I have been taking lessons at the Olenka School of Music and the Arts for about 12 years now. I love this place because it has taught me so much and the teachers are so nice here! I really recommend taking lessons here because of how much you could learn from them! My brother also took lessons at this school for 6 years. We love and cherish all the memories we made with our teachers because of how valuable they are and how theyve shaped us into mature musicians and adults! ~ Charvika M.

I am a 14-year resident of Howard County, and for 10 of those years, my son and I have been students at Olenka School of Music and the Arts. OSMA is different than any other music school in the county. My son isn’t just learning to play an instrument; he is learning music as a language.This innovative, forward-thinking school is exactly the type of institution that contributes to making Howard County the number one place for families. I am so blessed to raise my son in this amazing county and OSMA is one of the main reasons why we love it here.As a bonus, OSMA allows parents to attend group classes for free with their children and I have had the opportunity to learn alongside my son. I am able to communicate musically with him at home and that is a lifetime bond we are lucky to share. OSMA is dedicated to promoting this family bond and has done so for countless Howard County families in its past 25 years. All the teachers we have had have been very caring and dedicated.Over the years, my son has not only played piano but he has also studied viola, ukulele, and trumpet. He was able to effortlessly try out different instruments because he is fluent in the language of music. The years of music training at OSMA have also helped him develop a well-trained, musical ear that has been integral in his success with the trumpet.Now that he’s in high school, he participates in marching band as well as the HCPSS GT Band. Thanks in part to OSMA, I am confident my son will have a life-long relationship with music.

My son is on his fourth week of introduction to piano. At first, I thought the teacher was moving too fast from one activity to the other; not letting the kids internalize the new information. But the other day, my son clapped out rhythmic patterns using only musical notes with no problems. I realized that the lessons are fast paced, but spiraled, so the kids are almost internalizing the information without even realizing that they’re doing it. I’m pretty impressed with the program!

I am a parent of a student who graduated from OSM. She started at OSM when she was 5 yrs old and completed the TCL program. There is no other music school around that offers this type of fun and rigorous training in music. OSM provided the most solid, well-rounded musical education I could have ever hoped for, for my daughter. From her formative years, OSM was so inclusive of parents and kids, to the years when her musical training was beyond me as a parent and she studied independently with her group of friends at OSM. OSM and in particular Ms Lyuba, provided an environment for learning that my daughter felt was not “school” but fun to learn, and ok to raise your hand and say I don’t get it. Be sure, Ms Lyuba found lots of ways to teach the concept until everyone “got it.” My daughter is now pursuing an undergraduate degree in college in music composition and the music theory classes she pursued at OSM in the TCL program has served her extremely well. She is able to discuss and analyze complex music scores with even graduate students in her studio. I know for sure, that when she was 5 or even 12 yrs old, she was not thinking of a career in music composition; but during her teenage years whenever she was elated or sad, she expressed her thoughts and feelings through writing music and thus bud a love and a passion for music scoring - a way to tell stories through music. Without realizing it, at OSM, she was taught the importance of teamwork, perseverance and single minded attention to the pursuit of a goal. That’s what your kids will learn from OSM and TCL in particular. The fun environment and rigorous mental training your kids go through with OSM, will serve them well in whatever path they chose in their futures.To Ms Lyuba - THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!💕💕💕💕To Ms Olenka, I wholeheartedly support your work and commitment to music education as it encompasses a holistic approach - family, friends, engagement, learning through modeling and play, performance, practice, pride in our endeavors, respect for friends and teachers, and a love for music and the arts.

I have been taking my daughters to Music Together classes for almost 4 years now. Although my children have very different personalities they have both enjoyed the classes, each getting different things out of the experience. Ive found the teachers and staff to be friendly and helpful. Although we havent taken advantage of the other classes offered I think its great that classes are offered for all ages and ability.

My kids have taken group lessons for two years. Love Ms. Jen and Mr. Dave. They have creative ways and make learning music fun for kids.

My son has been taking music lessons at Olenka School of Music for the past two years (ages 4-6) and learned to read music before he learned to read words! The progress has been amazing! AND hes having fun- bonus!

My 5-year-old went there for summer camp for a week. We found out on the first day he came back that they were watching tv at lunch. After inquiring about this screen time, the teacher said they put the tv on for the kids after the finish eating. (Fine, but not really) Then the third day kiddo came back without touching his food. Oh why? They were watching tv WHILE they were having food!!!! Who does this??? And to this date, I still don’t know how much of their time was spent “watching tv”! The teacher also failed to communicate with the parents which day is show and tell day. Overall, I really wish I didn’t sign up for this camp.

I love the classes and private lessons that Olenka School of Music offers. I have gained lots of piano skills while in class.

My kids have been students here for years. They have learned to truly appreciate and love music through their experiences here.

We registered three children for one week summer classes. Two 6 year olds for singing stars with Ms Jennifer. Great experience from Jennifer. She is a wonderful teacher and connected with the children. But overall horrible experience with Olenka and our 8 year old in Daves guitar beginner guitar class and songwriting class. Because of this we cannot recommend this school and we will not be back. Dave had no connection with our child and in fact our son felt bullied by him the entire time. He was nervous to go after the first class and even ended up in tears because of Daves treatment. It was supposed to be a fun introduction to guitar and songwriting. Our son is a social kid who always gets praise from his teachers that he is respectful, energetic and ready to learn. Yet in Daves class both my husband and I were eyewitnesses that he spoke rudely to our child, had zero connection, was grouchy, refused him break to get drink or snack and generally conducted himself as what we felt was bullying him and frankly other students. When I asked him what size guitar might be right for our son he said go to a guitar shop to find out. So i asked what size had he used all five days. Dave said he did not size him and doesnt know. He just used whatever was there. We did not committ to a rigorous, strict, musical training for five days and nowhere did Olenka materials inform that thats what summer one week class was. We just wanted to introduce our son to the guitar hopefully peak his love for music. We had not confronted Dave or Olenka about the behavior we witnessed from Dave because we chose to encourage our son to focus on finishing the short week and that there will always be bullies who cross his path. Then on day four Grandma had dropped kids and waited. As any Grandma would she flipped when our son came out of the classroom crying and told her he felt bullied all week by the teacher. She complained to Olenka. Unfortunately, Olenka was equally as bad. Rather than address what prompted our son to feel so stressed about going to this class all week or why he was brought to tears, she was offended about the complaint. She behaved completely unprofessional. What a disappointment for us, our child and for our wallets. Just because someone is a good musician doesnt mean they are a good teacher. Connecting with a child and bringing out their best is an art. Especially when we brought them a child who is generally cooperative, engaged and energetic. We signed up and paid for a fun summer class not behavior or character boot camp. Shame on you for leaving a child with stress each morning before class and in tears. And as a parent in this day and age where we know so much more about how children have been bullied and groomed even by seemingly respectable institutions and adults, we cant sit by and act like this experience was normal.