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.

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...

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’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:)

Hi! I'm here to help any student of any level to reach their musical goals! I have been playing music (drums, piano, organ, guitar) for 14 years 12 of which have been as a professional! I have a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Studies from Columbia College Chicago. I've been on the road recently for awhile and am looking forward to getting back to teaching!!

I look forward to working with you and helping you reach your musical needs (any style, genre, tempo) while having a fun and enjoyable time!

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...

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...

I have been magnetized to the saxophone ever since I was introduced to the music of John Coltrane in the seventh grade. Since then I have been in a constant pursuit of deepening my understanding of music and all its beautiful forms, and sharing that knowledge with those who are interested!
Hailing from Flagstaff, Arizona, I attended Western Michigan University on a four year scholarship and received my Bachelor of Music, Jazz Studies in 2009. While I was there I had the incredible privilege of studying with the great Trent Kynaston, as well as performing with some of the most influential jazz musicians today, including Bobby McFerrin, Stefon Harris, Billy Hart, Fred Hersch, and Randy Brecker. I now live in Chicago where I teach lessons and perform regularly with my band, The Winchester.
I am very passionate about music, and consistently see that passion transferred to my students. It is incredibly rewarding to see someone progress right before my eyes, and know that I influenced...

Whether teaching the basics of guitar to a young child or discussing advanced harmonic concepts with an experienced adult, I strive to be the best teacher I can be. While in college I worked as an SAT tutor and received excellent reviews from my students, which I feel shows that I have an aptitude for the art of teaching itself. By nature I am friendly, enthusiastic, and very encouraging, and I try to create a safe learning environment where it is safe to make mistakes and any question is safe to ask. I also request constant feedback from my students to make sure that their customized lessons are delivering exactly what they want.

I was originally a self-taught player, and have since studied the curriculum of institutions like Berklee, Musician's Institute, and the Grove School of Music. As a performer, I have played hundreds of shows in various professional bands focusing on differing styles of music. I have spent the last three years studying to be a jazz composer, so I...

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...

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!