I am an adult who has been taking guitar lessons at the Del Ray Performing Arts Center since June…read moreof 2013. The owner, Steve Attix, is my teacher. I've found it to be a terrific experience and would like to highlight several reasons why: 1. I'm a working professional, with a working wife, and two kids. My schedule is a bit crazy. Steve is very accommodating. He allows me to juggle times around and make up missed classes weeks later. This flexibility is a big deal. 2. Steve has customized the experience for me. He uses a classical approach - something I very much appreciate given previous experience as a kid with classical piano. It had been a long time since I played, but I can read music and understand/remember a little bit of music theory. Because of this, we've moved through portions of the core lesson book faster. Steve's also supplemented the book with outside pieces based on my requests, but also his suggestions customized to my interests. This ranges from Bach to classic rock to country. I feel like I'm learning the proper techniques, building a solid foundation, but also able to enjoy playing more than just exercises. 3. The lessons are both technical and conceptual. I ask a lot of questions about everything and to everyone. Guitar technique and music theory included. Steve seems happy to answer my questions. It's not just "play the scales," "wax on, wax off." 4. Steve has a great sense of when and where to push to challenge me - sometimes its playing a piece faster or playing something again and again and again until I get a complicated passage correct. If I haven't had a lot of time to practice that week or my fingers just aren't cooperating, he knows when to go back to something easy or to just practice a few scales. 5. He constantly preaches efficiency. This is incredibly underrated. Encouraging / reminding a student to focus most of their time on the hardest passage. Isolate the problem area and work it. Look at any of the recent studies about the highest level professionals in any field. They all work really smart which means focusing on the most challenging areas. Steve gets this. 6. Steve often plays with me. This is a new experience - something I never did when learning the piano. Perhaps it is typical with guitar - I have no idea. But, I do find it to be a nice complement to practicing alone at home and feel like it is building an additional skill. 7. In addition to my own experience, I've observed Steve interact with others, mostly kids, as I come or go from a lesson. He has a great rapport with kids. He seems to expect a lot out of them, but is never harsh. He is encouraging, but clearly has high expectations.

This is the WORST, absolute worst, business in Alexandria. They constantly double book lessons,…read moretreat their students and teachers as if they are expendable, and regularly mess up their billing. They have no merchandise to speak of and it seems like they have not cleaned the store in months. Avoid this place at all cost! If you want lessons check out ROAM, Fox's, Alexandria Music, even Craig's List first!!!!!

This place is amazing! The store is clean and very organized. The lessons run on time, the pianos…read moreare in tune, and their rock school program is fantastic. ROAM's teachers have played all over the country, Europe, and China. The billing is always accurate. This is THE BEST place for lessons in Alexandria.

My daughter took piano lessons with Erin. Erin scheduled her own lessons and was always very…read moreorganized (there were a few times when we weren't *quite* as organized and forgot our daughter had a lesson, and Erin was always very kind and understanding). Our daughter loooooooved taking lessons with Erin! We have no complaints at all, Erin really got Ava interested by making it fun... She even taught Ava how to play some Harry Potter pieces We originally started with Del Ray Performing Arts Center because Erin was there, and when she moved to ROAM we were so relieved. Unlike DRPAC, ROAM is incredibly consistent with billing dates and always accurate. The owner, John, is very personable and professional. We usually waited in the lounge while our daughter was in her lesson, and it seemed like all of the other students and parents were happy with their respective teachers as well. We recently moved to Texas, and we will miss all the folks over at ROAM!

Not only is John a great teacher, he's a great dude, and might be the most patient person I've ever…read moremet. He makes learning fun, and teaches you playing the music you love. Great teacher, and a great guy!

John is a great teacher. I've been screwing around with guitar for a couple years and he has taken…read moreit to the next level. Teaches kids and adults. Guitar and bass. He is also an expert in the history of rock as well as music theory.

Service from Rob was great! They have a good selection of products for both wind and brass…read moreinstruments. After putting my saxophone down for 36 years (yeah that's right), I've regained interest in playing it again. Yup, still the exact saxophone I played back in 1990. It was already considered vintage back then, but a good instrument, like one's body and mind, maintained and repaired, will last a very long time. Dropped off my sax for a tuneup and pad replacement where needed today, and their turn-around time is 14-days. You can pre-authorize a charge limit, and if any repairs will exceed that amount they will call you to discuss. What's also good, is that they'll inspect it first before performing any work and let you know if the instrument is worth the cost of repairs or not. Rob said they'll provide you an evaluation, as well. When my sax is ready to pickup, I'll follow up and update this review.

Predatory Scam - Stay Away!…read more Signed up for lessons, got billed for services I never received. No lessons, no communication, just automatic charges to my card. Tried to cancel-- they ignored it and kept billing, then tried doubling the amount after cancellation. And this was four months ago... This is straight-up fraudulent and predatory. Do NOT come here and do not give them your credit card info or sign any contract. I've filed complaints with the FTC and CFPB.

Kudos to a tightly organized music lesson instructor with a reminder system that works well. Matt…read moreis always on time, makes great music selections for my daughter, and keeps the class moving at a good pace. Thank you for a professional and enjoyable setting.

Fantastic experience. Very comfortable setting and Judy is a total pro. I recommend this company to…read moreany age; any talent level and for any purpose or goal. I hope to go back soon!

I've stopped into this store twice in the last few months as I recently picked up dj'ing for fun!…read moreThe first time I came in, the service associate was awesome in helping me figure out what I needed to get started with a decent starter board, the appropriate cables and headphones without trying to oversell me. I recently went back in to get a speaker and more cables and more gear since I've become a world renowned DJ in the last two months...and different associate...but same stellar service. I know I ask a ton of questions and Zach was super knowledgeable AND patient. Again not trying to oversell me, helping me think through exactly what I needed vs what was looked cool online.

I walked in and was politely greeted by two gentlemen up front. I went back to the guitar wall,…read morewhich had a vast selection. I looked for about 20 minutes and I was offered assistance, but kind of wanted to look on my own which they respected. I met Tyler W., Sales Lead, who could not have been more patient and helpful. He was knowledgeable, he was not trying to "sell" me on something. I made my own selection, and he said that while he could easily order a brand new one that the one on display was significantly lower cost. I was NOT initially interested in something 100 people touched. Tyler looked me straight in the eyes and said that he would take a meticulous approach to cleaning it and making it like new. I was very confident that he would do just that, and he did. Tyler took his time and cleaned it up like brand new. I could not be more pleased with him, his help, or the overall experience.

Son has attended drum lessons for six months and greatly enjoys his lessons here with Colman Thumbs…read moreup to Steve for quickly and smoothly rescheduling lessons as needed. We went to the First Night New Years Eve shoes by the School of Rock performance bands. Band members get lots of help setting up and getting going on songs--it's harder than it looks! Thanks again to the staff for making it work. During stay-at-Home time SoR has worked hard to give students different performance activities, Jacob had two open mic times. SoR also edited student instrumental and vocal performances of "Wayward Son" into one group performance. Finally Steve has taken many measures to keep the school safe on reopening. We're back now for solo and group drum lessons!

Really nice facility just across the street from guitar center. I went in and did a free adult…read morelesson. Instructor was great. Had a lot of fun, looking forward to more lessons!