Business Details
36 Years
experience
Music, Art & Dance Classes for Kids in Westmont, IL
Academy Of Music & Art has been nurturing creativity in students since 1990. Founded by Chris Wilson, our institution combines decades of expertise with a passion for music, art, and dance education. Our team of certified instructors brings extensive experience from prestigious conservatories and universities, ensuring personalized instruction tailored to individual learning styles. We offer flexible scheduling with after-school, evening, and weekend classes, complemented by state-of-the-art facilities including recording studios and dedicated practice spaces.Our commitment to quality is demonstrated through consistent student progress, annual recitals, and specialized programs like our Fall Musical production. With transparent pricing, free trial lessons, and a satisfaction guarantee, we prioritize student growth in a supportive environment that fosters confidence and artistic development.
Services
Music Lessons
Dance Classes
Art Classes
Group Piano
Songwriting Workshops
Details
- Year established: 1990
Highlights and features
- Certified instructors with university training and 30+ years of combined teaching experience
- Flexible scheduling with after-school, evening, and weekend class options
- Free trial lessons to experience our teaching approach
- Specialized programs including Disney musical productions and K-Pop dance classes
- State-of-the-art facilities with recording studios and dedicated practice spaces
What people say
Patient instructors
Creative environment
Positive reinforcement
Tremendous progress
Energetic teachers
Services
Guitar Lessons
Private guitar instruction for all skill levels from beginner to advanced. Our certified instructors use customized lesson plans that adapt to individual learning styles and musical preferences. Students receive technical training in chord progressions, fingerpicking patterns, and music theory fundamentals while learning their favorite songs. The program emphasizes gradual skill development through structured practice routines requiring just 15 minutes daily. Regular performance opportunities help build confidence and stage presence in a supportive environment.
Dance Classes
Comprehensive dance instruction for children aged 2.5 through teens. Classes include ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and K-Pop styles with specialized programs like Dance Start for beginners and Broadway Bound for musical theater enthusiasts. Our curriculum develops coordination, rhythm, and performance skills through age-appropriate choreography. The Fall Musical program offers production experience with cast-specific dance rehearsals. Classes emphasize technical development while maintaining a fun, encouraging atmosphere that builds self-confidence through creative expression.
Art Classes
Creative art instruction covering various mediums including painting, drawing, and mixed media projects. Seasonal programs like Halloween Sugar Skull workshops teach sculpture and decoration techniques using specialized materials. Classes focus on developing technical skills while encouraging personal artistic expression through hands-on projects. The curriculum accommodates all experience levels with no prior art experience required. Students showcase their work in seasonal art exhibitions that celebrate creative achievement and build presentation skills.
Songwriting Workshops
Interactive songwriting classes that teach lyric crafting, melody creation, and chord progression development. Students learn storytelling techniques and musical structure while exploring different genres from pop to rock. The program includes collaborative writing exercises and performance opportunities to test compositions. No instrumental proficiency required - focus remains on creative concept development. Weekly workshops culminate in original song presentations that demonstrate students' compositional growth.
Group Piano
Group piano instruction that combines technical skill development with ensemble playing experience. Classes teach fundamental keyboard techniques while exploring chord progressions that power popular music. Students participate in collaborative performances that build stage presence and teamwork skills. The curriculum includes sight-reading exercises and basic music theory instruction. Classes maintain small group sizes to ensure individual attention while benefiting from peer interaction.
People
Chris Wilson
Founder and President
Certified music instructor with 30+ years teaching experience, specializing in guitar instruction and curriculum development. Holds university training in music education and has directed over 30 musical productions since founding the academy in 1990.
Ms. Keeley
Ballet Instructor
Experienced dance educator specializing in early childhood ballet instruction. Known for creating engaging, positive learning environments that develop technical skills while maintaining student enthusiasm for dance.
Questions
What age groups do you cater to?
We offer classes for children as young as 2.5 years old through teens and adults, with specialized programs for different developmental stages.
Do you require prior experience for enrollment?
No prior experience needed for any classes. Our curriculum accommodates complete beginners through advanced students in all disciplines.
What performance opportunities exist?
We host regular recitals, seasonal productions like Disney's Descendants musical, and art exhibitions to showcase student achievements.
Are trial classes available?
Yes, we offer free trial lessons for music and dance classes, plus a 7-day dance class pass for new students.
What instruments can I learn?
We teach guitar, piano, voice, drums, bass, clarinet, flute, trumpet, trombone, and saxophone with experienced instructors.
How do you match students with teachers?
We carefully match students with instructors based on learning style, musical preferences, and skill level for optimal progress.
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