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THE SOUND OF A NEW GENERATION

ACM School of Music

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ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

For nearly twenty years the non-profit ACM School of Music has taught thousands of adults and kids to express themselves musically. Our teachers are all gigging musicians and composers with years of experience teaching music lessons to all ages, abilities and learning types in all styles.

We offer frequent recitals, jam sessions, karaoke nights and other opportunities to play with others and be part of a musical community.

Being a student at ACM means you’re part of an organization that produces wildly creative events like the Sound of Silent Film Festival, the Thirsty Ears Festival, Songs About Buildings and Moods on PBS and many others.

Sign up for a free trial lesson today!

We have schools in the following Chicago locations:

Avondale/Logan Square: 2860 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Lakeview/Uptown: 4116 N. Clark St.
Ravenswood: 1758 W. Wilson Ave
Rogers Park: 7002 N. Western Ave.

Current Lessons

As a non-profit with the mission of bringing musical creativity to life every day, the ACM School of Music encourages our students to create their own music in addition to learning the fundamentals in all of our private lessons and classes.

    • In-Person
    • Virtual
    • All

    Piano

    We offer piano lessons for children beginning at age 4 and for adults of any age. Our teachers have a wealth of experience with young beginners and adults returning to piano or just starting out.

    Composition

    Learn the building blocks of music and how to notate your musical ideas for a variety of different instruments. 

    Guitar

    Our guitar teachers have a wealth of experience teaching students of all ages and experience levels and all are gigging musicians.

    Violin

    We offer violin lessons to adults and kids age 4 and up using either the traditional or Suzuki methods of teaching. Beginners are welcome and our teachers are able to teach all musical styles.

    Cello

    We offer cello lessons to adults and kids age 4 and up using either the traditional or Suzuki methods of teaching. Beginners are welcome and our teachers are able to teach all musical styles.

    Voice

    Voice lessons at ACM focus on the fundamentals and self expression.

    Viola

    We offer viola lessons to adults and kids age 4 and up using either the traditional or Suzuki methods of teaching. Musicians of all experience levels are welcome.

    • Classes

    As a non-profit with the mission of bringing musical creativity to life every day, the ACM School of Music encourages our students to create their own music in addition to learning the fundamentals in all of our private lessons and classes.

  • Singalong Sprouts (2-5 YO)

    Nurture your child’s inner musician, promote sensory development, and gain exposure to a diverse collection of music in this group class for young children.
    • INSTRUCTORS

    Meet Our Teachers

    ACM teachers have a wealth of experience teaching private lessons virtually and in person in an engaging way to all ages and all are gigging musicians.

  • Sam Sharp

    String Teacher | Ravenswood

    Matt Mason

    Piano Teacher | Ravenswood

    Gerald Rizzer

    Piano Teacher | Location

    Sandy Van Laningham

    Piano, Voice and Children's Music Teacher | Location

    Logan Reeley

    Instructor | Ravenswood

    Zhanna Bullock

    Instructor | Ravenswood

    Gita Srinivasan

    Cello and Piano | Ravenswood, Virtual

    Gomeh Barack

    Piano and Trumpet | Ravenswood, Virtual

    Alec Tonno

    Violin, Viola and Piano | Ravenswood, Virtual

    Gail Gallagher

    Voice, Piano, Ukulele | Rogers Park, Virtual

    Rebecca Gaspelin

    Voice and Piano | Ravenswood, Virtual

    Mariah Kaplan

    Voice and Piano | Ravenswood, Virtual

    Megan Yao

    Violin, PIano | Virtual

    Traci Huff

    Piano, Violin and Viola Teacher | Ravenswood, Virtual

    Jonathan Hannau

    Piano, Composition | Ravenswood, Virtual

    Nathan Hack

    Piano | Ravenswood, Virtual

    Christy Bennett

    Piano and Voice | Ravenswood, Virtual

    Jeff Kowalkowski

    Piano, Composition | Avondale, Virtual

    Lee Rothenberg

    Guitar | Ravenswood, Virtual

    Mark Hardy

    Piano, Guitar | Avondale, Virtual

    David Keller

    Cello, Piano, Guitar, Bass, Composition | Ravenswood, Avondale, Virtual

    Desiree Anderson

    Teacher | Virtual only

    Josephine Yang

    Piano, Violin | Ravenswood, Virtual

    Elaine Ubando

    Piano, Violin | Ravenswood, Virtual

    Amy Gadd

    Piano, Voice | Ravenswood, Virtual

    • TESTIMONIALS

    ACM currently teaches 340 students in three locations and virtually. Hear what our students have to say!

    Thank you for all that you’ve done for the Film Scoring Class If this class didn’t exist, I probably wouldn’t have been able to explore and pursue this thing I’m so passionate about and so enjoy.

    Joanie Cox

    Student

    ACM is a great place to take lessons! My son Ezra has improved at the cello so much since starting there and he's even composing his own music now!

    Marcia Shuminas

    Parent

    Love this school! I came in wanting to learn a Yann Tiersen song and my teacher got it by ear, transcribed it and taught me to play it.

    Rob Ryan

    Student
    EXPERIENCE

    Explore our upcoming festivals / concerts

    The ACM School of Music is part of a larger non-profit organization with the mission of bringing musical creativity to life every day.  Check out some of our upcoming events!

    Learn More