Chicago Area Piano Teachers

Irene Zissis

Irene Zissis is an accomplished pianist and piano/vocalist who has performed for over 25 years in the Chicago area, Chicago suburbs and overseas. Her vast repertoire includes: jazz, light classical, pop/rock, movie themes, show tunes, wedding music, holiday & theme music, & new age. A second generation pianist and piano teacher, Irene began lessons at the age of 4 under Masters of Music DePaul graduate and longtime piano teacher, Kathryn Zissis, her mother. Irene continued her music education at the University of IL at Chicago. After graduating, Ms. Zissis studied at the American Conservatory of Music under virtuoso pianist Frank Caruso. She both perfected her musicianship and acquired further valuable teaching skills under his exceptional tutelage.

Irene Zissis has taught piano to children age 5 - adults for over 20 years and maintains both an active performance and teaching schedule. The essential goal of her teaching philosophy is to give her students the life-long joy of making music.

To accomplish this, students must first acquire competence in theory and proper technique. Artistic expression and creativity are then developed. To progress, students must practice daily. Duration of practice depends on the student's age, level and goals. Children require parental involvement to oversee daily practice and to ensure that the student is practicing assignments correctly. Irene's teaching style is encouraging, patient, nurturing, engaging, challenging and fun. Her approach is flexible and suited to the needs, abilities, interests and objectives of each student. A variety of styles are taught including classical, jazz, pop/rock, folk and New Age. Irene believes in a wellrounded teaching method which also incorporates ear-training, chording, improvisation and music history.

Irene also taught piano at Chicago's renowned Old Town School of Folk Music for 4 years. She taught both private piano to children and adults as well as group piano to young children age 4 - 7. 

Along with her expansive career as both a performer and an independent music teacher, Irene studied psychology and visual arts, and earned a Certificate in Creative Arts for Young Children. She uses her psychology background to determine each student's personality and learning style. When teaching young children, she incorporates visual arts and games to enhance musical concepts. Irene has an excellent rapport with children. 

Adults can choose to learn their favorite songs by playing the melody with the right hand and chords in the left hand. Those who enjoy singing and want to accompany themselves with piano chords are taught this skill. 

Irene's continuing education includes seminars and Masters classes through professional associations. She is a member of Music Teachers National Association.

Courtney Hollenbeck

Courtney Hollenbeck was born in a small town in Ohio, and has always had a love and passion for the performing arts.  Whether participating in gymnastics, youth theater productions, dance classes, or piano lessons, Courtney always found her way onto a stage!  This passion carried her to Anderson University in Indiana where she studied Music Education, graduating cum laude in 2012.  Throughout her time at Anderson she studied piano, voice, participated in various operas, musicals and dance shows and sang in the top mixe voice choir for 3 years. 

Throughout her college career she also participated in the Miss Ohio (Miss America system) pageant for 3 consecutive years placing as a Top Ten Semifinalist in 2011.  Professionally, Courtney has been a full-time elementary music teacher, private piano and voice teacher and choir member/soprano section leader at an Indianapolis church.  One of her proudest moments was in 2014 when she was selected as an Indianapolis Colts Cheerleader in the NFL, dancing for upwards of 65,000 fans on game days. 

Currently, she resides in Lisle with her husband Brett and daughter Harper.  In her spare time she enjoys cooking healthy meals for her family, fitness, nature and spending time with family. 

She is excited to meet and work with your child and she hopes to give them confidence both onstage and beyond!

Spencer Schillerstrom

Saxophonist Spencer Schillerstrom is becoming the best kept secret in the Chicago and Indianapolis metropolitan areas. The young musician started his musical career at the age of 6, growing up in Downers Grove, Illinois. He has since then won numerous improvisation awards through various jazz festivals, performed in Germany, performed in Hawaii on the Pride of America Cruise Ship and graduated from the DePauw School of Music with Summa Cum Laude honors. Spencer has performed with a large group of musicians in his early career including Brad Leali, Pharez Whitted, Ron Carter, Mark Colby, Fareed Haque, John Fedchock and Eddie Henderson. In addition, he has studied music with some of Chicago's biggest names including Mark Colby, Christopher McBride and Marquis Hill.

Currently, he is continuing his music education at DePaul University by pursuing a graduate jazz performance degree. He has a diverse 8 years of teaching experience in both saxophone and piano, including both private lessons and ensemble directing. Spencer was also a counselor at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp where he assisted in counseling and teaching over 45 Blue Lake campers (ages 12-18) on musical performance concepts. He is currently and excitedly taking students in Chicago and surrounding suburbs! and beyond!

Kim Mason

Kim Mason is a Music Education major at Elmhurst College. She started with the clarinet in 5th grade and has playing through her college career. She really fell in love with music when she picked up the electric bass in 8th grade. In high school she learned how to play jazz and received a scholarship for her playing before she graduated.

Since then, Kim has studied electric bass with numerous professors in both jazz and classical genres. She has played professionally across the Chicagoland area. A few years she picked up the double bass and has continued into her college career and currently plays in the Elmhurst College Orchestra. In addition, she has played in the Elmhurst College Symphonic Band, Jazz combos, Late Night Blues vocal jazz ensemble, Electric Guitar Ensemble, Pit Orchestra, Women's Choir and Varsity String. Kim has picked up piano and studied under professional jazz and classical professors. She has also started learning the viola and teaches it to beginner students.

Presently, Kim teaches voice and piano lessons through Northwest Special Recreation Association. She works extensively with children and adults with disabilities of all kinds. While music has opened Kim up to many amazing opportunities in life, she has discovered that teaching music is her true passion.

Lesley Goodman

Lesley Goodman has been teaching private piano and voice lessons for over 20 years while maintaining a career as a singer in Chicago and abroad. She received a music degree in Vocal Performance from Northwestern University and she has extensive teaching experience for both piano and voice.

Lesley has been a teacher and studio accompanist to students at Interlochen National Music Camp, Northbrook Children's Theater, Quest Theater in Chicago, New Trier High School, Niles North High School and the Children's Theater in Houston. 

She customizes her lessons to suit the interests and musical goals of each student. She has taught a wide range of ages and experience levels is certified to teach the Music Together program (a popular early childhood music education program). Lesley is passionate about music and brings this energy and excitement into her teaching practice.

Canaan Gillihan

Canaan is currently a senior at Columbia College Chicago and is working towards earning his Bachelor's degree in Music Composition. Canaan found his initial love for music when he was given a bass guitar by a family friend at age 13. He began by learning the bass riffs to his favorite rock songs and hasn't looked back since. Over time, his musicianship only grew as he began to play in his church worship group, played the bass in his high school band and began to study music theory at community college.

Now at 22-years-old, Canaan is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist, is fluent in recording and scoring softwares and is currently a private lesson instructor at a music school in the Naperville. He has a strong passion for sharing his love of music with his students and passing down his knowledge of both musical instrument and theory in his lessons. Because of his versatile music experience, he knows what it is like to play with bands and other performers as well as to play by yourself, whether it be composing or practicing until proficient.

If you are in need of a guitar, piano or bass instructor and/or are interested in learning the theory behind music, then Canaan is the instructor for you.