ABOUT

About Lessons

Drum, Guitar, Piano, Bass, Ukulele, Tuba, Trombone, Brass, String, and Woodwind instruction are available with one of our music teachers for in-person availability at locations in BARTLETT, CAROL STREAM, VILLA PARK, and ELMHURST currently. 

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Lessons can be structured to develop the necessary fundamentals to become proficient at your instrument. This type of approach often includes working out of method books alongside learning songs and artists the student shows interest in. A music chart typically accompanies the song we are learning. 

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A less structured approach is to tailor the lesson to the student's specific needs. Whether it's requesting more technique, better reading ability, increasing rhythmic vocabulary, learning specific songs, knowledge in music theory, etc. the student will focus on their individual objective for taking lessons. This is an approach typically for a student that has started to develop proficiency on their instrument and need help with their specific challenges, bad habits, or interest in particular songs or styles of music.

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About Our Teachers

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Ron Reiss

*available at the Villa Park and Elmhurst locations only**

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Ron has earned his Associate in Fine Arts degree in 2021 from College of Dupage in Glen Ellyn, IL. Ron has 30 years of music instruction experience behind him on Guitar, Electric Bass, and Ukulele. Ron has worked with music studios such as Perry's Music, Suburban Music, Sam Ash Music, Chords by Ace, Mars Jammz, and Ronnie's House of Rock.  Ron has also done volunteer work at Elmhurst Hospital with patient transport from 2015-2017. Ron states he is a lifelong musician, teacher, writer, and artist and is ready to help make you the best player you can be. 

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Jovanni LaPorte

**available in the Carol Stream and Bartlett locations only**

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Jovanni has earned his Bachelor of Music degree in 2024 from Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL. His emphasis was Instrument Music Education certified to teach grades PreK-12. 

 

Jovanni's primary instruments include Piano, Tuba, and Trombone while Brass, Woodwind, and String are his secondary instruments.

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With numerous scholarships awarded to him, he is currently the Community Band Director at the Bartlett Community Concert Band since 2021. Jovanni has  founded and rehearsed the Bartlett Community Band and works closely with middle school and high school students to provide musical opportunities for them.

Jovanni has past experience with the NIU's Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble, and Huskie's Marching Band. 

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Jovanni is currently the Leader of volunteer ensembles for nursing homes through a local community based program since 2017. He was also a volunteer at Corpus Christi Catholic Church from 2017-2018.

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Jovanni is passionate and dedicated to helping provide students with the necessary skills to reach their own potential. 

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Steven Bitte 

**available at the Bartlett location only**

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Steven has been studying, composing, performing, recording, mixing, and teaching music for 30 years. His primary instrument is drum set, and secondary instruments include guitar, piano, and ukulele. His teaching experience includes over 22 years with mostly children and young adults ages 5 and above since 2003. 

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His teaching approach includes creating an educational experience while still having fun without losing the discipline and work ethic. "Studying music should always be fun, but one should approach the instrument with a disciplined attitude as well." More advice on music and his teaching philosophy can be found at Online Drummer's exclusive interview with him in 2011.

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His training includes a major in music at College of DuPage. Classes taken include music theory, group and private piano instruction, private drum instruction, percussion ensemble, jazz ensemble, music history, music appreciation, choir, guitar ensemble, class voice, and recording technology. Afterwards, Steven took his training a step further and studied with the best at Musicians Institute's P.I.T. (Percussion Institute of Technology) program in Los Angeles, CA from 2001-2002. His training also includes studying privately with heavy metal drumming icon Joe Nunez, formerly of Soulfly, and drum philosopher Paul Wertico, formerly of Pat Metheny.

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Steven's past teaching studios include Hix Bros Music, Roselle Park District, TakeLessons.com, Afterschool Enrichment Solution's Guitar Stars, Roselle Music, Schaumburg Music, Naperville Music, Music & Arts, Streamwood Park District, Schaumburg Park District, Band for Today, and Music Makers of Western Springs. 

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After majoring in music at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL from 1999-2001, Steven continued his studies at Musician’s Institute in Los Angeles, CA from 2001-2002. He recorded on Lenny Widegren’s record “Greetings from a Strange Place” featuring guitar guest Ryan Roxie (Alice Cooper, Slash’s Snakepit). Lenny Widegren appeared on the popular film “Get Him to the Greek” as Russell Brand’s guitar player in the band. 

 

Since then he has toured locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally based in the greater Chicago area. His most notable tour was a North American tour with Danish rockers VOLBEAT and Dallas, Texas based band HELLYEAH, who included the late drummer Vinnie Paul originally from PANTERA.

 

Notable venues include:

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1. Chicago, IL Congress Theater 

2. Chicago, IL Double Door

3. Chicago, IL The Riviera Theatre

4. Wheaton, IL Wheaton Grand Theater

5. Milwaukee, WI Summerfest 

6. Toronto, ONT Kool Haus

7. Detroit MI, The Fillmore

8. Lancaster, PA Chameleon Club

9. Boston, MA House of Blues Boston

10. Huntington, NY Paramount Theatre

11. Clifton Park, NY Northern Lights

12. Chicago, IL House of Blues Chicago

13. Saint Paul, MN Myth

14. Winnipeg, MB Burton Cummings Theatre

15. Weyburn, SA Crescent Point Place

16. Billings, MT Shrine Auditorium

17. Spokane, WA Knitting Factory Spokane 

18. Boise, ID Knitting Factory Boise

19. Grand Island, NE Heartland Events Center

20. Dubuque, IA Courtside

21. Wichita, KS Cotillion Ballroom

22. Denver, CO Summit Music Hall

23. Colorado Springs, CO The Black Sheep

24. Idaho Falls, ID The Tropics

25. Portland, OR Hawthorne Theatre

26. Pasco, WA Trac Center

27. Anaheim, CA City National Grove of Anaheim

28. West Hollywood, CA Key Club

29. El Paso, TX Speaking Rock Event Center

30. Lubbock, TX Jake's Sports Cafe

31. Dallas, TX Trees

32. Abilene, TX  Lucky Mule Saloon 

33. Pharr, TX Pharr Events Center

34. Houston, TX Scout Bar

35. Tulsa, OK Osage Million Dollar Elm Casino

36. Orangevale, CA The Boardwalk

37. Idaho Falls, ID Coronas Club

38. Clearlake, IA Surf Ballroom

39. Burnsville, MN Ames Center

40. Dubuque, IA Diamond Jo Casino

41. Dubuque, IA Mississippi Moon Theater

42. Belvidere, IL Apollo Theatre

43. Louisville, KY Headliners Music Hall

44. Cincinnati, OH Bogart's

45. Louisville, KY Mercury Ballroom

46. Minneapolis, MN First Avenue

47. Milwaukee, WI The Rave/Eagle's Ballroom

48. Schaumburg, IL Jackhammer's

49. Appleton, WI Revolution

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and many more...

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Other notable tours include:

 

• POWERMAN 5000

• FILTER

• SALIVA

• ICED EARTH

• FLYLEAF

• NONPOINT

• STAIND

• MY DARKEST DAYS

• RED

• FRAMING HANLEY

• AM TAXI

• LUCKY BOYS CONFUSION

• KARNIVOOL

• ENUFF Z' NUFF

• RED JUMPSUIT APPARATUS

• EVANS BLUE

• CKY

• HURT

• VEER UNION

• SUPAGROUP

• THE UPPER CRUST

• HIEROSONIC

• ANEW REVOLUTION

• WEDNESDAY 13

• THE LAST VEGAS

• TRAPT

• OTEP

• MUSHROOMHEAD

• BUCKCHERRY

• DAMAGEPLAN

• CRADLE OF FILTH

• DEICIDE 

• BRUTAL TRUTH

• MACABRE

• SARCOPHAGUS

• PRO-PAIN

• MANOWAR

• HELLSHOCK

• BURNT OFFERINGS

• MASTER

 

 and many more...

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Steven's compositions are involved with numerous music libraries around the country for placements in Film, TV, and other media. Steven and his co-writers have landed sync placements in two indie films, with one placement starring actress Alicia Silverstone in the independent film titled "Who Gets the Dog" for a Chicago Wolves hockey arena scene.