The Lycee Français de Chicago offers private music lessons taught by great music professionals selected for their ability to communicate their passion for their instrument. Do not miss this opportunity to expose your children to musical performance at a young age. All private Music Lessons are 30 minutes long. While waiting for their lesson, students can stay in our after-school program (included in total fees).
CELLO
JOSEPH MILLER’S CELLO STUDIO
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
30 minutes private lessons with Merit School of Music Cello teacher and LFC Orchestra Director Joe Miller. Laureate of a B.A. in Music from Montana State University-Bozeman, Joe brings years of experience as a teacher and his passion for teaching to lycee students. Beginners also gain free access to 30 minutes of cello ensemble on Monday at 3:30 pm; more advanced players join the LFC Orchestra program.
DRUMMING
FREDERIC MAHIEU’S DRUM STUDIO
Monday
Jazz drummer Frédéric Mahieu follows the curriculum of the Agostini School of Drumming. Work on technique and independence-coordination. Test available at the end of the year in order to evaluate progress.
FLUTE
MARICK FARGUES’ FLUTE STUDIO
Wednesday
Music teacher at the Lycée, Marick Fargues has been giving flute lessons for almost 10 years. She graduated from Roosevelt University. Her teaching style is inspired by the Suzuki method.
STEPHANIE PEDRETTI’S FLUTE STUDIO
Tuesday
Enjoy learning the fundamentals of flute playing, such as tone production, good playing position, and music reading, in the beginning flute class. Classes will incorporate elements of the Suzuki method along with traditional flute instruction in order to help students develop beautiful tone and musical sensitivity. Private lessons are available as well for students of all ages and levels. Instructor Stephanie Pedretti has 20 years of teaching experience and is also a frequent performer in the Chicago area.
GUITAR
JOE GOODKIN’S GUITAR STUDIO
Mondays and Fridays
Drawing on his Bachelor's Degree in the Classics from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, his extensive experience teaching private music lessons, and his years of writing and performing original rock and acoustic music, Joe will help your child learn how to play and enjoy guitar.
MATT McGUIRE’S GUITAR STUDIO
Tuesdays and Wednesdays
From basic note reading to strumming folk and rock songs, you'll learn how to make music on the world's most popular and coolest instrument with Guitar instructor and performer Matt Mc Guire. Laureate of a master's degree from Northwestern School of Music in 1998, Matt has solid credentials in classical guitar but also plays and teach rock and jazz professionally.
PIANO
JULIE DEGRANDPRE’S PIANO STUDIO
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Pianist and vocalist Julie Degrandpre holds a BA in Music Performance from Laval University, Quebec. After touring the world with Cirque du Soleil for more than 3 years as a general stage manager and back-up singer, Julie is now sharing her passion for music with kids of all ages. She is a great piano teacher and a Music Together teacher. A native French Speaker, Julie has played piano for more than 25 years. Her contagious enthusiasm and her love for kids will get you on your feet!
VIOLIN
REBECCA WILCOX’S VIOLIN STUDIO
Monday
Rebecca received a Bachelor of Music in violin performance from Oberlin Conservatory in 2006 where she studied under Kyung Sun Lee and Milan Vitek. Rebecca plays regularly with New Millenium Orchestra and is the principal violist with Northbrook Symphony Orchestra. She is an avid chamber musician and an active faculty member at First Conservatory inLaGrange, IL. She brings years of experience as a teacher to the lycee music program.
TAMARA’S GONZALEZ’ VIOLIN STUDIO
Thursday
Mrs. Gonzalez is currently on faculty at Sherwood Conservatory, Music Institute of Chicago and Smiling Strings. She holds B.M and M.M. in violin performance from DePaul University and performs regularly as a member of the Chicago Sinfonietta. She brings her experience and training in both Suzuki and Traditional methods to the Lycee.
VOICE
ELLAINE LEMIEUX’S VOICE STUDIO
Tuesday, Thursday
Weekly classes cover Posture, Breath Support, Natural Voice Production, How to Extend Your Vocal Range, How to Express Yourself Musically, Interpretation, Music Theory, Solfege/Note reading. As a teacher, I will help children discover the natural beauty of their own voice and find the uniqueness of their personal style.
MUSIC ENSEMBLES & GROUP INSTRUCTION
In addition to private music lessons, Lycee students can attend group instructions classes for the following programs:
LFC ORCHESTRA
Grades 4-12 – Acceptance upon audition – Meets every Friday from 4:30 to 6:00pm – Direction: Joe Miller – Free program
LFC CHOIR
Grades 2 to 8 – For all interested students – Meets every Friday from 3:30 to 4:30pm – Direction: Marick Fargues & Marie Erinkitola – Free program
LFC CHAMBER MUSIC PROGRAM
Grades 6-12 - Acceptance upon audition - Meets every Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:00pm – Direction: Joe Miller – Free Program
MUSIC WITH MADAMEJULIE
Thursday or Friday
In these workshops, pre-K to K students develop musical proficiency in an interactive environment with singing, musical games and rhythmic improvisations…learning music has never been this fun! See Ateliers programs for registrations.