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We often get asked what level a student needs to be involved in our group programming or ensembles-- It usually comes to a "well it depends and we can't really define the group because it is a mixed skill-level ensemble" and usually some form of back and forth until we land on the "Come Check it out!" So we were chatting and decided we need to make an online guide for our Melody Mart's Group Program. Some Background on Musical Skill Classification In music education, skill cl

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

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,

Esperanza Salgado is a dedicated flutist, music educator, and advocate whose career exemplifies her commitment to music. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Illinois Chicago and a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Berklee College of Music. Her approach to teaching is rooted in holistic education. Esperanza has had over a decade of hands-on experience as a freelance musician and music teacher. As a performer, she has had many collaborati

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 may take a little more effort than what you'd like to give but it will help you focus on creating music. But more importantly, it will just make you feel better! An Organized Music Space means Better Focus Speaking from my experience as a profe

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