Judson Community Music School
JCMS provides excellent, affordable music instruction to students of all ages. Lessons are taught by dedicated, experienced JCMS instructors in most instruments, voice, music theory and worship arts.
New this Fall:
Children’s Choir for Elementary students (2nd-5th Grades)
Important Dates
Fall 2012 Semester: September 8 – December 7, 2012 (12 Lessons)
Recital: Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 2:00 pm
Spring 2013 Semester: January 5 – April 12, 2013 (12 Lessons)
Recital: Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 2:00 pm
Summer 2013 Session: April 27 - June 14, 2013 (6 Lessons)
(No Recital)
2013 Fox Valley Music Camp: June 24 – June 28, 2013
Lesson Rates
| Teacher Level |
3 Payments |
Full Semester |
| Student |
$62 |
$186 |
| Professional I |
$88 |
$264 |
| Professional II |
$118 |
$354 |
| Professional III |
$139 |
$417 |
| Group Piano |
$53 |
$159 |
| Music Theory & Composition |
$60 |
$180 |
| Children's Choir |
- |
$220 (Full Year) |
JCMS Instructor Levels and Biographies
Student Instructors:
The availability of Student Instructors varies from semester to semester, depending on student course work demands. If interested in the Student Instructor Level, please inquire about the availability of a Student Instructor. E-mail inquiries to JCMS@judsonu.edu or call 847-628-1110.
Professional Level One Instructors:
Piano (Beginner to Advanced)
Mi-jung An
BM, Ewha Womans University, S. Korea
Mi-jung is from South Korea and is an accomplished pianist enrolled in the Certificate Program at Judson University, through which she is preparing for graduate studies in the United States. Mi-jung loves teaching any age student, from young children to adults.
Piano (Beginner), Pop Vocal, Worship Arts Training
Stephen James Carter
BA Worship Arts, Judson University
Stephen has been teaching music for over 7 years and leading worship for over 16 years. He now serves multiple ministries in the area with his teaching and worship leading abilities. Stephen has written and produced two CD albums: You Long to Be Gracious (2007) and Better than Wine (2010). Stephen teaches Piano, Pop Vocal and Music & Worship training for students interested in learning the art of Worship (worship-leading, song-writing, chord charting and more.)
Guitar, Dulcimer (Beginner to Advanced)
Benjamin Esh
BA Music Ministry, Judson University
Ben is a native of Elgin and a graduate of ECC and Judson University. He is the Music Director at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Elgin. Ben plays multiple instruments including guitar, bass, dulcimer and cello, sings, conducts and arranges/composes music. Recently he has written and published the Dulcimer Hymnal series.
Percussion: Drum Set (Beginner to Advanced)
Benjamin Greeno
Ben is an accomplished drummer who is a part of the Willow Creek Community Church worship team. Ben has been playing professionally for over a decade and has performed on several major label studio albums. He has an extensive touring resumé having performed in over a thousand live shows, both domestically and internationally. Nowadays, Ben is an IT professional when not playing or teaching the drums.
Piano (Beginner) and Voice (all Levels), JU Children’s Choir Director
Rebeca Malmgren
BA in Music Education, Judson University
Beca has been teaching with the Judson Community Music School for three years, and also teaches voice and piano at the Des Plaines School of Music. This past year, Beca was the music teacher at St. Laurence and St. Joseph Catholic Schools. She teaches Piano and Voice at the Des Plaines School of Music and she has also been the K-2nd Director for the Fox Valley Music Camp for the last four summers. Beca is a certified teacher who especially enjoys working with students in Voice and Beginning Piano and teaches both group and private piano lessons.
Piano (Beginner to Advanced)
Vicky Ostwald
BA in Piano Performance, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Graduate studies in Piano Pedagogy, University of Colorado-Boulder
Vicky has many years of playing and teaching experience. She enjoys working with all levels of students, especially children but also adults, including students with special needs. Vicky has a firm grasp of music theory and incorporates this important element into her lessons. She will also add any special interest areas the student may have, such as learning to play by ear or learning how to accompany others. She teaches private as well as group lessons.
Professional Level Two Instructors:
Flute (Beginner to Advanced)
Jean Bishop
BM in Performance, Roosevelt University
Jean has taught flute privately for over 25 years from beginner children and adults to college-level flute minors. She has studied with Ralph Johnson of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Jean Berkenstock from the Lyric Opera of Chicago and Mardele Combs Marcellus of the Montreal Symphony. She is principal flute with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and principal piccolo with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, among others.
Violin, Viola (Suzuki and Traditional Methods) (Beginner to Advanced)
Tara Hayes
BME Music Education, Oberlin College Conservatory
MM Violin Performance & Pedagogy, Northwestern University
Tara is an accomplished performer and instructor in both Violin and Viola. She can teach beginners using the Suzuki method as well as traditional methods - or a combination - depending on the parents’ desires. Tara also enjoys teaching advanced students. Tara is currently a member of the Rockford Symphony, a former member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and is a member of The Adoniram Ensemble, a Music Faculty string ensemble at Judson University.
Classical Guitar (Beginner to Advanced)
Adam Huff
BM, University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Guitar Performance
MM, University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Guitar Performance
Adam began his musical studies in the former-Soviet country of Belarus. There he studied the instrument with Alexander Leonidavich Ivanov. Later, he went on to study at the College- Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, OH attaining a bachelors and masters degree in guitar performance.
Piano (Beginner to Advanced)
Lidia Krzemien
BA in Music Performance, Judson University
MA in Piano Pedagogy, Educational Center for Artists (Poland)
Lidia has taught piano at the Music School Oswiecim (Poland), the College of DuPage (Glen Ellyn) and through her own private studio. In addition to being a pianist, Lidia has also served as a church Music Director for a number of years. Lidia is an accomplished pianist, accompanist and organist with extensive teaching experience in both private and group piano settings.
Piano (Beginner to Advanced)
Sarah Mayer
BA in Piano Performance, Judson University
MM in Piano Performance and Pedagogy, Northern Illinois University
Sarah was the accompanist for the Judson University Choir while studying at Judson as well as for her church, where she continues to serve as the church pianist. Sarah maintains a private piano studio and is active as an accompanist for several area choirs including community choirs, public school choirs, and a professional choir.
Violin, Viola (Intermediate to Advanced)
Joanna Newby
BM in Violin Performance, Chicago Conservatory of Performing Arts
MM in Violin Performance, DePaul University
Joanna is an accomplished Violin and Viola performer and teacher. Orchestral performance experience includes the Chicago Civic Orchestra, the National Repertory Orchestra and most recently with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. Joanna is a founding member of the Adoniram Ensemble, Judson's resident faculty chamber group. While keeping her performance skills active, Joanna maintains a strong pre-college studio for advancing violinists and violists. Joanna also serves as a coach for the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra Chamber Institute.
String Bass (Intermediate to Advanced)
Timothy Shaffer
BM, Indiana University School of Music
Tim has been a professional double bassist since the age of 20, when he joined the New Orleans Symphony. He lived for many years in Germany, where he was the principal bassist of the Westphalian Symphony Orchestra. He is currently the principal bassist of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, and enjoys teaching and playing throughout the Chicago area. Tim has toured throughout the US, Europe and Japan.
Professional Level Three Instructors:
Brass: Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba (Intermediate to Advanced, age 15 and up)
Dr. Ernest “Chip” Gross (Click here for Biography)
Piano (Intermediate to Advanced, age 15 and up)
Dr. Sojung Lee Hong (Click here for Biography)
Voice (Intermediate to Advanced, age 15 and up)
Dr. Joshua Jones (Click here for Biography)
Piano (Intermediate to Advanced, age 15 and up)
Dr. Robert Kania (Click here for Biography)
JCMS Registration
Click here to register for the Judson Community Music School.
Click here to register for the Judson Children's Choir.
Lessons for other instruments may be arranged. Please inquire by e-mailing JCMS@judsonu.edu or calling (847) 628-1110.
Download the Calendar and the Attendance/Payment Policy.