Yes! You Do Want to Learn Theory. It Will Make You Fearless in Your Creativity.
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Teaching Hours
About Phil C.
Experience
Music Coach / Writing / Speaking / Entrepreneurship
Feb, 1994 - PresentPhil C. Music and Guilt By Association Records
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 Instructor
Sep, 2016 - Sep, 2019Flatts and Sharpe Music
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.
Music Instructor
Sep, 2010 - Sep, 2013Eau Claire Music School
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.
Music Instructor
Mar, 1997 - May, 2005Quinlan and Fabish Music
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 Production Assistant
Jun, 1994 - Jun, 1995Columbia College Chicago / Chicago Jazz Ensemble
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 Tutor and Teacher's Aide
Jun, 1994 - Jun, 1995Columbia College Chicago
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 Teacher
Sep, 1993 - Jun, 1999Fran Center (Catholic Schools)
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.
Writer and Author
Apr, 1992 - PresentFreelance
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.
Singer Songwriter Guitarist / Producer
Mar, 1986 - PresentGuilt By Association Records
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.
Education
Music Composition and Performance
Feb, 1994 - Jun, 1997Columbia College Chicago
Interdisciplinary Arts
Sep, 1998 - Jun, 1999Columbia College Chicago
Certifications
Summa Cum Laude (Honors Graduate)
Jun, 1997Columbia College Chicago
I graduated in the top of my class at Columbia College Chicago. My diploma was presented with honors.
Top Music Schools in Chicago
Jan, 2022Expertise.com
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.
Creativity & Entrepreneurship at Berklee X
Apr, 2021Berklee College Of Music
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.
Top Music Schools in Chicago
Feb, 2021Expertise.com
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.
Top Music Schools in Chicago
Mar, 2020Expertise.com
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
Jul, 2019Expertise.com
After looking over 574 Chicago area music schools and lesson facilities, using several criteria, Expertise awarded Phil C. Music their Top Music Schools certification.
Awards
Presidential Scholarship
Sep, 1994Columbia College Chicago
Top Music Schools in Los Angeles 2023
Jan, 2023Experise
Top Music Schools in Los Angeles 2022
Sep, 2022Expertise.com
Top Music Schools in Chicago 2022
Jan, 2022Expertise.com
Top Music Schools in Chicago 2021
Jan, 2021Expertise.com
Top Singles of 2020
Dec, 2020NBT Music Radio
Top Music Schools in Chicago 2020
Feb, 2020Expertise.com
Top Albums of 2019
Dec, 2019NBT Music Radio
Best of Chicago 2019
Dec, 2019Chicago Music Guide
Top Music Schools in Chicago 2019
Jul, 2019Expertise.com
Book Award / Nonfiction / Entertainment
Jun, 20182018 Readers' Favorite Book Awards
Top 300 Singles
Dec, 2017NBT Music Radio
Best Of 2017
Apr, 2017Lessons
Best Actor In A Dramatic Role Nomination
May, 2008Chicago Actors Studio
Affiliations
BMI
May, 2009Broadcast 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.
Languages
English
Native Proficiency
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