About Janet Kuester
Janet Kuester is the founder (2004) of The Music Connection. She is a private piano and violin teacher.
She believes all students have musical ability that can be nurtured and developed and that music-making ability is a skill that enhances a lifetime enjoyment of music. Whether it is one child or the whole family who learns to make music, music making enhances a family’s culture through positive reinforcement, encouragement and joy.
Mrs. Kuester (Mrs. K.) has taught violin and piano for more than 40 years in both private and group settings, and is a member of the Chicago Federation of Musicians,
Suzuki Association of the Americas, MTNA, SAMTA, MTNA, El Sistema USA, National Guild of Piano Teachers, Orland Park and Frankfort Chambers of Commerce, and Toastmasters.
She received her music degree from De Paul University and is a certified Suzuki piano and violin teacher. She has performed with the Lake Forest Symphony, Schubert Woods String Quartet, and the Waukegan, DePaul, Chicago Civic, Chicago Heights, Kankakee, Southwest, Richmond, and Illinois Philharmonic Orchestras. Mrs. K. has taken early childhood training in Music in the Box and in Music for Young Children, a Canadian method for group piano instruction/music education.
She has served as a freelance musician, piano accompanist for many area competitions, participated in many workshops in duo piano literature with Harry and Thalia Davidson, and as organist/pianist for Orland Park United Methodist Church. (Wow Faith United Methodist.)
“Individual lessons are such a joy because each student has a unique set of abilities and spending time encouraging and motivating is truly my passion! “ “However, when students are learning and acquiring proficiency, playing with groups and getting to know other likeminded people can also be motivating and a boost to learning and even more enjoyment!”
Mrs. Kuester describes herself as a “music activist.” She believes all people have music ability (talent), that all schools should have accessible string programs, and that private instruction builds skill and enhances student ability to confidently contribute to their school orchestra.