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Ellman's Percussion Lessons

Call 630-355-5880 to Book a Lesson!

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

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.

Matthew Alfrey

Drums

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.

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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