Teachers

Alex

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Fridays

Hi my name is Alex Anlas and I am the owner and head teacher of Alex’s Music Studio! I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Music Education from Illinois State University where I played viola with the Illinois State Symphony Orchestra, was President of The American String Teachers Association, and taught private and group music classes. I then switched locations to Orland Park where I taught music lessons for over two years at a private studio. I am now very excited to be offering lessons from my very own store in Chicago! I have extensive training and over seven years of experience teaching viola, violin, cello, piano, voice, ukulele, clarinet, saxophone, and beginning guitar. I love using games and technology in my lessons and will get you playing wonderful music as quickly as possible while having tons of fun!

If you do not see your instrument listed or would like more information, please feel free to contact Alex’s Music Studio. I have many teachers available everyday but Sunday and I would be happy to find the teacher, day, and time that would work best for you.

Sam

Wednesdays

Sam Werk has been studying percussion since the age of 10, when he joined the local school band. Soon after, he discovered the drum set and a passion for music that he never knew he had. Playing in garage bands all through high school, he decided that he needed to study percussion at a more serious level and applied to study music at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. During his time there, he discovered the music of the Caribbean and he knew that that was what he was meant to play. He has since studied in Havana, Cuba under Alejandro Carvajal Guerra and has performed all over the world including the Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland, the Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy, and the Encuentro de Tambores in Juncos, Puerto Rico. He currently resides in Chicago, IL, playing with several folkloric Afro-Cuban and Afro-Puerto Rican groups in addition to maintaining an active teaching schedule. In addition to writing for reverb.com, he has recently written an article for Modern Drummer entitled "Puerto Rican Claves: Afro-Boricua Basics and Contemporary Appications for Drumset", as well as working with master Puerto-Rican drummer Jorge Emmanuelli Nater to write a book on Afro-Puerto Rican percussion. Most recently, he has published a book on Afro-Cuban music titled Songs of The Oru Cantado.

Jordan

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays

Jordan Crice is a pianist living and working in Chicago’s vibrant music scene. She has been playing the piano ever since she was 5 years old and loves music of all kinds. She works with folks and organizations ranging from opera companies to ballet schools, and especially loves making music with other people. Jordan is excited to work with the kids at Alex’s Music Studio, and to help students of all ages and learning styles find their stride and develop a lifelong love affair with music. When she’s not behind the keys, she loves to dance, bake bread, read books, and visit the sea creatures at the aquarium.

Ian

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Friday, & Saturdays

Ian Walsh has been playing the guitar since he was 10 years old! it didn’t take him long to fall in love with playing music! At the age of 11, he was performing in coffee shops throughout the chicagoland with his older brothers’ rock band. He began to manage his own ensembles by the age of 16 and he started teaching music lessons to kids at several park districts throughout the Chicagoland suburbs by the age of 18. Ian moved to Chicago by the age of 21 to live near his college campus and to become a part of the active musical community. He studied jazz performance and education at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He also has an extensive history of performing in Chicago, Chicagoland, as well as across the country. He will have a degree in Jazz Studies as of December 2019. Ian has enjoyed playing music and teaching music lessons for over ten years! He teaches guitar(primarily), piano, electric bass, and ukulele through musical encouragement and fun practice habits! Ian continues to work hard at becoming a better musician and better educator to this day!

Joseph

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Saturdays

Joseph is a classically trained tenor from Wisconsin. He received his Bachelors in Music from Viterbo University in 2017, and went on to earn his Masters degree from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. Joseph is passionate about teaching and is elated when his students succeed; he puts the students goals as the focus of each lesson. Joseph has experience teaching beginner to advanced voice lessons as well beginner to intermediate piano. Joseph loves his cats, reading, and spending time with his partner, Kara.

Loren

Wednesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays

My name is Loren and I went to Roosevelt university for my BM in violin performance. I also have my associates in fine arts from Elgin Community college.

My favorite types of music are folk, indie, electronic and classic rock. I enjoy playing classical music and being in a quartet and orchestra! I have traveled to Europe twice to play violin with Blue Lake symphony orchestra and Grace Lutheran choir. I have been first chair in Elgin symphony orchestra and performed a solo with them as well.

I started teaching when I was in high school and have loved it ever since. I strive to meet every student where they're at and teach in a way that gives students strong start to their instrument.

Jade

Thursdays

Jade has dreamt of being a singer since childhood. After completing her Master of Music from DePaul University, she has been fortunate enough to pursue those dreams. However, dreams don’t come to fruition without hard, focused work! With a teaching philosophy strengthened by her undergraduate psychology studies, Jade emphasizes humanity and balance in her studio. Singing is a full being practice, so expect to move, emote and come out of your lessons a more attuned musician and person! Jade has taught elementary school level all the way up to adults, so regardless of where you are in your journey, she is happy to help you get to your individual next level