Teachers

Nicholas Bryan (drums, percussion, piano)
Nicholas Bryan began his musical journey at age 11 when his parents got him his first drum set. He quickly developed a passion for playing. Nick studied music technology and jazz at Bellarmine University and received his Masters in Music from New York University in 2012. While in New York, Nick performed at various jazz and rock clubs and taught private lessons at the Long Island Conservatory. He has also taught at Bellarmine University, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Doo Wop Shop music store, and Kentucky Arts Academy. Nick is an active freelance musician specializing in jazz, rock, metal, and theatre music and has toured around the country with the band Stonecutters. Besides having experience preparing high school and college age students for music programs and careers, Nick is excited to teach piano and drum lessons to students of all ages and skill levels!
When and how did you get into music? I would watch concert footage and listen to cassettes to listen to drummers. Before I had a drum set, I would air drum to songs with pencils. I would mimic movements and try to “play” along to the beat I was hearing. When I got a drum set, I learned a number of songs and beats by ear. I would also learn from books and drum instructional videos.
What made you want to pursue music as a career? I wanted to play music from a very young age, and pursuing other styles in a collegiate setting inspired me to practice a lot more, make connections, and be able to teach it at various levels, including the college sector. Music has given me the most joy, and no other degree program really stuck out to me.
What’s your biggest piece of advice to a musician? Keep a diligent practice routine, network with others and play as much as possible, and stay humble. For as much as we can learn about music, there will be days where we feel like there’s so much more we need to learn. We are our own worst critics. No matter the years we’ve been playing, whom we’ve studied or played with, it’s important to maintain a level of humility and approach each gig with high respect.
AVAILABILITY: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday

Erin Duffy (voice, piano, violin, viola, guitar, ukulele)
Erin Duffy is a singer-songwriter, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist. She has been singing since she was 5, started training vocally at 9, and was playing piano and performing by age 11, competing in solo, IMEA, jazz, and state competitions, obtaining scholarships, and training with different instructors learning how to sing multiple different styles. In 2008 she started her own band, Under The Willow and achieved her life-long dream of sustaining a successful touring band. Erin’s teaching styles include Jazz, Pop, Country, Classical, Contemporary, Bluegrass, and Celtic – depending on the instrument and incorporate ear training, stretching, breath work, sight reading, scale work, song writing, harmony and performance building skills. She also has experience teaching students with developmental disabilities and believes that, with patience, anyone is capable of achieving what they put their mind to.
When and how did you get into music? I started studying voice at 9 through school and taking piano lessons at eleven. Much of my learning experience came from personal practice and performing.
What made you want to pursue music as a career? I was hooked after my first vocal solo in the 5th grade. That was when I first experienced what others call being in the zone – that feeling of complete focus where the prefrontal cortex deactivates and everything else besides the music melts away around you – I knew I wanted to experience that feeling again and again! I looked up to my elementary music school teacher a lot; he could play by ear so well and pick things up quickly. I just looked at him and said, “I want to do what you do” He said, “Learn all your chords.” The piano teacher I took lessons from was a huge inspiration; she played all these different instruments and had students come to her throughout the day. I knew I wanted to do what she did too. I’ve been playing wherever I could since I was 17.
What’s your biggest piece of advice to a musician? Being a musician to me has a mental, physical, and spiritual element. Incorporate music into everyday life because it is a way of life. Be patient, and expect progress to come in peaks and valleys. And don’t sell yourself short by not practicing enough!
AVAILABILITY: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday

Terry Finnigan (guitar, mandolin)
Terry Finnigan started studying music at age 14, and has been teaching and playing guitar and mandolin professionally around the Chicagoland area for more than ten years. Besides guitar, he also plays mandolin, bass, and a wee bit of accordion, and recently completed writing, recording, and producing an album or original music. His specialties include blues, rock, rockabilly, jazz, swing, bluegrass, celtic, and gypsy jazz. Terry loves music that blends raw energy and technical skill, such as Nickel Creek, John Jorgensen, Hellecasters, and Brian Setzer. His years as an experiential educator at a team-building facility have given him a uniquely comprehensive approach to teaching, in which he loves guiding people to find their own unique musical voice.
When and how did you get into music? As far back as I could remember I was obsessed with music. When I was a kid I would play back songs over and over, trying to keep track of every instrument I could identify. If I heard a tone I couldn’t identify, I had to start the song over to hear how it came in. Of course I was most obsessed with the guitar sound.
What made you want to pursue music as a career? I play because it was fun! I try to keep music as something I enjoyed doing, not just a 9 to 5. I started teaching at 19 and thought it was the coolest thing ever, getting paid to share music and help other people figure out how they wanted to play! It was also a great personal challenge to learn music I wouldn’t necessarily learn on my own. I loved teaching and sharing, so I figured I should do more of that.
What’s your biggest piece of advice to a musician? First, do it for love. Music is art & expression, not fame and fortune. Second, play what you want. The best way to develop a style is to learn the music you want to hear. Thirdly, learn to count! It improves your playing in so many different ways.
AVAILABILITY: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday

Frank Gatto (guitar, luthiery & repair)
Frank Gatto is a south suburb fixture who has been teaching and playing professionally for more than 35 years. Most recently, he has worked with The Usual Suspects, Sound Barrier, and a Tom Petty tribute band called Petty Profits. He is also an accomplished luthier, hand-building electric guitars under his own brand name Gatto Guitars. Frank teaches all styles of guitar, primarily blues, country, rock, and jazz. His specialties include improvisation, scales, modes/arpeggios/chords, theory, and sight-reading. You’ll see him behind the counter of Down Home Guitars almost every day, sharing his many years of experience as a player, shop worker, repairman, and instructor with our customers.
When and how did you get into music? I started playing at 11 years old, taking lessons at The Music Shop in Tinley park, IL.
What made you want to pursue music as a career? The career side just kind of happened. The store owner and my teacher both saw the promise of something in me. I began working at the store when I was 15 years old, learning the retail and repair side of the business, and started teaching at 16.
What’s your biggest piece of advice to a musician? Learn a variety of styles of music. Make the other people you play with sound better. And practice practice practice!
AVAILABILITY: Thursday

Bob Gergescz (piano, organ, accordion)
Bob Gergescz began his musical studies with accordion at age 9, followed soon by piano and then organ. His musical career started at age 14 with accompanying the mass at the parish church. Bob got his Bachelors in Music from the Chicago Conservatory of Music and has been teaching private lessons in the Chicago south suburbs ever since, specializing in classical, jazz, show tunes, light rock, Christian, New Age, and ragtime, among other styles. Over his 40+ years in the business, he has worked for various Chicago fixtures including The Rialto Theatre, McCormick Place, Carson Pirie Scott, Joliet’s Festival of Trees, Lemont United Methodist Church, Baldwin Pianos, and numerous restaurants and supper clubs.
When and how did you get into music? I started playing the accordion at age 10, learning Hungarian folk songs. I followed it up with piano and then organ so I could be an accompanist at my grandparent’s Catholic church.
What made you want to pursue music as a career? I decided to pursue music professionally at age 15. I received a lot of encouragement and inspiration from piano Michael Weissburg, whose playing style and repertoire really excited me to play!
What’s your biggest piece of advice to a musician? Work hard and never stop learning!
AVAILABILITY: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Lamont Harris (harmonica)
Lamont “Harmonica” Harris grew up in the City of Chicago and graduated from St. Xavier College in 1984 with a BA in criminal law. He served in the Chicago Fire Department for 31 years, with duties such as aircraft emergencies, engineer licensing, fire tactics, CFD instructor certification, and hazardous and toxic material specialist! Lamont discovered the harmonica as an adult and has been performing in Chicago blues bands for more than 20 years. From 1984 to 2006 he also provided educational instruction for K through 12th grade with Chicago Public Schools as a substitute teacher. Lamont brings his skills as an entertainer and for making complex ideas easy to understand into the lesson room, making lessons fun, informative, and rewarding.
When and how did you get into music? In 1998, while out shopping with my wife on the north side of Chicago, I wandered in the Old Town School of Music and signed up for a Monday night harmonica class with Joe Filisko. From then on I started sitting in with rhythm & blues bands, meeting and playing with all the blues and jazz giants around Chicago.
What made you want to pursue music as a career? What made me want to be a professional musician was being inspired by the hard work and dedication of all the professional musicians I had surrounded myself with.
What’s your biggest piece of advice to a musician? Find a professional musician that plays your instrument and study that musician’s tone & style.
AVAILABILITY: Tuesday

Eric Jensen (guitar, ukulele)
Eric Jensen has been playing guitar for more than thirty years. He appreciates all styles of music but specializes in blues-based classic rock. His grasp of Zeppelin-style electric soloing and lead playing makes him a go-to player on the local music scene. His favorite players include Clapton, Santana, Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, along with improvisational icons Jerry Garcia and Trey Anastasio. Besides his years of experience performing with local bands including Speargrass, Twysted Fork, and most recently B.E.A.T. , Eric also has a master’s degree in elementary education. As a certified teacher and father of two, he understands how children learn. His objective as a music teacher is to impart his love for both music and learning to his students through the guitar.
When and how did you get into music? I was 11 or 12 when I started lessons at Sitars in New Lenox (now a restaurant on Route 30). I would also learn songs on records by ear.
What made you want to pursue music as a career? I fell in love with music after discovering Abbey Road and Dark Side of the Moon. Lost interest in almost anything else!
AVAILABILITY: Monday

Maureen Kelly (voice, piano, guitar, ukulele, drums)
Maureen Kelly has been teaching music and improvisation for over fifteen years while still maintaining a career as an actor, writer, and musician/songwriter. She studied Music and Theatre at the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music and is an alumna of Chicago’s prestigious Second City Theatre. She has played lead roles in many classic shows including Wonderful Town, Annie Get Your Gun, and Oklahoma, among others. Maureen’s experiences as an actor and dancer give her special insight into how to infuse expression and stage presence into an impeccable musical performance. She enjoys sharing a variety of musical styles and genres with her students as well as enforcing solid technique on whatever instrument they are learning.
When and how did you get into music? I started first learning music by listening to my parents’ recorded music, the vocal stylings of the singers, and learning to sing the songs. I started formal piano lessons around 4th grade.
What made you want to pursue music as a career? I have always known that music and theatre would be my career!
What’s your biggest piece of advice to a musician? Listen to music as much as you can. Try out new styles and artists. Sit quietly when listening to music at home; do nothing else while listening. When available, go to hear music performed live; it provides inspiration.
AVAILABILITY: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

Ryan Koranda (cello, piano, guitar, ukulele)
A native of Homewood-Flossmoor, Ryan Koranda is thrilled to serve the greater Chicagoland communities through his commitments to musical performance and education. He received a Bachelor of Music degree from Illinois State University and a Master of Music degree while studying under Chicago Symphony Cellist Richard Hirschl. As a performer, Ryan has developed interests in modern and contemporary music, crediting Chicago’s diverse cultural influences as a determining factor; performing in the classical, rock, jazz, blues, visual arts, dance, theatrical, and electric musical settings. With a deep passion for symphonic music he has performed under conductors Emanuele Andrizzi, Maurizio Colasanti, George Stelluto, Carl Topilow, Glenn Block, and Riccardo Muti. He was most recently a member of the Southwest Symphony and Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestras. Ryan takes pride in knowing when he is contributing to the advancement of music, collaborating with other composers and musicians, and is communicating with an audience as strongly as possible. He is currently completing a Performance Diploma in Cello performance at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.
When and how did you get into music? Ever since I can remember. My mom being a professional pianist and violinist really put me in that musical space early on. She would go on to give me my first music lessons probably around age 6.
What made you want to pursue music as a career? I would say I was around 15 when I said to myself that I wanted to do music as a career. I always of course loved taking lessons and performed as much as I could; I was lucky enough in my youth to be able to surround myself and play with musical professionals that were really great at their instruments. Their passion must have rubbed off on me because it made me want to be great as well and it really made me want to be a professional at my instrument.
What’s your biggest piece of advice to a musician? Try everything. Be the person that says “yes” to every opportunity. Even if it’s for free! Start networking; put yourself out there and engage your community because that’s a great way to meet all kinds of interesting people. Even if it’s a performance opportunity that you think is a big leap or outside your comfort zone, you should do it. Get out there and perform, because all of a sudden the practicing starts to make a whole lot more sense and becomes a lot more interesting as well.
AVAILABILITY: Saturday

Phil Loranger (bluegrass banjo)
Phil started playing the 5-string banjo and guitar back in the folk music era where he started with the basic strum, frailing, and old time two-finger styles. His banjo style progressed into straight ahead Scruggs with influences from Doug Dillard, Don Reno, Ben Eldridge and Terry Baucom. He currently plays with Midwest-based bluegrass band Homestretch Ride, has been a member of local group Running Fox for over 20 years, and has played with other groups going back to the 70’s. His teaching style is coaching and showing, with the aim of getting each student to play by ear and working towards a usable knowledge of chords over the entire fret board rather than a reliance on heavy tab reading. Further goals for each student is to 1) have fun and enjoy bluegrass banjo, 2) learn to play well with others, 3) develop great music listening skills, and 4) develop a solid foundation which includes good backup, solid timing as well as good lead playing.
When and how did you get into music? Mother talked me into piano lessons at about 13/14 years old. At age 15/16 I wanted to play folk music guitar and banjo most of all. There was kid in town who played well; I took lessons for about 1 1/2 years that took me thru folk banjo, frailing, and into bluegrass. Hooked!
What made you want to pursue music as a career? I played solo or with others at jams or in bands for next 60 years and continuing. Teaching was always part of bluegrass culture as was gigging at a younger age. Now I mostly volunteer.
What’s your biggest piece of advice to a musician? Enjoy the music – listen to different types – and play it forward!
AVAILABILITY: Call to inquire

Frank Lozich (guitar, dobro)
Frank is a lifelong guitar player who has had a love for music since childhood. Besides learning traditional guitar, classical and European Folk (Tamburitza) in music lessons as a child, Frank had the opportunity in his later years to study jazz under the late Chicago renowned jazz guitarist, Dave Baney. Over the years, starting from garage rock bands as a youth, he has played acoustic, electric and slide guitar in Classic Rock, Americana, Blues and Country rock bands, Swing and Jazz orchestras, and European folk troupes, as well as the New Wave sound of the 80’s. He continues to perform many of these styles today. Among his earliest favorite guitar players are Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Hendrix and George Harrison. Into adulthood, Duane Allman, Jerry Garcia and Curtis Mayfield would play a big influence. Then later on would come the jazz sounds of Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrel and Grant Green and others.
When and how did you get into music? As a child during my early elementary years. Always loved music! Especially the music of that time
growing up; my earliest influences with the guitar began with the sweet sounds of folk music and then the British invasion sound that woke up a generation to modern pop and rock music.
What made you want to pursue music more seriously? To play music is rewarding and therapeutic, especially when as a collaboration with other musicians.
What’s your biggest piece of advice to a musician? Learn your instrument to the best of your abilities. You’ll go even further if you take on the task to learn other elements of music as well: Reading, Rhythm, and Listening!
AVAILABILITY: Saturday

Tom Maslowski (bass, guitar, ukulele, drums)
Tom Maslowski has been playing music for 25+ years with a number of projects such as Mr. Grady, John Condron & The Old Gang Orchestra, Eric Lambert & Friends, The Tom & Becky Acoustic Duo, Colonel Chloroform, Play Do, Satellite Camp, Otter Finn, The Real Gone, End Transmission, and Alex Hoffer & Friends. He started with electric bass when he was fifteen. Since then, he has add guitar, upright bass, and ukulele. He also has 15+ years of teaching experience with students in a variety of genres of all ages and levels, including people with learning disabilities. It is Tom’s goal to show people how to get more out of their instrument by simplifying musical concepts. The goal is to increase independance and awareness during jam sessions or performances.
When and how did you get into music? I got my first drum set at age 3 (not for long!) and my first bass when I was 15. I was both self-taught and took lessons.
What made you want to pursue music as a career? I liked music my entire life. I always wanted to be a professional musician. Can’t wait for the day I can call myself pro!
What’s your biggest piece of advice to a musician? Take it seriously! Learn the theory and rhythm for as many types of genres and instruments. The more you know the better you can communicate with other musicians.
AVAILABILITY: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday

Carolyn Schnell (piano)
Carolyn Schnell is an experienced classical pianist who specializes as an educator, working with students of all ages on multiple styles. She studied music and education at Vandercook and Governors State University and was a K-8 classroom music teacher in the Chicago Public Schools for several years, while also teaching private piano lessons at Music Works, Baldwin Piano, and Ortigara’s Musicville. Besides all of this, she has also found time to serve as an organist at Tinley Park Community Church! Carolyn is a member of the Illinois Music Association and the Music Teachers National Association; she particularly enjoys preparing students for various music auditions and competitions.
AVAILABILITY: Wednesday, Thursday