Local Couple Changed Part-Time Tune to Launch Successful 'Bucktown Music'

Jessica and Luis Solares met while studying music at Harper College and later Elmhurst College, and a small side job eventually led them to open Bucktown Music. 

“Then my husband and I realized we were really good at it,” Jessica said. “Our students were making a lot of progress.”

So they began teaching music lessons at various places, mostly in the suburbs, and that lasted about 10 years. But the Bucktown couple saw an opportunity to do what they love locally.

“We noticed there weren’t music lessons in the area and decided to go for it,” Jessica said.  

Bucktown Music, located at 1890 N. Milwaukee Ave., opened about four and a half years ago and has been growing ever since. It now has nine additional teachers to help Jessica and Luis.

The business offers lessons for children and adults in piano, guitar, violin, fiddle, clarinet, saxophone and more. 

It also has a renowned Kindermusik program, which provides lessons for kids, from newborns to 6-year-olds. It’s recognized as a Conductor’s Circle Maestro Program, which means it’s in the top 1 percent of such programs worldwide.

In addition to the business, the Solares family works with Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Park District for lessons and after-school programs.

“We’ve grown a lot,” Jessica said. “At the beginning it was the two of us doing everything.”

Go to the Bucktown Music website to learn more or to book a free trial class.