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 annual Spring piano recital was held March 27, 2010 at Piano-Forte Chicago in the Fine Arts Building at 410 South Michigan Avenue. This was a joint recital for students of Skokie School of Music and Piano Lessons in Your Home. Twenty young pianists performed, and we had two guest performers: trombonist Mayo Tiana and pianist Christie Chiles Twillie.
On May 16, six of John's students performed at the PLIYH Regional Concert Recital at the Wilmette Public Library. Congratulations to vocalist Thea Simpson and pianist Susan Page Estes for being awarded "best in age group" performers!!
Our Fall Recital is scheduled for September 26, 2010 at the Skokie Theatre. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to John Roothaan at (312) 515-0483.
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 Spring/Summer Performance Calender: May 4, Field Museum, Chicago May 7, Wilmette Yacht Club, Wilmette May 9, Union League Club, Chicago May 8, Signature Room, John Hancock Center May 16, Concert Series, Wilmette Public Library May 23, Union League Club, Chicago May 30, Skokie School of Music Jazz Workshop June 7, Cantigny Museum, Wheaton June 12, Signature Room, Chicago June 15, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago June 22 and 23, Union League Club, Chicago June 26, Signature Room, John Hancock Center July 2, Center for Jewish Elderly, Chicago July 11, Skokie School of Music Jazz Workshop
Mayo Tiana (trombone) and other NEIU music faculty hosted the 2nd Annual Chicago Brass Festival at Northeastern Illinois University in April 2010.
Brian Sandstrom (bass) is appearing at the Signature Room on the 95th (in the Hancock bulding) Saturdays, and performed at the Green Mill on New Year's Eve with tenor giants Von Freeman and Ed Petersen.
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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