Roots & Rock

Clem Leek

ntakagi — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 19:04:35 +0000

Clem Leek ntakagi Sun, 10/01/2023 - 14:04

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

Significant teachers and mentors:
James Saunders, Amanda England & all my collaborators

Academic Title

Music Production Faculty

Administrative Title

Campus Director, Winnetka

Available For

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

Clem's expertise mostly lies in composing experimental & computer music, having worked for a number of years producing commercial and independent releases.

Other experience includes score editing for Andy Keenan Ltd (for composers such as Michael Nyman & Jocelyn Pook) and playing shows in a variety of countries.

Clem's musical style straddles a number of genres, moving from classical to electronic and ambient styles.

Courses

Private Instruction
Roots & Rock
Group Lessons
Music Production

Department

Community Music School

Department Head

Off

Education

Masters of Music Composition, Bath Spa University, UK
Bachelor of Arts - Creative Arts (Music & Drama), Bath Spa University, UK

cleek@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Fri, 09/01/2017 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Music Production

Location(s)

Winnetka

Name

Clem Leek

Person Type

Administration

Faculty

Phone

Photo

Program Area

Three Questions Answer

Interests outside of music:
Architecture, design, sports & travelling

Favorite quote:
'Less is more'

Favorite practice tip:
Don't give up!

Favorite composer or piece to play:
Favourite composers include Max Richter, Phillip Glass, Steve Reich & countless others.

Weight

-96

GUID

Media ID

Willing to Teach at

Lake Forest

Jeremiah Benham

ntakagi — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 19:04:40 +0000

Jeremiah Benham ntakagi Fri, 10/06/2023 - 14:04

Jeremiah Benham has been a member of the Music Institute’s guitar faculty since September 2017. He earned master of music and bachelor of arts degrees from DePaul University. He is a member of the Chicago Classical Guitar Society.

Academic Title

Guitar & Musikgarten Faculty

Available For

Online

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

"If your heart beats and you can speak, you are already making music."

Courses

Private Instruction
Roots and Rock Faculty (guitar)
Ukulele Faculty

Department

Community Music School

Department Head

Off

Education

MM, DePaul University
BA, DePaul University

jbenham@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Sun, 09/10/2017 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Location(s)

Name

Jeremiah Benham

Personal Website / Link

http://www.chicagoguitar.com

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

847.905.1500

Photo

Benham, Jeremiah web pic copy.jpg

Photo Credit

Photography by Educo

Professional Affiliations & Activities

Chicago Classical Guitar Society

Program Area

Private Instruction

Group Classes

Early Childhood - Musikgarten

Suzuki Education

Roots & Rock

Three Questions Answer

Interests/hobbies outside of music:
I enjoy Yoga and spending time with my wife and three kids.

A few of my favorite things:
My favorite food would be Indian, Thai or anything spicy!

Why study music:
I study music because it feels dangerous like walking on a rooftop, yet I can do it without hurting myself or others. It also feels unpractical and my mind tends to be attracted to unpractical things. Its like someone asked me to go on this near impossible quest at an early age and the more I was warned about its possible peril, the more impassioned I became.

Weight

GUID

119

Media ID

432

Willing to Teach at

Chicago - Gratz Center

Chicago - St. James

Evanston

Winnetka

Brad Conroy

ntakagi — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 19:04:43 +0000

Brad Conroy ntakagi Tue, 08/27/2024 - 14:04

Starting in the Fall of 2024, Brad Conroy will be the Guitar Department Chair at the Music Institute of Chicago.

Brad has served on the guitar faculty at MIC since 2011 and currently teaches at MIC’s Lake Forest and Winnetka campuses. Brad has also taught Guitar and Ukulele Summer Camps at MIC and a ukulele class representing MIC at a local elementary school.

Brad is a versatile guitarist, performer, and educator who specializes in the art and scholarship of the classical guitar. Brad performs from a diverse repertoire which begins at the Renaissance and goes through to the 21st century, often including his own compositions, improvisations, and new works which have been dedicated to him. Brad has given concerts across the United States and abroad, with appearances that include Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, the International Guitar Festival in Brno, Czech Republic, Vienna, Austria, Newport Beach, California, and Dublin, Ireland to name a few. His music has been heard on WFMT Chicago, and he has given concerts for the Chicago Historical Society, the Chicago Classical Guitar Society, the Czech Guitar Society, The Schweiker House, as well as a private concert for Caroline Kennedy and her entourage.

Brad finished his B.M. at Northeastern Illinois University (cum laude) with a degree in Classical Guitar Performance where he studied with 19th century scholar Dr. Brian Torosian and furthered his music studies with a M.M. in Classical Guitar Performance at The Chicago College of Performing Arts, the music conservatory at Roosevelt University where he studied with world renowned guitarists Denis Azabagic and Sergio Assad.

Academic Title

Guitar Department Chair, Guitar Faculty

Anything else we should know?

Available For

Online

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

Brad’s teaching method is centered around classical guitar technique, but also stresses the importance of improvisation, jazz, modern music, and creativity. He works to help students develop a relaxed technique, disciplined approach, while also giving them the tools that they will need to grow on their own as both a musician and human being.

Courses

Guitar, Musicianship
Group Lessons

Department

Community Music School

Department Head

Off

Education

B.M. Northeastern Illinois University (Cum Laude)
M.M. Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University

bconroy@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Tue, 02/15/2011 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Location(s)

Name

Brad Conroy

Personal Website / Link

https://www.bradconroy.com/

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

Photo

Program Area

Three Questions

Interests/hobbies outside of music

A few of my favorite things…

Why study music?

Three Questions Answer

My interests outside of music are running, skateboarding and snowboarding, and being outdoors.

My favorite composers are Fernando Sor, Domenico Scarlatti, and Isaac Albeniz.

Why study music: It is the ultimate art that incorporates physical, aural, and visual aspects.

Weight

GUID

131

Media ID

497

Willing to Teach at

Lake Forest

Daniel Golden

ntakagi — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 19:04:46 +0000

Daniel Golden ntakagi Sun, 10/01/2023 - 14:04

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

Suzuki pedagogy with Michele Higa and George and Ann Montska-Smelser, and Klezmer violin with Deborah Strauss and Steve Greenman

Academic Title

Violin & Viola Faculty

Available For

Online

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Courses

Private Instruction
Roots & Rock Faculty (Music Institute Klezmer Ensemble)

Department

Community Music School

Department Head

Off

Education

BMM degrees in viola performance, Indiana University (studied with David Dawson and Georges Janzer)
BM in viola performance from Indiana University
BA in Anthropology with a focus on Ethnomusicology, University of Chicago

dgolden@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Tue, 08/31/2010 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Violin

Viola

Location(s)

Lake Forest

Name

Daniel Golden

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

847.905.1500

Photo

gsy0uyr9.png

Photo Credit

GGolden

Professional Affiliations & Activities

In addition to teaching at the Music Institute of Chicago, Mr. Golden serves on the faculty of the Merit School of Music; Oakton Community College, where he founded and directs the Oakton String Ensemble; and the Great Lakes International Summer Music Institute at Algoma University in Canada.

For twenty-seven seasons he taught strings and directed the orchestra at the Algoma Music Camp. Mr. Golden was principal violist of the Lake Forest Symphony from 2003 to 2020. He is a member of the Ars Viva Symphony and the Chicago Philharmonic. He serves as principal violist for the Chicago Mastersingers Choir and annual performances of Too Hot to Handel at the Auditorium Theater.

For 25 years Mr. Golden was principal violist of Orchestra London, Canada. During his time in Ontario he was a frequent soloist with the orchestra and a founding member of the Rossini Quintet. He taught violin and viola privately and for the London Waldorf School, coached sectionals for the London Youth Symphony, and was a viola mentor for the National Academy Orchestra of Canada. In addition to symphonic and chamber music Mr. Golden performs ethnic music on viola, violin, and mandolin. He was founder and leader of the Hot Latkes Klezmer Band based in London, Ontario. He produced, arranged, and performed on two albums with the group. Mr. Golden has also performed with Jazmer and the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band in Chicago, and with Hu Tza Tza and Beyond the Pale in Toronto. He appeared with his fiddle in the 2001 CBS miniseries Haven.

Most recently he has arranged and performed music for the High Holiday services at Anshe Emet Synagogue in Chicago. Mr. Golden has directed string programs in several Chicago Public Schools for the Merit School. He conducts annual “Concerto Day” workshops for the Music Teachers of Hyde Park. Mr. Golden has presented workshops on Klezmer music in schools, camps and at the International Viola Congress. Mr. Golden has also participated in numerous other community service and outreach music programs, most recently under the auspices of the Chicago Philharmonic AMP and Chicago Park District/Chicago Philharmonic Side by Side in the Parks programs.

Active also as a composer, Mr. Golden has written and arranged music for string ensembles, Klezmer groups, symphony orchestra, jazz band and student musicians at all levels. His Likht un Shotn for four soloists and large orchestra was premiered in 2012 by the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra. As a member of the Lake Forest Symphony String Quartet Mr. Golden participated in two series of “Musical Memories” programs promoting brain health by bringing instrumental music to Alzheimer’s patients at Lake Forest Place. These performances were tied to a research project to measure the impact of structured musical listening activities on the patients’ emotional health and cognitive abilities.

Program Area

Private Instruction

Roots & Rock

Weight

GUID

145

Media ID

448

Willing to Teach at

Chicago - Gratz Center

Chicago - St. James

Lake Forest

Al Loss

ntakagi — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 15:51:26 +0000

Al Loss ntakagi Mon, 10/09/2023 - 10:51

Academic Title

Music Production Faculty

Available For

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

I don't believe there is such thing as failure and try to show how much fun, and relaxing creating music can be.

Department

Community Music School

Department Head

Off

Education

Associates Science degree in recording arts, Flashpoint Chicago

aloss@musicinst.org

Instrument(s)

Music Production

Name

Al Loss

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

Photo

Program Area

Three Questions

Interests/hobbies outside of music

A few of my favorite things…

What do you love about Chicago?

Three Questions Answer

I am also a student in psychology. What I love about Chicago is the rich history in every facet, especially for American music history since many of the earliest recording studios were in Chicago. Also I am a huge nerd, anything history, music, movies or games I love, and such a Star Wars geek my dog is named Obi Wan.

Weight

David Onderdonk

ntakagi — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 19:04:54 +0000

David Onderdonk ntakagi Mon, 10/02/2023 - 14:04

David Onderdonk began playing the guitar at the age of eight. Growing up in Evanston, IL, his early interests included folk, blues, and rock music. In 1974 he was accepted into the classical guitar program at the University of Illinois in Urbana, IL. In addition to his classical studies, which included masterclasses with Manuel Barrueco, Eliot Fisk, and Eduardo Fernandez, he also played in the U of I Jazz Big Band under the direction of John Garvey.

In 1976, David started his career as a classical guitarist. From 1976-1978 he gave concerts in Europe, Central and South America, and throughout the United States as part of a duo called One Plus One with dancer Patricia Hruby Powell. He moved to Chicago in 1980 and began making connections in the jazz community working in various jazz clubs around the city including Andy’s, The Green Mill, and The Jazz Showcase.

Between 1984 and 1985 he released two albums on Quaver Records (Close Call and Lookout). This was followed by tours of the Midwest in support of those albums. In 1993 he and drummer Mark Walker released Loose Contact (an album of original music) on Southport Records. This CD received a four-star review in Downbeat Magazine. In 1996 he was a featured guitarist in JAZZIZ magazine for their Guitars on Fire issue. His studio recording work also includes CD’s, TV jingles, documentaries (A&E with Bill Kurtis), and a movie soundtrack (Off the Map). In 2005 he released Renaissance Guitar as an independent project. More recently, he collaborated with singer Ana Everling on The Music of Guinga.

He has played and/or recorded with Kurt Elling (three Grammy nominated albums), Michael Feinstein, The Lakeside Singers, Megon McDonough, Terry Callier, Grazyna Auguscik, Fareed Haque, Fred Simon, and Marlene Rosenberg. He has also appeared on recordings with Pharoah Sanders, Mavis Staples, Mike Stern, Howard Levy, Paul Wertico, and Paul McCandless among others. He was a member of the Chicago Jazz Composers Collective for eighteen years regularly showcasing new compositions at The Green Mill.

An instructor for over thirty years, David currently teaches at the Music Institute of Chicago. Past teaching credits include Interlochen Summer Jazz Camp, Roosevelt University, Columbia College, and The Old Town School of Folk Music. He previously served as Interim Instructor of Guitar at Interlochen Arts Academy for the 2015-2016 school year.

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

Latest releases are at: http://davidonderdonk.bandcamp.com
Sheet music is available at: http://sheetmusicdirect.com
Tracks that David has played on are at: David Onderdonk/sideman – YouTube

Academic Title

Guitar and Ukulele Faculty

Available For

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

I teach students to teach themselves.

Courses

Private Instruction
Roots and Rock
Jazz Guitar
Group Classes

Department

Community Music School

Department Head

Off

Education

Classical and Jazz Guitar studies, University of Illinois at Urbana (1974-1978)

donderdonk@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Thu, 09/01/2016 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Location(s)

Name

David Onderdonk

Personal Website / Link

http://davidonderdonkmusic.com

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

Photo

Program Area

Three Questions Answer

Interests/hobbies outside of music:
I enjoy making photo collages of images I find down by Lake Michigan. I've had a few shows of my work and even sold some pieces.

A few of my favorite things..
My favorite composer is Bach. I enjoy playing his music on a guitar that's in Baroque tuning (A415).

Why study music:
Music engages your entire brain function that can benefit other areas of your life. Bach's music seems to align my molecules.

Weight

GUID

180

Media ID

473

Willing to Teach at

Winnetka

Lake Forest

Michael Scott

ntakagi — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 06:17:08 +0000

Michael Scott ntakagi Mon, 10/02/2023 - 01:17

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

Scholarships:
Hibbard Perry Scholarship for Excellence in Classical Mandolin Performance (Bristol, RI)
Mandolin Symposium Scholarship for Mandolin Studies (Santa Cruz, CA)

Additional Studies:
National Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference, Los Angeles, CA (2022)
Introduction to Systemic Racism, Enrich Chicago, Chicago, IL 2021 (virtual)
The Savvy Musician in ACTION, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC (2014)
Mandolin Symposium, Santa Cruz, CA (2009)
American Mandolin and Guitar Summer School, Bristol, RI (2003)
Mandofest, Lawrence, KS (2003)

Recordings:
Eric Bandera, “Waiting for the Sky,” commissioned and performed by Duetto Arioso, 2005
Ryan Bizarre, “Three Taverns, Two Cafes, and a Church,” mandolin, 2001
Geoffrey Muireann, “All Good Things,” on Live From the Blackthorn: Strong Enough to Bend, performed
by Mad Creek Medicine Band, Passion Flower Records, 2001
Sarah Bowman, Living, mandolin and guitar, Pillow Song Music, 2001
Mad Creek Medicine Band, Los Rio Loco Venda Medicina, co-writer/mandolin and guitar, 1998
Strange Neighbors, From in Here, co-writer/guitar, Passion Flower Records, 1994

Academic Title

Mandolin, Guitar, Electric Bass Faculty

Available For

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

My teaching philosophy is to start where the student is at. Nearly every student pursues music based on a past and/or positive experience that they have had with music. Whether it be a performance, a recording, something their parents listened to, or those piano lessons they wish they had continued -- music has something to offer to everyone. As students grow and begin to find their own musical voice, it is the role of the "teacher" to continue to support and nourish the student's excitement and pursuit of this artform. With an essentially infinite pool of music to discover and explore throughout one's lifetime -- there will always be a deep well of learning opportunities, and what we can learn from these experiences translates to the enjoyment of our everyday lives and beyond.

Courses

Private Instruction
Group Classes
Roots & Rock
Adult Studies

Department Head

Off

Education

MM, Northern Illinois University, Jazz Studies, mandolin and guitar
BA, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, Music Business and Marketing: (instrumental concentration, jazz mandolin and classical guitar)

mscott@musicinst.org

Instrument(s)

Location(s)

Name

Michael Scott

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

847.905.1500

Photo

Michael Scott pic.jpg

Photo Credit

Jamie Hendry

Program Area

Roots & Rock

Three Questions Answer

One of my hobbies outside of music is reading Science Fiction and Business books. I have way too many books!

I love Chicago for its vibrant music and arts scene. With many performing arts centers, museums, and amazing cultural diversity, Chicago is truly one of the most rewarding cities to be an artist in.

The mandolin, much like the guitar, crosses over into many culturally rich styles of music. This allows me to 'sit in' with many types of musicians and create 'new sounds' that did not seem possible before.

Weight

Willing to Teach at

Evanston

Lake Forest