The mission of Skokie School of Music is to provide the highest quality music instruction to students of all ages and skill levels. We offer lessons, in jazz and classical music, in Chicago and the North Shore area, either in your home or at several teacher-studio locations. Our patient, enthusiastic instructors each have a minimum of fifteen years teaching experience, and many hold advanced degrees and have national and international performing credits.
Whether you are looking for a nurturing introduction to basic musicianship for your young child, challenging instruction for your teenager, or want to revisit the joy of making music as an adult, we strive to match every student with the right teacher, and to develop lesson plans that best fulfill individual interests and needs. Regardless of your skill level, we promise that each lesson will be inspiring, challenging, and enjoyable.
In addition to offering traditional lessons on piano and other instruments, we also provide instruction in jazz and popular styles, music theory, composition, songwriting, ensemble performance, digital recording, professional development and audition preparation.
Please browse our site for an in-depth view of what our instructors offer, or contact Dr. John Roothaan, director, at jproothaan@sbcglobal.net or (312) 515-0483.
OUR TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
Music is a universal human activity that enriches our lives. For children (and adults), learning to make music provides many benefits, including development of fine motor skills and hand-eye-ear coordination, problem-solving experience, cultural awareness, involvement with the joy of creating art, a means of personal self-expression, and a chance to really excel at a challenging endeavor. Additionally, some research demonstrates that children who participate in music succeed better academically.
With these benefits in mind, we believe that everyone deserves encouragement in their musical ambitions. Our aim as teachers is to help each student build on personal strengths and challenge individual limitations as a means toward achieving outstanding performance skills. Above all, we strive to focus on every student's positive achievements, and help each student develop a love and understanding of music as a means of expression.
ABOUT SKOKIE SCHOOL OF MUSIC Skokie School of Music is organized as a sole proprietorship, owned by John Roothaan. Each of the highly qualified instructors teaches from his or her own studio. Teaching and performing credentials are described on the "Teacher Biography" page.
STUDENT NEWS
Our 2011 Spring piano recital was held April 3, 2011 at the Wilmette Public Library in Wilmette. This was a joint recital for students of Skokie School of Music and Piano Lessons in Your Home. Thirty-four pianists performed music by Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Ellington, and others.
The Fall Recital was held on October 2, 2011 at the Skokie Theater in Skokie Illinois. We had over 40 student performers performing works by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Joplin, Clementi, and others.
The 2012 Spring recital will be scheduled for late April/early May 2012. Exact date TBA.
TEACHER NEWS
John Roothaan (piano) recently completed a commission for the Jazz Institute of Chicago, which was performed by the All-City Jazz Band at the Chicago Cultural Center.
John's current performance calender:
September 27, Robineau Residence, Skokie October 15, Trios Jazz Club, South Bend, Indiana October 21, Skokie Theatre, Skokie November 3, Evanston Public Library, Evanston November 10, Union League Club, Chicago November 24, Union League Club, Chicago December 10, Union League Club, Chicago March 20, 2012, Robineau Residence, Skokie
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All text on this site is copyright Skokie School of Music/John Roothaan 2009 and may not be reproduced in any form (other than as online resource for personal non-commercial use) without express written permission.
OUR MISSION
Music is a universal human activity that enriches our lives. For children (and adults), learning to make music provides many benefits, including development of fine motor skills and hand-eye-ear coordination, problem-solving experience, cultural awareness, involvement with the joy of creating art, a means of personal self-expression, and a chance to really excel at a challenging endeavor. Additionally, some research demonstrates that children who participate in music succeed better academically. 
TEACHER NEWS