It was more than a love of music that led Carmen and Nancy Guinto to open the doors of Bach to Rock in Alpharetta. The truth behind what their local business means to them grew from years of hard work and a wake-up call causing them to flip their priorities and reevaluate the direction their lives were headed.
Though he spends the day as a Senior IT Analyst, Carmen has always been drawn to music. "Music is something I always enjoyed and liked," he said, "but I never had the guts to pick the guitar up and learn it."
Nancy made a career as an elementary school teacher for 20 years, and also mastered the skill of playing classical piano.
After several difficult months in late 2015 and early 2016, they began to question what they really wanted out of life. Having always had a dream to play in a band, they soon found themselves traveling 30-45 minutes just to fulfill this dream. Carmen as a lead singer and tambourine player, and Nancy on the keyboard, the question of how they could bring more music to the lives of others surfaced.
"We kept thinking about what we were going to do to provide meaning to our lives. We wanted to do something that would give back, and we knew we didn't have enough young people in our lives," said Carmen.
So they began to research and found there was an opportunity to bring a music school to the Alpharetta area. And, the Bach to Rock concept was special. So with complimentary skills, they opened the doors of Bach to Rock Alpharetta in October 2016.
The foundation of Bach to Rock Alpharetta is to build a love for music and performing in people of all ages. "Music is meant to be played in a group. With other people," said Nancy. "Music can connect with kids when they play it with their peers. There's a social interest aspect to it. We don't just provide lessons. We provide opportunities for students to learn that play is fun. It becomes a hobby, not a chore."
The Guintos have created a positive, happy atmosphere that energizes anyone that walks through their doors. Their upbeat employees are not only talented, but welcoming and invested in seeing their students grow and develop, not only musically, but also in confidence.
Bach to Rock Alpharetta has a well-balanced curriculum. They teach technique as well as music theory, which gives students a solid foundation and a life-long skill. They offer lessons in piano, guitar, bass, drums and voice, as well as ukulele, flute, cello, trumpet and banjo!
In addition to lessons, they have music classes for children ages 18 months through 7 years, including a Kids and Keys class for kids ages 5-7. This is a great class for teaching kids how to play the piano and the theory behind the music.
They also have a recording studio and teach students the ins-and-outs of playing in a band, including set up, take down, stage presence, ear training, song repertoire, and creating an image.
To learn more about Bach to Rock Alpharetta, visit their website HERE or give them a call at 470-375-3960. They are located in the Silos at Crabapple at 12315 Crabapple Road, #118, Alpharetta.
As someone who grew up playing piano and French Horn during my childhood, I can tell you that teaching a child to play an instrument is something they'll never regret. When I walk into Bach to Rock Alpharetta, all the wonderful memories of my childhood playing in the marching band, orchestra and jazz band come rushing back. I am so grateful to have had that experience and urge you to ignite that spark in your children as well. And remember, lessons aren't just for the kids, adults can play, too!
