I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree, from Bard College, NY, where I also received the Claire Leonard Honors Scholarship, for excellence in Composition and Performance.

I have been playing, both Electric and Acoustic Guitar for 30 years. I have performed hundreds of times, solo, and with the many bands I've been in.

I have been Teaching Guitar, Bass etc., for almost 20 years. I have given over 3000 lessons in the last three years. Yes, I have a LOT of experience, and I use that vast experience to help you learn quickly and efficiently.

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.

Hello! My name is Audie and I am both thrilled and honored to be a part of the TakeLessons team! Ever since a young age, I have been surrounded by music in all facets of my life. It has guided me and shaped me into the person I am today. To be a music instructor means to be the one who facilitates and nurtures that growth. This deeply resonates with me and is the reason why I choose to teach music- so I can carry on that torch that was once passed on to me.

My expertise lies greatly in both vocal performance and piano performance. I have received many years of professional instruction in voice, accompanied by numerous performances in which I honed my craft (everything from solo to choral). I am skilled in all sorts of vocal performance- anything ranging from classical to musical theatre.

With piano, my skill lies considerably in chordal knowledge. Though I am very capable of classical repertoire, my heart lies with on-the-spot arrangements and improvisations. This involves...

Bryan has enjoyed a multifaceted freelance career as a teacher, performer, studio artist and composer. Outside of his private studio, Bryan has taught at Northwestern University and Fox River Academy, and currently teaches at the Southport Performing Arts Conservatory, the McGaw YMCA and Sherwood, The Community Music School at Columbia College. He holds a masters degree from Northwestern University, and a bachelors from Northeastern Illinois University, both in music performance. He has studied with Denis Azabagic, Jack Cecchini, Brian Torosian and Anne Waller, and performed in master classes with Sergio Assad, Oscar Ghiglia and Robert Guthrie. Bryan has been a professional performer and teacher since 2001. Other than classical, Bryan's styles include rock, folk, flamenco, blues, jazz, pop and punk. Bryan's current project involves bridging the gap between classical, jazz and pop guitar.

Hello! A little about me: I have an extensive background in both music and theater. I've studied classical voice, piano, and composition, but have a love for an eclectic mix of music. I've performed everything from rock to opera (and everything in between). As a teacher, I've taught in a wide range of settings from private lessons to group/classroom settings working with a wide variety of students from special needs kids to professional adults. Music and the arts has always been important to me, and I love having the opportunity to foster that in others and see the impact it has on all areas of their lives.

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.

Scott D. was born in Arlington Heights, Illinois in 1967. He expressed a keen interest in music at an early age, and subsequently, began his studies with the clarinet, and percussion while performing in the school band. A short time after that, he decided guitar was going to be his instrument of choice, and began formal studies with blues man, Don Brown. After that, Scott moved on to study with session ace, Gary Blume. By the time we was 18, he began studies for what would be the first of his two degrees, at William Rainey Harper College. There he was mentored in both classical and jazz guitar under well known session player, and composer, Steven Suvada, and later continued with David Sussman, of the Lyric Opera in Chicago.
That year Scott went to Northern Illinois University to continue his studies for a second degree in Music. There he studied under Fareed Haque, of Pangaea records, again obtaining both jazz and classical training. While at NIU, Scott took part in...

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:)

Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Andrew started studying classical piano shortly before his fifth birthday. Andrew began playing jazz in high school as a member of the Lincoln Park Jazz Band and the Gallery 37 Jazz Band. In his sophomore year, he was selected as a Ravinia Jazz Scholar and for three years he had the opportunity to work with such world-class mentors as Willie Pickens, Tito Carrillo, Ernie Adams, and Bobby Broom. He attended the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he studied both jazz and classical piano with Dan Wall and Sanford Margolis, respectively. In his senior year, he was nominated to the Oberlin Jazz Septet, the top jazz ensemble at Oberlin, which toured the east coast, giving masterclasses at high schools and playing at clubs such as Chris’ Jazz Cafe in Philadelphia and Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola in New York.

After receiving his degree in jazz piano in 2009, Andrew spent two years working as a freelance pianist in Cleveland and the surrounding...

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.

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...

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...