Piano     Woodwinds     Brass Percussion     Orchestral Strings     Fretted Strings     Voice 

Ellman's Music Lessons

 

Why Choose Ellman's?

As a student at Ellman's Music Center, you would receive specialized, personal music instruction from our highly qualified and talented instructors. Our teaching staff are experts in their field and passionate about music. Ellman's Music Center offers lessons at affordable rates compared to similar businesses in the area. As a student in our studio, you would have the opportunity to perform in all of our recitals.

Our scheduling offers flexibility for students active in other events and our location in Naperville offers great convenience to the community. Ellman's is a space for individuals to connect with other musicians. By choosing Ellman's you are choosing to support a local business which, in turn, supports your community. Every client of Ellman's is a note in the melody of a thriving local economy.

Ellman's Music Center offers individualized lessons for a wide variety of instruments! Including traditional band and orchestra instruments! Private lessons provide the opportunity to get the personal attention that is beneficial to your growth as a musician. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced musician looking to take your playing to another level, let Ellman's Music Center help you unlock your potential as a musician!

All lessons are 30 minutes unless exceptions are made with the instructor for another length of time. Lessons are available Monday-Saturday for most instruments but is dependent on our instructor's schedules. Our professional and highly skilled instructors will work with you to develop a personalized program that helps you achieve your musical goals. Private lessons are available both in-person and online.

Lesson availability is dependent on each of our instructor's schedules and current openings. Our talented, and experienced instructors look forward to meeting and working with you!

Please call our store at 630-355-5880, email [email protected], visit us in person, or reach out through our Contact Us page to register.

 

Caitlin Meaker - Lesson Coordinator

Piano, Voice, 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 and Ukulele

 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.

 

Cameron Scott

Flute

Cameron Scott is a sophomore at North Central College, studying Instrumental Music Education. She started learning the flute in sixth grade and has now been playing for the last nine years. In high school, she was a Marching Band Section Leader for two years, along with being the primary soloist her senior year in Plainfield North’s Marching Band. During her high school career, she also took part in other school ensembles and Honor Bands.

She has been continuing her journey in music at North Central College by taking part in multiple ensembles on campus. She participates in the Flute Choir, Concert Winds, and is also the Flute/Clarinet Section Leader in the Cardinal Athletic Bands. She also takes part in a semesterly flute studio recital, performing as a soloist and with the Flute Choir. She is passionate about teaching flute students and is excited to be teaching beginning and intermediate flute players.

 

Carrie Tedrahn

Piano

With a specialty teaching piano, Carrie Tedrahn is the director and owner of  Early Notes Music Studio. She began teaching Kindermusik at Benedictine University in January 1997 when she opened the studio. She is an active percussionist performing with the St. John Brass Ensemble and various local orchestras on an as needed basis. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Elmhurst College and earned her MBA at Lewis University.

In addition to her private studio classes and lessons, Carrie has taught Pre- K -2nd grade classroom music at St. John Lutheran School in Wheaton, IL. She has volunteered her time to work with School District 200's early childhood intervention program teaching the Kindermusik program in the late 1990's.

Carrie is a member of the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association (ECMMA) and Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). Recently, Carrie has added playing organ for worship service in local Lutheran churches to her repertoire of skills. Her favorite music selections include Classical, Sacred, Jazz, and Pop. She loves variety and balance. 

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James DiGirolamo

James has performed professionally for more than 30 years, with extensive experience in upright and electric bass and guitar. He studied at DePaul University’s School of Jazz Music and privately with Larry Gray. James received scholarships from SIU and DePaul University.

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.

 

 Jared Hurn

Drums

Jared Hurn is a versatile percussionist and drummer. He is currently a student at Northern Illinois University where he is pursuing his Master's degree in Jazz Performance - Drum Set.

Jared pursued his Bachelor’s degrees in Percussion Performance and Jazz Studies - Drum Set at Wichita State University, which he graduated from WSU in May 2023. Within WSU, he was in the New Music Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Impulse Percussion Group, Jazz Arts Ensemble I and II, Jazz Combos, and Latin Jazz Ensemble.

Jared taught privately at Damm Music Center and was the Percussion GTA at WSU for the 2023-2024 school year. Outside of WSU, he was involved with bands such as Trick Worm (Indie), Happy No Lucky (cover band), and Daydream (jazz fusion/funk), along with various combos. Jared has also taught at Camp Allegro Wichita and recently played in the pit for the production of Guys and Dolls with Newton Community Theater. He has also played drums for various churches in Wichita, the primary being Wichita Bible Church.

Jared is excited to start teaching lessons at Ellman's Music Center. Through his lessons, Jared hopes to build a fun and inspiring experience while teaching the proper technique for the drum set.

 

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.

 

 Karen Campbell

Violin, Viola, and beginning Cello

 Karen Campbell taught orchestra in Naperville District 203 for 13 years and recently retired in August 2020.  She loved teaching both her 4th and 5th grade students at Beebe and Steeple Run Elementary Schools and her 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students at Jefferson Junior High School. Karen also taught summer orchestra for 12 years to beginning orchestra students all over the district and taught Honor Strings for 5th graders, so you may already have met her! Karen has stated "It was a delight to see how new beginners developed skills and grew in musicianship as they progressed through the orchestra program to 8th grade and beyond." Karen especially enjoyed working with her junior high students in the extracurricular group, String Fusion, each year and led them in many community performances like the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast and Naperville Memorial Day parade.

Karen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the American College of Education. She has taught private violin and viola lessons for many years to both children and adults. Karen has also played violin and viola in the West Suburban Symphony for 28 years and leads the Harmonia String Quartet, which plays at weddings and parties throughout Chicagoland.

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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 lecturing at Indiana 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.

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Matthew Alfrey

Voice, Piano, Percussion

Matt Alfrey is a Lyric Bass trained in the Bel Canto method of singing. He graduated with a Masters of Music: Vocal Performance from Northern Illinois University in 2020 and got his Bachelors of Arts in Music from North Central College in 2018, with multiple music scholarships.

Matt is offering voice lessons for a range of styles and techniques: classical, Broadway, Rock, Country, and Pop to name a few. He sings with Cor Cantiamo in DeKalb, IL led by NIU choral director Dr. Eric Johnson and traveled with them to England in 2023 to sing at Exeter Cathedral’s Evensong services. Matt also has a background in Piano, playing the likes of Beethoven, Liszt and Chopin.

In addition to his piano and vocal experience, Matt also plays percussion including drum set, mallets, timpani as well as solo snare drum. He performed with the Naperville Winds in 2022.

Matt's teaching philosophy focuses on learning the technical aspects of the instrument while also making learning fun for his students.

 

Michael McGuan

Violin and Viola

Having begun playing the violin at the age of 5, Michael has literally been playing the violin nearly his entire life. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry from St. Olaf College, where he was a member of the St. Olaf Orchestra.  During his senior year of college, Michael performed as a soloist during the orchestra's fall tour.

Michael completed his Master of Music degree in Violin Performance from Northern Illinois University. While at NIU, he taught violin lessons through the NIU Community School of the Arts and performed with the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra and the Northern Illinois Chamber Orchestra.

Michael is a 2 time winner of the NIU Chamber Ensemble Competition and currently plays with Camerata Chicago and the Antiqua Baroque Consort as well as subbing with the Fox Valley Orchestra. In addition to performing, Michael enjoys sharing his passion for music with young people.

Additionally, Michael is a registered Suzuki instructor and has experience working with students of all ages and ability levels. Ellman's Music Center is glad to have Michael as a member of our teaching staff! 

Rob Loar

 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.

Sunica Markovic

Piano

Ms. Sunica Markovic is an accomplished classically trained pianist, a composer and a recording artist. She is also the owner of Amadeus Music School located in Naperville, Illinois. Since 1987 her studio has been an inspiration to others for the teaching and enhancement of musical arts.

All ages and levels are welcome for piano and music theory instruction. Ms. Markovic has, since the age of 5, taken formal instruction in piano from highly acclaimed institutions in Europe, where she grew up. Sunica Markovic has self produced 7 audio Cd's (65 sound tracks) of her own original instrumental music.

 

 Timothy Omerod

Saxes, Flute, Clarinet, and Double Reeds

Timothy Omerod began his musical career on the tenor saxophone. He received his B.M. degree in bassoon from Chicago Conservatory College in 1978, and his M.M. degree in bassoon from Northwestern University in 1979 .During his undergraduate tenure, Tim was listed in the Who's who in American Universities and Colleges.

After college, he studied the clarinet, flute, sax, and oboe with professional players from the Chicago area. He has performed in a variety of venues, including principal bassoon with the Fox Valley Symphony, and sax/flute/clarinet/keyboards/vocals in top forty bands and shows, for clubs and hotels across the Midwest. His performances include Marriot Lincolnshire shows, and Ray Charles last show in Chicago.

Tim directed the College Jazz Ensemble at Lewis University, and is currently adjunct instructor of sax at the College of DuPage. He has composed several solos suitable for middle school students, and is currently writing original pop music and lyrics for competition and distribution. Tim continues as a teacher, composer, and free-lance woodwind musician, performing in shows, jazz, top forty, and various jobbing dates throughout Chicago and the Midwest.

Todd Howell

Drums

Todd Howell has been performing and teaching for over 15 years in the Chicago area.

He has performed as a jazz drummer with many of Chicago's finest and acclaimed groups and artists including:  Bobby Broom, Ron Perrillo, Pat Mallinger, Eric Schnieder, the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, and the New Standard Jazz Orchestra among many others.

Todd also continues to teach at many area schools: Elmhurst University, Hinsdale Central and St. Francis College Prep in Wheaton.

With experience on all percussion instruments, he has provided lessons to hundreds of students over the years. The lessons always focus on transforming one's technique in order to play the music at the highest level with the greatest ease. 

 

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