Rose & Merit Academy
About Us
Class. Excellence. Beauty.
Our Story
Where It All Began:
ROSE McGILL
Known for her impeccable sense of fashion, it came as no surprise that in 1959, Rose McGill enrolled in the prominent Patricia Vance School of Modeling in downtown Chicago. Deeply influenced by this experience, she went on to create Rose's House of Charm. Her classes were dedicated to developing and preparing the youth of her community to live beautiful lives filled with purpose, dignity, and class.
The pursuit of excellence was a family affair. Rose's husband, Michael McGill, who sang with The Dells vocal group for over 60 years, was a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a recipient of the NAACP Image Award. The Dells legendary story was chronicled in the movie, "The Five Heartbeats".
Rose and Mickey were each successful in their own right, but one of their finest moments was when they both received an Emmy Award for The Dells Documentary "Oh, What a Night" on NBC. As patrons of the Performing Arts, they understood that talent was not enough. It took hard work, preparation, and dedication to achieve success in all walks of life. That mindset was passed on to every student who entered the doors of Rose's House of Charm. As a result, Rose's students, who were highly sought after by the top modeling agencies in Chicago, were regularly featured in magazines, commercials, fashion shows, TV shows, and movies.
So, the legacy continues... Rose & Merit Performing Arts Academy is a reimagined home for young artists where class, excellence, and beauty are not aspirations, but expectations. Every student who walks through our doors is treated as a future star - because that is exactly what they are.
Our Mission
To Cultivate the Whole Artist
At Rose & Merit, our mission is to develop young performers who are technically skilled, emotionally intelligent, and personally excellent. We don't just train artists — we shape character, build confidence, and prepare young people to carry themselves with distinction in every room they enter.
What We Stand For
Our Core Values
Class
Class is how you carry yourself when no one is watching. We teach our students that excellence in character is the foundation of excellence in performance.
Excellence
We hold every student to a high standard — not to pressure them, but to show them what they are capable of. Excellence is a habit, and we build it every day.
Beauty
We believe every child deserves to move through the world with grace. Beauty is not vanity — it is the discipline of presenting your best self with intention and care.
Why Rose & Merit
What Sets Us Apart
Community-Centered
We are rooted in the south suburbs of Chicago, serving families who deserve the best arts education close to home.
Holistic Development
We train the whole child — mind, body, and character — not just the performer.
High Standards
Our curriculum is rigorous and our expectations are high, because we know what our students are capable of.
Adult Programs
Excellence has no age limit. Our adult classes run year round for those who are ready to begin or continue their journey.
Join the Academy
Ready to Be Part of
Something Greater?
Whether you're enrolling a child or stepping into our adult program, the first step is a conversation. We'd love to meet you.