Edge Music Academy began with a simple question: Can’t this be done a lot better?
Our founder, Jason Thompson, spent years teaching at music schools and working in retail-based lesson programs across the Chicagoland area. From big box music stores to small studios, he saw all kinds of programs,and grew increasingly frustrated. Lessons were often inconsistent. Students were passed from teacher to teacher. Performances felt like afterthoughts. There was no clear path for growth, no real sense of community, and no artistic standard. Something was sorely missing.
He decided it didn’t have to be that way.
In 2021, Jason opened the doors to Edge Music Academy with a vision to create a better kind of music school: one rooted in high standards which provided a structured curriculum and a commitment to artistic integrity. More importantly, Edge would be a place where students of all ages could feel supported, inspired, and part of something bigger than themselves.
From day one, Edge focused on attracting passionate, professional instructors who don’t just teach, but take pride in mentoring and coaching. EMA has developed programs that balance structure with creativity, ensuring that students don’t just learn songs, but gain real musicianship. Our performances are intentionally designed to feel exciting, not forced, and are held at real venues with real audiences.
As we’ve grown, our mission has stayed the same: to build a vibrant musical community where students are challenged, empowered, and celebrated for who they are and how they grow.
Edge Music Academy is more than a lesson studio. It’s a home for musicians who want to learn, connect, and create with purpose.
Welcome to Edge Music Academy.