Private Instruction
Jazz Studies
Adult Studies
BM, DePaul University
Eric Sutz graduated with a Bachelor of Music from DePaul University in 1980. While at DePaul he played a wide variety of engagements in addition to teaching piano and guitar.
Eric studied classical piano with Eloise Niwa and Joyce Sklar, conducting with Dr. William Huber and Kevin Stites, and jazz piano with Judy Roberts, Howard Levy, Larry Novak, Willie Pickens, John Campbell, Joel Daley, Mike Kocour, and Greg Fishman.
I want my students to have fun and enjoy the journey. I'm a fan of so many different musical styles that I might run out of space if I list them all here! But here's a few: Latin/Cuban Jazz, Big Band Music, Chopin, Bach, Beethoven, Gershwin, Ellington, Tango Music, New Orleans Piano styles, Solo Jazz Piano, Stravinsky, Debussy, Ravel, Satie, Rimsky-Korsakov, Haydn, Led Zepplin, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Talking Heads, Santana, Boogie Woogie, Morricone
Eric has been employed as a musician, accompanist, arranger, conductor and teacher for over forty years.
From 1981-1993 Eric worked full time as a music director, rehearsal and audition pianist for the Candlelight, Marriott Lincolnshire, Wisdom Bridge and Goodman Theater.
He also taught music theory at Carmel HS and was the assistant and primary choral director, accompanist and solo pianist for the European tour of the Concert Choir.
Eric is a faculty member of the Music Institute of Chicago and Stevenson HS and has been teaching in his Wheeling, IL home studio since 1984.
Member of MTNA
Member of NSMTA
He also studied the history and styles of the great Chicago boogie and blues artists with Erwin Helfer. He has been an active member of the NSMTA since 1978.
His book: “How to Play and Teach Popular Music Creatively” was published in 1986 and has had three printings.
Interests/hobbies outside of music:
Martial Arts, Travel, Investing. I love Indian and Thai food!
The last great TV show I saw was "Queen's Gambit", which has always been my favorite opening.
Why study music:
I think you study music to nurture your inner voice and find a way to express yourself that isn't quantifiable.
Favorite composer or piece to play:
Bach, Chopin, Gershwin, Ellington, Debussy
I have so many interests that there isn't enough time to give them all their proper due in this format.
Yoga, Pilates, Martial Arts (many different styles including Kali, Escrima, Silat, Jun Fan Gung Fu, Thai Kickboxing) Myofascia release, reading, natural history, biology, anatomy, travel, Chess,languages, investing, films...and of course, music :)!