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With over 15 years of professional violin experience, Tia has a deep love for coaching others on their musical journeys. She has experience in recording, writing, and arranging music selections in numerous genres, and has done solo & group performances for weddings, business events, family reunions, and more. After adding teaching to her list of services in 2017, she obtained a minor in Music from North Central College in 2019. She has since taught students aging from 3 to 65 years old, at all experience levels and learning styles. She is especially skilled at crafting lesson plans that suit the needs of neurodivergent students. Her passion for offering support and encouragement to others as they explore and learn more about who they are has motivated her to persue a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psycholgy. She belives that music is an important part of self-exploration, and plans to always incorporate her love of music into her future theraputic work.

Michael was born July of 1961. At age 13 he began to study piano and at age 14, guitar as well. After studying music throughout his teenage years and playing various clubs, Michael attended College of Dupage in 1982, where he earned an Associate degree of Arts. He was Then accepted at Roosevelt University in Chicago in 1985, where he received a bachelor's degree in music composition, and a minor in jazz studies for guitar. Since then Mike has written or co-written 7 albums of songs and instrumental music for various instruments, and has taught music privately to over 30 guitar and piano students per week since 1987. Currently Mike plays at various venues in several bands in the Chicagoland area, and continues to teach piano and guitar to over 30 students weekly.

Seong received her bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Youngnam University in South Korea. After she graduated, she worked as a middle school music teacher for 21 years, as well as conducting both string orchestra and choir. While working as a teacher, she enjoys getting to know her students one on one and tried hard to make students enjoy music as much as possible while they are learning. When she moved to the United States, she started working as a private lesson teacher and as a piano accompanist and choral conductor in a local church in Denver, CO for 7 years. Seong is a pianist/educator, and she was thrilled to join the WMA team! In her free time, she likes to play piano and sing with her daughters and son and play with her cat. As a pianist and educator, she is passionate about getting to know her students and willing to help them to find their potential and discover their talent.

Svitlana was born in Ukraine, and has been playing the violin since she was seven years old. She recieved her education from the Lviv Musical College and one of the most prestigious Ukrianian conservatories, The Lviv National Conservatory. While in Ukraine, she performed in orchestras and taught at Sambir Music School for 10 years. Many of her students continued to love and have a great passion for music. Some, even became teachers themselves! Svitlana has also had the honor of playing in the orchestra conducted by the famous Ukranian composer and conductor, Professor Mykola Kolessa.

Since coming to the United States, Svitlana has continued to perform in local orchestras, such as the North Shore Chamber Orchestra, St. Vincent Orchestra, and has collaborated with pianist Dr. Alexander Zintchenko and conductor Anatol Lysenka. She has been deeply involved with teaching students of all ages and skill levels in several local community schools, along with teaching here at Westmont Music Academy.

Svitlana's teaching style has a unique touch of traditonal European music education. Her cirriculum is fun with a pleasant blend of theory and playing. She has a wide variety of method books that keeps her students engaged and excited to learn! Svitlana, is also a real pet lover - she has a lovely and very friendly boxer at home named Indi, who loves to sing while she plays the violin.

Allen has been teaching piano, clarinet and saxophone for a very long time. With over 40 years of experience teaching students just starting out as well as students at more advanced levels. His own musical adventure started in grade school on clarinet, which led to him taking up the piano later, to make up a song to play the saxophone to. His writing quickly evolved to classically oriented piano music. Known as Composer Schwamm Gabka, his writing also includes some pop songs and a couple symphonies. He studied clarinet, saxophone, piano and music theory in college and also studied piano tuning and has tuned about 20,000 pianos in his lifetime. Allen has participated in numerous performances including solo recitals and in various types of ensembles: Classical, rock, jazz.

Celeste, soprano, has sung in numerous professional performances throughout the United States and Europe. Recently Celeste sang Suor Angelica by Puccini; Sandrina in a German Mozart opera for Sinfonietta Bel Canto; appearing annually for their Gala; and Mayslake Peabody Estate for which in summer of 2019 she was the SBC Outreach Artistic Director, while singing in several concerts with colleagues and opera concerts at Cantigny Gardens. Among other opera roles she enjoyed singing Rosalinda and Violetta with the Elgin Opera. Celeste sang opera Concerts for Hinsdale Lyric Opera Chapter, debuted Brahms Requiem with the Downers Grove Choral Society, and then the Coronation Mass and Messiah with the Hinsdale Chorale. She appears annually for the Western Springs and Hinsdale Music Clubs. She also sings sacred music church solos for regular church jobs. Celeste sings in 9 languages, teaches voice and piano, is a health coach, and raising 2 young daughters with her husband. She holds a BM, cum laude, from the University of Houston with a minor in Italian, and MM studies at DePaul University School of Music in vocal performance. She has 2 CD's and is on Youtube.

Iryna is a highly sought after piano teacher with a Bachelor's Degree in Piano Pedagogy and Performing Arts and 20+ years of experience. She loves to teach and strives to give others the sensible and logical training they require, by creating a learning environment that is positive and fun. Iryna enjoys sharing the gift of music with her students of all ages and tries to adapt her teaching to fit each students specific goals and skills. Her aim is to help her students develop the skills necessary to become excellent musicians so they can enjoy and express themselves through a language of music. Iryna is always looking forward to introducing her students to the wonderful world of piano.

Now completing his second year at WMA, "Mr. Jonathan" fervently believes that developing technical proficiency at the piano can be both satisfying and enjoyable. He commenced his piano and music theory studies at the age of six and earned his Bachelor's Degree from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. At Muhlenberg, he orchestrated the College Choir's inaugural foreign tour, pioneered piano accompaniment for an entire opera, and directed the first full-orchestra Broadway musical in the College's newly-opened Center for the Arts.

With each student, he strives to inspire careful listening and the attention to rhythm that will enable them to play harmoniously with other musicians and groups. Indeed, the majority of his students, some as young as five, are engaging in duets, playing songs like "Happy Birthday" from memory, and participating in WMA recitals. Many of his students take up a second instrument and also perform in their school orchestra or band.

Beyond his teaching responsibilities, Jonathan continues his own studies of chamber music and takes pleasure in accompanying the Celebration Singers at the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale

Kristin's love of music has been ever-present throughout her life. Starting at a young age, she joined every choir made available to her through her church, school, and later community. She was a part of the Rialto Children's Choir in Joliet, and later the Chicago Children's Choir. All while also participating in her school band (flute), jazz band, and drama programs. She completed her Bachelor's of Music Education in 2011 from VanderCook College of Music, a college that prepares it's students for classroom general music teaching as well as band, orchestra, choral programs. She began teaching voice and piano privately in 2008, and has had students achieve scholarship to Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Chicago Music Academy, ChiArts High School, and various colleges. after college, she taught classroom general music and choir for 10 years before focusing solely on private instruction. She is also one half of Cover Me, a cover band duo performing around the Chicago area.

Marija holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and a Master's Degree in Music Production and Management from Moscow State University. She has a very extensive background working with children in a professional musical setting. Her experience includes over 10 years as piano teacher and 5 years in an International American School in Europe. There, Marija provided music education to K-12 students, piano and other musical instruments, along with various subjects for children ranging in age from 3 to 17 years old. She designed and directed many performances on holidays and other school celebrations. Marija enjoys working with children and always finds it to be a truly rewarding experience!

As a seasoned performer with 30 years of experience and a dedicated educator with 15 years of teaching experience, Richard brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the world of music. Starting out as a young musician, Richard quickly developed a passion for the guitar, bass guitar, and ukulele. Over the years, Richard has honed his skills and has become a highly sought-after performer, known for his dynamic performances and technical proficiency. In addition to his performance career, Richard has also developed a reputation as a dedicated and talented music educator. His approach to teaching emphasizes the importance of technique, theory, and musicality, all while fostering a supportive and encouraging learning environment. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to helping each student achieve their musical goals, Richard has successfully guided students of all ages and skill levels through their musical journeys. Whether it's mastering a new technique, developing a unique playing style, or preparing for a performance or audition, Richard has the experience and knowledge to help this students reach their full potential. As a musician and educator, Richard is committed to sharing his love of music with the world and helping others discover the joy and beauty of playing the guitar, bass guitar, and ukulele.

Sam is an in-demand teaching artist and clinician in the Chicagoland area, who specializes in woodwinds and piano. His teaching styles include a wide range of genres ranging from classical and romantic music, to more contemporary forms of early American music and jazz. While receiving his performance degree at NIU, his musical emphasis was in African-American studies, and he now regularly clinics for jazz programs at high schools and colleges in the greater Chicago area. So far in his musical career, Sam has toured with and performed with Wilco, Rachel Barton-Pine, Paquito D’ Rivera, Ernie Watts, Victor Wooten, The Wooten Brothers Band, Wycliffe Gordon and others. His personal band has also performed privately for actors including Zac Efron, Dennis Quaid, and Heather Graham. He regularly performs at music festivals including Summercamp & Summerfest during May and July.

Vera is a highly motivated, professional pianist with an extensive background in performance, music theory, as well as, vocal and ear training. Vera has a long history as a concert pianist and is a thriving member of numerous ensembles. She completed her original studies at a very highly acclaimed music conservatory in Belarus, receiving a Masters in concert and chamber-orchestra soloist as well as piano instructor with highest honors. Vera brings a lot of passion and experience to her music career including over 30 years of teaching experience. She is proficient in music theory and has extensive knowledge in a variety of music styles. This extensive experience has also allowed her to teach students of all ages and skill sets as well as provide in-depth coaching for examinations and performing live on stage. Vera’s powerful and individually targeted teaching techniques have provided her students the ability to achieve the highest honors in the performing arts and win numerous awards at world-wide competitions.