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...

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:)

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.

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...

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!

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).

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, 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...

Hello everyone! I'm Dan, a bassist and guitarist who has been very active in Chicago for the past 8 years, playing original rock, jazz, and classical music. I play around 100 shows a year, travelling around the mid-west and beyond, playing many music festivals such as Summer Camp, Blottopia, Chicago Rib Fest, Hoodilidoo, Retro on Roscoe, Whippersnap, Grateful Garcia Gathering, my band Old Shoe's own festival Shoe Fest, and many more. My bands have been played on several local stations (WXRT and Loyola), NPR's All Songs Considered, and done live performances for Chicago's Audiotree. I have gone on several tours through Arizona, Texas, Ohio, Michigan, and regularly play around Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Indiana.

I believe that as a teacher, it's just as important to be an active performer and have studio experience, so I can describe life as a musician to my students.

I've played guitar and bass for around 18 years, and have been teaching for around 12 years. I...

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...

Have you ever wanted to play music?

Be encouraged that you and/or your family member can learn to play and it's not as hard as you think.

Teaching for over 13 years in all major styles. Helping beginning or returning students of all ages (kids and adults).and backgrounds to learn music.

Have taught all ages from 5 to 60 years old.

Will work to develop a personalized plan specifically for you and/or your child or family member.

Studied at Roosevelt University as a Classical Guitar Major with music education and jazz studies.

My Story:

As a guitarist in my early years I spent much time reworking my technique and gaining insight in how guitar playing really works. My early struggles gave way to a solid knowledge of the guitar and music.

This was gained through no small part through my High School music teacher, through...

I began taking guitar lessons at the age of 11 with blues/jazz guitarist Tom Castonzo, a frequent performer, bandleader and teacher in and around the Chicago area. My studies with Tom lasted for many years and covered various musical and technical aspects of many different styles ranging from jazz to classical and everything in between. Throughout this time, I co-founded the progressive hard rock band Dream Haven, which performed with notable acts such as Mastodon, Fear Factory, Walls of Jericho, & Enuff Z'nuff. In 2003, Dream Haven released an EP entitled "Nostalgia is Five Frame." In 2002, I began performing in pit orchestras for various musicals including Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Miserable, The Wiz, Little Shop of Horrors, and Seussical the Musical.
After high school, I attended the College of Dupage (COD) and began studying jazz guitar with Dr. Zvonimir Tot. Towards the end of my studies at COD, I developed an interest in classical guitar and took lessons from...