JERRY EVANS SCHOOL OF MUSIC - Key Persons
Adam Hawthorne is a highly experienced Saxophone, Clarinet, & Flute teacher and player with nearly 10 years of teaching experience. Adam holds a Master's degree in Saxophone Performance from Northern Illinois University where he held a graduate assistantship, and he holds his Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Adam is an active performer and educator in the Chicagoland area. Adam has also worked as a band director at both the junior high and high school levels.
Adam is highly skilled in Classical, Jazz, Chamber Music, Soloing, or any other modern style of music or situation. Learning with Adam, students can excel in their school band, orchestra, or jazz ensemble, as well as learn any other style they love (like pop, rock, etc..). Adam is a kind and caring teacher of the utmost excellence, and he is glad to be a part of the Jerry Evans School of Music to help students excel in music and play music that they love.
Adam was part of a recording project titled Percy Grainger, Music for Saxophones, a collection of previously unreleased chamber music by Percy Grainger, released under NAXOS Music. As a soloist, Adam has performed with the Northern Illinois University Philharmonic as a two time winner of the NIU Concerto Competition, and was one of 40 saxophonists selected to compete in the inaugural International Saxophone Symposium and Competition in 2012. As a chamber musician, Adam performed with the Scion Saxophone Quartet at the NASA Region V Conference in 2013. Hawthorne performed with Saxophonists Claude Delangle and Debra Richtmeyer as a member of the University of Illinois Saxophone Ensemble.
In addition, Adam Hawthorne has performed with the University of Illinois Wind Symphony, as well as both the Northern Illinois Wind Ensemble and Jazz Orchestra. He currently holds a position as saxophonist with the Wheaton Municipal Band, of which he has been a member since 2018. Adam has also appeared in numerous theater productions as a multi-instrumentalist with the Champaign-Urbana Theater Company and Illinois Student Musical Organization.
Job Titles:
- Guitar and Ukulele Teacher
- Professional Recording Artist
Danny Murphy is a professional guitarist, professional recording artist, and an experienced performer and session musician across Chicagoland. Danny regularly plays for audiences of over 3,000 people. Danny has played with Grammy Award winning gospel artist Jonathan McReynolds, and has also played with Grammy Award winning gospel artist Tye Tribbett. He is also a contracted guitarist for Willow Creek and several other churches.
Danny can play and teach styles such as rock, pop, RnB, funk, contemporary Christian/gospel, and more. Danny is a contracted recording artist who has recorded acoustic and electric guitar for Dulaneyland Music, a music production company created by Grammy Nominee gospel artist Todd Dulaney. Danny is also the music director for some bands he works with. He also plays with the wedding band "Maggie Speaks" where he plays for receptions and other corporate events across Chicagoland.
Danny believes that playing music is a fun and rewarding experience. He wants to help your child learn whatever music genres/artists that they're most passionate about and show them how much fun playing music can be. He will also help develop their playing style and technical proficiency, so they'll be able to express themselves through their playing - and find their sound.
Job Titles:
- Wheaton Viola & Violin Teacher
Dr. Nabaz Abubakir is an exemplary Violinist, Violist, and Conductor. Dr. Abubakir holds his Doctorate in performance (D.M.A.) from the University of Kansas, he holds a Master's Degree of Performance from Northern Illinois University, and also holds a 2nd Master's Degree in orchestral conducting from Kansas university. Dr. Abubakir has a wide range of teaching experience in Violin & Viola, he has taught at the collegiate level, and has also taught many young beginning students of elementary age.
Dr. Abubakir brings his extensive instrumental expertise to help students succeed while also bringing a kind spirit, friendliness, experience, and patience to work with all students, whether their pace of progress is quick or slow. Dr. Abubakir helps students foster a love for music that helps them work through any obstacle they might face. Students will believe they can do great things and will be taught in a safe environment where they feel free to take on exciting challenges.
Dr. Abubakir founded the Kurdish string orchestra, which won 2nd place in the Summa Cum Laude international youth competition in Vienna, Austria (2007). Dr. Abubakir has participated in many summer classes and participated in multiple other national and international festivals as well.
Dr. Abubakir can help any Violin & Viola student excel in their orchestras and ensembles at their schools, and will work hand in hand with the music that the student's orchestra director requires. Additionally, Dr. Abubakir creates opportunities to play other fun music and styles outside of orchestra to help enhance their enjoyment in music. Dr. Abubakir can use multiple approaches in teaching his students, but finds the right approach for each student that helps them succeed. Among other methods, Dr. Abubakir is also familiar with and can utilize the Suzuki method if the student or parent desires.
Dr. Ryan Thielman is an in-demand performer, arranger, and educator across the Chicagoland area. Dr. Thielman holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in trumpet performance from the University of Missouri at Kansas City, a Master of Arts degree in jazz performance from the University of Cincinnati, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in jazz performance from Roosevelt University. Dr. Thielman has taught at the college level as a guest lecturer in the classroom as well an ensemble coach.
Dr. Thielman has performed with multiple award-winning artists including Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Tito Puente Jr., Tech N9ne, Susan Tedeschi, Elle King, The O'Jays, and Bobby Watson.
As an ensemble leader, Dr. Thielman co-founded and
co-led the Foundation 627 Big Band of Kansas City, the Ryan Thielman Jazz Quartet, the Dexter Gordon Tribute Society Red, and the Greenlight Jazz Duo. As a side man, Dr. Thielman regularly performs with the Chicago Blues Allstars, The Marty Sammons Orchestra, and the Mike Dangerous Orchestra throughout Chicago.
Dr. Thielman's film and studio credits include the jazz documentary Kansas City and All That Jazz, two studio records with acclaimed rapper Tech N9ne: The Storm and Off My Square, and Eric Chapman's award-winning album 364 Days.
Dr. Ryan Thielman is excited to work with our brass students, teaching them trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba. He hopes to share his passion for music and bring a fun environment to learning with his students as they learn.
Giovanni Napolitano received a BA in Jazz Studies from Judson University, and since then has worked with countless artists based in Chicago and Nashville, including the great jazz and concert pianist Dr. Rev. Huntley Brown, Chicago blues Hall of Famer Michael Charles, and blues guitarist Jimmy Nick. Giovanni has played for crowds of over 1,200 people, and can regularly be found in concert venues in Chicago. Beyond his notable work in jazz and blues drumming, Giovanni's time in the diverse Chicago music scene has granted him knowledge of a great variety of drumming styles, including rock, pop, funk, punk, latin, arabic, and more.
In addition to his extensive teaching of drumming, he has taught students guitar, bass, and audio production skills, drawing on his time as an audio/visual technician at Judson University. When not teaching or performing, Giovanni enjoys spending his time attending concerts in Chicago, taking extended fishing trips, and playing sports such as golf or ice hockey.
Giovanni views music as an opportunity for expression and enjoyment, and seeks to approach lessons with the same vibrant energy with which he approaches each and every day. He is thrilled to be teaching at the Jerry Evans School of Music, enriching the lives of his students.
Job Titles:
- Founder of the Cayman Islands International Guitar Competition
Matt Sutton is a guitarist with over 10 years of experience teaching and over 15 years of performing professionally. Matt earned his Master of Music degree in guitar performance at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Matt is a skilled recording artist. His recordings of original compositions and of other performances have reached over 1 million plays on music platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. He has performed during the opening acts for major artists such as Duran Duran, The Chainsmokers, Bryan Adams, and Zedd. Because of Matt's teaching, his students have gone on to gain admittance to world renowned university music programs and win prizes in international competitions.
Matt has extensive performance experience in a wide variety of musical styles including Rock/Pop, Classical, Funk, Blues, Metal, Fingerstyle, Jazz, RnB, Gospel/Worship, and more. Matt has also played everywhere from classical concert halls performing as a soloist with an orchestra, to the main stage of music festivals with crowds of thousands of people. Matt has also had his classical musical compositions premiered at leading music schools.
In 2018 Matt became the founder of the Cayman Islands International Guitar Competition that hosted competitors from over 9 different countries. Matt also has a 100% passing rate out of over 50+ students who have taken Trinity College of London exams in guitar under his guidance.
Nick Kalina received his Vocal Music Degree from Northern Illinois University. Nick has taught for 5 years, and has taught music in the K-8 public school setting, as well as teaching children and adults for private music schools. During his tenure at NIU, he performed with Cor Cantiamo and recorded two albums with the choir that were produced at Abbey Road Studios and published through Centaur Records. Other choral experience has taken him to perform in Orchestra Hall in Chicago, Carnegie Hall in New York, as well as a tour of Germany.
Nick teaches proper vocal technique to achieve optimal vocal health, mixed with voice therapy theory, and their application to whatever style of music the student is interested in. Whether it be Classical, Pop, Rock, or any other musical style, Nick's methods will not only improve the quality of your voice, but an understanding of how to accomplish vocal goals in a healthy way. Regardless of whether his students want to pursue music as a career or a hobby, Nick believes that vocal study builds critical thinking skills, work ethic, and most importantly; confidence.
Nick loves teaching music, and is excited to be teaching at the Jerry Evans School of Music. He loves working with his students and finding new challenges for them to overcome.
Phil Egler is a drummer with over 20 years of experience. Phil has toured across the U.S., and has performed abroad in countries such as Thailand, the Bahamas, Virgin Islands, and South Korea. He currently plays as resident drummer at Compass Church and for the Wheaton College Gospel Choir. Phil has performed alongside numerous churches and choirs, such as the Northern Illinois University Gospel Choir and at Highpoint church.
Phil graduated from Elgin Community College & Northern Illinois University with a degree in psychology, which he uses to more effectively adapt and relate to students of all different personalities and ages.
In his spare time, Phil is a skilled songwriter who works on his own music, in which he sings and raps. In addition to his own work, he has also written many songs alongside other artists and groups.
Phil is excited to be a part of the team at Jerry Evans School of Music and is very passionate about helping the youth fulfill their potential through the gifts and expression of music.
Svetlana Mars holds her Master's degree in piano teaching from Ural's University (Yekaterinburg, Russia). Svetlana also holds her Bachelor's degree from Musical College (Yaketerinburg, Russia) in piano performance - where she won 2nd prize among the piano students in Russian universities. Svetlana has been teaching for multiple decades, and is very experienced as a piano instructor. Svetlana excels in Classical music, but also enjoys helping students learn other styles of music that they enjoy and listen to in their daily lives - whether that be music from movies, pop music, or more…
Svetlana Mars was born and raised in Yekaterinburg, Russia. She started her musical journey on piano at the age of 6, and has continued ever since. Svetlana also works as a pianist and organist in Wesley United Methodist church, and as a choir accompanist in Leman middle school.
Svetlana approaches each lesson fully committed to sparking a student's imagination and musical understanding, and enjoys helping student's ideas develop and guide them each step of the way.