On any given afternoon, when you walk into Bach to Rock in Bethesda, the building is pulsating with the sounds of music and joy.
From classical to country, rock to reggae, to pop, modern, jazz and more, every genre is available to students who are looking the learn the art of playing and performing music.
Founded by Jeff Levin, a former middle school music teacher and Juilliard-trained musician, Bach to Rock was launched as a summer camp in 2002 to address gaps in traditional music education. The school’s unique approach encourages kids to explore the kinds of music they love and have fun while doing it. Students also form bands with one another and perform together at local venues, which helps to boost their confidence and self-esteem.
“At Bach to Rock, you can learn everything from how to sing to how to play any instrument you can imagine, how to perform on stage or be a music producer, or even learn how to DJ,” says Joezell Charles, School Director of the Bethesda location. By focusing on music that kids enjoy listening to, teachers get the students engaged and make learning fun.
In 2007, the original school was acquired by a company called Cambridge Information Group (CIG) and eventually expanded into a franchise model, which now has 60 locations. Bach to Rock’s Bethesda location remains the flagship of its four company-owned schools in the Potomac region.
“The brilliance of Jeff’s concept is if you want students to be successful you need to make learning fun,” says Brian Gross, president of Bach to Rock in Bethesda. “Jeff understood how to simplify music instruction, particularly in the beginning, so that students are successful more quickly, which also makes them more motivated to play and practice.”
But Bach to Rock goes one step further, putting students together to perform and having them play in public places.
“Our band and glee club programs get students to play music with their peers, which is a key skill for growing musicians,” says Gross. “So beyond the private lessons, we try to put all of our kids into groups, whether it’s a rock band, jazz ensemble, or an acapella choir, which fosters socialization and a team environment – kind of like a sports team concept, where kids learn to be part of something bigger than themselves. Now you’re practicing not just for yourself, but for the betterment of the group,” he stresses.
Students also have the opportunity to perform live at local music venues and semi-annual battles of the bands, which helps them build self-confidence and allows them to share their music with others.
“I think the process of putting a band together with five individuals who have never played together before and maybe don’t have that much experience playing a particular instrument, then watching them grow from that point and really gel and come together to perform in front of others is a really great aspect of our program,” says Charles. “And seeing the reactions from their parents and others watching their performance – the amazement on their faces – is so rewarding.”
While the majority of Bach to Rock’s students are in elementary to high school, the schools offer programming for all ages, from infants to adults.
Early childhood classes for toddlers and preschoolers include Mommy and Me programs called Rock and Roll and Rock City, along with an introduction to instruments called Kids and Keys. As kids get older, they can move into private lessons, music production and even learning how to DJ. They also offer birthday parties and summer camps.
“While our goal is to make music fun, we’re also educationally focused,” stresses Gross. “In addition to learning how to sing and play instruments and perform in the community, we’re also teaching kids music theory, method, reading, etc. But we’re doing it in a way where it doesn’t take away from the fun of being able to play and showcase their talent in front of others.”
Students regularly perform at local venues in the Potomac region, including the 9:30 Club in D.C., the Fillmore Siver Spring, La Cantrina and Caddies Bar and Grill in Bethesda, as well as various local events at area schools and the Montgomery County Fairgrounds – even at the Best of Bethesda event last year.
“We believe an important part of music education is public performance,” says Gross. “These performances actually serve two purposes,” he explains. “One is for the students to get comfortable performing in front of others and to show off their skills, and two, it’s also a great way for us to showcase what we offer to the community, so hopefully more people can learn about what we do and participate in our programs.”
People are definitely noticing the program’s success. For the 10th year in a row, Bach to Rock has been recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, ranking number 483 in 2026 for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, operational and marketing support, and brand power. The program has also been listed as a “500 Powerhouse Brand” by Franchise Times.
“To be recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in the U.S. is a great accomplishment for our team and a testament to the passion and dedication of our franchisees, instructors and support staff who bring the Bach to Rock experience to life every day,” says Gross. “It’s exciting to see our commitment to music education and community connection resonate on a national level.”
Gross envisions a day when there are 400 or more Bach to Rock locations across the U.S., and beyond.
“The beauty of music is that it’s everywhere,” says Gross. “It would be great to have Bach to Rocks all over the world. Giving kids the opportunity to learn how to make music and perform gives us joy. We’re filling that gap in the communities we serve, and hopefully we can continue to do more of that in the future.”
Bach to Rock | 301-913-5757 | 4910 Cordell Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814
Twelve-year-old Charlie Belford-Peltzman has been participating in Bach to Rock’s programs for four and a half years and loves the opportunities it has given him to improve his skills on guitar, bass, piano and drums.
His band, the Usual Suspects, performed at The Best of Potomac event last year, and regularly performs at local venues around the Bethesda region, in addition to playing at various music competitions.
“I love being able to choose the songs I play,” says Charlie, who also writes, produces and records his own songs. “I’ve had a lot of really great teachers at Bach to Rock. They actually listen to what you want to learn and help you. I really enjoy sharing my music with others and hope to continue performing for years to come.”
"We’re teaching kids music theory .... but we’re doing it in a way where it doesn’t take away from the fun of being able to play." Brian Gross