Why Winnetka Musicians Trust Us

Winnetka’s musical heritage runs deeper than most realize—from Dorothy and David Dushkin founding The School of Musical Arts and Crafts in 1931 (now the Music Institute of Chicago, one of Illinois’ largest community music schools) to Bob Haggart and Ray Bauduc creating the jazz standard “Big Noise from Winnetka” in 1938, from guitarist Mike Bloomfield getting expelled from New Trier High School in 1959 for performing rock music (before going on to play with Bob Dylan at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival) to today’s Winnetka Music Festival bringing local and touring acts to downtown stages every year since 2017. This North Shore community has always valued musical excellence and education. Musicians from Winnetka bring that same commitment to their recording projects: they’ve invested years in formal study and performance, they understand what professional quality requires, and they’re looking for an engineer who can deliver results that match their abilities. Whether you’re a classical musician recording piano or string instruments like violin and cello, a rock band tracking guitars, bass, and drums, or a voice actor capturing audiobook chapters and commercial narration, you’ll find a studio environment that honors Winnetka’s tradition of musical excellence. Artists from this community expect technical precision, artistic sensitivity, and an engineer who respects the craft. As Chicago’s #1 rated recording studio on Google, Untold Stories has earned that recognition by consistently delivering work that meets the expectations of artists who’ve been trained to recognize quality. Winnetka musicians choose us because we approach every project with the same dedication to excellence that defines this community’s musical legacy.

Getting Here from Winnetka

From Winnetka, the drive to our Pilsen studio at 1007 West 19th Street takes approximately 40-45 minutes via I-94 S (Edens Expressway) and I-90/94 S (Kennedy Expressway). Head south on Green Bay Road or Willow Road to access I-94 S, continue as the highway merges with the Kennedy, exit at California Avenue, and head south into Pilsen. The route keeps you on major expressways with clear signage throughout. Street parking in Pilsen is completely free and abundant, typically within half a block of the studio. No meters, no permits, no downtown parking complications. If you prefer public transit, the Metra UP-N line runs from Winnetka Station directly to Ogilvie Transportation Center downtown, where you can catch a rideshare southwest to Pilsen in about 10 minutes. Many Winnetka artists appreciate that while the commute requires planning, the drive provides valuable time to warm up vocally, review scores or arrangements, and mentally transition from daily life into focused creative mode. By the time you arrive at the studio, you’ve made the complete shift into artistic performance mindset and you’re ready to deliver your best work. Plan to arrive right on time for your session, and you’ll find parking effortless, access simple, and the entire experience focused on capturing professional-quality recordings.

What Makes Winnetka Artists Unique

Musicians and voice actors from Winnetka tend to approach recording with exceptional preparation and high musical standards. Growing up in or living in a community with such strong music education—from the Music Institute of Chicago to New Trier High School’s renowned music programs—creates artists who’ve been trained in technique, theory, and performance practice from an early age. Winnetka artists arrive at the studio with material rehearsed to performance standard, arrangements refined through careful study, and clear expectations for what professional recording delivers. They understand that great recordings require both technical execution and artistic interpretation, and they value an engineer who can capture both elements. We see classical musicians recording piano and string instruments like violin and cello with precision and musicality, rock bands tracking full instrumentation with sophisticated arrangements, singer-songwriters capturing polished acoustic and electric performances, adult contemporary projects, jazz musicians recording with technical skill and improvisational spirit, and voice actors recording audiobook chapters and commercial narration from Winnetka. Many are artists who’ve studied music formally at institutions like the Music Institute of Chicago or through private instruction, performed in regional and national ensembles, or dedicated years to mastering their instruments alongside professional careers. What sets Winnetka artists apart is their understanding that recording is about capturing artistic excellence—not just adequate performances, but work that represents the highest level of their abilities. They’ve researched their options thoroughly, they know what distinguishes competent recording from exceptional work, and they choose Untold Stories because we deliver the technical precision and artistic sensitivity their projects demand. When you walk into our studio from Winnetka, you’re working with an engineer who respects the musical training you bring, values the preparation you’ve invested, and is committed to capturing your music with the clarity, warmth, and professional quality it deserves.