Meet The Band Instructors

My name is Dakari and I'm a degreed multi-instrumentalist with over 15 years of playing experience across 13 different instruments. I currently teach Flute/Piccolo, Clarinet, Trumpet and Trombone. Music has always been a passion of mine, and my skills range from performing, composing/arranging, to music theory and teaching. I also work in store as the Band and Orchestra sales liaison, so any questions you could possibly have about instruments from the Piccolo to the Tuba (or anything else), I'm your go to person for all your random musical needs.

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Teaches Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Saturdays

Adult Jam Band Coach

School Band Representative

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Esperanza has a passion for Flute. 

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Teaches on Tuesdays & Thursdays

Ty Foster has been playing bassoon and oboe for nearly 12 years. He has been teaching at Melody Mart for several years now and hopes to be here for many more. He is currently pursuing his Bachelors in Music Education and a career as a band director

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 Video Chat Instruction

Madeline Gloss has dedicated her life to music education.  In 1964 graduated with a B.S. in music Education from Ohio State. 1964 -1994 Band Director in Warren, Michigan - Steger, Illinois - Matteson, Illinois. 1995 began Private Teaching at Melody Mart. Her specialty is Clarinet and Saxophone.  Her career as a band director has given her knowledge that is invaluable to any student.

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Teaches Thursdays

After starting on clarinet in the fifth grade, Tom studied sax, flute, and bass, and also arranged for and directed his high school's jazz, pop, and show bands. He began to play in working bands while in high school as well. After high school, he attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston and then Western Michigan University, earning a B.M. in Jazz Studies and an M.M. in Woodwind Performance. At this time, he began working with some of the best jazz musicians in the Midwest and performing in concerts and shows with everyone from David Liebman to Engelbert Humperdink. He worked as a musician on a number of cruise ships and then settled in Grand Rapids, MI, where he became an in-demand jazz bassist and doubled on woodwinds, performing in pit orchestras as well as jazz and contemporary music groups. He has been a college-level instructor for over twenty years and currently teaches at Hope College, in Holland, MI. He is a clinician and adjudicator for high school jazz bands and festivals and has taught at Birch Creek (WI) Music Center, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, and the Aquinas College Jazz Camp. Tom released a recording last year with Rob Ryndak, Gratitude, featuring trumpeter Brian Lynch, on Pacific Coast Jazz Records.

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Teaches Wednesdays

Gary has been teaching band in south suburban public schools since 2009 and joined the Melody Mart crew in 2017.  During that time he has also performed with various groups around the area. He received his Bachelors of Music Education from Illinois Wesleyan University under the direction of many fine educators. He is well-versed in all band instruments and ensemble types including Concert Band, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Chamber Ensembles, Marching Band/Drum and Bugle Corps., Pep Band, and Pit Orchestra. Gary is a strong proponent of the arts as part of the school curriculum and is always excited to take on new students. Come on out and be a part of it all!!!

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Teaches Wednesdays & Thursdays

Hector Lara is a passionate musician.  Hector Lara has been a Tuba/Euphonium player for 10 year and performs with the Sounds of Illinois Brass Ensemble and is Band Director at Illinois School in Park Forest, IL. Hector studied Music Education at Northern Illinois University and studied tuba with Charles Schuchat and Scott Tegge. Current Band Director at Illinois School.  Speaks Spanish.

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 Teaches Wednesdays & Thursdays