Mike Risko Music School

It’s a pleasure to be able to go to a store that isn’t a super sized guitar/​instrument factory of sorts and get personal service and attention. Every visit to the Mike Risko music store has been positive. Mike has a lot of knowledge and he shares that with you while trying instruments or looking for gear. Mike or his staff always help you find the right fit for you and they don’t focus on overselling you like I’ve experienced in some larger shops. I have been purchasing gear and instruments for many years and my children have done lessons in the school. We have nothing but positive things to say and we have always felt like our purchasing decisions matter — a nice local business feel. Thanks!

I came to the realization that I only go on Unilocal to write about negative experiences so time to acknowledge some of those awesome, customer focused local businesses. My daughter has been studying piano at the Mike Risko Music School for 2 years and we are so happy with her progress. They run a wonderful lesson program and our daughter is becoming quite a skilled musician, which is surprising with the lack of musical talent between my wife and I. They also offer all kinds of opportunities for the students to showcase their work which has been great for our daughter’s progress and confidence. We feel so fortunate to have such a great music school close by.

The Riskos do an amazing job of connecting with the community, offering tons of great instruments and lessons for people of all ages.
My sons have studied piano here for years; my husband learned guitar; we’ve bought several instruments and even some sound equipment; and this summer they also did a week of Rock Band Camp.
Ossining is so fortunate to have this local business. Their presence is an anchor for music and culture in our community.

Read John C’s review. Everything he wrote is quite true. He has spoken to teachers, students, and parents alike. If you want a genuine music education that supports music education… go somewhere else.
There are plenty of fantastic places to go to, distance shouldn’t be a reason to sacrifice quality. I work for the best school in the county and can honestly say that our quality is the reason for our success. Always pay for quality. Don’t settle for less. I have over 20 years experience, trust me it’s worth it to keep looking until you find the very best. Nothing is worse than wasting a child’s life on bad experiences. Give them the very best.

Mike and Miriam provide a wonderful service for this part of Westchester. Both of my kids (Daughter 12, Son 9) take lessons here (drums and voice). The teachers are terrific and the kids love them. They have a great time at rock summer camp, and enjoy performances during the year. The kids are getting a great exposure to music in a relaxed, cool atmosphere. This local business, which enhances our community, deserves all the support it can get!

Mike and Miriam run a top notch music school and store. We have used them for instrument lessons, birthday parties and music book purchases. The staff are always friendly and helpful whether it is a $ 10 book purchase or piano lessons. My daughter’s progressionn was amazing. Mike and Miriam Risko are always friendly and amazing.

Love the store and the school. I make a living in the music business, and love having a local music store to shop at. Over the past several years, I have purchased a Tama Drum Set, Ibanez Electric Guitar, Godin Summit CT Guitar, Ibanez Mikro Electric Guitar, Laney Amp and countless accessories. I’ve also rented a violin and flute for my kids. Mike really knows his business. For example: when I was buying the ibanez ¾ scale Mikro Electric guitar, Mike insisted on swapping the factory strings for a heavier #11 string so that the shortened scale guitar would stay in tune better. That’s serious experience! Sure, a #11 string on a regular electric guitar would be way to heavy/​stiff for a beginner 6 year old guitar player, but on a shorter scale, it was perfect. Try getting service like that over the internet… or from a 16 year old kid working at a big box store! Every store be it Sam Ash, Guitar Center or Mike Risko are going to price things about the same… they have to. The difference is in the service and the smile.

Mike & Miriam are great musicians who are grass roots business owners in the community. High recommend.

I chose this business to rent a saxophone for a musician friend visiting me from out of state. It looks a bit ragged on the outside, but I found the interior ambience to be comfortable and the staff friendly. I was ready to sign a contract and was asked to wait in the lounge between the retail area and the studios while the paperwork was prepared. A few minutes later, I was told that Mr. Risko would call me that evening to discuss it with me. It seemed odd, as he was in the same room and we weren’t introduced. I felt as if I was being given the bum’s rush out of there — for no conceivable reason I can imagine. Though I made sure my contact information was available, Mr. Risko never called me! I wound up making my rental from the local Sam Ash store in White Plains, and I would never again patronize the Mike Risko Music Store (or his ‘school’) for any reason whatsoever.