JC’s prides itself on the caliber of our instructors. Our instructors have diverse backgrounds and years of experience in music and/or education. Many of our staff members have been with us for over ten years, and all of our instructors have or are working towards a degree in music and/or education or have a performing background.
Alissa
Piano
Alissa began her musical journey at the age of 5. She took piano for thirteen years and continued her musical education for an additional two years. She has taught lessons privately for 2 years and enjoys working with students of all ages. She enjoys encouraging stuents to think outside the box when it comes to music and be creative with their musical potential.
Breanna
Piano & Voice
Breanna began formal piano lessons at the age of five. She continued her music education throughout her college career. She has an Elementary Education degree from Providence Baptist College in Elgin, IL. Breanna is active in her church where she is one of the regular pianists, accompanies vocal groups and sings. She has also performed with the college tour groups as both a singer and a pianist.
Breanna has an energy and passion for both piano and voice and it shows strongly in her teaching style. She works with children, teens and adults of all ages and music levels and brings a positive, upbeat attitude to her lessons and the studio.
Cara
Violin & Beginner Piano
Cara began playing violin in third grade, and continued her love of music through taking lessons, playing in orchestras at school, in church, in musical and opera pit orchestras, in wedding quartets, and in chamber music groups in high school and college. She attended Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois, and studied Music Education with a focus in String Pedagogy and instrumental music. She also took piano lessons and played flute in IWU's pep band, and performed and worked as a counselor at a summer chamber music program for four years. She currently teaches as an elementary orchestra teacher in Woodstock, Illinois, and enjoys exploring and experiencing music with her students. She believes that anyone can learn to play an instrument, and that we can learn other important lessons through music as well.
Charlie
Guitar, Bass & Ukulele
Charlie joined the JCs team and 2017 and has been a favorite of students and parents alike. Charlie Porter is a multi-instrumentalist and composer. He is an alumni of the Interlochen Arts Academy and Berklee College of Music where he majored in cello performance and Electronic Production & Design, respectively. He has studied with Grammy-winning Cellist Eugene Friesen as well as avant-garde composer Marti Epstein. His focuses include free improvisation, music theory, experimental performance techniques and microtonal composition. He enjoys sharing his vast knowledge of music theory with his students, including everything from beginner music theory to modern classical techniques to jazz harmony and improvisation. Charlie is a passionate teacher and enjoys sharing his techniques with his students, and his easygoing personality and extensive knowledge will help beginner, intermediate and advanced students alike take their music to the next level.
Danny
Guitar, Bass & Ukulele
Danny joins us with over ten years of playing and performance experience. He has a deep love for music from all around the world. Dan has a strong background in composition and improvisation and shares this passion with his students. He is a valuable member of a local band and can be seen playing in the Chicago area as well as the surrounding Midwest. Dan is currently attending Elgin Community College.
Esther
Piano
Esther joins us with several years of teaching and performance experience. She is a graduate from the American Conservatory of Music, where she received the highest honors during the Concerto Competition. Esther has participated and won several Illinois & National Association of Christian School contests in solo and dual piano. She has a strong focus in classical music, improvisation and music theory.
Currently, in addition to being an instructor here at JC’s, Esther teaches piano and music theory at the college level at Providence Baptist College.
Ken
Drums & Percussion
Ken has been teaching drums in the area for many years, and his styles range from jazz, rock, funk, metal to world grooves. He has been playing drums for over 20 years and has played in many local bands. If he’s not playing live music, he’s usually writing, recording and PRACTICING!!!
Ken’s goal is to teach new students to read music and understand rhythm, and, after that, begin to learn simple songs. Further techniques will be taught so students are able to find their own percussion style. He believes consistent practice is key for students and looks forward to working with aspiring drummers and advanced percussionists alike!
Ryan
Piano & Voice
Ryan teaches piano, voice, songwriting, and music theory. Growing up in Batavia, Ryan started taking piano lessons at a young age and then switched to pipe organ in middle school. From there, he went on to deeply study musical improvisation and composition in high school. In addition to that, since 2007, he has been involved in various rock bands in different capacities including vocalist, keyboardist, drummer, bassist, song writer, arranger, producer, and audio engineer.
In 2014 Ryan graduated with honors from Millikin University with a BFA in Music Business with a Vocal Emphasis. In his teaching style, Ryan prefers a more goal-oriented approach to curriculum and pedagogy instead of a one size fits all mentality. He is interested in setting short and long term goals that are attuned to what you want to get out of taking lessons. This, coupled with a strong emphasis on core technical skills and music literacy, creates lessons that the student will find exciting and fulfilling.
Samuel
Violin, Viola & Cello
Samuel currently teaches middle school orchestra has been teaching private lessons for four years to a wide range of ability levels. He loves teaching violin, viola and cello lessons because of the improvement students make when working once a week on focused technique and strategies to use when practicing.
