Paige Alvarado is a passionate and dedicated voice and beginner piano teacher with 5 years of experience. She has a passion for nurturing and developing voices and abilities of all ages and skill levels. 

Paige’s love for music began at a young age, and she has since devoted her life to helping students unlock their vocal potential and find their unique and individual voice. Paige currently holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music with a specialization in Vocal Performance from The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. It was here that she received rigorous training in vocal technique, performance, and pedagogy. 

Paige believes in the importance of a strong technical foundation and works closely with her students to develop healthy vocal habits, proper breath control, and efficient vocal production. Throughout Paige’s time at The University of Illinois, she was an active performer and board member of the Women’s Glee Club. Paige was also very involved in the Jazz program, performing in the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Vocal Combos, and fronting the Jazz Repertory Orchestra as their lead vocalist. Paige has performed with various professional artists including the New York Voices, Eric Whitacre, and the Symphony of the Goddesses Tour in Chicago.

With a warm and supportive teaching style, Paige creates a safe and encouraging environment where students can explore and express themselves freely. She understands that each voice is unique, and tailors her approach to meet the specific needs and goals of her students. Whether the focus is on classical, musical theater, pop, or jazz, Paige provides comprehensive vocal training, 

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY/STYLE:

“My teaching philosophy centers around nurturing the whole artist. I believe that music is not just about hitting the right notes but about connecting with emotions, telling stories, and making a lasting impact on the audience. A lot of my focus is to encourage my students to tap into their inner creativity and express themselves authentically, fostering a deep sense of musicality and artistry. Music is a universal language that transcends boundaries and connects us on a profound level. I am committed to helping my students discover the beauty and power of their voices. We all have a unique story to tell through music, and I am honored to be a part of their artistic journey.

Preferred student age:

Ages 7 & up.  Adults Welcome.

Musical styles offered:

Jazz, Musical Theater, Pop, and Classical

Parent Policy:

I prefer parents not to be present in the room while lessons are in progress.

Tava Bever has been teaching piano and working as an accompanist for over two decades. She studied piano at Grinnell College with Margaret Lucia, and graduated with a BA from the University of Illinois, where she also studied organ. She received her Suzuki training (Books 1-3) at the Chicago Suzuki Institute with Caroline Fraser and Rita Hauck.

Tava believes that every child can learn and thrive with the Suzuki method!

She aims to build noble hearts (in Dr. Suzuki’s words) while building musical ability. The potential of every child is unlimited!

Jim Holman grew up as the son of a musician and lives and performs in Chicago. Jim started taking private lessons in middle school before earning his BA in Music at University of Pittsburgh and MA in Jazz Performance at DePaul University. He has two albums under the prestigious Delmark Label and has performed and recorded with jazz greats such as Ira Sullivan, Roger Humphries, and Richie Cole. His music has been heard in a wide variety of settings and ranges a broad spectrum of styles. Jim particularly enjoys improvising and composing. His influences include: Herbie Hancock, Al Haig, Brad Mehldau, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Ives, The Beatles, Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, The Dirty Projectors, TMBG, Stevie Wonder, Moondog, and MF Doom

Teaching philosophy/style:

As a teacher, Jim strives to help his students fully activate their individual passion for music, regardless of age, experience or genre. His hope is for his students to become empowered to take personal and creative control of their musical pursuits. Regardless of style or interest, Jim asks his students to investigate the emotional/aesthetic workings of the music as well as theoretical and mechanical aspects of form. Aesthetic, theory, and technique all inform each other and should be learned in tandem. Ultimately however, priority is placed on music being a fun and enjoyable pursuit.

Preferred student age:

Ages 4 & up

Musical styles offered:

Teaches jazz-beginner to advanced 

Teaches keyboard fundamentals and classical-beginner to intermediate 

Teaches popular music-beginner to advanced 

Parent Policy

Parents are welcome to observe, and are invited to ask questions regarding progress.

Materials Needed

-Internet access

-For jazz students “The Frank Cunimondo jazz chord system for piano: an aid to improvisation for all instruments” is recommended

-Also for jazz students:  iwasdoingalright.com for ear training, it’s free and easy to use. Along with YouTube recordings.

For those wanting to learn classical, fundamentals, pop, I may ask that the student use Hannon and some of Bach’s preludes in the Well Tempered Clavier book I

Often I will make an arrangement of a song of the student’s choice-particularly those excited about a popular song.

‘Ellie’ Hyun Ah Lee received her bachelor’s degree in piano performance from the Catholic University of Korea. She completed a performance certificate program at Judson University and graduated with a master’s degree from Northern Illinois University. As a graduate accompanying assistant, she served the university choirs at Judson University and Northern Illinois University. She has developed a pleasant and effective teaching style over twenty years of private teaching experience and consistent professional development. She currently teaches undergraduates as a teaching assistant at Northern Illinois University.

Teaching Philosophy/Style:

Preferred student age: 

Musical Styles Offered: 

Classical 

Parent Policy: 

Studio is currently FULL.  To join waitlist, call 847-367-0707

Rick Lowe is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, School of Music. His music and piano instructors at the U of I included Professors Claire Richards, James Lyke, and Tony Caramia. He majored in Piano (Music Education), and has continued teaching, performing and collaborating with other student and professional musicians and choirs ever since. While Rick enjoys teaching classical piano, he is equally at ease teaching music theory, jazz piano, and keyboard musicianship skills. 

Rick is an active member of the Northwest Suburban Music Teachers Association. He has served on the executive board as treasurer and was the chair of the association’s finance and vision committees. He has also co-chaired the Achievement in Music (AIM) performance examinations and served as its interim AIM coordinator. He continues to serve each year as an adjudicator for the AIM piano exams held at Harper College. Many of Rick’s piano students participate in the AIM program each year, with some reaching and completing the highest levels in the program. 

Mr. Lowe is a church musician and is currently serving as pianist and accompanist at the Wildwood Presbyterian Church in Grayslake, where he has served on the music staff for over 20 years. He is also a piano accompanist who has worked with hundreds of students in school districts throughout Cook and Lake Counties and is an active accompanist for the “Songs by Heart Foundation.”  

Teaching philosophy/style:

“Everyone has the ability to learn. We all learn differently and comprehend concepts at a different pace. Learning to play the piano is a life-long enriching experience! My job as a music teacher is to work with each student’s strengths and promote a positive learning environment from the very first day.” 

Preferred student age:

Ages 5 & up.  Adults Welcome.

Musical styles offered:

Classical, Pop, and Jazz

Parent Policy:

Parents Welcome.

Studio is currently FULL.  To join waitlist, call 847-367-0707

Michael Mahany has a passion for teaching piano and understanding the disciplines of what it takes to go to the next level.  With over 20 years of teaching experience, he loves to help his students create a plan on how to achieve their music goals. He studied at Marquette University and traveled with one of the best teachers in the country to study tone production, emphasizing how to engage lateral motion properly.  He has experience successfully preparing students for auditions at college music programs throughout the country.

Michael’s passion is engaging in the student’s ability to understand music as a second language and has taught students as young as 4.  He believes you are never too young or too old to hear the language of music and welcomes adult learners of all ability levels!

Teaching Philosophy/Style:

“My teaching style is creative as I discern the unique pathways of the students’ passion and gifts. My primary roll therefore is to equip the musician with the fundamentals skill set for the learning journey.

I integrate assignments in 7 key foundational areas:

Chops, Science/Theory, Sight Reading, Chords/Scales, New Music, Improv, Repertoire

I always visit some or all of the 7 key foundational areas each week and prepare them for practice with personal assignment worksheets.”

Preferred student age:

Ages 3 & up

Musical styles offered:

All levels, all styles, including styles that interest student.

Classical, Jazz, Pop, Improv, Composition

Parent Policy:

Parents are welcome, even Grandparents.

Materials Needed:

One inch binder with manuscript paper. Books will be determined later.

Studio is currently FULL.  To join waitlist, call 847-367-0707

Laura McGriff currently holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Music degree in Music Education with a recital track in Piano Collaboration from the State University of New York at Fredonia. Her most notable piano professors are Ms. Mary Cobb and Dr. Anne Kissel. In the greater Rochester area in New York, Laura has taken further study of piano and piano collaboration at Roberts Community Music School and at Eastman Community Music School. Laura enjoys performing solo, four hand, and collaborative piano with both vocalists and instrumentalists. She has worked as a piano collaborator for youth musical theater clubs and camps such as Westside Theater Production where she worked on the shows Beauty and the Beast the Musical, Seussical the Musical, and Snoopy! The Musical. Laura has developed musicianship in singing, clarinet, and drums. In Hamburg NY, She has been a clarinet player for the Dixie land band 23 Skidoo and a quad drummer for the Hamburg Kingsmen Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps.

Laura loves working with youth music students. She has worked as a general music teacher for New York schools such as Greece Central School District, Mandala School, and St. Amelia Catholic School. Laura currently teaches music instruction at Allendale Association in Lake Villa, IL.

teaching philosophy/style:

“I believe a piano student can learn any music on the piano with consideration of the inner mechanical operations of their body in relation to the keyboard. Engaging the student in listening, movement, and singing exercises will enhance their musicality.  Students will be granted opportunities to learn piano technique, ear training, improvisation, sight reading, music theory, solo, and collaborative repertoire.  Students will be able to take ownership of their learning by discussing their goals initially. Lessons will then be carried out with the student’s specific goals in mind and allowing students opportunity to self-reflect and evaluate their progress.”

Preferred student age:

6 and up, including adults

Musical styles offered:

Flexible, but preferred genres are classical and musical theater. Students interested in auditioning for festival or collegiate study are also welcomed.

Parent Policy:

Parents are welcomed and will be updated on their child’s progress at the end of every lesson.

Materials Needed:

Alfred’s Basic Lesson Assignment and Daily Practice Record book. Other books and materials needed will be discussed later.

Lazar earned a PhD from the University of Chicago and an Artist Diploma and Bachelor of Music from Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem. He studied composition with Ralph Shapey and Shulamit Ran in Chicago, and with Mark Kopytman in Jerusalem.

His honors and awards include ASCAP, the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, and the Israeli Music Institute Prize of E.Peri Composers’ Competition. His works have been performed in the United States, Israel, Canada, Europe and Singapore by members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Pacifica Quartet, and the Jefferson Ensemble, and members of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, among others. He is currently on faculty at the Music Institute of Chicago, and The Adler Arts Center in Libertyville, IL.

The recording of his String Quartet made by the Pacifica Quartet has been released on the CRS label. Recently Almnita and Roland Vamos had commissioned and recorded his duo Witches’ Soiree for violin and viola.

Teaching philosophy/style:

Traditional method

Preferred student age:

6 & Up.  Adults Welcome.

Musical styles offered:

Variety of styles, but not jazz.

Parent Policy:

Parents are welcome to attend lessons

Languages:

English, Russian, Hebrew

Ludmyla Turkalo received her master’s degree in Music from Lviv State Conservatory in Ukraine. While living in Ukraine, Ludmyla was on faculty at Lviv Musical College as a piano instructor in the bachelor’s degree program. She later became the Head of the Preparatory Department. In 1994, Ms. Turkalo relocated to the United States where she began teaching individual students. She received her certificate from the National Guild of Piano Teachers after successfully preparing students for the National Piano-Playing Auditions. 

Ludmyla serves as a board member for the Ukrainian Artistic Center in Chicago, is a member of the Northwest Suburban Music Teachers Association and has served as judge for the Honors Tryouts of the Preparatory Department at Millikin University in Decatur, IL. She has been the pianist for the Holy Family Church in Decatur, performed as a soloist and accompanist with the Ukrainian Chamber Orchestra, and recently has been chosen to perform with the Six Piano Ensemble at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines. Ludmyla has experience teaching students from beginning to intermediate levels, in all styles of piano. 

Teaching philosophy/style:

Traditional, enjoys working with advanced students.

Preferred student age:

All ages

Musical styles offered:

Classical

Parent Policy:

Parents are welcome to attend lessons