New Music School is Rocking Out in Fishers
Writer / Julie Yates
Photographer / Hillary Gordon
Bach to Rock is an education-based music school that offers private lessons for a multitude of instruments, group classes, birthday parties, and camps throughout the year. Open since February, it is staffed by professional musicians, and provides options for young children through adults at all levels. Co-owners Kellie Miles-Fink, and Jen and Andy Flickner, are excited to bring the facilitys tradition-based curriculum, applied to modern music, to the Fishers community.
Miles-Fink is a former elementary school teacher with a masters degree from Marian University, was involved in university choirs, and minored in music at Indiana University. She became involved with the franchise in October of 2018 as an early childhood instructor at Bach to Rock Carmel. A few months later she became artistic director. When the Flickners, who own the Carmel school, wanted to open up a second site, she joined them as co-owner and director of the Fishers location.
We immediately thought of Fishers when we were considering where to open a second school, Miles-Fink says. Its a fabulous metro area close to Noblesville, McCordsville and the Geist area. We wanted to reach out to those families that are too far away from the Carmel school. Plus, Fishers encourages the arts and there isnt anything quite like Bach to Rock around.
While private lessons are the largest part of Bach to Rock, group lessons are an important facet as well. Students as young as 3 years old can participate in Rock City, a class that allows them to explore a variety of instruments and is based on basic music theory concepts. Kids n Keys is for 5- to 7-year-old children. In this class, the focus is on learning to read music while doing group activities and enjoying individual piano stations. The result is ocular and fine-motor growth. Other classes include Rock n Roll for toddlers, Rock Band, Glee Club, DJ lessons, and group instrument lessons that help students learn to play together.
Price points vary. Group lessons for younger students are around $15 to $25 per session. Private lessons run $35 for 30 minutes and, as individuals get more advanced, $65 per hour. Regardless of the type of class, a set curriculum based on theory and music reading is followed. Traditional teaching is the foundation, but it is applied to music of all genres to make sure students are engaged.
We have our own state-of-the-art recording studio, Miles-Fink says. As students rise up in levels, they receive the opportunity to record a song. Likewise, classes or camps, and parties such as Rock Band or DJ, record a mini mix. We also offer the chance to perform out in the community for those who take private lessons. I really love it. I wanted to work with kids but felt that teaching in a school wasnt a fit. I came across Bach to Rock online, and I feel I lucked into meeting the Flickners. When I began working at the Carmel school, I immediately thought this was what I was meant to do.
Bach to Rock is located at 12514 East 116th Street in Fishers. For more info, call 317-588-9900 or visit Fishers.B2RMusic.com.
