As you all may know, February is Black History Month! Coming from a family of historians, this month has always meant a lot for me. We use this month to reflect on our collective history, and paint the colors of our future brightly! Here at Melody Mart, our goal is to present you all with a clear, personal outlook on our teachers. This month, we are putting the spotlight on all our Black Instructors! I asked: What is your favorite moment in black music history? And They Answ

Amanda Weichinger is a multi-instrumentalist and educator with 35+ years of musicianship on saxophone, clarinet, flute, and ukulele. A first-call section leader and versatile doubler, she’s performed in concert and jazz bands, saxophone quartet, community band, and Bel Canto community choir, and has spent many seasons in the orchestra pit for musical theatre. At Melody Mart, she’s also shared her joy of strumming onstage at ukulele recitals. Amanda’s musical tastes are wide;

Matthew Gallagher (he/him) is a banjo player and educator with 22 years of picking, gigging, and jamming across bluegrass, newgrass, and beyond. A Denver-scene regular for a decade, Matthew toured and recorded with the jamgrass band Whiskey Tango, performed with the traditional bluegrass outfit Last Sheets on the Roll, and sat in with luminaries including Darol Anger and Grant Gordy. His style nods to heroes Béla Fleck and Noam Pikelny—blending Scruggs, melodic, and single-st

Jim Schutters is a pianist, composer, and educator with 45+ years at the keyboard. His start to music traces back to taking lessons right here at Melody Mart. A versatile performer, Jim has brought his lyrical, audience-friendly style to high-school jazz bands and collegiate choirs, to praise & worship teams, and to elegant solo sets in country-club and fine-dining settings. His playing blends the clarity of classical training with the vitality of jazz and stride, shaped by i

Canisha Russ (she/her) is a Chicago-based vocalist with 12 years of study and performance rooted in R&B, Soul, Hip Hop, Gospel, and Jazz. A Chicago native with deep roots in community arts, she’s performed with UIC’s Funk Combo, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and University Choir; after college, she joined DLC Music Chicago (a K-Pop cover band) and sang background vocals for Billboard-charting dance artist Kristine W. at Pride Fest (2021). Her musical lens is shaped by Stevie Wonder’s

A true bass guitar authority and longtime member of our music community, John brings decades of experience, unmatched knowledge, and a genuine passion for teaching to everything he does. A graduate of Governors State University with a B.A. in Music, John has not only taught bass but lived it—playing with regional staples like The Big Boppers and sharing stages with some of Chicago’s finest blues musicians. His performing resume spans decades and includes collaborations, recor

Anokyewaa Oppong Wadie is an accomplished violinist with over 16 years of study and performance. Inspired by Grammy Award–winning jazz and classical violinist Regina Carter, she began classical violin studies at age nine through the Suzuki method, becoming the first violinist in her musical family.

We believe something simple but powerful: Everyone deserves someone who believes in them from the day they play their very first note. From the hesitant beginner holding an instrument for the first time to the returning musician dusting off their case — we see you. And we are already rooting for you. For over 70 years, Melody Mart has been serving Chicago’s South Suburbs. That kind of longevity doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because generation after generation has tru

Join us for an intergalactic celebration of music and community on May 4, 2025, from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM at Melody Mart! Whether you’re a Padawan just starting your musical journey or a Jedi Master of melody, there’s something for everyone!

Jordan Foster has been an integral part of Melody Mart for 13 years, teaching upright bass, bass guitar, and music theory to middle school students and older. With over 20 years of musical experience and an Associate of Fine Arts from South Suburban College, Jordan brings both technical expertise and a passion for music education to his students. His musical journey began in the fifth grade on euphonium. Influenced by Motown, rock, and blues, Jordan has performed in various e

Al Joseph has been a dedicated music educator at Melody Mart since his mid-twenties, teaching violin to students ages four and up. With an Associate of Arts from Prairie State and violin performance studies at the American Conservatory of Music, he brings a wealth of experience to his teaching. Al's musical journey began in the fourth grade, leading to his first paid performance as a high school senior playing Handel’s Messiah. He has performed with esteemed ensembles such as

Leslie Raich, a Melody Mart teacher since 2020, teaches piano and theory. She adapts to each student’s learning style

Ashley Beck, a Melody Mart teacher for a decade, blends passion and experience to make music education fun and freeing.

June Schmidt has been an integral part of the Melody Mart team for the past 8 years, bringing her extensive 52 years of musical experience to students of all ages. She began her musical journey at the age of 10, playing the piano and organ, and has since cultivated a deep love for music that she now shares with her students. With a Bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University and a Master's degree from Olivet Nazarene University, June combines a strong educational foun

Guadalupe Esquivel Jr. is an accomplished musician with a rich background in woodwind performance, specializing in bassoon. He began his musical journey in the 5th grade with the clarinet and has since expanded his expertise to include bass clarinet, bassoon, contrabassoon, oboe, and English horn. With 25 years of experience on the bassoon, Guadalupe has studied Bassoon Performance at Illinois State University and has been a dedicated performer with various musical ensembles,