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,

Esperanza Salgado is a dedicated flutist, music educator, and advocate whose career exemplifies her commitment to the transformative power of music. With a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Illinois Chicago and a nearly completed Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Berklee College of Music, Esperanza brings both technical expertise and a deep understanding of the music industry to her work. She blends her rich knowledge of classical flute performan

Hector Lara Jr. is a music educator at Melody Mart and has years of experience teaching various instruments. He began his musical journey in 5th grade with the trumpet, later exploring trombone and tuba during middle and high school. His college education focused on Music Education with an emphasis on band. At Melody Mart, Hector has been a valued member of the teaching staff for the past couple of years, instructing students of all ages. His teaching repertoire includes trum

Disclaimer: This blog contains affiliate links, we earn from qualifying purchases. I cannot tell you how much time and energy I could have saved by making sure my music space was neat and organized. I promise, decluttering your spaces will help you focus on creating an environment for music. But more importantly, it will just make you feel better! Declutter and Organize Your Music Space for Better Focus Speaking from my experience as a professional musician. Piles of music j

DK Bass’s musical journey began at only 7 years old and was marked by an exploration of a wide array of instruments commonly found in band and orchestra settings. With 15 years of teaching experience and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, DK has been a valued member of Melody Mart for approximately 4-5 years. DK has always had a passion for teaching. From an early age, DK demonstrated a keen interest in guiding others; in 8th grade, they began conducting brass sectionals

With 60 years of musical experience and a passion for teaching, Madeline Gloss has been a staple at Melody Mart for over 30 years. A graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education, Madeline brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her students. Her journey with music began over 50 years ago, first playing the clarinet and later adding the alto saxophone. Madeline’s teaching career has been shaped by her love for music and a desire to

Frank Anastos, a cherished guitar instructor at Melody Mart since 1976, has become a cornerstone of the store’s music community. His passion for guitar was ignited at age 12 when he received his first acoustic guitar as a birthday gift, setting him on a lifelong musical journey. With over 48 years of experience, Frank shares his love for music with others and holds educational credentials from Prairie State College and Roosevelt University. Influenced by legendary guitarists

Mary Cannek is one of our longest standing music instructor at Melody Mart with a rich history spanning over 50 years. Mary's lifelong passion for music began in grade school when she first picked up the accordion, an extremely. Her early music education was deeply influenced by her family's musical background, with her mother being an avid singer and her uncle playing the mandolin. Mary's teaching journey started unexpectedly when she helped a young student play the organ co

Liz Limon began her musical journey as a young band and church choir member at the age of 9. Over the years, she has explored a diverse range of instruments including saxophone, guitar, piano, bass, vihuela mexicana, violin, and drum set. With 10 years of musical experience and a Bachelor's in Music Education, Liz has recently joined Melody Mart and teaches students aged 5 and up. At Melody Mart, Liz instructs on an extensive array of instruments such as flute/piccolo, Bb cla

Daniel Gayden is a Chicago-based singer-songwriter and drummer, holds a Bachelor of Music from Western Michigan University. With 15 years of drumming experience, Daniel began his musical journey at the age of 10. His life's mission is to spread love and humanity through music, which is reflected in his teaching philosophy. Daniel creates a positive and engaging learning environment, believing that students should learn music that feeds their energy and spirit. He emphasizes t

Davis Young has 20 years of experience with the piano and 15 years with percussion. He teaches percussion, piano, and music theory at Melody Mart, where his musical journey began at age 5 with the piano and expanded to percussion at age 10. Inspired to share his extensive musical experiences, Davis teaches to connect with others through music. His favorite book is "Oh, the Places You’ll Go" by Dr. Seuss. Professionally, Davis has played various instruments, including the pian

Gary Weisenberger has been a part of the Melody Mart family since 2017. With a Bachelor of Music Education (BME) from Illinois Wesleyan University and 15 years of teaching experience, Gary has an extensive background in music. He began playing music at the age of 10 and has since played numerous instruments. Gary has participated in various musical ensembles and performance groups, including the Homewood Flossmoor Community Band, The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps Alumni Band