Francis Penavic, the owner of Ogden Art Studio, and previous graduate of the Chicago Art Institute…read moreis an amazing painting instructor. His ability to help others see components of a painting, the techniques used, brush strokes, color make up and styles are lessons that will stay with me. My fear of oil painting is finally over thanks to this remarkable teacher. Stephanie Girvin

Both of my children have been attending the art studio for two years now, and they absolutely love…read moreit! The teacher is fantastic, very patient and encouraging. He has a great way of bringing out the creativity in children and making art fun for them. My kids always look forward to their art classes and come home with big smiles on their faces, excited to show me their latest creations.

Marilyn was such a gracious host. We listened to music from the 50s while painting our ceramic…read morepieces. It's great that she allows outside food and drinks and she provided glassware and plates. Great for Funday Sunday!

Wonderful place to take a class. I'm learning so much and having a great time. It doesn't matter…read moreif you are new to art or have previous experience, Michael meets you where you're at and helps you reach your potential

Unbelievable experience with Dottie. I wanted a painting to be made as a gift for my boyfriend's…read morebirthday. It was just a loose idea, and I need someone to help with executing it and didn't know where to start. When I looked up a few artists in the area, I found Dottie's website and loved the work I saw. I reached out to her, and felt so confident she was the right person just by taking to her. She is so pleasant and communicates well. She offered to help me with learning to paint/painting this gift myself, but because I wouldn't be in town, she happily painted what I needed on my canvas and had it ready before the deadline. The painting turned out INCREDIBLE! I am blown away by her talent, and her ability to put what I imagined onto a canvas. I can't tell you how much I trust this woman to execute a painting, and be honest about how it will turn out. Thank you so much, Dottie!

Absolutely wonderful!! Dottie is amazing. I can't say enough great things about this kind woman and…read moreher ability to communicate so well and host a fun party. Attached is our group photo. It was a family gathering and she worked great with our varying ages from 8-60. We keep talking about it!! Thank you so much, Dottie!! You rock! :-)

I was referred here by a family friend for guitar and vocals for my daughter and my son. I went in…read moreto check out the school a few weeks ago the two teachers I was referred to are no longer teaching there. I met who I am guessing is the manager his name was Adam or Alex? He tried to talk me into guitar with one of the other teachers but I was extremely surprised that the teachers are all kids. I was really excited that they opened up and are so close to my house however they want $300 a month to have a 22 year old teach your child. I also was not very excited by the fact that for $300 a month my children would not be learning any theory only music for the show that they would be putting on. When I asked if they could also throw theory and some structured learning in I was told if there is time after they work on the assigned songs that they would be allowed to do so. The man I was speaking with could sense my disdain and got very pushy and when he found out that my children have been in music lessons since they were 3 years old he became very adamant about me joining and talking about the show team and other performance programs my kids could be in, Normally I would be a proud mama bear to hear someone wanting my kids to be part of something so badly, but truthfully I do not want to pay for my children to be in a band I want to pay for my children to have lessons from an accomplished adult so they can learn to play better, not be put on a "show team" to play songs and never learn anything new. I felt as though I was at a used car lot the way the man was talking to me. I also just got a strange vibe off of him. He seemed burned out or like he may have been on something. Definitely not someone I would feel comfortable leaving my child with. I was super disappointed because I had heard such wonderful things about the vocal instructor and the guitar instructor, I was upset to find out that they had left the school, especially when they did not have sufficient teachers to fill their spots. All they could offer as replacement was early 20 somethings to replace them. Basically I got a very bad vibe off of the place. When I visited the only people who were there were the burnt out manager, the guitar teacher who is in his early 20's and the vocal instructor (who I had already been told was not sufficient and that you don't want her, you want to make sure you get the vocal keys teacher).. So all in all I would say skip school of rock glen ellyn and go to school of rock naperville. Thats what I ended up doing. The teachers there are of adult age and have resumes as opposed to the glen ellyn school where the teacher are in college and just working a job. If you go to their website do not be fooled in the staff section the guitar teacher who I was going there to try and sign up with is still on there as the music director which I feel is sneaky and misleading, he is not there anymore they just keep him on there to make them look like they have someone on staff that can actually teach music.

Last Spring we checked out school of rock for my son who was interested in playing drums. We…read moreweren't ready to commit to buying a drum set so we checked out the Rookies program. He had a blast and took to the drums like a fish out of water. Fast forward we enrolled him in Absolute Beginners camp in the summer - with a show on the Friday of the camp. We were amazed at how all the kids learned and preformed several songs after 1 week. Fall we enrolled in lessons and Performance Program. All the kids learn at an incredible rate with weekly one on one's as well as weekly 3 hour rehearsal with his group. I feel it would have taken years at a lower cost lesson only program for him to get to the level he's at in 5 months. In addition all of the staff and other kids are awesome. School of Rock will quickly become a second family for anyone who attends.

I've been taking this class for a few years and immediately felt extremely welcome. Everyone works…read moreon their own project at their own pace and Sam is there for guidance and feedback. More than that, it's a very safe little community where I am free to express myself. I'm extremely grateful for this space.

I hadn't thought of myself as artistic or talented in art, but I have been an adult painting class…read morewith Sam for over a year, and it's one of my favorite activities in the week, and I surprise myself with the paintings I've done during this time. Sam is a highly experienced and knowledgeable artist and teacher and has a very welcoming, friendly, relaxed, and fun approach to teaching. In our class, each person works on their own piece, using a variety of mediums, and her class becomes a community, where we converse comfortably while working on our art. There is no feeling of competitiveness, but of mutual support and encouragement. Sam provides suggestions and instruction on techniques to help guide us whenever needed, and the atmosphere in the class is very relaxed and friendly. I highly recommend her art classes for people of all ages.

Won't provide tuition without a phone call and tour. This is a pain when shopping around for a good…read moreschool for your kid. Also read terrible reviews about the owner.

I had a nondescript phone call with Michael the owner, not forthcoming with rate information…read more After I informed him we enrolled our son elsewhere I received a rude email response. This is very revealing and I'm revealed to discover this early. My wife is forming a moms group for the Darien, Westmont and Downers Grove area, we'll be sure to share our experience.

I think the world of Elmhurst Music Academy. I've been taking piano lessons there for the past year…read moreand a half, and have enjoyed both of the teachers I've had there. They are very passionate about their work and I feel like I've advanced through their teaching skills. I'm an adult student there, they do fine with the "older student". When my grand daughter turns 5, I intend to enroll her there. In speaking with some of the other parents in the waiting room, they seem pleased with what their children are learning there. Fine facility as well, I enjoy the grand piano that I take lesson on there.

My daughter's piano teacher moved to a different state. We had to find a different teacher.We…read moresigned her up to The Elmhurst Music Academy...a big mistake. My daughter used to love playing piano, now she hates it. The previous teacher was so proud of her; she even took her to a recital. My daughter played with her Beethoven when she was only four years old. People loved it and wanted her to play more. The new teacher switched her books. My daughter doesn't like the new book. When we asked the teacher to switch her back to the series that her pervious teacher was using, her response was no. When we asked why, she said that this book will be too difficult for my daughter!!!!!! She said that without even giving a chance! My daughter already knows most of the songs from that book, she was using it during her performance with the previous teacher . It makes us sad that she cuts my daughter's wings...my daughter used to love piano and now she says that she doesn't want to play because the songs are easy and boring !!!!!! It is hard to hear these words from five years old whose passion is piano music . Before the previous teacher left she asked my daughter not to quit playing because she has a huge potential. We talked to the owner and asked him about switching a teacher. He made us feel horrible... how dare we not to be happy with the service. He said that it was alarming to him that we asked about a different book. Alarming?????? We paid in advance for three months so we asked him politely if he could refund us the money, he said no. The owner made us feel like we are causing a lot of troubles by asking for a different teacher. Do yourself a favor, please chose a different school. There are plenty wonderful teachers and music schools, please avoid this one!!!!