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About Lessons

Drum, Guitar, Piano, and Ukulele instruction are available with one of our music teachers for in-person availability in BARTLETT, IL.

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.

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.

About Our Teachers

Steven Bitte

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

Chicago, IL Congress Theater
Chicago, IL Double Door
Chicago, IL The Riviera Theatre
Wheaton, IL Wheaton Grand Theater
Milwaukee, WI Summerfest
Toronto, ONT Kool Haus
Detroit MI, The Fillmore
Lancaster, PA Chameleon Club
Boston, MA House of Blues Boston
Huntington, NY Paramount Theatre
Clifton Park, NY Northern Lights
Chicago, IL House of Blues Chicago
Saint Paul, MN Myth
Winnipeg, MB Burton Cummings Theatre
Weyburn, SA Crescent Point Place
Billings, MT Shrine Auditorium
Spokane, WA Knitting Factory Spokane
Boise, ID Knitting Factory Boise
Grand Island, NE Heartland Events Center
Dubuque, IA Courtside
Wichita, KS Cotillion Ballroom
Denver, CO Summit Music Hall
Colorado Springs, CO The Black Sheep
Idaho Falls, ID The Tropics
Portland, OR Hawthorne Theatre
Pasco, WA Trac Center
Anaheim, CA City National Grove of Anaheim
West Hollywood, CA Key Club
El Paso, TX Speaking Rock Event Center
Lubbock, TX Jake's Sports Cafe
Dallas, TX Trees
Abilene, TX Lucky Mule Saloon
Pharr, TX Pharr Events Center
Houston, TX Scout Bar
Tulsa, OK Osage Million Dollar Elm Casino
Orangevale, CA The Boardwalk
Idaho Falls, ID Coronas Club
Clearlake, IA Surf Ballroom
Burnsville, MN Ames Center
Dubuque, IA Diamond Jo Casino
Dubuque, IA Mississippi Moon Theater
Belvidere, IL Apollo Theatre
Louisville, KY Headliners Music Hall
Cincinnati, OH Bogart's
Louisville, KY Mercury Ballroom
Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
Milwaukee, WI The Rave/Eagle's Ballroom
Schaumburg, IL Jackhammer's
Appleton, WI Revolution

and many more...

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...

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.