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Heather, primarily a flute player, has been a band director for the Bourbonnais Elementary School District for 13 years, and a private lesson instructor for King Music for almost 10 years. She holds degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign and Vandercook College of Music both in Music Education. She's a member of several local music organizations and active in the music Community. Heather teaches almost all wind instruments at the beginning level and woodwind instruments at an intermediate and advanced level. Heather works with the individual student to set goals to fit their needs whether it be broad or specific, beginning or advanced.

Cliff Smith is a retired band director having taught at St. Anne Grade School for nearly 30 years. He has been a private lesson instructor at King Music since 1992. His main instrument is trumpet but he teaches all brass and woodwinds at the store. He plays any of these instruments along with students in his studio. He continues to perform regularly in the Kankakee Municipal Band, the Kankakee River Valley Wind Ensemble, and the Kings of Dixie Dixieland band. He has also been an adjudicator for IESA and IHSA Solo & Ensemble and Organization contests.

Lori has 24 years experience teaching Instrumental and Vocal Music in area schools, as well as 35 years of private teaching experience. Along with degrees from Eastern Illinois University and Vandercook College of Music, she is listed in “Who’s Who Among American Teachers”, and is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the International Association of Jazz Educators, and Sigma Alpha Iota. Lori has extensive performance experience in all styles of music, and performs regularly with several local and South Suburban music groups. She is a frequent adjudicator for elementary and high school music contests. Lessons will utilize a variety of materials and teaching methods, while emphasizing development of tone, technique, music reading skills, and musicianship.

Desiree Hays teaches piano, violin, and flute lessons to students of all ages and levels. She graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with a Bachelor of Music degree in music education in 2014, taking lessons in all three instruments throughout her time there. She has been teaching private lessons since 2010. Desiree’s goal is to instill a love a music in her students, and to help them reach their musical goals. She is an active musical member in the community as a musician in the KVSO, as a wedding musician, as a member of the worship teams at her churches, and as an active member in the Kankakee Valley Music Teachers Association. She offers recitals at least two times per year for her students, as well as exams, competitions, and multiple other performance opportunities.

Rebecca has over 20 Years performing professionally as well as teaching. She is a State certified orchestra teacher with experience teaching children grade 4 – college level. At least 5 former students have carried their musical love into a career as professional musicians/teachers.

Joe has been teaching for 30 plus years and plays 17 instruments. He’s a writer, producer, arranger, and owns a recording studio. He’d like to train the student to excel with good mechanics, musicianship, and creativity.

Mike’s been playing professionally since 1974 in R&B, Country, Rock, and Western Swing bands. Aside from theory and technique, he enjoys setting personal goals for the students

Ed has taught at KINGMUSIC for 17 years and has played bass and guitar in various local bands. He’ll keep your lessons to the point. Whatever will keep you interested will be his “style” of teaching. Everyone learns at a different speed and he can accommodate all.

Jon has been teaching since 1994 and has been playing for over 25 years. In addition to teaching, Jon also builds custom guitars and repairs guitars. Lessons focus on technique, songs, music theory, applying music theory, instrument maintenance, and live playing.

JD has been teaching for over 10 years and performing live for over 25 years in Jazz, Concert, and marching bands as well as playing bass, guitar, and drums in rock and blues bands. He has a fundamental approach to teaching that allows him to relate to students of all ages and he thoroughly enjoys sharing the gift of music.

Dean started to study percussion at age 7 and began performing professionally at age 14. He studied music education for 2 years at Joliet Junior College and 2 years at DePaul University. Many of his students were or have become professional performers and/or teachers.

Christa has been a private piano instructor for 15 years. She serves as the Music Director at a local church where she directs the adult choir, children's choir, and hand bell choir as well as plays organ and keyboard for the choirs and two church services. She considers it a privilege to share the gift of music with her students, young and young-at-heart.

Jessie graduated from Eastern Illinois University with her Bachelor’s Degree is Music Education. She has 6 years of experience giving private music lessons and loves working with young students. Her goal is to inspire students to develop a lasting passion for music.

Elijah Svoboda is a piano teacher starting at King Music Inc the fall of 2015. He is a student at Olivet Nazarene University studying Public Relations and Strategic Communications, along with a minor in general music. In addition to piano, he plays guitar, accordion, harmonica, ukulele, cajone and sings, and has been taking lessons since the age of six. Elijah is thrilled to be teaching at King's this year, and hopes to make a strong, positive impact on everyone who comes through his room!

Tristin has both a Bachelor’s Degree in General Music and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Olivet Nazarene University. She has been a public school teacher for lower elementary grades for over 14 years as well as a private music instructor. In addition she has written and directed many Christmas programs for the children’s choir at her church over the years. She has a passion for teaching and wants to foster a love of music in her students.

Sara has been involved with music from the time she was very young. She comes from a family of musicians, so music has been a major part of her life. She took lessons at King Music while growing up. Sara has her Bachelors degree from Olivet Nazarene University. As a certified teacher, she has had numerous experiences working with students of all ages. She loves singing and playing piano, and she enjoys sharing her passion with her students! She is currently working on pursuing her Masters in Counseling/Music Therapy. Sara began singing at an early age in the church, and expanded into musical theatre, pop, and folk throughout her life. She has a background in contemporary vocal music. She has performed professionally in a variety of Chicagoland venues the past decade. Sara is happy to be teaching at King Music!

Cindy studied Music Education at Olivet Nazarene University with an emphasis in vocal study. She has performed in various musical groups and venues for over 30 years. She likes her students to work on music they enjoy along with pieces she chooses.

Brad has spent the past 10 years singing professionally with many theater companies and orchestras including Minnesota Opera, Minnesota Orchestra, Chicago Lyric Opera and Santa Fe Opera. In addition to classical music, Brad has performed and produced in musical theater and jazz venues in Minneapolis. Along with performing, Brad developed and directed a Vocal Performance program in the Minneapolis metro for grades 6-12. Brads enjoys designing his lessons around what each students’ specific musical needs are and guiding his students into becoming a well-rounded musician and performer. He has both Bachelor and Master’s in music degrees.

Karin has taught in both public and parochial school settings. Karin has a master’s degree in Elementary Education and has 22 years of experience in teaching everyone from preschool through adults. Karin has aided in Joliet’s music scene by educating the community in their local music studios. Karin also currently teaches at the Finale Dance Studio in Wilmington. Karin has experience in directing both children and adult choirs, as well as helping students compete in contests and perform in recitals.

Ashlyn Carnes is a recent graduate of Western Illinois University with a degree in Instrumental Music Education. She specializes in lessons for beginning band students and advanced lessons on flute and piccolo. Her goal as an instructor is to instill the love of music in her students while advancing them to the next level. She does this by getting to know her students, how they learn best, and using this as a means to help them grow. Resume

Annie is a violinist who trained at Roosevelt University in Chicago. She has played in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and in the youth orchestra for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She has recorded with Steve Goodman, and worked with Frank Sinatra, Greg Allman, and Warren Haynes. After finishing her music education degree at Lakeland College, Annie taught General Music and Band for Christ Child Acadamy in Wisconsin for 2 years.

Vanessa has been a local band director since 2011. She is currently the band director for Bradley Central Middle School. Vanessa holds a Bachelor’s degree in music education from Eastern Illinois University. She specializes in beginning band lessons for brass and woodwind students. Vanessa performs regularly with multiple local ensembles.

Mike studied drums with Bob Berg (Stanley Paul Orchestra) and Tommy Scheckel (Paul Revere & The Raiders, The Buckinghams). He has over 30 years performing experience in club, theatre, and festival settings, as well as the recording studio. Mike’s primary reason for teaching is to share the joy of music and instill the passion of creating and collaborating to his students. His goal is to build a foundation, by utilizing fundamentals and understanding of the instrument. Students will learn not only what we play as drummers, but why we play what we do. Each student is asked to state their short- and long-term goals. Together, we work to achieve them.

Alaina Bahr is a dual enrolled student at Bradley Bourbonnais Community High School and Olivet Nazarene University. She has been playing violin for 7 years, and currently holds the section leader position in the BBCHS Symphonic Orchestra. She has taken private lessons under Professor Rachel Jacklin at ONU for several years and has participated in the intensive ILMEA auditions, making All-District 3 years in a row. She is a classically trained violinist, and is comfortable in playing fiddle styled repertoire and improvising.

Andy comes from a musical family, and has been playing various stringed instruments since 1974. Professionally teaching since 2000, he has played, toured and recorded with different bands over the years. Andy starts with the basics and progresses with the student at their own rate. He teaches them what they want to learn, but always steers them in the direction of further knowledge.

Keith has 24 years experience of teaching private lessons in the Chicagoland area. His first studies began with Harry Hmura (James Cotton, Sugar Blue, Halo video games). Keith continued his studies earning a music degree from Benedictine University studying Jazz and Classical guitar. He started playing in rock bands in high school and has since continued playing with bands like Black Cadillac and Rendition. He has also performed jazz, musicals, weddings, and also as an adjudicator at Columbia College. He has also recorded with various artists including his first instrumental solo guitar album entitled “As Is”. Keith teaches all styles of music, various techniques, and music theory.

His philosophy is to tailor the lessons to meet the goals while also teaching the various techniques and fundamentals to take them forward.

Todd Hazelrigg has been teaching and performing in Kankakee County for well-over a decade. His musical catalog spans from folk and bluegrass to funk and jazz-fusion. Todd believes in letting the student pick their musical path, while he facilitates and leads them to their goals. Having studied guitar at Eastern Illinois University, he is always willing to analyze and teach the music theory behind a composition. .

Tony Erazmus has been a percussionist in Illinois, Tennessee, Missouri and Arizona for the last thirty years and has spent the last twenty years teaching in these states. He received his bachelor degree in percussion performance from SIU-C in 2003 and his masters degree in percussion performance from EIU in 2006. Since this time, he has taught college, high school (band, drumline, steel drums and percussion ensemble), junior high (band, drum and fife and percussion ensemble), grade school (general music) and private students between the ages of 5-60. He has helped his students prepare for college auditions, solo and ensemble contest, chair auditions, DCI auditions as well as other performances.

Mr. Erazmus has also been active as a performing musician. During this time he has performed multiple styles including: rock, jazz, calypso, blues, concert band, ragtime, Latin, and classical. He has toured throughout the United States and Canada. He also has performed on multiple instruments including: steel drum, marimba, vibraphone, Latin percussion, drum set, concert percussion, piano and bass.

Dustin attended Olivet Nazarene University and received his liberal arts degree in 2016. He began Suzuki violin at age 10, beginning in Bourbonnais and later in Forest Park at the Gasse School of Music. Dustin has participated in many different musical ensembles including the Kankakee Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra and Olivet Nazarene Symphony Orchestra. Besides playing in worship bands for local churches, he also played violin in the folk band, Hark, which performed at the Chicago House of Blues. Dustin has been teaching private violin lessons since 2008. He is pleased to be making music with the students at The Music Connection where he can continue to help students play and enjoy violin music. His other interests include harmonica, photography, drawing, and basketball.

Jordan Warren is a student at Olivet Nazarene University. He has played Saxophone for a decade with ample experience playing Baritone, Tenor, Alto, and Soprano Saxophone. He has taken multiple private lessons with reputable instructors, one being the Tenor Saxophonist Ari Brown who was the 2018 Chicagoan Of The Year. His accomplishments include eight consecutive Gold ratings at ISSMA’s (Indiana State School Music Association) state competitions over four years, performing with the Indiana Band Masters Association as a First Chair Tenor Saxophonist, marching Alto, Tenor, and Baritone Saxophone for Highland High School in 4 years, being a member of Orbert Davis’ Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Acadamy (CJPA) for over three years, Receiving both the Charles Danish Scholarship For Musical Excellence and the Award For Musical Dexterity from the CJPA, becoming a lead Alto and Soprano Saxophonist for CJPA, and most recently being invited to Carnegie Hall by Play USA and CJPA. Whether you just picked up a Saxophone for the first time or have a few years under your belt, I’ve been there, and I can help!

Megan Wilkinson is a senior at Gospel Assembly Christian School. She’s been studying the violin since the age of five and hopes to continue her music studies at Olivet Nazarene University. Megan is very excited to pass on her love of music!

Rachel Tobey Barrows is excited to be sharing her love of piano and vocal music with all of her students at King Music. She graduated from Olivet Nazarene University in 2015 with a BA in Music Ministry with a concentration in voice. Rachel enjoys giving piano lessons to people of all ages, and her varied experiences playing piano in classical and contemporary settings gives her the ability to show many different musical styles in lessons. She offers voice lessons to anyone age 13 and above. In voice lessons, she focuses on teaching healthy techniques to keep her students singing for decades to come!

I create a safe space for students to explore their unique voices and passion for music. Great singing requires building a strong technical foundation, understanding of vocal health, and creating heartfelt interpretations of music. These skills are developed through dedication, love for the instrument, and practice.

Paul Blievernicht holds a Bachelor and Master of Music in piano performance from Chicago College of Performing Arts of Roosevelt University. He considers it an honor to have taught piano for nearly thirty years. Paul teaches popular and classical music. In lessons, an emphasis is placed upon proper technique, accurate note-reading, appropriate musical expression, and basic improvisation; and students are guided to grow into independent musicians from an early age.

Paul has served as an organist, vocalist, and piano accompanist for various churches, schools, and ensembles throughout Illinois. He is currently the lead musician at Crete United Methodist Church and is thrilled to be part of King Music.

Tristin graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with a Bachelor’s Degree in General Music and Elementary Education as well as a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She has over twenty years of experience teaching both in an Elementary school classroom, (Kindergarten and First Grade), as well as being a private music instructor. Her focus as a music teacher is to help her students develop a solid foundation to build upon for many years to come. She believes it is important that students get to play the music they love and will work with them to find a musical curriculum that is both challenging and fun. Tristin specializes in working with beginner and intermediate piano students.

Erica Lessie is a freelance cellist in the Chicago area, working in a broad range of styles across many facets of the Chicago music scene. Erica has performed on the Oprah Winfrey show with both Whitney Houston and Seal, and has also appeared with Diana Krall, Andrea Bocelli, Peter Cetera, the Four Tops and Johnny Mathis. She is an auxiliary member of the rock band Tributosaurus and co-founder of Cherchez la Femme, a musical ensemble dedicated to presenting the arts expressed by women across the millennium. Ms. Lessie also developed Cellos of Unusual Shape, a solo presentation that explores the diversity of variant cellos.

Currently, she teaches at DePaul University Community Music Division, Chicago High School for the Arts and maintains a private studio. She has composed duets for flute/cello and piccolo/toy piano and is creating a collection of short pieces for solo cello.

Ms. Lessie received a B.M. from Indiana University, where she studied cello with Fritz Magg and chamber music with Rostislav Dubinsky and James Buswell. At Florida State University she earned an M.M. and completed coursework for a D.M.A. She currently resides south of Chicago with her family.

Performance Videos
An Interview with Erica (YouTube)

Carson Turvey is currently a senior at Olivet Nazarene University pursuing a B.A. of Music Composition with the focus on piano, percussion, and conducting. He has taken private piano lessons with Dr. Paul Kenyon at ONU for the past few years. He has pushed himself to be fully committed to his calling of music and to help others by it. He is in his third year as a music teacher assistant and tutor at ONU. He does not only want to simply teach his students to be proficient at the piano, but to also make them understand the fundamentals and science behind music by making his students curious and to ask questions to themselves, to push beyond the norm and further into the deeper meanings of music. He has continued to play and perform with the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra, the Kankakee Municipal band, has played in multiple church services around the area, and is currently the first chair percussionist in the ONU Symphony Orchestra.

My method book of choice right now is Bastions Piano Methods.

Judith Prenzlow is a native of Oklahoma with a background in both music education and performance. She has been teaching young singers for years, and loves to guide students of all ages toward confident and joyful singing. She works to meet the needs and goals of each individual while laying a foundation of sustainable vocal technique and musical knowledge. Students explore a variety of genres and vocal styles in lessons, including pop, musical theater, and classical singing. Judith holds a Master's degree in Vocal Performance from the Eastman School of Music and performs regularly in the Chicago area. She is thrilled to join the wonderful teachers at King Music!

Todd Hazelrigg has been teaching and performing in Kankakee County for well-over a decade. His musical catalog spans from folk and bluegrass to funk and jazz-fusion. Todd believes in letting the student pick their musical path, while he facilitates and leads them to their goals. Having studied guitar at Eastern Illinois University, he is always willing to analyze and teach the music theory behind a composition. .

Lydia is going into her senior year of high school at Abeka Academy in Pensacola, Florida. She has been in love with music all her life and is now sharing that love through teaching. Lydia plays many instruments and loves to play whenever she has the time. She started playing the string family in 2015 and started teaching in 2017. Lydia plans on going to college at Kankakee Community College to pursue music and secondary education after she graduates high school.

Sean began with private lessons at age 9 with Gene Piccolo, a local jazz drummer from St. Paul, Minnesota. From 5th grade through 11th grade, he was a percussionist in concert and marching band.

In his 45 + years of drumming he has learned every nuance involved in drumming. From drum history, the art of tuning, the variety of drum gear, playing dynamics, to actual playing with other musicians, he is anxious to share his knowledge with beginning drummers to intermediate level and beyond. His 35 years of working with children, grades kindergarten through high school in a variety of positions (mostly public schools), make him uniquely adept at helping our youth discover the world of drumming.

I have been playing the piano for over 20 years and teaching for 6+ years. I really enjoy playing the piano in church services as well as for fun. In lessons, I focus on teaching the basics and forming a strong foundation so that my students can both play and learn to the best of their ability. I count it a blessing and privilege to teach those who want to learn and to pass on to them my love of music!