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Preparing

Music Performance

My award-winning school has been in Los Angeles since August, 2022. We're located in Westwood, right near UCLA.

I'm fully vaccinated and will adhere to whatever safety guidelines you prefer.

I also provide state-of-the-art setups for online lessons.

I've taught both privately and in the classroom (in schools from Pre-K to college, and through workshops), and have been a working musician and teacher for 30 years. I have a degree in music from Columbia College Chicago (Summa Cum Laude). My students have included everyone from absolute beginners to working professionals like myself. Many of my students have also gone on to careers in music.

My approach in private instruction involves tailoring the lessons to the specific needs of each student, while making sure that he/she has the knowledge and technique to succeed in their creative endeavors. Whether it's a hobby or a potential career, I leave nothing out. You will learn the entire instrument. In cases where a student works in more than one subject, one session can typically be applied to all/both of them. I strive to help every student find their own creative voice, while building the skill sets required to work in any style of music.

As a writer, I've written for everything from music publications to LinkedIn, and have an award-winning nonfiction book that chronicles my journey as an independent musician.

As an entrepreneur, I've had several non-music businesses on the side over the years, and have weathered every twist and turn of the music industry for more than 30 years. My indie record label, founded in 1994, is breaking new ground by empowering artists to have a hand in their own business success while never compromising their art. 

As a public speaker, I started speaking in church at age 9. I have spoken to audiences large and small about everything from music education and the music business, to dealing with addiction, to the teachings of engaged Buddhism.

Please feel free to contact me with the button on my profile here. This can include questions about my method, or regarding days and times for lessons. What you see in my availability here is based on my schedule away from TakeLessons. I have students elsewhere and perform shows regularly. I may have additional times available and tend to have some flexibility. I teach worldwide online. Just ask. 

As soon as you're ready to book lessons, you can use the booking button next to your area of study, day and time. I will receive a notification that you've signed up. I will then confirm with you and send a questionnaire regarding your lesson needs within 48 hours.

Thanks for your interest.

I look forward to working with you!

Learn how your own style of communication, a unique understanding of the human condition, and stage fright, can all make you own the space in which you perform.

Owning The Stage

Guitar

Blues Guitar

Music Theory

Artist Business Coaching

Acoustic Guitar

Vocal Training

Audition Prep

Singing

Songwriting

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Broadcast Music Inc. was founded in 1939 by forward-thinkers who wanted to represent songwriters in emerging genres, like jazz, blues and country, and protect the public performances of their music. Operating on a non-profit-making basis, BMI is now the largest music rights organization in the U.S. and is still nurturing new talent and new music.

Top Music Schools in Los Angeles 2022

Top Music Schools in Chicago 2022

Top Music Schools in Chicago 2021

Top Singles of 2020

Top Music Schools in Chicago 2020

Top Albums of 2019

Best of Chicago 2019

Top Music Schools in Chicago 2019

Book Award / Nonfiction / Entertainment

Top 300 Singles

Best Of 2017

Best Actor In A Dramatic Role Nomination

Presidential Scholarship

Top Music Schools in Los Angeles 2023

For a second consecutive year:

After a survey of nearly 600 Chicago area music schools and lesson facilities, using several criteria, Expertise awarded Phil C. Music their Top Music Schools certification.

Top Music Schools in Chicago

After looking over 574 Chicago area music schools and lesson facilities, using several criteria, Expertise awarded Phil C. Music their Top Music Schools certification.

I graduated in the top of my class at Columbia College Chicago. My diploma was presented with honors.

Summa Cum Laude (Honors Graduate)

For a 4th Consecutive Year!

After a survey of nearly 600 Chicago area music schools and lesson facilities, using several criteria, Expertise awarded Phil C.Music among their Top Music Schools certification.

Working through the intersection of creativity and being an entrepreneur, this four part course from Berklee X, created by SonicBids founder Panos Panay, was completed by Phil C.with 100% credit received.

Creativity & Entrepreneurship at Berklee X

For a Third Consecutive Year!

After a survey of nearly 600 Chicago area music schools and lesson facilities, using several criteria, Expertise awarded Phil C. Music among their Top Music Schools certification.

I've been a working singer, songwriter, guitarist for 30+ years. I've released multiple albums that received critical acclaim, and I've toured nationally. 

I perform regularly both in the Chicago area and regionally. My performances vary from solo acoustic to 3-piece to a full electric band. 

I have appeared on local and national radio shows, and often return to many of them, even co-hosting on occasion. I regularly receive media attention for my various work.

I also produce extensively.

I have sync licensing deals with several outlets. Sync licensing is when your work is placed in TV and movies.

Singer Songwriter Guitarist / Producer

As a private instructor in guitar, bass and voice, I also started a summer program for student bands. Two other teachers and I would combine students of various instruments, teach them a short set of music, and put on a show, all in one to two weeks with daily rehearsals. My roster at Quinlan and Fabish included 55 thirty minute lessons a week, at its peak.

Music Instructor

I was a private instructor in guitar, bass, ukulele, and voice. I also conducted a couple of workshops in songwriting. My roster included about 20 thirty minute lessons a week, at its peak.

I began teaching here immediately after my return to Chicago and ended my contract after establishing my new studio. 

This is where I take younger students, since they have a lobby for parents and do 30 minute lessons. When I'm not here, I'm in my private studio. I am fully vetted by Flatts and Sharpe, as well as TakeLessons.

In addition to teaching privately one day a week at each of their two locations, I coach some of the student bands for the quarterly "Flatts and Sharpe Rock Show" at a major Chicago venue.

I was a classroom teacher of General Music for several Chicago Catholic Schools, as placed by Fran Center, and educational provider for parochial schools.

I taught from Pre-K through 8th Grade.

I also occasionally subbed for other subjects, directed the choirs, and put together classroom shows with the students.

At my busiest, I taught from 8:30am to 2:30pm Monday through Friday.

Music Teacher

While attending Columbia College Chicago, I was the production assistant for The Chicago Jazz Ensemble and personal assistant to their conductor William Russo. Russo was also a ground breaking composer and the founder/artistic director of the Contemporary American Music Program at Columbia.

This experience allowed me a great deal of insight into the real world of music, not to mention the mentoring I received from Russo and many of his contemporaries regarding the craft of music. Through this job I met and spoke with many legendary figures in jazz and blues. Naturally, I benefited from the knowledge they shared.

Music Production Assistant

Beginning in my second semester as a student at Columbia College, I was asked to be a private tutor and to work in the classroom as a teacher's aide for the music program. 

I was able to hone my approach to private teaching through tutoring. As a teacher's aide, I watched an experienced classroom teacher in action and gained insight into ways to engage a larger group. Both of these part time jobs also allowed me to tighten my understanding of music theory to the benefit of my own work at the time, as a student and teacher.

Music Tutor and Teacher's Aide

Before I made the conscious choice to go into music, I wanted to be a writer. As a result, I've kept this alive through the years in my songwriting and by writing for pure enjoyment or for hire. I'm a regular contributor on Medium.

While at Columbia College Chicago for my music degree, I did all of my electives in the Fiction Writing Department, even choosing one of their professors as an advisor. I took every class in their mainstream course offerings up to the graduate level.

I have contributed to various publications with articles appearing in business, science and arts publications. In the world of theater, I've scripted comedic plays and written a TV pilot.

In 2016, I published an award-winning book that chronicles my 30+ years as an independent musician. It's called "The Outback Musician's Survival Guide" and is available in print, e-book and audiobook everywhere books are sold online.

Writer and Author

I'm proud to say that I've been Rated among the Top 12 Music Schools and Lesson Facilities in Chicago for 3 years in a row (2019-21) by Expertise.com.

Since my first teaching jobs and release of my first self-produced recordings in 1994, I've been an advocate of doing it yourself. I fell into teaching quite naturally and this work has led me to work with students to develop their careers in music, and in many cases I've coached them outside of the arts. 

Every subject you see in this profile is something I cover at my school, Phil C. Music in The Flat Iron Arts Building in Chicago's historic Wicker Park.

Please feel free to inquire further by using the contact button on this page. You'll hear back from me within 48 hours.

Music Coach / Writing / Speaking / Entrepreneurship

English

Understanding how to achieve your best musical performance can be daunting. One thing you hear about a lot is being authentic. But how do we know the difference between using showmanship and being inauthentic? What are some tricks for developing an emotionally connected performance? These things and more will be addressed.

Very helpful, knowledgeable, and a good teacher.

Very knowledgeable and put me at ease right from the beginning.

Phil is very personable in his approach.  He is also very knowledgeable and throughout in his explanations regarding the topics we are working on and I'm very happy to be working with him.

1st meeting/lesson went well....Looking forward to future lessons.

Just my first lesson but I enjoyed it and feel like I am learning the basics well.

Phil is walking me through the theory and we are making progress so it’s goinf well.

Had a great lesson, Phil is a real pro, makes Me comfortable with our pace. At My age, He’s a great choice.

Phil is EXACTLY the kind of guitar teacher I was looking for. I couldn't ask for a better instructor. He knows his stuff and breaks things down so that you can understand and apply what you learn. He's also a deep soul and has a love for music that is contagious!

I have been looking for a high quality guitar teacher for a while and I found it in Phil Circle. He is a professional musician and makes a living at it, so you know he is good. 

He understood the skill level I was coming from and what I needed to improve. Phil gave me some exercises and scales the first meeting, and I learned more from those exercises than I did in my previous lessons with two other guitar teachers.

Phil is the real deal, he knows how to teach, and he will make you a better musician!

Phil is a passionate,  dedicated and talented Uke and vocal teacher.  He has been working with our 8 yo boy who does not have an easy character and was able to establish a great relationship with him allowing for very productive lessons. 
Phil is creative with teaching method and was able to adapt to our son's needs. I would highly recommend Phil

Phil is a fantastic guitar teacher.  My teenage daughter has had a few teachers over the years, but he’s the first to help her learn to read actual music, teach her to restring her guitar, and provide a true musician’s perspective that keeps her interested and excited to learn.  His focus on classical as a springboard for all other music genres is refreshing. We are thrilled to have found this gem of an instructor, his love for music and guitar is infectious and inspiring.

I started voice lessons which turned into combined voice and guitar lessons with Phil almost two months ago, and I've had an awesome experience! I came in nervous with crippling stage fright, but Phil has taught me to own it and realize that it's normal. He's a super cool dude with great stories and crazy amounts of music knowledge and experience. He is helping me find my true personal voice, which no vocal coach has ever helped me with. Although we get down to business and work, there's also sure to be laughs (and tears... but good tears, don't get me wrong here!) during every lesson. Would highly recommend!!!! Phil roxxxxx!!! 8)

A 5 star teacher.  My daughter is very happy with this teacher.

Owning The Stage - Music Performance Class

About Phil C.

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