Lisa Lithall · Suzuki Cello Instructor (since 1988)
B.A. in Performance - Northern Illinois University. M.A. in Performance - Western Illinois University. Received Suzuki teacher training through Book 6 with Tanya Carey at Western Illinois University and short-term teacher training courses with Marilyn Kesler, Jean Dexter, and Nancy Hair. Studied with Marc Johnson of the Vermeer Quartet at Northern IL University. Participated in masterclasses with Raya Garbasova and Irene Sharp. Certified in Kindermusik. Worked with Abby Newton as a participant in both the 2000 National String Workshop and the 2002 Rocky Mountain Fiddle Competition. Plays in the Buffalo Grove String Quartet. Member of the Northbrook Symphony Orchestra. Also teaches private cello in the northwest suburbs and at Barrington High School.

Kristen McManus · Baby STEPS® Instructor; Music LEAPS Instructor; Clap, Sing and READ!® Instructor (since 2003)
B.F.A. in Music Theatre and M.M. in Music Therapy - Colorado State University. Served as a music therapist in classrooms for developmentally disabled children and in inpatient and outpatient departments of a pediatric hospital. Manages a private practice and works at a facility for developmentally disabled adults.

Amy Michoski-Davies- Baby Steps, Music Leaps, and Orff instructor
Amy graduated with a BA in Music from the University of Northern
Colorado where she majored in Voice and minored in Theater.  She is a
professional singer whose career has spanned a wide variety of genres.
Amy has performed leading roles in many stage musicals both on
international tours and in regional theaters throughout the US.  Amy is
also a certified elementary school teacher and has been working in the
classroom with young children since 2000 as well as teaching voice
privately.  She has a 2 year old son named Jackson and loves watching
music bring him joy!

Joanna Newby · Suzuki Violin Instructor (since 2003)
began as a Suzuki student at age 3. She has a B.M. violin performance from Chicago College of Performing Arts, student of Cyrus Forough and a M.M. violin performance from DePaul, student of Ilya Kaler. Joanna is a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago since 2002, has had her own private studio since 1998, and has been teaching Suzuki private & group lessons since 2002. She has training in Suzuki Books 1-3.

Billy Oh · Suzuki Violin Instructor (since 2007)
B.A. in English and Creative writing from Loyola University in Chicago. Received training at the Chicago Suzuki Institute. Billy has performed professionally in Chicago for the past 8 years, specializing in folk and roots music from around the world. He is also the founding member of Tangleweed, a Chicago based bluegrass ensemble.

Clara Reaves – Baby STEPS® Instructor; Music LEAPS Instructor; Clap, Sing and READ!® Instructor; Project IMAGE Instructor (Since 2007)
Background: M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northwestern University. B.S. in Psychology from Georgia State University with a minor in sociology. Created and led a friendship group at an inner city school for children ages six to nine, focusing on developing the skills necessary to create and maintain healthy social relationships with peers. Advanced training in classical voice, musical theater, and music theory. Actively involved with professional and community theatrical performances and concerts in Chicago and Atlanta. Clara is a musical director, manager and weekly performer at Davenport's Piano Bar and Cabaret.

Taylor Ross · Suzuki Piano Instructor (since 2008)
B.M. In Music Theory and Compostion - University of Kansas. Studied piano with Christopher Kabala at Interlochen Music Center for the Arts, Jane Allen at the Saint Louis Conservatory of Music and jazz piano and harmony with Alan Swain. Received Suzuki Training at the Cleveland Suzuki Institute studying under Leena Crothers. Studied recording engineering at Hedden West Studios, Schaumburg, Illinois. Taught privately for four years teaching piano, music history, to children and adults in Chicago. Active music performer in the Chicago area.

Matt Rutherford · Suzuki Guitar Instructor (since 2007)
Matt received a Masters Degree in Guitar Performance from Roosevelt University and a Bachelors Degree in Music Business from Millikin University and studies in Guitar Performance from Shenandoah University.  Matt is also a Suzuki trained Cellist.

Virginia Sensenbrenner · Suzuki Piano Instructor (since 1991)
B.A. in Music - American Conservatory of Music. Received Suzuki teacher training from Mary Craig Powell and Yasko Joichi. Also trains and shows dogs in obedience and agility. Participates with canine companions Nikki and Basil in pet therapy at area hospitals and nursing homes through organizations such as Pawsitive Therapy.

Christina Thompson· Baby STEPS Instructor, Suzuki Voice and Violin Instructor (since 2008)
Christina has a BM in Musical Arts in Violin with a minor in Vocal Performance.  She taught violin in community centers in Madison, Wisconsin. Christina was Miss Wisconsin 2007 and went on to be a finalist in the Miss America 2008 Pageant.  She performed a classical violin solo on live national television for the talent competition.