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Merit School of Music

38 S Peoria StChicago, IL 60607
Phone: 312-786-9428Email: info@merit.orgWebsite: Visit Website Google Map

Discover a new passion with Merit School of Music! Watch your child learn and grow through music classes and lessons taught by Merit's passionate and experienced teachers. 

The renowned music school's line-up includes group classes, private lessons, and Early Childhood programming—with options for all ages, instruments, and experience levels. Your child will study with some of the best music educators in the region while having fun and making new friends.

Why Parents Choose Merit

  • A reputation for excellence since 1979
  • Some of the best music teachers in Chicago
  • A diverse and welcoming community
  • Convenient locations in West Loop, Old Town, and South Shore

Group Classes and Private Lessons

Merit offers group music classes and private lessons for beginners through advanced students, including opportunities to perform with an ensemble. Choose from a wide range of instruments including guitar, piano, voice, violin, trumpet, and more. Absolute beginners welcome!

Small class sizes and individual support from the music school's expert teaching artists create a personalized music education experience, ensuring the right mix of rigor and fun for each student. Teachers foster a safe, developmentally rich, and fun environment for students to learn and grow together.

Early Childhood Classes for Babies and Toddlers

Merit's Early Childhood classes for babies, toddlers, and children aged 0 - 8 are designed to nurture a love of music from a young age and support the development of social-emotional and fine motor skills.

Their Early Childhood specialists incorporate song, chant, movement exercises, and instrument play to develop a child’s imagination, musical awareness, and expressiveness. Your child will have a blast learning essential musical building blocks while making friends in a diverse, welcoming environment.


Business Review

"The best music school ever!"
- Yuliia, Merit parent

“Music has shaped who I am, and Merit has fostered my growth. It has made me a more curious, disciplined, engaged, open, and collaborative person and influenced nearly every part of my life.”  
- Aidan, Merit student

"Merit has provided my child with a fantastic environment in which to learn and grow as a musician, and a lovely community in which to meet young people from all over the city."
- Naama, Merit parent

“My favorite part about attending Merit is the diversity of skill and background. Everyone comes from different cultures, towns, economic statuses, and skill levels. This is what makes it so magical. People coming together for the sole reason that they love to make music creates an environment of passion, acceptance, and growth.”  
- Lucy, Merit student