Zarui (Zara) Vardanean
Voice, Piano
Zarui (Zara) Vardanean, an Honored Artist of the Republic of Moldova, has won numerous national and international vocal competitions. She holds her MFA in Music, specializing in voice, opera, and choir conducting, from the Academy of Music in Chișinău, Moldova, and her MA in Performing Arts Administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago. Zara’s musical journey […]
Will Gingrich
Drums, Guitar, Piano, Bass
I have loved music education since childhood. My father was a teacher at the Old Town School of Folk Music, and I got started taking private lessons from him and group classes from the school. I then earned my Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies (drum set performance), and I have since taught private music […]
Laura Taylor
Piano
I have taught piano for over 25 years and have had the privilege to earn an Associate’s in Fine Arts, Piano Pedagogy, under the tutelage of Cathy Albergo, co-creator of the Celebrate Piano! series of method books, Intermediate Piano Repertoire, A Guide for Teaching, and many other titles. I love sharing music with children and […]
Chris Ray
Bass, Piano, Ukulele, Guitar
Chris has been performing and teaching bass for more than 30 years. He has a Bachelor of Music degree from Wisconsin Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music degree from DePaul University, both in Jazz Performance. Chris remains active playing and recording with a variety of different art-ists and bands in the Chicago area […]
Luke Maslanka
Woodwinds, Brass, Strings, Piano & Ukulele
Luke received his Bachelor of Music Education at Elmhurst College. He participated in their Wind Ensemble on his primary instrument, the bassoon, and in their Varsity Band on several of his secondary instruments. He also teaches in the Schaumburg School district as an Itinierant Band/Orchestra Teacher working primarily with beginning 5th and 6th grade students. […]
Nathan Smith
Woodwinds, Trumpet & Piano
Nathan Smith is a dedicated teacher and multi-instrumentalist. He has been teaching woodwinds for over 20 years. As a performer, he has covered many styles of music, from rock to classical, from jazz to noise. He takes great pride in developing lasting relationships with students and teaching them in a way that best speaks to […]