Piano with Isaiah S.

An active performer, bandleader, composer, and teacher, Isaiah provides a uniquely engaging and holistic musical education for students of all ages and skill levels. Isaiah earned his Bachelor's of Arts in Jazz & Contemporary Music Performance in 2019 from Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts. In addition to leading his own band, Such Jam Much Chill (on all streaming services), his professional resume includes working with Macy's, Music Box Theater, Randy Deadman (Hamilton), Reuben Garza (Noname), Adam Thornburg (Wynton Marsalis), Jacob Victor (Downbeat), and Gustavo Cortinas (Downbeat). Over the years, Isaiah has earned numerous awards at jazz festivals across the country as an outstanding soloist. His primary teacher and mentor has been Jim Gailloreto (Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera). Isaiah grew up in a family of teachers and musicians. His educational philosophy was shaped around the dinner table, and is equally as inclusive. Making music fun, encouraging self reliance and discipline, promoting musical literacy, and nurturing students' creativity are at the heart of his lessons. Isaiah unapologetically loves everything from Bach to Bjork. One of his greatest strengths and passions is connecting people with music that makes them smile. Currently on faculty at the historic Old Town School of Folk Music, Isaiah has also taught with Chicago Center for Music Education, Tom Garling's Tritone Music School in Arlington Heights, Top Note Music Academy in Skokie, Flatts and Sharpe Music Academy, and the blue ribbon St. Joan of Arc Elementary in Evanston, IL, among others. Isaiah's ability as a vocalist and on multiple instruments including saxophone, piano, flute, clarinet, and guitar have enabled him to work in many settings. In addition to scoring the feature film, Promise of the Butterfly, which appeared at the Vail Film Festival 2019 and is currently available on Amazon Prime, his performance experience includes jazz, classical, Latin, rock, pop, R&B, hip hop, funk, musical theater, South Indian fusion, and more. His bands have appeared at a number of high-profile venues around Chicago including House of Blues, The Promontory, Cubby Bear and earned numerous weekly and monthly residencies.