Gratz Opus 118 Music & Dance Introduce
For residents across Northwest Indiana, the name Gratz has long been synonymous with high-quality music and arts. Gratz Opus 118 Music & Dance, located in Valparaiso, continues this profound legacy, operating as both an esteemed music school and a dedicated sheet music store. This establishment is the current evolution of Gratz Piano, a fixture in Valparaiso since 1985, which established itself as a premier destination for music lessons and sheet music sales. The current owners, David and Judy Neville (Neville Ministries, Inc.), took over the education and retail aspects of the business in 2016, adding “Opus 118” to the name—a nod to the great classical tradition, specifically a set of Johannes Brahms’s introspective piano pieces.
Gratz Opus 118 represents a vital resource for Indiana's artistic community. It is a place where aspiring musicians, from young children to adults, receive expert instruction across various disciplines, fostering talent and a lifelong appreciation for the arts. Simultaneously, the retail store ensures that local musicians, teachers, and students have easy access to the necessary resources for practice and performance. The school is committed to continuing a three-decade tradition of success and high-quality instruction, making it a cornerstone of music education in Porter County and the surrounding region.
The academy is conveniently located at 2701 Beech St, Valparaiso, IN 46383,USA. This address places Gratz Opus 118 Music & Dance in a central, accessible area of Valparaiso, making it a manageable destination for families traveling from across Northwest Indiana, including Chesterton, Portage, Crown Point, and Merrillville. For local users, finding an arts center with such a commitment to accessibility is a significant advantage.
The facility has taken care to ensure it is welcoming to all members of the community by offering key accessibility features. These include a wheelchair accessible entrance and a wheelchair accessible parking lot. These features are essential for allowing ease of access for students, parents, and customers with mobility needs, reinforcing the school's commitment to being an inclusive environment. Furthermore, the environment is known to be 'Good for kids,' which speaks to the patience, encouraging atmosphere, and age-appropriate instruction provided by the long-tenured teaching staff. This makes it a stress-free choice for parents in the Valparaiso area seeking quality instruction for their children.
Gratz Opus 118 Music & Dance functions as two essential entities under one roof: a comprehensive music school and a well-stocked retail store. The services reflect a deep commitment to music pedagogy across multiple disciplines.
Services Offered by Gratz Opus 118 Music & Dance include:
- Music Lessons: Instruction is offered in several key areas, including piano, voice, and guitar, catering to different ages and skill levels.
- Piano Instruction: Comprehensive training is provided by a staff of experienced teachers, including the current owner, Judy Neville, a former piano instructor at Valparaiso University and an established veteran teacher.
- Voice and Guitar Lessons: Specialized instruction is available for vocalists and guitarists, covering a wide range of musical styles and techniques. The staff includes instructors like Jim Crisman, a respected piano teacher and vocal coach, and Chris Brown, a performing guitarist with extensive experience.
- Sheet Music Retail: The store maintains a large, comprehensive inventory of sheet music, method books, and repertoire. This resource is invaluable for students, teachers, and professional musicians in the region who require immediate access to printed music.
- Musical Instrument Accessories: While specializing in sheet music, the store also serves as a point for students to acquire necessary teaching materials, method books, and potentially other small accessories related to their instruction.
A crucial part of what defines Gratz Opus 118 Music & Dance are the features that highlight its long history, community focus, and dedication to its students.
Key Features and Highlights:
- Legacy of Excellence: The current academy is the continuation of a musical tradition established over three decades ago by the original Gratz Piano, ensuring a history of quality instruction.
- Highly Experienced Staff: The teaching staff includes veteran instructors, many of whom have been with the school for over 15 years, offering stability and deep pedagogical experience to students.
- Commitment to Youth: The academy is rated as ‘Good for kids,’ and classes often welcome students as young as three, highlighting a positive and effective environment for early childhood music education.
- Customer Praise for Instructors: Testimonials, such as one praising “Mr. Jim” (likely Jim Crisman) for his patience and the remarkable progress seen in a five-year-old student, underscore the personal commitment of the teachers.
- Large Sheet Music Inventory: Having a large, physical stock of sheet music, method books, and repertoire makes the location a vital retail hub, saving local musicians the time and cost of ordering online.
- Fully Accessible Facility: Features like the wheelchair accessible entrance and parking lot demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity for all Valparaiso community members.
- Strong Local Ties: The academy is a member of the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, emphasizing its roots and commitment to the Northwest Indiana business community.
For Indiana residents ready to begin their musical journey or find essential music supplies, here is the necessary contact information for Gratz Opus 118 Music & Dance.
Contact Information:
- Address: 2701 Beech St, Valparaiso, IN 46383,USA
- Phone: (219) 462-4573
- Mobile Phone: +1 219-462-4573
For those in Valparaiso and the broader Northwest Indiana region, choosing Gratz Opus 118 Music & Dance is choosing a rich tradition of quality and community. What makes this institution worth choosing is the unparalleled combination of expert instruction and a local retail resource. While many music schools offer lessons, few maintain a specialized, large-inventory sheet music store, making Gratz Opus 118 a unique one-stop shop for serious students and educators. The deep experience of the teaching staff—with many having decades of dedication to the school—provides a level of stability and expertise that is rare in educational settings. The individual attention and patient instruction, such as that noted in the customer review regarding a child’s progress and confidence, highlight the personalized approach that fosters genuine skill development. By choosing Gratz Opus 118, you are supporting a local Valparaiso business that has been dedicated to enriching Indiana’s musical landscape for generations. It is a reliable, accessible, and highly respected place to cultivate the art of music.
Gratz Opus 118 Music & Dance Details
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Children
- Good for kids
Gratz Opus 118 Music & Dance Photos










Gratz Opus 118 Music & Dance Location
Gratz Opus 118 Music & Dance
2701 Beech St, Valparaiso, IN 46383, USA
Gratz Opus 118 Music & Dance Reviews
My 5 year old has been taking piano lessons with Mr. Jim for over a year, and I’ve been impressed by his patience and dedication. Under Mr. Jim’s guidance, I’ve seen remarkable progress in my child’s skills and confidence at the piano. I’m now planning to enroll my 3 year old in lessons with Mr. Jim as well
May 04 · PJ Yang- March 01 · Shahin Sabokdast Nudehi
- November 17 · Erika Hernandez
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