I began playing drums at age 13 and was mostly self-taught until my senior year of High School. That year I attended the Merit School of Music studying with percussionist Doug Brush. I went on to attend Roosevelt University’s Music Conservatory, studying classical percussion under percussionist Ed Harris and then transferred to Columbia College where I was able to study with drummer’s Frank Donaldson and Tom Hipskind, drummer/percussionist Ruben Alvarez, and drummer/vibraphonist Jarrett Hicks. Through my experiences and education I was able to hone my skills and solidify my musicianship. Studying with such a variety of drummers allowed me to pick up different perspectives and teaching styles which I have implemented into my own practice and teaching. I received my Bachelor of the Arts in Music degree Fall of 2009.
I have been performing professionally since the age of 17 all around the Chicagoland area and have played a variety of...

Ever since a young age, Monica has been deeply involved in music. Growing up, she was a member of various concert bands, jazz bands, wind ensembles, orchestras, clarinet ensembles, concert choirs, madrigal ensembles, and vocal quartets. She loved them all so deeply that she knew she had to pursue a degree in music education.

Monica is currently finishing up her requirements for a B.M. in Music Education at VanderCook College of Music. While at VanderCook, Monica studied all woodwind, brass, percussion, and string instruments, as well as music theory, conducting, and rehearsal techniques. She is currently spending her final semester student teaching in an elementary band program in Woodridge as well as a high school band program in Tinley Park. Monica has taken lessons on clarinet with Professor Patrick Refsnider as well as with Dr. Bonnie Campbell. Monica also has taken classical voice lessons with Professor Angela Presuti-Korbitz, a member of the Chicago Symphony Chorus....

I have studied the guitar for over fifteen years, and have been teaching students of all ages for the last twelve. Specializing in lead rock guitar and acoustic folk, I have had the pleasure to perform and record with over a dozen acts at a variety of venues and studios across the Chicagoland area. In addition to guitar instruction, I graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2006 with a degree in Audio Arts and Acoustics, which has allowed me to work as a professional Acoustical Technician, Audio Engineer and Audio Instructor for a variety of companies in many different capacities.

Paul has been teaching music in the public school system since 1997. He has a bachelor and master's degree in music education from VanderCook College of Music. While at VanderCook Paul studied all woodwind, brass, percussion, and string instruments, as well as music theory, conducting, and rehearsal techniques.

Along with being a music teacher, Paul also composes and records out of his home studio. He has played bass and guitar in various Chicago bands including, Reckless Maggie, The One, Chicago Sound Machine, and Windy City.

Hello, my name is Kevin M McClain, working composer, teacher, and performer; I look forward to helping others reach their musical goals. Weather it is simply learning to play your favorite songs(s), write your own music, tutoring help for musical classes, or developing the skills and knowledge needed to pursue a professional musical career.
What sets me apart from other teachers is the fact that I will not only teach you music and performance of music, but also “HOW TO PRACTICE MUSIC”. Many teachers simply spit out information at the student without any real consideration of what to do with and how to apply it. Furthermore I also invest a general passion into teaching others how to simply play, and/or theory of music and the art of composition. I have had 24 years of extensive experience playing professionally in bands of various styles for clubs, bars, recitals, master classes, festivals, weddings, banquets, and restaurants. I have composed, published, and...

My passion is teaching! I could search my whole life, and never find anything I enjoy doing more. You could call it my "calling," for lack of a better term. That's probably why I've been so successful in my career. I've taught students as young as 4 years old, and students who are in retirement.
The success I've had, comes with years of taking private lessons, performing, studying, and always keeping an open mind to new ideas, and relating my experience with all my students.

Hello one and ALL! I am currently a student at VanderCook College of Music for my degree in Music Education. I have taught lessons and have performed in various ensembles, such as the VanderCook Symphonic Band, VanderCook Collegiate Choir, VanderCook Symphonic Orchestra, VanderCook College Brass Ensemble, and the VanderCook Wind Ensemble. Over my career, I have learned and am capable of playing 17 different instruments, including percussion, bass and acoustic guitar, and singing.
With me as your teacher, there will NEVER be a dull moment in your lessons. I will take any and all of your ideas and we will work together to get you playing or singing the music YOU love! I believe music is about learning, growing, and having fun. If that is what YOU love to do, then I would be the BEST music teacher for YOU!

I'm a extremely versatile guitarist that plays a range of styles from blues, classical, jazz, metal, country, and rock. Growing up in the western suburbs of Chicago, I was exposed to the sounds of Jimi Hendrix and Muddy Waters at a young age and frequently practiced air guitar, especially after hearing Metallica on MTV as a teenager. At the age of 14, I had discovered my favorite thing to do and found others to play music with. After playing in high school groups, writing, recording, and personal study, I attended Columbia College Chicago for my bachelor of arts with a focus on learning the language of jazz. I graduated in 2007, and began a career that has let me make music my life.

My recent projects include my jazz fusion group, General Zod, which has twice performed the entire Mahavishnu Orchestra 1971 album, the Inner Mounting Flame. The first concert was performed at Reggie’s Music Joint and a live album/DVD was created to document the event. Videos of the first show are...

Thor has extensive experience as a performer, composer, and teacher. He is an active performer, who keeps himself busy in all the following styles: rock, pop, jazz, country, hip-hop, classical, metal, acoustic, latin, avant-gaarde, showband, big band, sight-reading, fusion and more. He earned a degree in Music Performance from UW-Milwaukee and has completed two original albums in the last two years, with a third to be released this year. Recently he worked overseas on P&O cruise lines in Australia.

Welcome to My Piano and Voice Studio

Teaching piano and voice lessons is a privilege for me because the nature of the subject leads to the discovery of so many parallels within other areas of life. I want you all to know that I take this profession seriously and look forward to sharing our experiences of music and life, together. Let me tell you about myself. I am a graduate of the Bradley University, with a Bachelor of Music Education Degree; I received my Master of Music degree in Music Performance from Northwestern University. I have taught in my home and at other private and commercial settings. With 30 years of experience, I have taught all levels for both children and adults, including those with developmental disabilities. I have a musical husband who plays and tunes pianos, and two wonderful daughters. They are the only ones who take priority over my music. I enjoy performing music for both casual and formal occasions. My repertoire is mostly classical but I think...

I have been teaching individual and group lessons for 12+ years. Many of my students have won trophies at the Granquist music competition and also play in local youth orchestras. My own youth string ensemble plays publicly at many popular local venues several times a year. I enjoy exposing my students to the finer points of being a professional musician such as the camaraderie, team work, creativity (creating harmonies, tailoring arrangements to fit student’s level) and of course, stage presence. I am very proud of my students. It is so gratifying to see their confidence build with each new skill they master.

Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance, Eastman School of Music.
I am a classically trained pianist who graduated from the Eastman School of Music under world-renowned piano pedagogue Nelita True. I started playing the piano when I was 5, and started entering competitions at 7 years old. Growing up, I've won many national piano competitions in the states and Canada and debuted with numerous professional orchestras. I started giving benefit concerts at 14 years old and was recognized by TV station WCTV as well as the Boston Globe, Andover Townsman, and Wilmington Advocate newspapers.
Besides traveling around the world to perform solo and duo, my deepest passion and devotion is teaching. When I started teaching piano, my beginner students grew an average of 2 years worth of study within the first year. My former piano students' levels ranged from beginner to advanced, and their ages ranged from 4 to 19. I speak English, Spanish, French and Chinese...