Singing with Phil C.

Phil 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.

Flatts 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.

Eau 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.

Quinlan 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.

Columbia 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.

Columbia 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.

Fran 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.

Freelance

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.

Guilt 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.

Columbia College Chicago

Columbia College Chicago

Columbia College Chicago

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

Expertise.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.

Berklee 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.

Expertise.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.

Expertise.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.

Expertise.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.

Columbia College Chicago

Experise

Expertise.com

Expertise.com

Expertise.com

NBT Music Radio

Expertise.com

Chicago Music Guide

NBT Music Radio

Expertise.com

2018 Readers' Favorite Book Awards

NBT Music Radio

Lessons

Chicago Actors Studio

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.

Native Proficiency