Celebrating Music Institute Faculty: Teacher Appreciation Week 2026

Our world-class faculty are at the heart of everything we do. Their passion, dedication, and care shape each student’s musical journey in ways that last a lifetime.

During Teacher Appreciation Week, students across our campuses shared messages of gratitude for their teachers. We’re sharing a few highlights here to celebrate the people who make music education meaningful.

"Matt, I can’t even begin to express how much I’ve grown as a musician since taking lessons from you. I’ve learned so much about how to use my instrument to create purposeful moods and dynamics, capture the exact essence of a piece of music that the composer intended, discover my own personal style of playing, and, most importantly, how to practice.
Whether it’s playing dotted patterns or simply playing slow, you've always been consistent with giving me every piece of feedback there was to give, a habit that has completely altered the course of my musical journey in the best way possible. This is just one of the many reasons I walk out of our lesson room absolutely inspired, a feeling that only grows exponentially with every lesson that teaches me to expand my limits.
I truly hope you’re aware of how impactful my lessons have been for me, and I’m so grateful and excited to work with you more in the future. Thank you again for being such a phenomenal teacher!"

-Maddie Newman, student of Matt Stalzer

"Thank you for lessons that are clear to understand and for music to practice which is challenging and lovely to listen to . Hope for many more years"

-Janet Cummings, student of Lisa Cornell

"Thank you for being my violin teacher! You are not only an amazing violinist, but also a wonderful teacher. I truly appreciate all the guidance and encouragement you have given me throughout my violin journey. Your passion and patience make every lesson meaningful. Thank you for helping me grow and for always supporting me. You are the best!

-Charles Deng, student of Julie Bickel

"I want to thank you, Patrick, for your encouragement, your guidance and support, and for the way you mentor me and provide me with tools and challenges that bring out my talents and abilities. What I have learned studying with you has opened doors of enjoyment, of creativity and artistic growth that will enable me to share my love of music with others for years to come."

-Robert Hopper, student of Patrick O'Malley

"Brad is my GOAT! For the past 8 years he has been a constant in my life. Always challenging and supporting, even halfway across the country when we went virtual for a year, he has been the only guitar teacher I could ever imagine studying with. Thank you, Brad!"

-Joey Kim, student of Brad Conroy

Thank you, Nick, for EVERYTHING! I can't believe how much I've grown as a musician under your instruction. You've helped me so much during the college admissions process, and I couldn't be more grateful for your guidance. Thank you so much!

-Joey Kim, student of Nick Collins

" Thank you for the wonderful, priceless gift of music, Ralph and Claire Neiweem! You are the most talented, lovely, patient and amazing pianists and teachers on the planet! Our entire family loves and plays piano because of you. So this thank you is from all of us, especially Peg, Colleen, Johnny and Ellen! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!"

-Margaret Duncan, student of  Ralph Neiweem

"Dear Barbara, Thanks for being such a great voice teacher. In just a few short lessons you taught me so much about my voice and about releasing it to the world. I am truly grateful for your insight and patience!"

-James Hildreth, student of Barbara Ann Martin

 Lavie & Godwin Huang, students of Avi Friedlander

"Thank you for being such an amazing piano teacher. I couldn't have gotten to this point without your guidance and help. I look forward to learning more with you. Thank you again."

-Miles Rubin, student of Dr. Olga Ridgway

"Thank you for teaching me! I have a reignited passion for piano in my adulthood thanks to you. I really appreciate you teaching me the art of music and I very much enjoy everything we've accomplished."

-Carly Ho, student of Ke Wang

-Mira Yerramilli, student of Melissa Arbetter

The Music Institute of Chicago is grateful to have such amazing faculty! Thank you for the passion, talent, and care you bring to MIC every day.