Business: Bach to Rock

Address: 1212 S. Naper Blvd., Naperville

Phone/website: 630-318-0312, www.bachtorock.com/naperville

Director: Hannah Rednour, 34, of Lockport; Assistant Manager: Aaron Smith, 40, of Romeoville.

Years in business: 7

What does your business do? “Bach to Rock is America’s music school. Our goal here is to get kids ready to play in bands, get out there and be in the music community by starting with private lessons and then moving into our rock band program that allows them to get together with kids their age and experience what it’s like to be a musician,” Rednour said.

How does it work? “Bach to Rock has its own custom curriculum so we walk kids through every aspect of learning music that they need to know, from music theory to instrumentation to reading music,” Rednour said.

What is music theory? “Music theory is our basic concepts behind music, like rhythm and tone and notation. It’s what creates your sound when you’re playing an instrument. … Music can be interpreted in many different ways. You’ve got many genres. Rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, pop. Every sound has a different theory behind it,” Rednour said.

Keyboards are the focus in the Justin Timberlake practice room at the music school Bach to Rock in Naperville. There are rooms for other instruments too. (Steve Metsch/for the Naperville Sun)

Why are you here? “I’m a professional freelance drummer who works with different artists for a studio session or touring,” Smith said. “I got into the educational part of it by being a teacher, a drum and theory instructor. … I was at another music school. I’ve been here since June.”

Why did drumming appeal to you? “I started playing in church. I was fascinated by it. I come from a musical background so it was inevitable for me. Church was a training ground. I was in a jazz ensemble at Rock Valley College,” Smith said. “I don’t teach here. I’m taking a break. I’m full administration.”

What does a director do? “I’m essentially the manager. I keep things moving and shaking. … I played clarinet in high school. I love to sing. Music has been a big part of my life. When I was a kid, my brother was in a garage band, (he) thought he was Kurt Cobain. … My shuffle is crazy.”

Is this a chain? “We are a corporate-run chain school. We have corporate schools and franchise schools. … Franchise schools have more freedom to run it how they want where we have to follow more by-the-book policies that Bach to Rock was created on,” Rednour said. “There are more than 150 locations (nationwide).”

What happens when a kid walks in? “Our private lessons here start at (age) 7. We offer early childhood lessons as well. But, generally, elementary through middle school students are here.”

Suppose someone wants to learn the guitar? “We give them a synopsis of how the program runs. We give them a tour. You’ll start from the foundational portion. … They go from level to level,” Smith said.

“After foundation, they move to Level One up to Level Four. At Level Four, they work on our curriculum library. We have more than 600 songs that we bought copyrights to that kids can choose from. A wide variety. Real songs from Bach to Rock,” Rednour said.

How do you put bands together? “We try to group kids in the same age range and about the same skill levels. … They pick their (band) name. They come in once a week to practice, learn songs. They get to go out and perform for live audiences.

“We have Battle of the Bands every year. It’s a huge event, usually in the summer, where all of our surrounding Bach to Rock schools get together. We have two other locations in Illinois, Arlington Heights and Northbrook. … Each band plays two to three songs. This year, our high school level (band) won first place. … National Battle of the Bands is online.”

Sporting a Halloween decoration, this is the logo for Bach to Rock, a national chain of music schools with 150 locations. It’s been in Naperville for seven years. (Steve Metsch/Naperville Sun)

How do you feel seeing students improve? “It’s amazing. They learn how to set up for shows, break down for shows,” Smith said. “We also teach kids how to record.”

How many teachers are here? “Ten,” Rednour said. “Any instrument that comes in, we have a teacher for. We have a new DJ instructor.”’

How often are lessons? “Once a week. Thirty-minute private lessons are $42. Sixty-minute private lessons are $76,” Rednour said.

What do you like best? “Seeing these kids every day. It’s rewarding. … You know you played a part in helping that achieve their goal,” Rednour said.

What’s your advice for someone starting a business? “I always say start small and have a vision for your business. Have a heart for people,” Smith said.

“Don’t give up. Startups are hard so it’s important to keep pushing,” Rednour said.

Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun. If you know of a business you’d like to see profiled in Down to Business, contact him at metschmsfl@yahoo.com. 

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/22/bach-rock-naperville-music-school/