Suzanne O'Shea teaches Children with Special Needs

Saturday Mornings at 11:00am

There is no charge for the class. Donations are graciously accepted.

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Originally posted 2009-07-22 19:39:36.

Alan Gresik is a renowned piano player and orchestra leader, noted for creative renditions of all styles music, “rocking swing tunes and swinging rock tunes”. He is the leader of the famous “Swing Shift Orchestra” that appears weekly at Chicago’s Green Mill.

Equally as creative in his teaching approach, Alan tailors exercises, activities, and repertoire to best suit the learning style and goals of his students. Whether students want to “Jump with Symphony Sid”, or present award winning renditions of the classics, Alan very capably takes every student down a path of positive musical growth.

View a video of Alan’s Swingshift Orchestra below.

Originally posted 2009-07-29 14:18:11.

Greg Cahill is a world class bluegrass banjo player and teacher

Greg Cahill – Bluegrass Banjo

Chicago born and bred, Greg has been playing bluegrass banjo since the early 1970s and formed The Special Consensus in 1975.

He has appeared on all of The Special Consensus recordings, on numerous recordings by other artists, and on many national television and radio commercials as the banjo player of choice on Chicago’s busy jingle music scene. Greg has also recorded with the ChowDogs (Slavek Hanzlik, Dallas Wayne, and Ollie O’Shea) and periodically tours European countries with that band.

In addition to conducting workshops at festivals and teaching at World Music Company, Greg has released four instructional videos and is the Chairperson of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Bluegrass In The Schools Committee.

We offer a unique opportunity for aspiring Banjo players to learn from world class performer and instructor, Greg Cahill. Sample a free video lesson below.

Due to his busy touring schedule, Greg teaches one hour lessons once per month.

Originally posted 2009-07-22 21:10:17.

GUITAR, DRUMS, and PIANO

“You are never too old for anything you may take an interest in. Always go for it!”

Music has always been a part of Cheryl’s life, and she’s wanted to pass along her love for music since her days of musical education in college. Cheryl has learned that students need to be patient- and willing to be “bad” long enough to get good at their instrument.

Cheryl also leads the Girls Rock Band Class. “I’ve seen the challenges that young girls have growing in the rock world,” Cheryl says. “And I’ve always wanted to be part of helping young girls grow in the World of Rock ‘n’ Roll.”

A music teacher for nearly 5 years, Cheryl joined the World Music Company faculty in September of 2008. She says that she has been “amazed and inspired by how quickly my students pick things up.”

Originally posted 2009-07-22 18:44:43.

GUITAR, UEILLEN PIPE, IRISH BOUZOUKII, TIN WHISTLE

Born in Dublin of parents from Wexford, Pat began playing traditional Irish music at the age of 8. He attended the Chatham Street School of Music where he began on the whistle and later moved to the uilleann pipes under the tutelage of the world renowned uilleann piper, Leon Rowsome. He also studied pipes with Tommy Reck and was influenced by pipers Liam OFlynn, Willie Clancy, and Matt Kiernan.In 1988, Pat began playing the bouzouki.

He relocated to Chicago in 1991 and has been actively involved in the Irish music community ever since. He has been working with Norways Secret Garden for the last 12 years and has toured the world and recorded with them as their uilleann piper and whistle player. Check out one of his songs.

http://www.patbroaders.com/

Originally posted 2009-07-22 13:40:02.

 Joe Arteaga has studied Percussion Performance at St. Xavier University Jazz Studies and Percussion Studies at Northern Illinois University.

“Joe Arteaga is clearly one of the most phenomenal drummers there is,” his band members say. He can  play any style of music. Joe holds the most crucial thread in all of his bands- ryhthm. He has been a part of many bands such as: The Soup, Blimp, Sugar and the Raw, Leadfoot, Frequency Doctor, Treologic, Foibles, Mike Gallagher Group, Aborigine, Dyed in the Wool, Baba Jaga, Southwest Symphony Orchestra, NIU University Big Band, Johnny Russler and the Beach Bum Band.

Joe’s incredible talent and years of playing have really helped him in passing down the priceless knowledge and technique to his students.

Aside from being such an amazing musician, Joe is one of our favorites here!

Originally posted 2009-07-17 16:45:08.

Little Folkies Piano and Violin, Infant and Toddler Class, and Creative Music for Special Needs Class

“Try as many different instruments as you can until you find the right one.

Aside from Suzanne’s amazing ability to communicate with children, she also has an uncanny sense for bonding with and teaching children with special needs. A few indications of this of this incredible quality that Suzanne possesses are the songs, smiles, and laughter that pour out of the Creative Music for Children with Special Needs classroom every Saturday morning.

A life long Beverly area resident, Suzanne has taught at World Music Company for 7 years. For Suzanne, music is more than a skill. She believes it is a gift that needs to be shared. And she feels that music is the key that can unlock educational opportunities for children who might find it challenging to learn in other ways.

One of her students cannot communicate in normal conversation. But he has learned to express his music through song.

A love of music can begin at any time. Suzanne believes that it’s never too late to take music lessons. No matter what style- classical or her own favorite, folk rock, people can learn to play because it is never too late to get gifts.

Originally posted 2009-07-22 20:15:22.

TeachingPhilosophy Every voice is a unique instrument! In my studio I provide a relaxed, positive environment where students feel comfortable to sing without inhibitions. This makes progress easy and enjoyable. Lessons are catered to each student’s individual talents and goals. My students sing only what they enjoy and feel passionate about.

Vocal Technique
I am a classically trained vocalist with a degree in Jazz Performance. I’ve performed in rock, funk, R&B, Blues, Country and Folk bands and have found that classical technique can be applied to any genre. I teach with a focus on healthy singing, breath control and vocal strength and flexibility.

The Educated Vocalist
I arm my students with knowledge on how to read music, choose keys and write their own lead sheets. Music theory is not drudgery because it is worked into the vocal exercises and repertoire study. A student can choose to learn as much or as little theory as he/she likes.

Originally posted 2009-07-22 18:57:07.

Guitar and Bass Guitar

“There is nothing I can show you that you can’t figure out on your own. I’ll just show it to you faster. Come have fun and learn guitar with me.”

Doug is well known for being one of the best guitar players around. Countless years of playing the guitar, solo and with many local bands, have helped Doug to deliver the mechanical facet of mastering the fretboard. Doug is very conscious of each of his student’s need to find their own niche.

Originally posted 2009-07-20 18:36:35.

“Start now. Have fun. Take lessons. From me.”

A working musician, David teaches music because he loves to do it… and it lets him practice. A Beverly resident, David has been teaching for four years, two of them at World Music Company.

Dave Waterman is one of the most fun loving guitar and piano teachers at WMC. Dave’s weird and wonderful character is easily one of his best teaching tools. Ask anyone around WMC and they’ll tell you he has a knack of connecting with and reaching his younger students need for a fun and dynamic lesson each and every week. Dave also understands that some of his students need special encouragement to practice, “One student of mine gets a 5 minute karate lesson if he practices the week before.”

Originally posted 2009-07-17 17:17:57.