Space is well organized, big and appealing! I love that customers were able to utilize instruments…read moreto get a feel for what they like and want. I was purchasing a gift and needed assistance for where it would be. An associate redirected me exactly to the room I needed to go to even though they were on the register, checking people out and his line was long. Once I got to the correct section, Jared then helped me, I specifically told him what I was looking for and he came back with different color options that I didn't even know was an option. I'm super glad he did because I ended up going with a black base and gold trim for the DJ set I bought instead of just the generic all black, which is all I thought it came as. He explained what came with my item, and the different accessories I could purchase to help complete my gift. He was patient with my questions and very knowledgeable and went a step above to bring me different color ways of the DJ said I asked for.!

Long story short: No customer service and a bunch of people who hate their jobs and don't have…read morepassion. Long story long: I'm a photographer and videographer that works for a nightclub and they sent me here to grab some fog machine fluid. I made the order online and came to pick it up just cause I live 30-35 minutes away and wanted to make a quick grab and go. As soon as I arrived, I went to the first person I saw and was told "Oh! I'm off already, I was supposed to leave an hour ago, go find another associate.." I then proceeded to walk in the DJ section side because I wasn't directed where the next associate was so I decided to get lost. I saw a gentleman at a counter and stood in front of him waiting to be acknowledged but he just stared at me blankly so I then proceeded to ask him which he huffed and puffed in annoyance. After giving him my name he walked off silently without a word and grabbed my things. When asked for an ID, I gave him a government issued ID and was told with attitude that it had to be a drivers license (this didn't make sense to me cause if my government issued ID gets me pass TSA, I didn't see why my ID couldn't get me pass fog machine fluid.)

This is a family business and Rick treats everyone who walks through his doors as family. He…read moreobviously loves music and is passionate about sharing that love with the kids and adults that take lessons here. All the teachers we have worked with are great, they work well with kids of all ages and adults. Best place to get music lessons in VB or Norfolk, and I shopped around A LOT before I went to Back to Rock. Check it out!!!!

We had a very good experience this week with Milton and his team at Marathon Moving Services! They…read morepacked us up one day and moved us the next. Milton originally came out to meet us and to provide an estimate, which we greatly appreciated, and it was right on-point at payment time. So important! The packing team was very good; they packed us up quickly and carefully. (While I'm still unpacking, all my breakables are so far in great shape!) They were friendly and professional. The next day, a different team handled the move and these guys worked so so hard! They were also very careful, efficient, and friendly, despite the very steep staircase in our condo. I honestly don't know how they did it. Overall, a very good experience with both teams! Thank you Milton and teams! Here's a pic of the moving team: Curtis, Kenny & Chuck, having just finished the job!

We used Marathon for an intercity move--Milton was great and the crew worked very hard. We were…read moregenerally pleased. The frustration came when wanting to file a claim for some damages that occurred. We kept being redirected to someone else in the office and phone calls were not returned. A bit of a let down in service at the end, unfortunately.

I was in their showroom the other day and it was absolutely gorgeous! Ray was extremely helpful and…read moreknowledgeable and the pianos were exceptional! If you're in the market for a piano and want an exceptional experience, this is the place to go!

Jordan Kitts in Virginia Beach knowingly sold us a piano with a defective player. When I called…read moreabout the issue, they referred me back to Yamaha. Be careful about any purchases from this store. Their salespeople are skillful at making you feel good about your purchase, but are willing to misrepresent the condition of their pianos. You may want to check out the annual sales of the Old Dominion University Music Department for discounted pianos.

This is now a VERY small branch of Arts and Music. It clearly looks like a location that primarily…read moredeals with lessons.

I have been coming here for a little while now. I am impressed with the friendly atmosphere and…read morewillingness to help you find whatever you're looking for. The instructors are friendly and flexible with their time. I've only had to ask to reschedule two lessons and both times were easilaccommodated. If you're looking for music lessons I would definitely come here. If you want to buy music supplies, they will steer you in the right direction if they don't have exactly what you need. 05/24/18 update. Still happy with the lessons.

Brian is a butcher. Do not take anything you care about to him…read more In mid-March, I brought my Takamine LTD 2003 Eagle to Brian to refinish. It was designed for the group, The Eagles, and only 500 were made. I bought the guitar new in 2003. The retail at that time was around $2400. It's now a collector. The guitar had a milky haze that had built up from a contaminate in the finish and probably over humidifying on my part. It was in mint condition outside of the hazy finish. Brian sold me on his ability to do the best job of anyone around. I was excited to have my prize guitar looking like new again. He said it would be about 30 days. I knew nothing of guitar repair or refinishing at the time. He thought it might be a nitro finish, but it was poly, which is extremely hard to get off. Every luthier I spoke to on this said you have to scrape it and not to sand it because it's toxic. I asked for progress pictures when he had it stripped. After 30 days, there had been zero communication. Called, no answer. Text, no answer. I dropped in to see if I could get an update. He was in the parking lot. I hadn't said a word and was walking towards him when he said, "Hey, I don't respond well to customers pressuring me!" I was shocked because I hadn't said a word and I told him I wasn't expecting the guitar, but just wanted to see where it was in the process. He told me Covid-19 caused him not to be able to give music lessons and it made him fall behind. (Yeah, I didn't get that either. It should have given him more time on repairs.) He said he figured out the finish was poly and was taking more time than nitro and the neck "was a pain in the ass". He said he'd send me pics and I went on my way. Around 60 days in, I got a pic that showed me that only the back of the body had been sanded. That's it. The "pain in the ass" neck was still attached. At 90 days, not a peep. Several texts and phone call attempts later, he finally responded and said he closed because of the riots at the beach. (He's geographically nowhere close... yeah, another excuse that made no sense.) He said he hadn't done much since the only pic I received with the back sanded. I told him that I felt I'd been pretty patient and I wanted to simply know if he could complete the job and to please give me a reasonable timeframe. He said he thought it best if I found someone else to complete the job. I went to his shop and picked up the guitar. As busy as he said he was, he was just sitting chatting with someone. Explains a lot. I never offered pay and he never asked. I simply just walked out without either of us saying a word. (I recorded the event because I was sure he'd say something.) When I got home, I opened the case and was shocked. I thought he'd only done the back, but half of the front had been sanded up to the Eagle with a power sander. It was evident that the top was thinned. There were 2 deep gashes near the fret extension near the sound hole where he'd used a putty knife or similar and tried to pry the neck off the body. One of the frets had 7 drill holes where he tried unsuccessfully to release the dovetail. (Pics attached) After contacting several other luthiers, every single one said that the neck should not be removed to refinish a guitar. Every one. After seeing the guitar, the word "butcher" was used by at least 2 of them. It was obvious that Brian had no clue how to get the neck off a 2003 Takamine. I think they are both glued and dowelled. I guess that's why he couldn't pry it up! This guy says he teaches others... Sounds like he could use a few more classes himself. He was able to pry half of the fret extension up. That meant the neck now had to come off. Takamine states that the neck should never come off their guitars unless you're doing a neck reset. I found the foremost Takamine expert in the country who does repair in California. The guitar is there now. He's going to let me know if the guitar has basically been destroyed or if he can salvage Brian's butchering. He has informed me that he actually knows the proper procedure for removing and doing a neck reset on that era Takamine, unlike Brian. It should be mentioned that I gave Brian multiple opportunities to both complete the job and also to repair the neck before I sent the guitar to California. I've kept all text correspondence during this entire ordeal. As it stands, you may be asking if I've moved against Brian legally and the answer is no - and further - I won't if the California restoration is able to be completed. It's not worth it. However, if they inform me that the guitar is beyond repair, all options are on the table. I feel I have a duty to warn others considering him for repairs or restoration on their special guitars - Steer clear! I'd hate to see anyone have the same experience. I think he truly is a butcher and definitely a procrastinator. There are better luthiers (Jasper Guitars, Angelico Violins, Music-go-round, and Mark Brumitt in Richmond)

In September 2020, I took the opportunity to take Brian's one week setup/repair class. Prior to…read morethis class, I had always taken my guitars to a local shop in Northern Virginia for setups. My experience level was limited to string changes and I had never even taken a truss rod cover off. Day one, we were out of the shoot breaking down how stringed instruments work and how to make them work properly. During the week, I became proficient in guitar setups, minor repairs, and even wound a set up pickups, which sound absolutely phenomenal. This is truly a course that you will get out of it what you put into it. Brian is an excellent teacher and seemed to cater his teachings to my level of enthusiasm. He breaks down the lesson to where it is easy to understand and put into action. One of the lessons learned that is not part of the class is the actual business of guitar repair. Brian is a great businessman that truly cares about his customers. I watched as he interacted with customers and observed while he handled their instruments. I can guarantee your instrument is in great hands while being repaired by Brian. He is a truly skilled craftsman. One of the most interesting things I noticed while in the shop was his genuine care of people. I specifically watched him with one student and the way that he was giving him lessons that crossed over from stringed instruments, to a lesson of life confidence. This is a little sappy, but nonetheless, speak to the character of Brian Hawkins and Hawkins Guitar. I cannot say enough about my experience in the repair school. I have learned a new skill which I have put into action on my own guitars. They were long days, but awesome days. You will definitely get your money's worth in this class. Brian builds some of the most beautiful guitars I have ever seen. He is a great teacher and a genuinely good person at heart. If you entrust Brian with your instrument or educational opportunity, you can trust you are in good hands!

I know this guy on a personal level and I can vouch for his outstanding work. I have never seen…read moreanybody so passionate about their work/trade. People are just in aw when they come and pick up their instrument after Steve is finished with it. He puts his heart and soul in everything he does and it shows in his work. I highly recommend Steve for all of your musical/instrument needs.

From the owner: Total restorations to simple adjustment of fine stringed instruments.Expert bow rehair/repair. Pro…read moreinstrument setup.Pro instrument short term rentals.

This school is amazing. First of all you are put together with other musicians who are learning how…read moreto play together for the first time live. You practice once a week and at the end of the semester you do an actual performance. They have adult bands and they have kids bands. Everyone sounds absolutely amazing. With each performance everyone gets better and better. Vasili Simmons at the Virginia Beach location is a great teacher. There's also a location in Newport News.

My son looks forward to coming every week. Ms. Adrian is patient and thorough. He really enjoys…read moreplaying the piano. The only critique is the place itself is old and dated. It has a bit of a smell that they try to cover up with wall plug ins. I would recommend!

I took my son here originally for drum lessons and he had a great time with his teacher. I came…read moreback after that for a vocal lesson and scheduled my son another drum lesson. It was at this point the owner started trying to force a month to month contract on me after 1 lesson. I explained that my son's grandfather is very sick with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and that we can't guarantee we will be in town every week since we have been visiting him more ( almost weekly ). The owner seemed unsympathetic to this and continued to debate and argue about getting his contract signed. After that, I considered not coming back because I didn't want to give this man any more of my money, however I had really enjoyed my 1 vocal lesson and my son also enjoyed his drum lesson, so I asked if I could pay for another vocal lesson in advance to which he begrudgingly agreed. I explained to him that I would be happy to pay for our lessons a week in advance when we knew we were going to be in town. However that wasn't good enough for him and he insisted on locking me in a monthly contract, and that I would have to next time I came. My son's second drum lesson was great ( yesterday ) and I had my 3rd vocal lesson today which was lovely. Unfortunately, when I came around the corner to the front desk, the owner was waiting for me with a posture and look on his face that said he was ready to argue. Great way to greet a customer upon seeing them. He immediately asked me what I had decided about his contract, to which I declined to sign it and offered to pay for another vocal lesson a week in advance since I know I will be in town next week. He debated me again and said that I couldn't do that and tried to argue that rules are rules, which is just silly in this case. Most of his arguments were based around people in the past not showing up for lessons and them losing money since they would have teachers there still getting paid. However, if someone is paying you a week in advance for an upcoming lesson, you're guaranteed that person is going to show or at least to have their money for the lesson already. In the end though, it is his business and he can make up whatever obscure and silly rules he wants. Just know, that after your 1st lesson they're going to try and force a month to month contract on you and make you lock in a time for every week. Personally, I'll be taking my business and my money elsewhere.