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Our talented, and experienced instructors look forward to meeting and working with you!

Jovanni LaPorte

Trombone, Baritone, Tuba

Jovanni LaPorte is a dedicated music educator with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Northern Illinois University. With 14 years of piano experience, 9 years of music composition and arrangement, and 8 years of playing low brass, Jovanni brings a wealth of musical expertise to his teaching.
While at NIU, Jovanni had the privilege of studying under their esteemed music education faculty and gained a solid foundation in pedagogy. Additionally, he deepened his knowledge of early jazz through mentorship with renowned jazz historian and musician Andy Schumm. Schumm, known for his leadership of The Chicago Cellar Boys, a 1920s-1930s jazz ensemble performing weekly at the Green Mill in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago, significantly influenced Jovanni's appreciation and understanding of traditional jazz styles.

Jovanni is excited to bring his diverse musical background and passion for teaching to his students at Ellman's Music Center in Naperville, IL, fostering a love for music and helping them achieve their musical goals.

Luke Malewicz

Trombone

As a freelance Trombonist/Educator Luke Malewicz received his Bachelors degree in Music in Jazz Studies in 2006 from Indiana University in Performance Studies. He went on to earn his Masters degree in Jazz Arts from Manhattan School of Music in 2009.

His performing experience includes the following: •Grammy Award Winning Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (New York, NY) •Lead trombone with the Buddy Rich Tribute Big Band (Led by Cathy Rich) •Guest artist at Northern Illinois University •Live Performance on WGN with Under The Streetlamp •Harry James Orchestra 2010 Tour - Lead Trombone •Taste of Chicago with the Tim Seisser Quintet •Buselli/Wallarab Jazz Orchestra (Indianapolis IN) •Rob Parton Big Band •Jeff Lindberg's Chicago Jazz Orchestra •Chicago Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra •Pete Ellman Big Band

His teaching background encompasses guest lecturering at Indianna University and Columbia University. Luc Malewicz also offers private studio teaching in the Chicagoland area in theory, improvisation, composing/arranging, as well as teaching trombone to beginning college students.

I enjoy listening to everything from classical, jazz, to popular music because you can find inspiration in all kinds of music.

Rob Loar

Trumpet and Guitar

Rob began his professional career serving with the United States 3rd Infantry Division Band in Wurzburg, Germany.  He performed as both trumpet player and vocalist.  After his tour of Europe was over, he studied music theory and education as well as trumpet performance at the University of Illinois.

For the past 20+ years, Rob has been a performing professional musician in and around the Chicago area, sometimes playing as many as 125 dates a year.  He currently manages and leads the band Soda, which performs at weddings, festivals, private events and clubs in the metro area.

For trumpet instruction, Rob stresses the fundamentals of breathing, articulation and technique and works to help the student develop the proper interpretation of the stylistic elements of the jazz and classical repertoire.  For guitar instruction, Rob presents a populist approach that looks to have the student learn and play current and classic songs within a very short time.

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