Luscombe Music Studio Roster
A wide range of private lessons are available at Luscombe Music. Most are weekly, 30-minute sessions ranging in price from $25.00 — $35.00. Below are the credentials of our teachers. Please consult the Studio Coordinator to discuss lesson times and payments by calling 630.833.7381.
Juliet Deadman
Violin & Viola
- Bachelor of Music Education, Northern Illinois University
- Student of Laurel Thurman, Richard Marshall, and Robert Shamo
- Teaching experience of 25+ years includes both public schools and private instruction
- Professional affiliations: MENC, ASTA and AFM
- Performance experience: Civic Orchestra of Chicago and Rockford Symphony Orchestra
Michael McGuan
Violin & Viola
- Master of Music, Violin Performance, Northern Illinois Univ.
- Bachelor of Arts, Chemistry, St. Olaf College
- Registered Suzuki Instructor
- Performs with Camerata Chicago and the Antiqua Baroque Consort, substitute with Fox Valley Orchestra
- Group class teacher, El Sistema Youth Music Program
- Former member of St. Olaf Orchestra, the Illinois Valley Symphony and the Northern Illinois Chamber Orchestra
- Former private violin instructor through the NIU Community School of the Arts
Corey Willis
Classical Guitar
- Studied under Steve Ramsdell
- Certified specialist in Audio Recording and Electronic Music Production
- Performance includes College of DuPage small group jazz ensemble and guitar ensemble, classical guitar recitals, various professional engagements
- Over 12 years private teaching experience in music theory, along with classical, jazz and contemporary styles
Mike Bibby
Guitar, Ukulele, Sound Technology
- Bachelor’s Degree, Computer Music and New Media Technology, College of DuPage
- Master Classes to include Composition, Digital Instrument Design, Recording Acoustic Instruments, and Electronic Music Production (Northern Illinois University and College of DuPage)
- Over ten years private and group lesson teaching experience
Brian Duke
Percussion
- Music Performance and Ethnomusicology, Lincoln College/Northern IL University
- Studied with Robert Chappell, Rich Holly and Paul Wertico
- Experienced in all genres of music: jazz, rock, blues, classical, big band, country, original and traditional world music
- Has shared the stage with recording artists such as Diane Schuur, Ray Charles, Fareed Haque and Andy Narell
- Nine years teaching experience at the Yew Chung Insternational School of Shanghai
- 30+ years of teaching and performing experience
Damian Espinosa
Piano
- Master's Degree, Music Theory & Composition, University of New Mexico
- Additional Graduate Studies, Music Theory, University of Chicago
- BA in Piano Performance, Creighton University, Omaha NE
- Leads the Damian Espinosa Trio
- Member of the critically acclaimed group, The Chris Greene Quartet
- Accomplished musician, composer and accompanist performing in many different musical settings across multiple genres including jazz clubs, festivals, concerti, opera and choirs
- 20+ years of private piano instruction as well as teaching various music courses at the University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Chicago, U of New Mexico and Wheaton College
Sara Groppe
Piano
- Elmhurst College Senior pursuing a BA in Music
- Student of Soyoung Kee, former student of Carolyn Rife
- Recipient of the Paderewski Medal and High School Diploma from the National Guild of Piano Teachers
- Local Church accompanist
Andrew Johnson
Piano
- Bachelor of Arts in Music and Vocal Performance, Carthage College
- Private teaching since 2012
- Active member of Illinois Music Association
- Participates in competitions annually
Ken Spurr
Piano
- Bachelor of Arts in Music majoring in Jazz Piano, Valparaiso University
- Master’s Degree coursework, DePaul University
- Studied under William Foster, Allan Swain, Larry Novak, David Kikoski, Terry Dybvig, Mary Sauer
- Over 24 years of teaching experience including Cappelli Institute of Music, Elmhurst College, American Music Institute and Harper College
- Director of Jazz Studies, Harper College
- Accomplished performer, jazz educator and musician performing solo and alongside many major jazz artists in Chicagoland
Kathleen Rose
Piano
- Advanced piano study, Elmhurst College
- Bachelor of Arts, Wartburg College/Concordia College
- Student of Yasuko Joichi
- Certified Suzuki teacher
- Over 30 years of private teaching and performance experience
- Organist/Pianist, Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit
- Students participate in annual competitions
- Piano Studio Director, Luscombe Music, 20 years
Maria Schwartz
Flute
- Professional Studies Certificate, Cleveland Institute of Music
- Master of Music - Flute Performance, Cleveland Institute of Music
- Bachelor of Music - Flute Performance, Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam, NY
- Student of Joshua Smith, Mary Kay Fink, and Kenneth Andrews
- Trained in Suzuki Flute Method and Dalcroze Eurhythmics
- 15+ years of private teaching experience
- Second Flute in Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra
- Professional ensemble experience includes New Philharmonic, Northbrook Symphony, Oistrach Symphony, & Chicago Classical Philharmonic
Denise Glynn
Clarinet, Saxophone
- Master of Library Science, Rosary College
- Bachelor of Science, Northern Illinois University
- Student of Greg Smith
- Over fifteen years of private teaching experience
Patrick Infusino
Woodwind, Bass Guitar
- Advanced studies, DePaul and VanderCook
- Bachelor of Music Education, DePaul University
- Retired Band Director after 31 years from Berkeley School District 87
- Currently Jazz Band Director, Benedictine University
- Adjudicator and Clinician
- Freelance musician for jazz and pop groups
Richard Rose
Brass, Woodwind
- Advanced study at Concordia University
- Bachelor of Arts, Music Education, Concordia College
- Fine Arts Department Chairman, Walther Lutheran High School
- Over 35 years of private teaching experience
- Music Director, Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit
- Pursuing Master’s Degree in Music Composition, Chicago College of Performing Arts
- Published several volumes of instrumental music
Billy Thoms
Trumpet
- Bachelor of Music Performance, Elmhurst College
- Pursuing Bachelor of Music Education, Elmhurst College
- Substitute Trumpeter for West Suburban Symphony
- Guest soloist with Elgin Youth Symphony and Elmhurst College Wind Ensemble
- Student of Matt Lee and Kari Lee
- Four years’ private teaching experience
Lisa Griffith
Voice
- Master of Music, Opera Performance, Northwestern
- University Bachelor of Arts, Knox College
- Member/Former President, Chicago Chapter of The National Association of Teachers’ of Singing
- National Songs and Skills Workshop Leader for the Center for Music and Young Children
- Music Together Program Director and Teacher
- Director, Elmhurst Children’s Theatre
- Performed with the Santa Fe Opera and Glimmerglass Opera
Michelle Maiers
Voice
- Master of Music, Vocal Performance, DePaul University
- Bachelor of Music, Vocal Performance, Millikin University
- Member of Chicago Chapter of The National Association of Teachers’ of Singing
- Performed with Light Opera Works, Chicago Civic Orchestra, Elmhurst Choral Union soloist, Cantor at Mary Queen of Heaven Church in Elmhurst, Soloist at First Congregational UCC in Elmhurst
- Music Director for Bryan Junior High, Visitation Arts Alive Program and Elmhurst Children’s Theatre, Oakbrook Academy of Music and Art
- Former President of Elmhurst Children's Theatre
- Music Together teacher for Music Together of Oakbrook/Elmhurst
- Over 15 years of teaching experience both private and choral settings
