HOUSE CALL MUSIC - Key Persons
Alejandro's first step into the music world was joining the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra's Jazz program at the age of fifteen after several years of private study. During his second…
Alvin is a guitarist, composer, and teacher living and working in the Chicagoland area. He grew up in the North Suburbs of Chicago, first picking up a guitar in eighth…
Ben is a Guitarist, Pianist, Composer, and Arranger from Chicago. Ben has received his Bachelor's degree in Classical Guitar Performance from DePaul University, and is currently in pursuit of his…
Casey Dahl is a jazz pianist who graduated with honors from DePaul University's School of Music in 2019 with a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Studies and Composition. During that time he studied privately with pianists Ron Perrillo and Jim Trompeter, as well as with composer Christopher Wendell Jones. Throughout his undergraduate studies he played in a variety of ensembles encompassing the full historical range of jazz and classical music, including Jazz Workshop, Jazz Ensemble, Ensemble 20+, and Chamber Orchestra under the guidance of professors Dana Hall, Bob Lark, and Michael Lewanski. Currently, Casey is a Master's candidate at DePaul University in Jazz Studies and continues his studies with Jim Trompeter.
Collin Clauson is from Minneapolis, MN and has now become a transplant to the Chicago area. He started playing piano at an early age and later learned how to play the clarinet, saxophone, and guitar. Collin previously studied at Northern Illinois University, earning a Bachelor's Degree in 2012 in Music Performance. Collin is an in-demand piano player who regularly works both in the Chicago area and all over the country. He has performed with such artists as Nick Colionne, Gerald Albright, and Norman Brown. This year Collin was selected as a backing musician on the highly successful Smooth Jazz Cruise 2017. He is also a member of the experimental rock group Monobody, a 5-piece band blending their different influences into a unique sound. Collin began teaching piano and guitar privately when he was 16 years old. He has experience with all ages and loves passionate students. Collin teaches with an emphasis on learning the fundamentals of music through music theory, learning songs, transcribing, and rhythm exercises. He wants lessons to be fun but challenging for his students. Collin continues to write his own music on piano, guitar, and many other instruments, and is continually building his solo work. Without music in his life, he would not know where he would be!
Dan VanZeeland is a pianist, arranger, and educator living in the Chicagoland area, currently completing his senior year as a Jazz Studies major at Elmhurst University. He has performed for several years as a member of the Elmhurst College Jazz Band, granting him the opportunity to perform alongside names such as Kurt Elling, Byron Stripling, Ryan Truessdell, Dennis Mackrel, and many more. He performs regularly around the Midwest, performing music in settings ranging from Vegas-style showbands to salsa bands, jazz trios and full string orchestras. He recently had the opportunity to teach a Milwaukee-based music class for youth in underfunded schools, which has since sparked his passion for musical education.
Daniel Rausch began singing as soon as he could talk and only grew from there, honing his talent at Millikin University and meeting countless people along the way to help inspire his art. Daniel was trained classically in voice and piano and loves to jam on the guitar as well. His goal as an educator is inspiring artists to express their individual voices through healthy technique and practicing. Daniel loves the opportunity to help build confidence in artists. Whether preparing for an audition or just starting out, Daniel is eager to work with you! Aside from music, Daniel is a Chicago based actor and loves to spend as much time as possible outside.
Eli Bucheit is a keyboard player who resides in Detroit, Michigan. After earning his BFA in Jazz Studies from the University of Michigan, Eli moved to Detroit to continue his…
Ella Grace is an up-and-coming trumpeter, composer, and educator. Ella studied several instruments before falling in love with trumpet. In high school, she participated in regional and state-wide honors ensembles in Minnesota, formed her own jazz combo, and began gigging professionally, performing at restaurants, jazz clubs, and private events. When the pandemic hit, Ella began exploring audio production, recording, and composition, studying Logic Pro and Ableton Live through Berklee College of Music. As a senior in high school, Ella studied at the University of Minnesota with Marissa Benedict and Dean Sorenson, where she performed in the top jazz ensembles as well as classically. Ella is currently working towards a degree in Jazz Studies at DePaul University, where she studies with Chad McCullough and Dana Hall. Ella tailors her lessons to meet the individual needs of each student and always tries to keep lessons engaging and, most importantly, fun!
Originally from New Jersey, Evan Salvacion Levine has played music professionally since he was 16 years old. He received his Bachelor's Degree from Oberlin Conservatory and his Master's in Music…
Grace started her musical journey at the age of three taking piano lessons from her mother. She started playing the violin in fourth grade and continued taking private lessons while…
Grace began playing the flute in 5th grade, taking private lessons with local instructors, and has since dedicated her life to music. As a recent graduate from Illinois State University…
Greg Jacks is a pianist and singer/songwriter already establishing himself on the local scene. While in D.C., Greg taught a full piano studio and played weekly at the Georgetown Piano Bar. He was also part of a local rock band called American Electric. Before this, he studied jazz piano at Syracuse University under Rick Montalbano. At SU, he played in big bands and jazz/funk combos. Currently, Greg is working with Chicago Dueling Pianos and playing local piano bars like Sluggers and Tack Room. He is also part of several Chicago-based bands, including one specializing in 50s/60s Rock n' Roll. Greg's teaching style is very active. His goal is to engage students and establish a report with them that goes beyond music. Fostering a friendship within the teacher-pupil dynamic is key. As for his musical style, anything between 1963 and 1979 is Greg's wheelhouse. His influences include: Randy Newman, Stevie Wonder, Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, James Booker, Red Garland, Elton John, Billy Joel, and Billy Preston…to name a few.
Hsuan Chen is an emerging violinist based in Chicago, performing both as a chamber musician and an orchestral member. An avid advocate of early music and contemporary sounds, Chen has performed with the Oberlin Baroque Ensemble regularly. Chen has also performed at the Carnegie Hall as the assistant principal with the Oberlin Orchestra. Graduated from the Oberlin Conservatory, Chen is now pursuing her Master's degree with Prof. I-Hao Lee at DePaul University School of Music, while serving as a regular member at the Civic Orchestra in Chicago.
Jack Smith is a Saxophonist, Composer and Educator from Madison, Wisconsin. Since moving to Chicago in 2017 he has had the privilege of studying with Chicago's premiere Jazz Artists including Dana Hall, Dennis Carroll, Scott Burns, Sharel Cassity, Mike Allemana, and Jim Trompeter. He has performed with artists such as Nicholas Payton, Ingrid Jenson, and Bob Sheppard. Jack earned his BFA in Jazz Studies from DePaul University in 2021.
Jeffrey Poindexter is an active music director and pianist in the Chicagoland area, having worked with numerous theatres including FWD Theatre Project, BoHo Theatre, Griffin Theatre, the Performer's School and Fox Valley Repertory. Jeffrey is an adjunct faculty accompanist at Roosevelt University and frequent collaborator at Columbia College Chicago and College of DuPage. Along with his various theatre work, Jeffrey plays for numerous recitals, concerts and special events throughout the year, as well as teaches piano lessons. Jeffrey earned a bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master's degree in jazz piano performance from DePaul University.
Detroit native Jesse Calcat is a versatile multi-instrumentalist with over 20 years of professional teaching and performance experience across diverse musical settings. Having begun piano lessons at age 4 and…
As a teacher, Jesse has been actively teaching private piano, violin, viola, and cello lessons since 2002, having taught both from his home, as well as in various music studios. He has taught students from the ages of 4 to 74, and focuses on using a custom-tailored approach to each student, based on their strengths, goals, musical and personal backgrounds.
Joey Chimes is a composer, pianist, improviser, and music educator who has lived in Chicago since 2019. He began studying classical piano at the age of seven, and started composing and improvising shortly thereafter. He graduated cum laude with a BA in Music from Kenyon College in 2019, where he was awarded the Gabriel A. Ben-Meir Senior Award in Music and the Thomas B. and Mary M. Greenslade Award in Music Performance.
Joey has performed at a wide range of celebrated Chicago music venues, including Davenport's Piano Bar, the Montrose Saloon, Uncommon Ground, The Store, the Northman Riverwalk, and Burlington Bar. He plays keyboard, organ, and synth in the band Roseloft, is composer-in-residence for Chicago-based dance company Dollop Dance Theater, is a ballet accompanist at the Hyde Park School of Dance, and has released two albums of original solo piano music.
Jonah Wei-Haas was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but spent most of his formative years growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. At an early age Jonah would sing melodies that he heard which eventually led to singing and performing with choirs and numerous operas productions around the Tulsa area. Jonah began playing the piano at 8 years old, learning mostly from a classical discipline, while building a strong foundation of technique. Throughout middle and high school, he performed regularly leading up to both junior and senior solo piano recitals. During high school, he also became extremely interested in different styles of music in particular jazz, funk and rock. This led to his interest in learning to play other instruments as well. Over the course of high school Jonah taught himself how to play drums, guitar, and bass and in addition performed eagerly with bands all around Oklahoma, many of which received local awards and reviews. At around the same point in his life, Jonah joined the school jazz band, which introduced him to improvised music and the music of jazz as a language. Jonah immediately began a close relationship with improvisation which led to him performing regularly with various jazz combos including his own trio/quartet. During high school Jonah received various awards including both OMEA and OMTA All-State and All-City pianist. In order to continue to grow and expand musically, Jonah auditioned to attend Berklee College of Music and was accepted on scholarship. In 2012 he graduated with honors and a dual degree Jazz Piano Performance and Electronic Production & Design (Music Synthesis). While at Berklee, Jonah had the honor and privilege to study with many great players and performers including: Joanne Brackeen, Ray Santisi, Leo Blanco, Eldar Djangirov, Dave Limina, Jamey Haddad, Neil Olmstead, Laszlo Gardony, Mark Whitfield, Tiger Okoshi, and others. While at Berklee, Jonah joined the viral electronic rock band, PINN PANELLE. After 5 years of playing and writing, Jonah left the band for artistic reasons and has been pursuing a solo career. Currently living in Chicago, IL, Jonah plays with several groups, teaches private lessons in piano and production, and does studio session work. Jonah Wei-Haas is endorsed by Moog, Ableton Live, Source Audio, and Lewitt Microphones.
Joe Powers is a pianist, improviser, producer, and songwriter from Chicago. Since being mesmerized at a young age by Muddy Waters' searing live performance of "Mannish Boy" in "The Last Waltz", music has been central to Joe's life. He is active on Chicago's music scene and performs at local venues including Lincoln Hall, Thalia Hall, Schubas, Martyrs, and J Pritzker Pavilion. His playing and composing reflect a broad palette of influences including Thelonious Monk, Phineas Newborn Jr., Anderson Paak, Emily King, Tom Misch, and Stevie Wonder.
Most recently, Joe studied piano performance at the New England Conservatory and is currently at DePaul's School of Music. Joe has many years of teaching experience and tailors his lessons to fit his students' personal goals. He further personalizes his lesson plans by adapting to students' taste in music and by encouraging students to explore various styles. Joe's passion is connecting with people and creating community through music.
Julian Merluzzi is a Chicago based drummer and percussionist who has experience playing in many genres including jazz, funk, rock, folk, and latin. Whatever the musical situation may be, he…
Katlyn Iacovino, soprano, is a native of Tampa, Florida and currently based out of Chicago, Illinois. Ms. Iacovino is most proud of her recent performances in London as Morgana in Alcina with Ensemble OrQuesta, as well as in Kyiv, Ukraine where she performed with the National Presidential Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine. Ms. Iacovino holds a bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance from Bowling Green State University and master's degree in Voice Performance from Roosevelt University. Ms. Iacovino believes each singer has a unique gift and she aims to tailor her lessons to help develop each singer along their personal vocal journey.
Kelsey Jaffer is a Millikin University graduate with degrees in Vocal Performance and Theatre. She loves teaching piano and voice, as well as using lessons to help build technique, performance skills, and confidence in her students! Aside from teaching and music, Kelsey is passionate about photography, film, and visual arts.
Job Titles:
- Adjunct Professor at Harold Washington College
Kevin Kozol is a pianist, composer and educator based in Chicago, IL. He is one the founding members of the jazz fusion trio, Spare Parts, who are currently signed to Ropeadope Records. The trio's last album, "Warehaus West Sessions, Vol.1," which received 5/5 stars in UK Vibe, features Fareed Haque, Bill Dickens and Rajiv Halim. Spare Parts has performed major festivals and venues both nationally and internationally over the years, including Peru Jazz Festival (Lima), Chi-Town Jazz Festival, Jazz Showcase, Andy's Jazz Club, Dazzle Jazz, Summer Camp Music Festival, Wakarusa Music Festival, House of Blues, Metro, and Congress Theater to name a few. Over the years, Spare Parts has opened and shared the stage with musicians/artists such as Wayne Krantz, Keith Carlock, Victor Wooten, George Clinton, Lenny Pickett, Marco Benevento, Stanton Moore, Liquid Soul, The Jazz Mandolin Project and even Snoop Dogg.
In addition to Spare Parts, Kevin is currently touring and recording with guitar virtuoso, Fareed Haque and the Flat Earth Ensemble. The quartet recently performed 2 sold out shows at the Blue Note Beijing featuring the legendary drummer, Paul Wertico. In just the last few years, the group has headlined shows across North America, China, and Canada, including the Chicago Jazz Festival, Blue Note Beijing, Green Mill, Dazzle Jazz, Savannah Jazz, Moe's Alley, and Corazon Arts Center. In the midst of the North American tour, Kevin had the honor of performing with the legendary jazz fusion group, Garaj Mahal who headlined "Folly Fest" in New Brunswick, Canada for nearly 10,000 people. In 2017, Kevin, along with Fareed Haque, performed with the legendary jazz saxophonist, Javon Jackson as they headlined the Glen Ellyn Jazz Festival. In 2015, the group (Flat Earth Ensemble) performed with Grammy award winning Indian percussionist, Vicki Vinayakram, V. Selvaganesh and saxophonist/composer, George Brooks for the "Eye of India Festival" in Chicago. Kevin will be recording on the upcoming Fareed Haque and the Flat Earth Ensemble album which will feature an all star cast of musicians.
Kevin's original compositions can be heard on six Spare Parts' albums and two Kevin Kozol Group recordings. As a sideman, Kevin has recorded with Fareed Haque, Rajiv Halim Sextet, Matt Shevitz and is currently working on several new projects.
Kevin is currently an adjunct professor at Harold Washington College where he teaches music theory, group piano and private lessons. Outside of the college, Kevin is an active clinician around the Chicago-land area and has worked with the Illinois Music Educators Association for many years. He has given numerous master classes at some of the most highly acclaimed schools across the country. Kevin is the owner and founder of House Call Music LTD, which is a music teaching service in the Chicagoland and Denver areas that provides high quality music instruction in the comfort of your own home. House Call Music is made up of over 25 diverse musicians and educators and more information can be found on our website.
Kevin was an endorsed Moog artist for several years and uses all vintage/ analog equipment in live performances including a Wurlitzer 200a, Fender Rhodes (Mark II), Honer Clavi C, and Moog LItte Phatty..
Lauren Hayes is a pianist, harpist and bassoonist who has performed, studied and successfully
competed from Paris to Los Angeles. As an up and coming young artist, she has distinguished herself in the areas of contemporary music, chamber music, ensemble performance, and harp instruction. Most
recently, Lauren was selected through national search to be a Harp Fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center for the summer of 2018 and worked with conductors including Andres Nelsons, Thomas Ades, and
After growing up in Tennessee, Matt Martin moved to Chicago to study Trombone Performance at DePaul University with Mark Fisher of the Lyric Opera and Charlie Vernon of the Chicago…
Paige Dirkes-Jacks is a mezzo-soprano and recent graduate of the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University, where she received a Bachelor's in Voice and Opera Performance and certificate in musical theatre performance. A native illinois-an, Paige is so excited to work with students of all ages and help them develop their skills as musicians and foster a love of singing! Whether you are interested in learning classical, contemporary, or musical theatre technique, she is excited to collaborate with you! Paige has been a teacher and music director at Northwestern and in Evanston, but when not teaching or singing, she loves to ride her bike, discover new vegan recipes, and try to solve the New York Times crossword.
Patrick Score is a Metro-Detroit trumpet player who has performed for 13 years under the tradition of Black American Music. Score Pays tribute to this tradition through original music inspired…
Gabe started his musical journey at the age of 8, taking classical piano lessons. A multi- instrumentalist, over the years he has tried his hand at most anything he can…
Raquel Navarro has been playing violin since the age of eight and has always loved teaching
others to play. She has performed with ensembles such as the Indiana University Philharmonic
Orchestra, where she currently plays as concertmaster, and the Elgin Youth Symphony
Ruth Ginelle Heald is a Chicago-based vocalist who is equally at home singing opera, musical theater, pop, and jazz styles. Operatic credits include Mrs. Soames in Rorem's Our Town (Willamette Dramatic Vocal Arts), Featured Soloist in Purcell's King Arthur (Chicago College of Performing Arts), and the title role in Carmen (Willamette Dramatic Vocal Arts). Musical theater highlights include Belle in Beauty and the Beast (Centerstage Productions, Oregon), Rose in Secret Garden (Willamette Dramatic Vocal Arts), and the title character in the world premiere of Jason Heald's Constance (Oregon Musical Theatre Festival). Ruth has been a featured soloist with Chicago Choral Artists, Portland Symphonic Choir, Chicago College of Performing Arts Wind Ensemble, Willamette Master Chorus, and Umpqua Chamber Orchestra. On scholarship, she attended the opera studio program at American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria.
Ruth's career as a freelance percussionist with various rock, pop, and folk artists expands from festival rock stages to intimate acoustic music venues. Her endeavors as a singing drummer have taken her around the world, including tours in Spain, Ireland, England, and China. Ruth regularly sings and plays drums with Goldfoot, a high-energy funk-rock band based in Portland. Some of Ruth's most memorable gigs include playing in the pit for 4×4=Musicals (a showcase of 8-minute musicals created for 4×4 foot stage) and performing on the mainstage at the Oregon-based "What The Festival."
Ruth earned a Master of Music in Voice Performance at Chicago College of Performing Arts while serving as the Opera Graduate Assistant. A native Oregonian, Ruth completed her Bachelor of Music in Music Education at Willamette University where she was a Rogers Scholar and Carson Grant recipient.
Sean is dedicated performer and music educator. His 10 years of teaching experience have helped him to develop exciting and individualized lesson plans. He understands that all students have diverse…