At Melody Mart, our educators are the heartbeat of our musical community. Each instructor brings a unique blend of passion, talent, and dedication to their craft, inspiring students of all ages to discover the joy of music.
Our educators are more than just teachers; they are mentors, guides, and fellow music enthusiasts who understand the transformative power of music education. With diverse backgrounds and specialties, our team is committed to nurturing talent, building confidence, and fostering a lifelong love of music.
From private instruction to group instruction, our educators tailor their approach to meet each student's individual needs and learning style. They create engaging and supportive environments where students can thrive and explore their musical potential.
Whether you're a beginner taking your first steps in music or an advanced musician honing your skills, our educators are here to help you reach your musical goals. Join us at Melody Mart and experience the passion and expertise of our exceptional educators.
Guitar
Frank Anastos
Instruction offered Mondays thru Thursdays & Saturdays
Franks has a B.A. from Roosevelt University. He has been entered in the Rich Central High School Hall of Fame for music and teaching. He has been teaching at Melody Mart since 1976 and has become a local legend of a guitar. He enjoys rock, blues, and Jazz.
Spoken Language(s): English
Flute, Trombone, & Beginning Band
DK Bass
Instruction offered Mondays thru Fridays
DK is a versatile and experienced multi-instrumentalist, educator, and Band and Orchestra sales liaison, offering expert instruction in woodwinds, brass, and beginning strings while providing valuable musical guidance and support for students of all ages and skill levels.
Spoken Language(s): English
Piano
Ashley Beck
Instruction offered Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays
Ashley Beck, a dedicated piano teacher, utilizes her passion and extensive musical background to provide engaging and comprehensive instruction, fostering her students' musical growth with a fun and versatile approach.
Spoken Language(s): English
Drums & Snare Drum
Scott Bonshire
Instruction offered Tuesdays & Thursdays
Scott Bonshire, an accomplished drummer with decades of experience on drums.
Piano
Mary Cannek
Instruction Offered Saturdays
Mark Cannek is a dedicated piano teacher committed to nurturing musical passion and knowledge through engaging and versatile instruction.
Spoken Language(s): English
Guitar and Ukulele
Kendall Carter
Instruction offered Mondays & Tuesdays
Kendall Carter is a dedicated music educator and versatile musician with a lifelong passion for guitar and music.
Spoken Language(s): English
Double Reeds
Lupe Esquival
Instruction offered Saturdays
Spoken Language(s): English
Bass Guitar & Upright Bass
John Falstrom
Instruction offered on Mondays & Tuesdays
John, with over 35 years of experience teaching bass guitar, brings his wealth of knowledge and expertise to his instructional book, "EADG 4," recognized for its concise and effective format in developing aspiring bassists into skilled musicians.
Spoken Language(s): English
Bass Guitar & Upright Bass
Jordan Foster
Instruction offered on Thursdays & Saturdays
Jordan Foster, a seasoned musician and instructor at Melody Mart, imparts his extensive expertise in electric and upright bass to students of every skill level.
Spoken Language(s): English
Drum Set
Daniel Gayden
Instruction offered Wednesdays & Fridays
"You play music how you live life," underscores his holistic view of music education. He teaches a range of genres, including jazz, pop, rock, and R&B, and encourages students to bring their instrument, notebook, and pencil to lessons.
Spoken Language(s): English
Clarinet & Saxophone
Madeline Gloss
Instruction offered Thursdays & Saturdays
Madeline Gloss, an esteemed clarinet and saxophone instructor with decades of experience as a Band Director, offers expert and engaging private lessons at Melody Mart, sharing her passion for music and fostering excellence in her students.
English
Piano
Jordan Hawken
Instruction offered Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays
Jordan Hawken, a dedicated and experienced piano instructor, leads the Little Mozart's program at Melody Mart, offering engaging and enjoyable lessons for children ages 3 and up to cultivate a love for piano and music education from a young age.
Ukulele & Viola
Raven Huang
Instruction offered Mondays, Tuesdays, & Fridays
Raven Huang (they/them) is a dedicated multi-instrumentalist with a deep passion for contemporary and new music. They primarily play the viola, violin, guitar, and ukulele, and have been a valuable member of the Melody Mart team in their short time here.
Fiddle & Violin
Al Joseph
Instruction offered Mondays & Tuesdays
Al is a highly accomplished and personable violin and fiddle instructor with over five decades of experience, offering tailored lessons in classical violin and country fiddling to students of all ages and skill levels at Melody Mart.
Piano
Madai Juárez
Instruction offered Mondays thru Saturdays
Madai Juárez offers engaging and holistic beginning piano lessons for children ages 3 and up, focusing on music therapy principles to nurture self-expression and child development.
Spoken Language(s): English/ Español
Tuba & All Beginning Brasswinds
Hector Lara
Instruction offered Wednesdays & Thursdays
Hector Lara, a dedicated musician and experienced Band Director, brings over a decade of expertise in tuba and euphonium performance, along with a deep commitment to arts education.
Spoken Language(s): English/ Español
Woodwinds, Strings, & Voice
Liz Limon
Instruction offered Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays
Her teaching motto, “Learning starts from the inside; teachers help find the kindle and give it the spark it needs to burn bright,” reflects her student-centered approach.
Spoken Language(s): English/ Español
Guitar & Classical Guitar
Mike Michor
Instruction offered Thursdays
Mike, a passionate guitarist with diverse musical influences including The Beatles, Paul Gilbert, Stevie Wonder, Nuno Bettencourt, and King's X, brings his vibrant energy to the stage nightly with The Walk-ins and has contributed to several prominent Chicago bands.
Violin & Viola
Anokyewaa Oppong
Instruction offered Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays
Anokyewaa Oppong Wadie, a passionate and dedicated violinist with nearly 12 years of experience, offers dynamic and personalized instruction in violin and beginning viola, fostering growth and development in a positive and nurturing learning environment.
Spoken Language(s): English
Piano
Leslie Raich
Instruction offered Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays
Leslie Raich, a passionate and experienced piano instructor with a diverse musical background, offers engaging lessons for students ages 6 and up, drawing from her lifelong love for music and extensive teaching experience.
Spoken Language(s): English
Flute
Esperanza Salgado
Instruction offered Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Esperanza, an accomplished flutist with extensive performance experience, combines her passion for music with holistic teaching methods to empower her students' musical journey.
Spoken Language(s): English/ Español
Piano
June Schmidt
Instruction offered on Mondays & Tuesdays
June Schmidt, an experienced piano teacher with over 40 years of teaching experience, delights in guiding students ages 4 and up to discover the joy of music and develop their musical skills through a fun and inviting approach to learning.
Spoken Language(s): English
Guitar
Alyssa Stanley
Instruction offered Wednesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays
Alyssa Stanley, an enthusiastic guitarist with a background in jazz, funk, and electronica, shares her passion and expertise. She is currently the Guitar Ensemble coach.
Spoken Language(s): English
All Brass & Beginning Band
Gary Weisenberger
Instruction offered Wednesdays & Thursdays
Gary is a dedicated music educator with over a decade of experience, inspiring young musicians at Melody Mart to reach their full potential and discover the joy of music within a vibrant and supportive community.
Spoken Language(s): English
Piano & Mallets
Davis Young
Instruction offered Tuesdays thru Thursdays & Saturdays
Davis is a versatile musician and dedicated educator specializing in piano and mallet instruments, inspiring students with his passion and exuberance for music.
Spoken Language(s): English
Ready to jam out?
Pre-register today to get the ball rolling on our monthly instruction program or our other options!