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 Ellman's Fretted Strings Lessons

Call 630-355-5880 to Book a Lesson!

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

Caitlin Meaker - Lesson Coordinator

Ukulele

Caitlin is a classically trained pianist and contralto with experience performing in the US and across Europe in The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and France. In addition to piano and voice, she also has proficient experience playing and teaching clarinet, saxophone, and ukulele.

While in college, Caitlin successfully ran her own private lesson studio, teaching over 40 students weekly! Caitlin graduated in 2020 with her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. After which, she began teaching general elementary music, and Junior High band and chorus in the Peoria area. While she loved teaching in schools, Caitlin feels a stronger connection to music and to teaching through the personalized setting that private lessons offer.

In 2024 Caitlin moved to the Naperville area where she joined the staff at Ellman's Music Center as Lesson Coordinator. She helped create and launch the lesson program that we have now! With her long history in teaching music and working in the music industry, we are thrilled to have Caitlin as our first Lesson Coordinator in over 25 years!

Aaron Krueger

Electric/Acoustic Guitar

Aaron has been teaching guitar lessons for over 15 years in the Chicago suburban area.  His students range in age from 5 years old to adult and range in levels from beginner to professional.  Aaron also has experience working with students with special needs.  Aaron teaches several musical styles including: jazz, Latin, blues and rock. Aaron also teaches techniques for solo guitar, duo, trio and big band. Aaron received a Bachelor in Arts degree (Jazz Guitar Performance) from Columbia College - Chicago.  While attending Columbia College, he studied jazz guitar with Frank Dawson.  He has also studied with John Papadolias and Don Tisch.

Aaron is an active professional guitar player working with several groups throughout the Chicago area including performances at such notable venues as Andy's Jazz Club and the Jazz Showcase.

James DiGirolamo

Guitar

For 19 years, James owned and operated Garage Band U where he developed rock bands of children and adults, directing, rehearsing and preparing them for live public performances. James has been teaching professionally for over 36 years.

As a jobbing musician, James has done radio and television jingles, studio session work, pit work and orchestral performances at Chicago’s Orchestra Hall and The Paducah Symphony Orchestra. James has experience playing: swing, blues, classical, pop, rock and jazz and has also played country, zydeco and rock-a-billy. Some of the groups James has performed with include The Rhythm Rockets, The Willie Hayes Band, Pinetop Perkins, Barrel House Chuck, The Big Guitars from Memphis, Nick Moss, Burnt Toast and many others. James was nominated for a WC Handy Award with Nick Moss.

James has professional endorsements with Bag End, Gallien Krueger and Lakland Basses.

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