Upright/Electric Bass & Beginner Guitar Teacher

James Digirolamo -- James has taught for 20 years, with extensive experience in upright and electric bass, as well as beginning guitar instruction. He studied at DePaul University's School of Jazz Music and privately with Larry Gray, who plays bass with Ramsey Lewis and cello with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. James has a vast knowledge of virtually all musical styles. As a "jobbing musician", he has done radio jingles, studio session work, a great deal of pit work and many orchestral performances, including Chicago's Orchestra Hall. His long-term band experiences include swing with the Riff Rockets, blues with the Convulsions, pop-rock with Burnt Toast and several jazz trios. James has also played country, zydeco and rock-a-billy with bands such as the Big Guitars from Memphis. He continues today as the bass player for Nick Moss and the Flip Tops, a blues band that plays regularly at Buddy Guy's Legends and The House of Blues. He currently has professional endorsement deals with Lakland, Gallien-Krueger, Bag End, and Rotosound.
Available to teach: TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, & THURSDAY
For more information and to Hear James please see the following Links:
US.Music.Jobs
MySpace/JamesDigi
Selective Recall
The Jennifer Jennings Band
The Big Guitars from Memphis
Tom Sorich Music
Shaken Not Stirred

Brass Teacher & Beginning Piano

Joe Chobot -- Joe Chobot teaches Trumpet (Cornet), Piccolo Trumpet, Fluegel Horn, Valve and Slide Trombone, Baritone Horn and Piano and has been playing professionally since 1966 in various combos and bands in the Chicagoland area.  Currently, he leads a group called “The Downbeats”, directs the Westmont Park District Chorus, and is also involved in a project call “Jubilation”.  He has served in the US 97th and 85th Division Army bands.  He has also done arranging and has played in brass ensembles for various choirs.   For trumpet he prefers the “Walter Beeler” or the “Essential Elements 2000” methods.   For trombone and baritone horn, he uses the “Essential Elements 2000” and “Rubank” methods, and for piano he uses the "Michael Aaron" series of books.  For the art of improvisation, he uses various published materials and also materials he has accumulated from  his own experience.

Available to teach: MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & THURSDAY

Drum & Percussion Teacher

Charles Fadale --  Charles Fadale's early studies with John Rowland of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra laid the foundation down for his further instruction with legends Elvin Jones and Max Roach. He was later awarded a national endowment of the arts grant for a study program with drummer, Keith Copeland in New York City (where he previously resided).  One in a family of ten professional musicians, Charles has been teaching since 1980 and has performed with Della Reese, Diane Schuur, Mose Allison, Mark Murphy, Richie Cole, Joe Lovano, Don Menza, Joe Pass, Barney Kessel, Bruce Johnstone, Bill Dobbins, Barry Kiener, the Ink Spots, and Stevie Wonder.  Since relocating to the Chicago area in 1993, he has performed with Chicago legends: Johnny Frigo, Von Freeman, Frank D'Rone, and most recently, with saxophonist, Richie Cole's Alto Madness Orchestra.  

Available to teach: WEDNESDAY (AM only)

Drum & Percussion Teacher

Bill Zervos -- Bill Zervos has been teaching Percussion at Beautiful Music for over a decade. He is a working member of both the Chicago Federation of Musicians and the V.I.P Percussion Organization of the Midwest. Mr. Zervos segments his training into specific units: Introduction to the Drum Set, Elementary Drum Method, Essential Studies for Snare, Sight-Reading for the Drums, Elementary Rock & Roll Drumming, Xylophone & Marimba Method, among others.

Available to teach: MONDAY, WEDNESDAY,                                        THURSDAY, FRIDAY, & SATURDAY

Guitar & Bass Teacher

Mike Bronersky -- Michael Bronersky began teaching Electric and Classical Guitar at Beautiful Music in 1993. His studies embrace over six years of Classical Guitar, including a Master Class with celebrated guitarist Pepe Romero. He has performed the classical guitar repertoire in both the United States and Europe. Recently, Mike has been performing, recording, and touring with the world renown Chicago band, VEHEMENT now called CONGLOMERATORZ.

Available to teach: MONDAY, TUESDAY,WEDNESDAY,
                               THURSDAY, & FRIDAY

Guitar & Bass Teacher

Chris Ptacek -- Chris began playing at age 11, due to strong family musical traditions.  He began teaching friends and family shortly thereafter, and began teaching professionally in 1998.  As a musician, his focus has been on rock, jazz, blues and experimental music.  As a student himself, he has studied with some of the nations top performers.  Chris is a firm believer in goal oriented practicing.  His students are given the technical and theoretical tools necessary to kick-start musical development.

Available to teach: MONDAY (Not accepting new students currently.)

Guitar Teacher

Ralph Jones -- Ralph Jones studied guitar with James E. Smith at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio.  After leaving CSU, he attended Northern Illinois University, obtaining a Masters of Music degree in 1986.  Since graduation, he has performed as a band leader, solo vocalist, and guitarist in many venues.  He is currently composing and continuing to record as a jazz musician and soul/gospel artist.  While he thoroughly enjoys music from a wide range of styles including, but not limited to: rock, soul, blues and jazz---it is the jazz music where you will find his passion.  Educating is a privilege he does not take for granted and he is thoroughly delighted when students “get it”.  Mr. Jones believes that focused, deliberate progress is measured through a system that encourages performance.

Available to teach: TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY

Guitar & Beginning Bass

Tim Stine -- Tim Stine received his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music from Minnesota State University Moorhead and Masters of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music.  He also studied guitar with Glenn Ginn and Jim Smith.  Tim stayed close to his home in Fargo, North Dakota to earn his undergraduate degrees.  After graduating with a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Arts degree, Tim joined the faculty of North Dakota State University, where he taught as an adjunct guitar instructor.  He then went onto Cincinnati where he recently received his Masters of Music in Jazz Studies from the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. 

Available to teach: SATURDAY

 Guitar & Bass Teacher

Elliott Esparza -- Elliott has studied guitar and electric bass for 14 years and has been teaching since 2002.  He was selected by the Illinois Music Educators Association for the All-District Jazz Band in high school and went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a minor in Education from Elmhurst College. Elliott performed with many ensembles during his time at Elmhurst College which included: The Classical Guitar Ensemble, The “Late Night Blues” Jazz Group, Jazz Band and several Jazz combos. While Jazz guitar is a focus for him, he has experience playing and teaching many different styles including Rock, Country, Blues, Punk/Emo, Latin and Soul. Elliott teaches beginning to advanced lessons on guitar and electric bass.

Available to teach: MONDAY & SATURDAY

 Guitar & Bass Teacher

  Josh Lund --  Josh Lund was born into a musical family, and began playing at an early age.  He studied Music Theory and Composition at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, and then went to Northern Illinois University to complete his Master’s degree in Composition in 2001.  Recently he returned to Northern Illinois for a second Master’s degree in Instructional Technology, specializing in music teaching technology.  He has been teaching privately for over 15 years on both guitar and string bass/electric bass, and has studied with Sal Mancini, Paul Ousley, Gregory Sarchet and Larry Gray.  He has performed in bands that have shared the stage with Buddy Guy, The Blues Brothers, the Neville Brothers and Dr. John, and continues to perform in many styles, particularly jazz and rock.  He is currently mastering the 8-string guitar, a hybrid of electric guitar and bass.  Josh believes that there is music in everyone, and it is only a matter of finding the right tools to unlock that creative potential.  Josh’s students are given a sound education in the fundamentals of music to enable their creativity to shine.

 Available to teach: MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY

Piano, Organ, & Brass Teacher

John Connolly -- John Connolly has taught Piano, Organ, Trumpet, Euphonium (Baritone) and Horn, as well as Jazz Studies, Theory and Composition at Beautiful Music since 1988. Mr. Connolly studied Music Theory at the University of Minnesota, Theory/Composition and Music Education at Park College in Missouri, and Broadcasting Techniques and Electronics at Brown Institute in Minneapolis. He began his professional music career in 1962 with the US Army in Europe, and then, based in Los Angeles toured throughout the states with several organizations, including his popular jazz trio, The Connolly Corp and his big band, The Chicago Grays. You can visit Middle C Music, his internet site at www.middlec.com.

Available to teach: MONDAY, TUESDAY,
                                WEDNESDAY, & THURSDAY

Piano, Brass, & Woodwind Teacher

Janis Haustein -- Janis Haustein has been a teacher at Beautiful Music since 1993. She received degrees in Elementary and Higher Education (Music Education) from the University of Minnesota. Janis received her advanced music degree from Notre Dame University. Later, she received a DMA from the American Conservatory of Music and served on the faculty there for 5 years. As a studio teacher, Janis emphasizes theory, rhythmic accuracy, and technique, as well as repertoire.  In addition, piano students are strongly encouraged to participate in the Illinois States Music Teachers program of annual achievement tests in technique, theory, and performance.  

Available to teach: TUESDAY, THURSDAY, & FRIDAY

Piano Teacher

John O'Keefe -- John is a full-time musician combining teaching and performing.  He teaches piano, organ, and keyboards and has been studying piano since the age of 7.
Over the span of 20 years, he had lessons with many teachers and studied music theory, arranging, and composition at Daley College.  John began teaching in 1986 and has taught students ranging in age from 6 to 85 years old.  In the early 90s, he was an organist for the Oak Lawn Skating Rink.  He also has performed on piano at fine dining restaurants including Nikos Restaurant in Bridgeview from 1995 to 2007.  In addition, John has also been a church musician since 1983; today, he is Music Director at St. Symphorosa Church in Chicago.   More info is available on his personal website: www.okeefemusic.com

Available to teach: MONDAY, TUESDAY, & SATURDAY

Violin Teacher

Amanda Fenton -- Amanda Fenton graduated cum laude from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with Bachelors of Arts degrees in Music and Spanish.  She has been studying the violin since age nine, has been teaching privately for eight years, and is willing to teach students of all ages.  She is a member of the American String Teachers Association and the Suzuki Association of the Americas.  She was awarded the Music Teacher National Association’s Star Award at Augustana “based on academic excellence, successful teaching experience, and demonstrated leadership abilities". In the summer of 2007, she attended the ARIA International Music Festival and in the summer of 2008, she served as a Residence Counselor for the Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival.  In most recent years, she has performed with the Augustana Symphony Orchestra and the Classical Symphony Orchestra of Chicago and is currently a member of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra.  Amanda also performs frequently at St. Joseph’s Church in Downers Grove and freelances in the Chicago area. Amanda has studied privately with Debbie Edwards, Susan Stone and currently studies with Drew Lecher. 

Available to teach: MONDAY, TUESDAY, & THURSDAY

Cello Teacher

Kristin Wolski -- BIO COMING SOON!!!

Available to teach: WEDNESDAY

Vocal Teacher

Mike Thoms -- Michael is a graduate of Northern Illinois University where he received his BM in Music Education, December 2002.  He went on to complete his graduate studies at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, receiving his MM in Vocal Performance in December 2005.  Michael has studied with Chicago baritone Robert Sims at NIU and also under Richard Stilwell and Michael Best while at CCPA.  Currently he is a student of Dr. Ronald Combs in Chicago.
   Michael has sung and covered numerous opera roles; highlights include Vicar Gedge in Britten’s Albert Herring.  In Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia, he performed the role of Junius.  He has also sung the part of Saint Ignatius in Thomson’s Four Saints in Three Acts, Pooh Bah in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado, and the title role in Mozart’s The Impresario.  Michael also has sung with area opera companies including the Millennium Chamber Players and Chicago Opera Theater in the Chicago premier of Adams’ Nixon in China.
   Michael has been a voice instructor at Beautiful Music since spring of 2003.  He also teaches private voice at Wheaton Warrenville South High School and Crystal Lake South High School.   In addition to his teaching and solo singing career, Michael is a member of the St. Charles Singers, an internationally acclaimed chamber ensemble based out of St. Charles, IL.  

Available to teach: THURSDAY & SATURDAY

Vocal & Piano Teacher

Cynthia Rutledge -- Cynthia has been teaching music for over 14 years, both in private lessons and classrooms. She received her Bachelors of Music Degree from Northern Illinois University in Percussion Performance and her Masters of Music from DePaul University in Jazz Voice.  She has performed all over Chicagoland, including at a Chicago Bulls Game, the Bismarck Hotel, Arlington International Racecourse, Hollywood Casino, and on the Odessey Cruise Line.  Also, she has performed outside of Chicago in Miami at Hoy Como Ajer in Little Havana, at the Jacksonville Jazz Fest, and was the Director of Chick Singer Night in Miami.  She has taught as an adjunct professor at Benedictine University in Jazz Voice, and at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove. At WCC she was the Director of the Waubonsee Steel Drum Bands, and taught beginning percussion and beginning piano classes.  Please note that she accepts students who are under 14 years of age.  But, she welcomes all ages, even adults, because it's never too late to learn what you love!

Available to teach: TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY

 Woodwind and Brass Teacher
(Specializing in Flute & Clarinet)

Karen Moffett -- BIO COMING SOON!!!

 Available to teach: WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY