Your Music Destination Since 1945!

Eliana Firmani Alcocer is an avid music educator and active freelance musician.  She enjoys collaborating in a variety of different settings and is passionate about helping others succeed.  Eliana holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from The University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Additionally, Eliana is on the faculty at The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music in Milwaukee, WI,  as well as a teaching artist through Ravinia’s Reach, Teach, Play program—an El Sistema program that creates social change through music in underprivileged communities.   

Caryn has been working as a professional guitarist since 1984. In this time she has performed in Rock and Blues bands and also as a solo artist.  Some of her musical experience has been commercially in the studio and also in the theater.  She has over 30 years of teaching experience including 16 years as an administrator of the Guitar department at the College of Lake County.  Her education includes a college degree in music and 12 years of classical guitar private study.  Currently she is writing and recording tracks for an album. Her teaching disciplines include: reading, theory/diatonic harmony, slide, finger style/classical, rock and blues improvisation, to name just a few.  Acoustic/ Electric Lessons Offered.

Gene has been playing guitar and performing since 1983. After studying music in college where he majored in theory and performance, he began to teach professionally in 1987. He has over 30 years of experience in most styles of music, which he brings to his lessons. Teaching disciplines that include: Reading, Theory, Composition, Ear training, Improvisation, Slide and Lead Guitar.  Besides many live band and solo performances, he has performed on an internationally released album and is currently recording his own debut album.  Acoustic/ Bass & Electric Lessons Offered.

Matt Mifflin is a multi-instrumentalist with a primary focus in guitar. In 2017 he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in Kenosha, WI with a bachelor’s degree in classical guitar performance and in 2020 completed his master’s degree in classical guitar performance at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. While in graduate school, he performed on the baroque guitar in the Northwestern University Baroque Music Ensemble, for he also specializes in early instruments such as the lute and baroque guitar. Additionally, he was the guitarist for the Northwestern University Contemporary Music Ensemble, where he performed in the Chicago premiere of David T. Little’s Dog Days contemporary opera. Furthermore, Mifflin has an extensive background in both piano and viola and has performed in the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Symphony Orchestra as a violist during his undergraduate studies. Although he is interested in many styles of music, Mifflin’s specialties are Renaissance, traditional folk music, folk metal, black metal, and death metal. Mifflin currently performs both as a solo artist and as a member of Chicago’s premiere black metal band, Dismalimerence.

I have been teaching and sharing my love for music for over 35 years.  My music education began with Kurt Harf at the Music Center when I was 9 years old.  Through grade school and high school my love for music grew and I began to teach privately at home.  In 1980, I was hired as a guitar instructor at Hammond Organ Studios here in Kenosha and continued my education from 1980-1984 at Parkside College studying classical guitar with Susan Gulock and George Linquest.  I also played in the Big Band Jazz ensemble under the direction of Tim Bell.  When Hammond Organ Studios closed I continued my teaching at Music Center and have been here now for 30 years.  I have a passion for many styles of music ranging from classical to rock - country to jazz and a lot in between.  My style of teaching is structured in music reading, music theory, understanding the guitar fingerboard thru the C-A-G-E-D system, ear training and playing and memorizing tunes that are fun to play.  My goal is to help you help yourself in your magical musical pursuit.  Currently Terry is currently playing with local bands, Triad and Acoustic Soul.  Acoustic/ Bass & Electric Lessons Offered.

Andrew has been studying and performing music since 1999.  He uses his passion of the acoustic guitar to sing cover songs from the 50's - today and also his originals with undenied finesse & smooth/energetic vibes.  He has played birthdays, corporate events, family reunions, festivals, gatherings, graduations, work/holiday events, weddings and fundraisers for charity events.  With over 20 years performing as a live musical artist Andrew Singer has achieved a knack for bringing an excitingly unique experience filled with cheerful moments, uninhibited memories and a musical joyride of fun with your absolute favorite classic chart-topping hits for everyone to sing and dance to.

Jill has performed professional drums within the Jazz, Rock,  & Pop genres.  My career began at the age of 10 where I played lead snare drum in an all-girl corp. I continued within the school system throughout High School.  I studied Music Theory at the College of Lake County and was privileged to study privately with instructors in Chicago and N.Y.  Jill has performed for almost 20 years of Professional Musicals, Worship Teams, Pop and Rock and Blues and Jazz bands.  My passion is not only in performance but also in investing in others and bringing out their talents.  Jill has been teaching private lessons for over 15 years.  My goal is to instill in students that music should always be fun and that being the best musician you can produces management skills students will take with them for many life experiences.

I have been playing the piano since 2005 and it has developed into one of my life long passions. In 2015 I earned my Bachelors in Piano Performance from UW Parkside, and after that I attended University of Michigan for harpsichord and fortepiano performance. Besides degrees in music, I also have performed both piano and classical organ for many churches since 2008. In Fall of 2016 I will be the regular musician and Music Director at Wesley United Methodist in Kenosha. On several occasions I have played the piano for assistant and nursing homes over the Kenosha area and shared the joy of music with many people. Also over the years I have entered to musical competitions and festivals including Oberlin Baroque Music Festival, in summer of 2015.

Since I started playing the piano I have developed an interesting in playing many musical styles: classical, ragtime, blues, early jazz, old popular music from the 1920s to the 1960s, and even some classic country music. And YES I even teach these musical styles too! I believe the piano and music overall is a fun and fascinating experience and I encourage all my students to be creative and find their musical taste and cultivate it. If the student does not mind I will teach music history and music theory to both give perspective about a musical piece and to give you the tools to improvise and become a composer. I teach pretty much everyone from children to adults, whether you want to learn a few small pieces, or if you want to become a virtuoso pianist, I have the training and skill to have you accomplish whatever your musical goals may be. If anything can be said about the piano, it’s a beautiful, fun and wonderful art form that enhances the enjoyment of life.

Loren is accepting students 8 years or older.  Her teaching style is a mixture of allowing students to present material from their favorite artists and style influences that they would like to work on, mixed with material and techniques critical to progressing vocally. Whether prepping student’s for auditions, solo and ensemble or just working on improving technique, lesson are catered very closely to the individual student’s needs.  She has coached multiple students to starred 1st score at state contest. Loren's experience includes a wide range of accomplishments. Loren started singing in church at the age of three. Throughout adolescence, she was involved in concert, jazz, and show choirs, as well as theatre productions and State Solo and Ensemble receiving a starred first for a solo performance. She attended Viterbo University in LaCrosse, Wisconsin on a Vocal Music Scholarship. She majored in Vocal Music Performance with a minor in Piano Proficiency.  Beyond college, Loren has performed professionally in several bands including being a back-up singer and collaborator with Jane Wiedlin of the multi-platinum selling band The Go-Go's and collaborating with Grammy award winner Pat MacDonald of Timbuk 3 fame. She currently is writing, recording, and performing original music with her band Moon Rebels.  Her experience has built a strong foundation on which to pass on what she has learned over her career as an accomplished musician.