INSTRUCTORS

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Lisa is a dynamically entertaining and energetic performer and instructor. Her background in classical voice provides the basic foundation from which she draws upon for both her performing and teaching disciplines. She studies music theory, Piano and French Horn, and has performing for over 20 years, both as a solo artist and with various jazz and pop ensembles. Her energy, enthusiasm and heartfelt soul are evident in both her teaching and performing styles.

Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia College in Chicago, her Bachelor of Science degree from Devry University, and is currently enrolled back at Columbia College working on her second Bachelor of Arts degree in Interactice Arts & Media, Game Sound and Music Design. Jennifer is a committed and passionate musician, studying privately for a number of years on piano, guitar, percussion, clarinet & saxophone. She has a solid background and knowledge of music theory and ear training, assisting her students in those areas at all levels. She has been teaching privately for over 10 years, and brings a wealth of enthusiasm, positive encouragement and pure enjoyment to her teaching environment..

Ashley received her BA in Music with an emphasis on Piano Performance from Aurora University in Illinois in 2014, where she had received the Roger K. Parolini Music Scholarship, and earned the Stanley H. Perry Performance Arts Award. She has made appearances in various recitals at AU, performing as a piano soloist as well as accompanying the University Choirs and undergraduate students in voice and strings.  Studying piano since age six, Ashley strongly believes that learning music can greatly impact a students life, inside and outside of the classroom. She is very passionate about sharing her musical knowledge and experience in a fun and positive way with students of all ages and skill levels. Ashley is also an active member of the Illinois State Music Teacher Association, which provides her students with opportunities for performance and theory exams, recitals and competitions.

Josh earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music in 2014 from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania. He is currently finalizing his Masters in Music Composition and Performance Certificate at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. He studies cello privately with Professor Cheng-Hou Lee and composition with Professor David Maki at NIU. Josh has performed a variety of musical genres during his academic career, including the Mansfield University Orchestra, the Pennsylvania Lyric Opera Theater, in addition to the NIU Middle Eastern and Chinese Ensembles. He has performed in venues all across the United States, and as a performer and composer, Josh is devoted to the development of new music.rming styles.

Arden is a full-time piano instructor who specializes in teaching children the joys of piano performance and theory. She’s passionate about teaching the foundations of classical music while allowing for playful exploration with supplementary pieces in a variety of genres.  She studied privately for many years and began teaching piano professionally after her children left for college in 2009. Past students have received superior ratings at NFMC Junior Festivals and completed successful auditions for arts magnet schools in Miami, FL where she taught before relocating to the Western suburbs of Chicago in 2019.

Josh is an enthusiastic and passionate musician who loves sharing his music. He recently graduated from the University of Illinois with a Masters in Music Composition. He toured the Midwest as concertmaster of the Augustana Symphony Orchestra and performed several classical pieces and original compositions with them under Dr. Daniel Chetel. He has also performed in the pit orchestra in chamber operas and musicals. He conducted and played in all three of his compositions for his 2018 senior recital, including violin with the Jenny Lind choir. He continues to write and perform alongside his colleagues in online concert series as part of New Music Mosaic. Recently, due to the pandemic, Josh has been focusing on recording and producing video game music covers and original compositions on his YouTube channel. 

Josh has been teaching piano privately for the past few years and recently started teaching violin. He was also a Teaching Assistant for freshmen Music Theory classes at the University of Illinois. He enjoys teaching a wide range of students and sharing some of his favorite pieces with them.

Ryan has received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and Psychology from North Central College in Naperville, IL. While attending North Central College, Ryan was nominated for three consecutive years to perform in the honors piano recital, and has studied with several prominent instructors, including Jon Warfel and Chris White. Prior to his work at North Central College, Ryan completed his Associates of Arts degree in Music from Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, IL, where he studied music composition with Dr. Mark Lathan, and composed music for the Waubonsee Chorale. Additionally, Ryan has accompanied ensembles such as the Naperville Chorus and the St. Patrick's Adult Contemporary Choir. Ryan's goals as a music educator include cultivating self-confidence in students, helping them to understand and realize their full potential as musicians.

Bruce has studied piano at Trinity College of London (Guildhall) and is currently working towards his degree in performance.  He started playing piano at the age of 3, taking private lessons for several years.  Since then he has been playing music for his church, various choirs, competitions, and band performances. He has taught in schools, music institutes and privately to students of all ages and skill levels. Bruce believes that Music is a heavenly art and gives enrichment to the soul.

Michelle is an energetic and dedicated musician and teacher.  She graduated with honors from VanderCook College of Music in 2015 where she received her Bachelors degree in Music Education. She has been singing in choirs and playing piano professionally since she was a senior in high school, and she has been teaching in the Naperville/Aurora area since August of 2017. Michelle has a wide variety of performance experiences such as solo and group recitals, accompanying vocalists and instrumentalists, playing in orchestras, and accompanying choirs.  She uses her experiences to help her students learn, grow, and perform in any context that interests them.

Drew is a graduate of North Central College in Naperville with a degree in Music Education, Drew has been teaching private lessons since 2017.  Drew plays the viola and trumpet, and plays regularly with the North Central College Chamber Orchestra.

 Adam's ongoing passion for teaching goes back 15+ years to when he started teaching privately at age 14. More recently, Adam has gained significant playing and teaching experience from studying with great educators like Jamie Gallagher and Rod Jacobs. Adam teaches with a strong emphasis on drum set and snare drum, although he is knowledgeable and able to teach all types of percussion instruments. Adam has been passionately playing drums for over 20 years and continues to perform in and around the city with various groups playing Rock, Jazz, R&B, and Fusion.  He is currently performing/recording with an indie folk/rock group called Skyline Semblance. 

Gregg's musical adventure started in the 1960's.  Singing in Church choir and beginning several years of private organ 

lessons at the age of 10.  While in High School he played trumpet in Marching Band, started to teach himself guitar and

played organ for Oak Park based Up With People.  He took his first Music Theory class at Triton Jr. College in 

River Grove, Illinois while in High School.  He went on to receive a Bachelors of Arts degree with concentration in 

music and art.  He began teaching piano in college while doing a field work experience at Guardian Angel Home in Joliet.

His teaching philosophy provide lessons and the material presented as challenging and attainable.  Weekly successes build

into larger successes.  He encourages students bring in music they enjoy or perhaps are working on for school or church.

He will supplement this music with the lesson plan.  Lesson plan will include music theory.

Gregg's performance career includes touring with the Drifters during the late 70's. While playing with Joliet based Beat's

Walkin' he shared the stage with two members of country rock recording artists Heartsfield.  He has played with Ric Parnell,

the drummer in the movie Spinal Tap and recorded and performed on stage with south-side Elvis impersonator Dave Carlson.

Gregg's love and enjoyment of music comes though in his lessons.  He looks forward to sharing these with his students

at Apollo Music. 

McKenzie is a passionate musician who has studied flute, voice, and saxophone for many years with a background in both classical and jazz music. She is currently studying at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and discovered a joy for teaching flute at the age of 16 while giving lessons in high school. Her teaching philosophy centers around not just developing fundamental skills but also encouraging students to explore their own passion and musical interests and making the flute an enjoyable experience.