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Theresa Villec has over 20 years of music teaching and performing experince.   She teaches piano, voice and guitar.  With a Master's Degree specializing in music education, she also holds Illinois Teacher Certificates to teach music in Kindergarten through High School.  She taught at K - 8 schools (both public and private) for a total of 12 years and has taught private lessons for 20 + years.   Mrs. Villec has performed with many different organizations throughout the years.   They range in style from Opera to Pop, Jazz, and even Rock.   She performed with Grant Park Chorus and other ensemble groups as well as performing as lead soloist for numerous bands and churches.   You can hear her sing on the recently released CD:  "Swingin' at the Seance" which is available for purchase through Amazon.com or CD Baby. Mrs.  Villec's passion is teaching students how to read music and apply the skill to the instrument or instruments of their choice.   Having taught large groups as well as private lessons, she discovered as well as developed methods for teaching piano, voice and guitar in small groups that are both fun and inspiring.  She incorporated her ideas, experience and passion in 2006 into Music Makers...for Life, Inc.

Emily Morgan graduated from Illinois State University with B.M. and M.M in Violin Performance. She has been certified to teach the Suzuki method of Violin  by the Suzuki Institute, and taught for 2 years at Illinois State University, as well as the Sun Foundation Suzuki School of Music.  She taught for 5 years at the  Music School in Oglesby, IL.   Ms. Morgan recently moved to our area and is currently working at the Suzuki Music School of Barrington, as well as Music Makers. While the Suzuki method focuses for the first few years on technique and ear training, Ms. Morgan will also be introducing the skill of reading music  to the students very early on in order to make smooth the transition from playing by ear to reading. She currently has openings on Tuesday.   Lessons are private at first (with the presence of a parent).   Students will eventually be expected to attend a private session as well as one ensemble session per week.

Bryan Albert has his Bachelor of  Music Performance Degree from Northeastern University and his Masters in Guitar Performance at Northwestern University.   He's  taught at  Fox River Academy and at Northwestern University.   He's performed all over the Chicago-land area and has extensive studio experience.   He plays all styles from Classical to Rock.   He writes and arranges music as well.  His website is www.chicagoclassicalguitar.net

Scott Mensching has been with Music Makers since September, 2007.   Scott teaches private Drum lessons for any age.     He is the percussionist for the nationally known band: The Moon-rays.    Scott has 34 years experience as a professional musician. During that time he has formed and performed with Traffic Jam (Bluesfest headliner) Tropical Espionage, The Atomic Martini's, and the Moon-Rays.   He has produced and recorded four international- selling albums and won the JPF Independent Music Award for Thrill and Chills over 30,000 other albums. He is an accredited and licenced music Writer, Producer and Publisher with ASCAP.  He has had four songs featured in motion pictures and is credited on the IMDB. The title song for the upcoming movie "Johnny X" was co-written by Scott.   You can watch the Moon-rays perform this song at http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=8612750 Scott co-produced and performed on the Moon-Ray's latest album:  "Swingin' at the Seance" which can be purchased at Amazon.com., CD Baby or at Music Makers...for Life, Inc.   You get a nice discount if purchased at our studio! Scott has times available on Fridays and Saturdays. Scott is also the owner of  Mensching Piano Service.   If you need your piano tuned, call:  847-299-0540.

JUDSON BROWN:  Judson has is BA in Audio Arts and Acoustics with a minor in Jazz Performance.   He specializes in guitar, bass and piano but also plays sax, flute, clarinet, and bassoon.   He has been a  freelance professional musician as well as music teacher for the last few years.   Judson also writes and records his own music and his solo debut album will be released in 2010.

RICH VALLONE: Professional Musician and Guitar Teacher, Rich also plays professionally and has a band which can be found at: www.Turningdowntoday.com Rich prefers Classic Rock but reads music and teaches all styles.  Rich is available on Saturday mornings.

Jennifer Ruggieri:  Professional Harpist Jennifer has a BM in Harp Performance from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.   She will have completed her Masters in Harp performance in May, 2010 at the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Jennifer acquired scholarships through her performance and has years of performance and teaching experience.

Kathleen Corr Kathleen Corr is one of the instructors for the ZooPhonics program.  Her educational background includes a B.S. in Elementary Education from Western Illinois University and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from National-Louis University. She taught First Grade at St. Thomas the Apostle School in Crystal Lake, IL for seven years.   Currently she is teaching Kindergarten in Buffalo Grove, IL.   She also tutors children privately in areas of reading and math.  For the past three summers she has had the opportunity to teach ZooPhonics.  Through movement and music ZooPhonics engages children in the whole learning process.  It provides a connection between early reading, spelling, and writing.

Lori Ruzbasan Lori Ruzbasan is one of the instructors for ZooPhonics.  She has her Bachelors in Elementary Education, and her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction.  She is currently working on my Masters in Reading.  She has taught 1st Grade at St. Thomas the Apostle School for the last eight years.   She is  excited to be part of the ZooPhonics Program and looks forward to sharing the ZooPhonics experience with your child.

Mary LaRosa is one of our specialists teaching the Mini-Maestros piano classes.  She has a Masters Degree in Education and has played piano for many years.  She is also an experienced teacher.