Below is a sampling of the Artist-Teachers we’re proud to partner with for our programming. Many of these wonderful artist-teachers are renowned performers and passionate educators that live and work in the nation. They are committed to consistent student growth and excellence.
Voice/Piano
Jade Dashá is a Cleveland born, Florida raised and Chicago based soprano and music teacher studying under Dr. Viktoria Vizin.Jade began 2023 as a Smith Young Artist with Cedar Rapids Opera singing Miss Jones in the world-premier of Charlie and the Wolf, which toured local schools. She has also had the pleasure of working with Opera Steamboat (CO) and Chicago Fringe Opera this year, and was a Studio Artist with Central City Opera (CO) this summer.
Violin/Viola
With extensive teaching expertise and a dynamic approach, she offers an engaging lesson plan that prioritizes correct technique and musical comprehension, nurturing student development through thoughtfully crafted assignments and objectives, all the while ensuring a fun and enjoyable learning experience for her students!
Piano, Voice, Steel Tongue Drum, Accordion, Ukulele and Harmonica
Lindsay Fulton or ‘Miss Lindsay,’ was born in Omaha, Nebraska but has called Chicago home for over fifteen years. As a child, she was asked to perform violin duets and to serve on a select strings group. Today, she enjoys performing at private holiday events as well as watching her current piano students’ progress.
Dance, Cheer
Emily began dancing at age 2 and was a cheerleader in high school. She continued dance education in college at the University of Tennessee and was accepted into their Performing Arts Dance Company. Upon graduation, Emily moved to Chicago and has continued to hone her craft.
Voice, Piano, Ukulele
A Cleveland, Ohio native, Ayana Cheston is a vocalist, songwriter, and visual artist currently based in Chicago, Illinois. She has loved music from an early age and grew up playing violin, acting, singing, and dancing in school musicals, and singing in church and school choirs.
Violin
Lina has studied with Janet Sung (DePaul), Kevin Lawrence (UNCSA) and Edgar Aponte (El Sistema). Before coming to Chicago, she was for more than fifteen years a part of “El Sistema” – a social program focused on providing free music education to children and young students- in Caracas, Venezuela.
Dance
Destiny Davis is a seasoned dancer and choreographer with expertise in multiple styles and training from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, where she worked with mentors tied to legends like Alvin Ailey.
Dance
Marchello Lee is an actor, dancer, choreographer, special events emcee/dj, and manager. He’s got over 20 years experience, and provides service with a smile. Marchello is an accomplished professional with a strong work ethic and a proven track record of success.
Voice & Beginner Piano
Paige is a recent grad of Columbia College Chicago, where she received a Bachelor of Music degree. Paige got her start in music on the saxophone in elementary and later ventured into musical theater. She’s been releasing original music since 2019, and plays with her band Paige and the Kizers.
Dance
Nicoleis originally from sunny San Diego, CA. She began dancing when she was two years old and has continued to pursue dance throughout adulthood. Miss Nicole danced competitively for 15 years and later went on to dance professionally for the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bulls. Outside of her own personal dance endeavors, she is passionate about teaching the next generation of dancers.
Piano, Bass, Guitar, Drums, Voice, Brass, Woodwinds, Strings
Donny’s educational studies include DePaul University, Columbia College Chicago, and Northeastern Illinois University. He learned from members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Lyric Opera & Chicago Jazz Ensemble, a past performer with Aretha Franklin, The Ojays, and The Dells.
Violin
Naomi Southard is from Portland, Oregon and began her violin studies at age five. Naomi primarily teaches classical violin, but also has experience playing jazz, pop, and worship music.
Violin, Viola, Piano
Phoebe holds a master’s degree in music performance from DePaul University. She enjoys a career as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral performer, and teacher. She performs with many orchestras in the United States.
Guitar, Electric Bass & Ukulele
Originally from Novi Sad, Serbia, Sasha Brusin’s musical education and performance experience spans Europe and the United States. He is comfortable and proficient on guitar, electric bass, and ukulele in many styles of music including jazz, rock, funk, R&B, blues, latin, Brazilian to European ethic blends.
Guitar, Bass, Drums
Dan McLean is a professional musician and music instructor from Evanston. For the last 15 years, Dan has passionately shared his musical expertise with students of all ages, promoting a love for music that resonates beyond the classroom. He studied under the guidance of some of Chicago’s most accomplished guitarists, focusing on jazz improvisation and ensemble dynamics.
Voice
In college, Isaiah studied classical voice with bass-baritone, and renowned composer Damien Geter. He holds a B.M. in Vocal Performance and a minor in Piano Performance from PSU ’23. He is currently studying with W. Stephen Smith, author of The Naked Voice and professor of voice and opera at the Bienen School of Music of Northwestern University.
Voice
Kehsin Kiki Xu is a Chicago-based jazz singer known for her dynamic stage presence and
storytelling through music.
Voice, Piano
Graduating from Northwestern University in 2019, Russell is a member of Chicago choirs such as Music of the Baroque and Stare at the Sun. He teaches voice and piano lessons to students of all ages around Chicago.
Percussion
Django is a recent graduate of Columbia College Chicago, where he studied composition under Sebastian Huydts and Ilya Levinson as well as Percussion under Jarrett Hicks.
Violin
Maria Bernal is a violinist from Colombia with a deep passion for both performance and music education.
Piano
Marina Sommers is a piano teacher who aims to provide a fun and enriching musical experience while helping children develop a foundation in piano playing.
Guitar
has been playing guitar for 10+ years and has his degree in Jazz Studies which he studied with Zvonimir Tot in the University of Illinois Chicago.
Guitar, Piano
Andre Baptista is a Brazilian-born musician and instructor, who moved to Chicago to attend Columbia College of Chicago in 2017.
Piano, Guitar, Voice
Monica Larrea is a versatile singer-songwriter, teacher and musical entrepreneur from Miami, FL, now based in sunny San Diego. Her passion for music ignited early on, with her childhood spent singing in choir, and performing in ensembles, and writing songs.