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