ºÚÁÏÍø

Gianna Capobianco

Flute

Intermediate – Advanced Students

• BM, Elmhurst College
• MM, Northern Illinois University
• Professional Level II Rate

Gianna has a deep passion for teaching and enjoys instructing students of all ages and levels. She strives to mentor her students and encourages them to be successful musicians and to achieve excellence in all areas of their lives. Gianna has a wide range of performing experience including orchestra, pit orchestra, band, chamber music, and solo work. She earned her BM (Elmhurst College) and MM (Northern Illinois University) in Music Performance and has a minor in dance education from Elmhurst College (magna cum laude) and enjoys teaching dance at a local studio.

Michael Folker

Percussion

Intermediate – Advanced Students

• BM, Milikin University
• MM, DePaul University
• Professional Level II Rate

Michael Folker is the Director of Percussion at ºÚÁÏÍø and the conductor of the ºÚÁÏÍø Percussion Ensemble. He is a very active member of the percussion scene in the Chicago area. He performs in a variety of groups, including the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, the Ravinia Festival Orchestra, the Chicago Opera Theater, the Joffrey Ballet Company, and the Chicago Sinfonietta. Some of the classical artists with whom he has performed include Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Sir George Solti, Pierre Boulez, and Daniel Barenboim.

Mr. Folker also performs extensively in Broadway shows, with big bands, and on commercial recordings. Some of the popular artists with whom he has performed
include Mannheim Steamroller, Art Garfunkel, the Moody Blues, Kansas, The Electric Light Orchestra II, and Yanni, to name a few. He has made commercial recordings for organizations, corporations, and businesses as diverse as United Airlines, McDonalds, Maxwell House Coffee, Kellogg’s Cereals, Allstate Insurance, The United States Marine Corps, The United States Army, Nintendo, and Walgreens.

Tara Hayes

Violin & Viola

Suzuki & Traditional: Beginner – Advanced Students

• BME – Music Education, Oberlin College Conservatory
• MM – Violin Performance & Pedagogy, Northwestern University
• Professional Level II Rate

Tara is an accomplished performer and instructor in both Violin and Viola. She can teach beginners using the Suzuki method as well as traditional methods – or a combination – depending on the parents’ desires. Tara also enjoys teaching advanced students. Tara is currently a member of the Rockford Symphony, and a former member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.

Dr. Sojung Lee Hong

Piano

Intermediate – Advanced (Age 15+) Students

• BA, Seoul National University, Korea
• MA, Seoul National University, Korea
• DMA, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Professional Level II Rate
• Director of ºÚÁÏÍø Community School of Musical Arts (JUCSMA)

phone: (847) 628-1113 email: [email protected]

An active pianist, dedicated educator, and ardent advocate of community outreach in music, Sojung Lee Hong has performed extensively in the Chicagoland area and has taught at summer music festivals and workshops in South Korea. Dr. Hong’s musical gifts and influence have literally spanned the globe, including performances and workshops in various Asian countries, North America, South America, and Mexico.
Dr. Hong received the President’s Award at graduation from Seoul National University (BM and MM) and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance and literature at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign. Currently, as Professor of Music and the Director of both the Master of Arts in Community Music (MACM) degree program and the ºÚÁÏÍø Community School of Musical Arts (JUCSMA) program at ºÚÁÏÍø, she strives to promote cultural diversity through teaching, performance, and research

Dr. Josh Jones

Voice

Intermediate – Advanced (Age 15+) Students

• BA, Butler University
• MA, Boston University
• DMA, Northwestern University
• Professional Level II Rate

Dr. Jones serves on the music faculty at ºÚÁÏÍø, where he coordinates the vocal division, teaches voice, composition, and music appreciation courses, and directs the Chamber Singers ensemble.
Dr. Jones also serves as the music director and director of worship at Light of Christ Lutheran Church in Algonquin. There he is responsible for planning worship services, directing the adult choir, chamber orchestra, and praise bands, and leading worship each week for blended and contemporary services.
As a performer, Dr. Jones is active in recital and concert performances throughout the Chicagoland area, as well as being a professional chorister with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Grant Park Music Festival, and the Lakeside Singers.

Dr. Robert Kania

Piano

Intermediate – Advanced (Age 15+) Students

• Diploma, The Academy of Music, Poznan Music College of Poland
• MM, University of Kansas
• DMA, University of Kansas
• Professional Level II Rate

Robert Kania has served at ºÚÁÏÍø since 2000, teaching piano, music theory and ear training. Dr. Kania received his undergraduate training in his native Poland at the Poznan Music College, and his Masters and Doctorates at the University of Kansas. As a recitalist, Dr. Kania has performed on three continents and has given master classes at several colleges and universities. Dr. Kania is the Chair of the Music Department at ºÚÁÏÍø.

Sarah Mayer

Piano

Beginner – Advanced Students

• BA – Piano Performance, ºÚÁÏÍø
• MM – Piano Performance and Pedagogy, Northern Illinois University
• Professional Level II Rate

Sarah was the accompanist for the ºÚÁÏÍø Choir while studying at ºÚÁÏÍø as well as for her church, where she continues to serve as the church pianist. Sarah maintains a private piano studio and is active as an accompanist for several area choirs including community choirs, public school choirs, and a professional choir.

Julie Marie Boettcher

Piano & songwriting

Beginner – Intermediate Students

• BA – Music Business & Entrepreneurship, ºÚÁÏÍø
• MA – Community Music, ºÚÁÏÍø
• Professional Level II Rate

Julie Marie Boettcher is a singer-songwriter and pianist who enjoys teaching music lessons and workshops across a variety of levels and ages, from young children to senior communities. She is passionate about helping students build solid musical foundations while also exploring their own creative musical interests. She holds a BA in Music Business and Entrepreneurship from ºÚÁÏÍø and will graduate with an MA in Community Music from ºÚÁÏÍø in Spring 2026.

Vicky Ostwald

piano

Beginner – Advanced Students

• BA – Piano Performance, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
• Graduate Studies – Piano Pedagogy, University of Colorado-Boulder
• Professional Level I Rate
• Available Monday afternoons through evenings only

Vicky has many years of playing and teaching experience. She enjoys working with all levels of students, especially children but also adults, including students with special needs. Vicky has a firm grasp of music theory and incorporates this important element into her lessons. She will also add any special interest areas the student may have, such as learning to play by ear or learning how to accompany others. She teaches privately as well as group lessons.

Joshua Myatzaw

piano, Group violin, Children’s choir

Beginner – Intermediate Students

• BM and MM in Choral Conducting, Silliman University, Philippines
• MA in Christian Studies, Myanmar Institute of Theology
• MA in Community Music with an emphasis in Piano, ºÚÁÏÍø
• Group Violin & Children’s Choir rate: $20 per student
• Private Piano rate: Professional Level II
• Available Wednesday evenings only

Joshua Myatzaw is a seasoned conductor and music educator with 20 years of experience, holding an MM in choral conducting from Silliman University and an MA in Community Music from ºÚÁÏÍø. Joshua is skilled not only in conducting but is also a proficient piano and violin instructor.