As others have noted, the experience here is hit or miss. I missed my child's end-of-camp concert because the front desk told me the wrong time. The manager noted an e-mail they sent out, and just shook my hand and walked away. Staff are just random people with musical background, but no training in running a service-oriented organization - typically late to start, conveying incorrect information to parents, etc.. Staff are the kind of people you would meet in record store or second-hand instrument shop, which is not bad, but it leads to poor organization and bad service. In effect, I missed my child's concert that we were both looking forward to. read more

This is my first negative review on Yelp, unfortunately. Poor front desk service and the quality of teacher was substandard even for a beginner. We were optimistic, even excited, at first but immediately my son said he wasn't challenged or engaged by the teacher. My son had a fever the night before his second class so I called first thing in the morning to reschedule. They didn't call me back until when our class was originally scheduled, 1pm and said we would forfeit the class unless we did virtual. Too short of notice and definitely not professional. We canceled and should have taken the advice of two other friends who said they had negative experiences here, too. read more

Unfortunately, after a couple years of my children attending B2R, we recently had a traumatizing experience, enough for us to leave. In a nutshell, my son was scheduled with a substitute for piano. The substitute told my son he wanted to have fun, so my 8 year old began to act silly, where then the teacher verbally assaulted my child, calling him "a jerk" and a "bad student" and verbally berating him in the class. When he came out of the class, the sub went off on me on how horrific my child's behavior was. This is very uncharacteristic of my child, but even if he did not listen, you do not speak to a child this way. When the assistant manager was notified, we both met with the sub, who began verbally berating ME! The manager actually said that was enough and told him that he agreed with me and this behavior was not tolerated at B2R. We emailed the company, letting them know we were terminating our classes immediately, as we all became traumatized by this altercation. They emailed back a standard response that this behavior was unacceptable and offered us 2 free classes. We declined. Now, one week later, that teacher is still there, and I found out the new director knows nothing about this incident. I am writing this review as a warning to all parents - at first, I did not leave my young children alone at the studio. They are alone in a room with one adult, and those adults do not have the licensing or background checks school teachers must pass - so they can DO ANYTHING TO YOUR CHILD! I let my guard down and now have a child who was verbally assaulted alone with a male teacher. Please learn from my mistake. If you need the name of the teacher so you can avoid him, please send me a message. read more

I took my son for a music lesson a few weeks ago - he loved it! We will definitely return to join the class. The director of the school was very helpful. Highly recommend for anyone signing up for music classes. read more

The birthday party for my 9yo son was a blast!! We had so much fun and the staff was awesome! BTW, compared to other birthday party events, B2R's pricing is very reasonable. Totally recommend to any music lovers!! THANK YOU BACK2ROCK - You Rock!!! read more

All teachers have been fabulous, my 9 yo son has stayed interested in the piano since they teach popular songs as well as classic. Very easy to deal with rescheduling and cancelling. All around great place! read more

Our son has been taking instruction at Bach to Rock McLean for 4+ years and we could not be happier with them. The quality of instruction has been phenomenal from all of his instructors. It hasn't been just learning songs. B2R's philosophy is to make their students more than simply performers. The kids become creators as well. Our son has been given the strongest set of foundational skills in addition to a deep exploration and understanding of both theory and techniques. Our son has blossomed because of B2R McLean and the people there. B2R offers the best opportunity of all music schools in the area for the children to perform live in front of an audience whether it is with a band or individually. The highlight for B2R bands is that they get the opportunity to compete in a Battle of the Bands at the 9:30 Club twice a year. For individual performers, it is the twice yearly 'Showcase' which has been held at both The Mansion at Strathmore and George Mason University. The 'Showcase' is more like a traditional recital. The site director, Jennifer, has built and maintained a solid organization. You feel confidence putting your child in B2R the moment you walk in the door. The staff and instructors are not only knowledgeable and helpful, but Jennifer has managed to staff B2R with people who understand and like kids of all ages. My wife and I only wish that B2R had been around when our son was a toddler. Their program for young kids is amazing. You see it in the children's faces, their excitement each week when they come in for class. The students also have numerous opportunities to be recorded in the studio as an individual, as part of band camp, for birthday parties and as a member of a B2R Band. No other music school in the DC area offers this. read more

My Bach 2 Rock (B2R) experience began in August of 2012. I have three sons, ages 12, 9 and 6. With the oldest, I've led him through 5 consecutive years of varied music instruction with the impetus for change being a lack of sustained motivation. I refused to allow this child to give up on music knowing that the right fit with an instructor would be the key to our success. Per the suggestion of a friend, we ventured far beyond our zip code to try B2R in McLean. My 9 year old, then 8, also began guitar instruction at this time at B2R. Both boys seemed to really like the environment immediately. While this certainly made me happy, their quick approval was hardly a measure for me of B2R's ability to deliver what I had solicited: an appreciation for music, a connection with their instrument's, and instruction that motivates them to practice and improve on their own time. Just a few months into our B2R experience and I quietly observed my oldest son practicing daily. I caught him studying YouTube videos, teaching himself chords and songs that he had not yet been taught. I caught my husband asking our boys to show him how to play the things that they were learning. On all fronts, B2R seemed to be making music fun. A few months after we started at B2R, my youngest son told me he'd like to take guitar lessons, too. But at age 6, he's too young for the program at B2R. The manager suggested we try Kids n Keys. In a group that limits its size to 4 children, my youngest began his relationship with B2R. He is over the moon to be a part of music now, too. Administratively, I have been amazed by the service. The staff is young and ample; there is always an informed person at the front desk to answer questions. Our instructors have been friendly and interested in my sons' progress. The B2R facility is industrial, clean and, through the eyes of my older sons, it's "cool." Well in advance of lessons I knew we would have to miss, I asked if we could reschedule. The front desk was so attentive and accommodating. In a matter of hours they had us rerouted to a Saturday! In addition to his individual lessons, my oldest son joined a B2R band several months back. The 'band' experience is coordinated and led by a B2R instructor who works with the group in one of the studios on the premises. I immediately warmed when I saw that B2R brought both genders together for the band, and all at similar ages and levels. In addition to being a wholly rewarding new step for my son, I was again astonished by the follow up we received from the staff. In person and by email, I had staff members wanting to confirm that the band was a fit for my son. I have the sincere belief that this program weighs it success on the very things that I had hoped my children would find: an appreciation for music, a connection with their instruments, and instruction that motivates them to persevere. read more

Our experience was a lot like another review--almost entirely disappointment. Just not the experience we had hoped for. When we tried to talk to them about it, we were blown off. There's much better in McLean and Tysons, so we go there now. read more

My daughter loves her band and band coach. Being in a band has made her more confident in herself and also her abilities to perform and talk in front of crowds. Best thing we ever did! read more

This place is an incredible spot for families that want to expose and enrich their children's lives w/music. They have a wide variety of classes, incredible staff, well priced classes & lessons, a variety of instruments to learn, and they have a great facility. We have been especially impressed with the teachers. They engage our kids (7,6,& 3) while teaching them the fundamentals and making it fun. I'm especially impressed w/the Rock City/preschool age class our youngest is taking. All of our kids did the highly popular toddler music classes but this class is fantastic. They still sing and dance and have fun, but the instructor seamlessly integrates fundamental music basics. read more

This review is long over due. I hesitated writing this for many months, but finally decided that they could reevaluate their instructors they have representing them. I signed my child up for private guitar lessons, and the first thing I thought was unusual is that We were never given a guitar lessons book? Not having any guitar experience and wanting my child to succeed I ended up googling all the parts of the guitar, etc. It just didn't make any sense. 2nd thing that was the breaking point for me was that they said my child was small ( yes he's a child and you teach to children) that they needed a foot stool. I said great do you provide them, and he says no? He says we would need to bring one to every class? So I says great I'll bring one and leave it there for all the kids to use, and he says no we don't have space to store it? I couldn't believe what I was hearing. A child's music studio did not provide children's footstools nor were they willing to keep the one I was willing to leave for all the children to use? I quit immediately and found the most amazing studio in Falls Church. The first thing I did when I toured the new studio was look for foot stools and guess what! There was a foot stool in every room because they taught to children, and my child received a beginner guitar book on day 1. read more

Not worth the money! The staff will lie to parent on what they can deliver. If your expectation is just a daycare, then go for it. Otherwise it is not worth it. read more

We love Bach to Rock! My 7 year old daughter takes private piano lessons with Abby; We are thrilled with how much joy these lessons have brought to our daughter. She is so proud of what she has learned to play in a short time, and has a new confidence and willingness to keep trying without getting frustrated. We've noticed this confidence has crossed over to all areas of her life - school, sports, etc. She looks forward to her weekly lesson, and is so excited to learn new songs and practices at home constantly. Abby is kind, patient, upbeat, and fun. She really cares about the her students. She is genuine and we can tell she wants the kids to enjoy playing and feel capable. We love the atmosphere B2R; it's wonderful to see children walk in with an instrument and a big smile; and hearing all the music and vocals is so fun. It's a joyful, happy, creative environment. There is no stress, and it's full of life. The teachers and staff are lovely, very friendly and bright. We love going every week - it's something we all enjoy. read more

I called during business hours and always reached voice mail. I left two messages and finally received a call back. Since I wasn't sure of the norm, I withheld judgement, assuming the instructors man the phones and teach and are therefore tied up during office hours. I signed my 3 1/2 year old son up for a trial class and based on rave reviews about the Herndon location, expected a similar experience. We walked in, and the receptionist was busy eating chips, didn't acknowledge our arrival until I told her we were there for a trial class (that I had signed up for three weeks before). Once she finally found our names in the system, she told me to wait in the reception area until the instructor arrived. This was 3:45pm for a 4pm class. I guess I assumed she would point out the instructor. Nope. A young man (late 20's/early 30's) walked in and went straight to down the hallway. I assumed he must be an instructor, but since the receptionist didn't point him out, we kept waiting. Five minutes after 4pm, and I asked the receptionist if the instructor had arrived. Again, still eating, she said he had arrived (turns out it was the guy I had seen walk in earlier). I told her I wasn't sure who he was or what he looked like. Could she show us to the class? She walked us in to the room and proceeded to leave. I wasn't sure ---- do I leave my kid in there or sit in with him? The instructor (Tuesdays at 4pm - am blanking on his name) seemed nice enough. He knows his stuff, but I could tell he did not have experience in early childhood education. He rushed through everything (young kids need enunciation and repetition), had a VERY difficult time maintaining the class (5 boys ages 3 1/2 - 5), and seemed flustered (it was hot in the room). He was railroaded by one 5 year old ring leader who seemed to instigate the other kids. It's difficult to keep toddlers in check, and often requires stopping and reinforcing rules and time aside if behavior doesn't improve. I felt sorry for the instructor because he may have felt the need, from parents, to ensure their kids walked away with proper instruction. But at this age, the ability to learn how to act in a group setting is probably the bigger lesson. And setting limits allows kids to know the boundaries and have a baseline for compliance. I just think he needs more education in how to manage this age. Sympathy aside, the thing that concerned me was that the instructor spouted back at the 5 year old (and some of the other kids) in a combative and immature tone, versus authoritative or collaborative. He was more physical with the 5 year old than I think is appropriate. I don't know if my presence there made it worse. I could tell that he had a disdain for the 5 year old boy. It was clear that boy was the oldest of the group and probably acted up in every class. All of this really took away from the ability to focus and learn on what he was teaching. I frankly didn't know who to talk to afterward. I felt awkward about it, and the receptionist didn't exactly have a welcoming presence. She may be there just making her hourly wage and doesn't care about the customer service piece of this, but she is the initial face of Bach to Rock Mclean, and should be expected to have a little more professional composure (at least not, literally, in the middle of putting a chip in her mouth when people are walking in, and then not greeting folks). I was REALLY looking forward to bringing my son to classes and getting him enrolled for many years. I was willing to make the drive from South Alexandria. At this rate, I will never return. I'm concerned that the foundation he could gain from the program won't be there because of the inability of the instructor for that particular class (Tuesdays, 4pm in Fall 2012) to manage the class. read more

This was very disappointing. We signed up for 8 drum lessons , we were told that it would be group lessons, group consisting on 2-4 children no more than 4 . This sounded good so we paid in full upfront. The teacher was great, however after the third lesson we were told by the director they would no longer honor the group lesson package because there was only two children, they were going to cancel the class. That was upsetting because my son 9 years old was getting excited about learning the drums , we had purchased everything they told for class and they were just going to cancel with no consideration for the children. I also explained that all the after school prgrams were full and we had chosen this as our afterschool program and it was going to be disappoiting to start this then have to cancel because there was only two children instead of three, not to mention why did they wait three weeks to tell us.... A couple of days later they offered to let us switch to private lessons, however we had to pay for private ... annoyed, however not wanting to disappoint my son we agreed. After the beginning of the second private lesson we were than told that the instructor would be leaving and they had no one that would be able to replace him. I am waiting for a refund I will let you know how that goes, they are unorganized and have poor customer service , the director has somewhat of a flippant attitude when questioned about any solutions to the issues. I understand things happen, however it should not be a burden to the children . read more