Drawing from my 20 years of experience tinkering in the guitar kitchen, I teach guitar and music theory to students of all ages and abilities in the Chicagoland area. I received my Bachelor of Music degree in 2004 from Ithaca College in Upstate New York, where I studied Jazz and Classical guitar in addition to music theory, history, and recording.
Since graduating I have gone on to perform extensively in New York and Chicago, primarily in a genre pioneered by guitarist Django Reinhardt and called "Gypsy Jazz". I have also filled roles as lead guitarist in musical theatre pit bands, scored original music for films (including the Emmy Award-Winning documentary "100,000"), and taught hundreds of lessons in private, group, and workshop formats.
I teach electric as well as acoustic guitar playing in many different styles (ranging from Classic Rock, Blues, Funk, and Alternative, to Folk, Classical/Spanish, and Jazz).

I started violin at age eight, and I've been playing music ever since. Youth orchestras and strings camps segued into guitar ensembles and pop groups. I started teaching guitar over seven years ago, and violin shortly thereafter. I studied ethnomusicology at the University of Chicago, specializing in American popular music in the 20th century. I am also a performing and recording artist, with over ten records and several national tours under my belt. I can offer my extensive experience, unique musical insight, and personalized lesson plans to help you achieve your musical dreams.

I’ve been teaching professionally to students of all ages and levels for over 10 years throughout the Chicagoland area. I have been playing for about 19 years. Music is my passion. I even own and run an all ages music venue. Teaching is my biggest love and I love seeing students learn! There isn’t a style I will not teach. All music to me is fascinating:)

Originally from Indiana, David has been teaching music in both the private and public school sectors for 12 years. Getting his start as a drumline instructor with only 4 students, David soon expanded his teaching to include both guitar and piano, which he studied under Frank Puzzulo (of Miles Davis' group) at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.

Upon graduating Ball State, David moved to Colorado to study jazz and classical music with Dr. Douglas Walter, an accomplished percussionist who is known for his versatility and multiple percussion talents. He also studied piano and guitar in his off time, jamming with several rock and jazz groups both in and out of school.

In 2006, David left the college scene with a Masters in Music and moved to Florida where he began his teaching career. In Florida, David taught roughly 70 students, ages 5 to 18, at Wewahitchka High School and Middle School. He was beloved by the town, helping out in the community as a local organist...

I play, write, record and perform a variety of American popular music forms
including rock, folk, blues, funk, bluegrass, country, fingerstyle
guitar, and jazz.

I began my musical training learning drums as a 12 year old and a year later began private lessons on guitar as well. In the following years, while playing in rock bands and focusing primarily on guitar and continuing practice on drums, I became interested in learning other instruments: I took harmonica lessons and taught myself how to play bass guitar and keyboards. As a teenager I also began writing my own songs and teaching myself how to record music. I also play Spanish flamenco guitar and studied with master flamenco players while living in Madrid, Spain.

Today, I play guitar, harmonica, sing and write songs for my own group, while also working on a variety of other recording projects that reflect my various musical personalities. I love everything about music, and there's nothing I enjoy more than sharing...

My name is Daniel. Composition is my major area of expertise and my major instruments are jazz piano and voice. I currently attend Vandercook College of Music due to the fact that it is a specialized school strictly devoted to music educators. Beyond its capacity for being used as entertainment, music aids in learning, helps develop advanced motor skills, increases memory function, and many other purposes for a well rounded education. It is my goal to help educate the next generation in traditional music practices as well as incorporate new techniques that are relevant to our current day and age.

Brett is a professional guitar player with more than 20 years of experience. Brett's music can be heard on more than 50 network and cable television shows. These include Oprah, My Name Is Earl, King of the Hill, Access Hollywood, MTV's The Real World, Saving Grace, and Guiding Light. Brett has also composed and performed music on commercials for Wal-Mart and Pacific Gas & Electric. In addition, he regularly performs at weddings, corporate events, and restaurants in the Chicago area.

Over the years, Brett has maintained a roster of 30 or more guitar students, ranging in age from seven to 70. The reason for his success is that Brett makes lessons fun. Regardless of your musical taste and personal goals, he teaches you what you want to learn.

Daniel, a former faculty member of Columbia College in Chicago, is a studio and live performance singer and musician based in Chicago. His teaching and performing experience spans three decades, and includes expertise in the studies of voice, guitar, piano, bass, drums, and trumpet, along with music theory, arranging, and composing. He is a Lincoln Academy Student Laureate who holds a BA in Music Composition, and has attended graduate courses in education at Roosevelt University and DePaul University in Chicago. He has taught students of all ages at private studios, public school, and college.

Daniel is described by his students as a natural teacher. He prefers to be regarded as an advancing student, and takes the journey along with his students to guide them towards their goals with a friendly, positive, efficient and productive approach. He feels that music is within all of us, and a desire to learn is a sign of talent, so anyone can develop their musical abilities with...

Having played music for as long as I can remember (my father is an accomplished Jazz and Soul drummer), music has always been a key ingredient in my life much like eating and breathing. From playing the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles theme on the drum set as a toddler, I have gone on to learn electric/classical/lap steel guitar, electric/upright bass, various keyboard instruments, most percussion instruments, and many old time instruments such as banjo, mandolin, dulcimer, and harmonica. I'm currently teaching myself viola.

In addition to the performing aspect of music, I am also experienced with writing/composition, recording/engineering/mixing/production, and design/manufacturing/distribution/vending of my own albums as well as those of others. However, none of these things bring me the same joy as teaching the ways of music to others. Fortunately, all of these skills integrate to bring about a clear view of the big picture in regards to music so I can better serve a wider...

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.

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.

I am a graduate of Augustana College in Rock Island, IL, with a B.A. in Music Composition. I have been teaching numerous groups and individuals for over five years on a variety of instruments. I am an avid church musician, and am currently serving as Creative Arts Director at Community Christian Church in Yorkville, IL. I strive to help my students achieve their goals, and I am passionate about teaching a variety of ages.