes, the first one is just for introduction and free dance (little interaction between kids and teachers, just music and let the kids do what they want. why not I played music at home by myself then?). One of my little one complained he was so boring for the first class.
The second class was the worst! The leading teacher had an injury and she sat on a chair through almost the entire session. I do have sympathy on her injury and this was unfortunate event for her. But I was angry about the center for several reasons. First of all, DLC, as an organizer, should have someone else to step up and cover the class. Clearly, the assistant teacher does not have enough experience or qualification to step up properly. Second, even if the teacher taught class, she should be able to planned her class better. She had the children do coloring for 30 minutes!!! A lot kids (not only mine) just sat for the most of the class. This was just a wasted class, one out of six.
For the rest of classes, I observed they usually did 10 min-15min free dance, 10min circle time with a game. What I observed is the teacher was talking to one or two kids. The rest of them were just sat there doing nothing. There were only 30min meaningful activities for kids!
Refuses to refund for no camp this summer. Do not register for Fall because if there is a Covid shutdown, the owner will not return your funds.
School of Rock
Address: 421 N 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123 , Telpaneca , Maryland , United States
I love how my son can’t wait to go to keyboard lessons with Micheal and band sessions with Ryan every week. His face is priceless. He is always excited. He is learning and most importantly having fun! It is awesome that he jams at home and also jams at school to. Rock and Roll and party on!
Signed up for a free class to check it out. Instead of a free class I was put on an email list. I unsubscribed and blocked their email but I am still getting emails from them almost daily. Would be nice if they accurately marketed there “free class” as “enter email to be on daily email list”
Making music lessons fun is a mission worth getting behind. One of the last bastions of Rock and Roll.
The instructors are very energetic and professional. The staff is awesome. If that wasn’t enough, they have performing bands you can join that match your age group/experience. I’m in the adult group. I am more driven in my learning than I ever have been.
The excellent staff at School of Rock Princeton is what makes this place stand out. They are dedicated, caring and passionate about music, and they go all out to ensure the kids are enjoying their lessons and shows. Love this place and our SoR family!
University of Maryland
Address: College Park, MD 20742 , Telpaneca , Maryland , United States
Love my school! One thing that I do not like after coming back in person two years later, to find out that the protocol that is being put in place, isn’t followed in some classes and students are squeezed rubbing shoulders( literally) in tighter spaces than narrow airline seats. I hope they will be removed and classes will be held in larger rooms for students of 30 or adapted by space and size. Ventilation is really an issue. If you preach social distancing,but don’t provide it, then that is a huge contradiction.
I really love my school though, no other one I’d like to go to otherwise..
Eu só respondi uma pesquisa sobre a pandemia e covid-19. Mais foi muito bom saber que a Universidade de Maryland está desenvolvendo essa pesquisa.
Nice school
Side streets needs to be wider
Great university but the building designs are banal.
Everything about this hospital is amazing except the emergency room staff and janitor services were Very rude . I watched the janitor disrespect a patient and no one did anything to stop her . I can go on and on .
This school wasted two years of my daughters life. Administration is deaf to complaints and only interested in tuition. Anywhere else can only be better. Thankfully she transferred to UMBC where she will finish this year. Both her analytical skills and general education has increased ten fold at UMBC. This would have never happened with the lack of tutelage at University of Maryland, College Park.
