Classical Guitar

Brad Conroy

ntakagi — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 19:04:43 +0000

Brad Conroy ntakagi Tue, 08/27/2024 - 14:04

Starting in the Fall of 2024, Brad Conroy will be the Guitar Department Chair at the Music Institute of Chicago.

Brad has served on the guitar faculty at MIC since 2011 and currently teaches at MIC’s Lake Forest and Winnetka campuses. Brad has also taught Guitar and Ukulele Summer Camps at MIC and a ukulele class representing MIC at a local elementary school.

Brad is a versatile guitarist, performer, and educator who specializes in the art and scholarship of the classical guitar. Brad performs from a diverse repertoire which begins at the Renaissance and goes through to the 21st century, often including his own compositions, improvisations, and new works which have been dedicated to him. Brad has given concerts across the United States and abroad, with appearances that include Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, the International Guitar Festival in Brno, Czech Republic, Vienna, Austria, Newport Beach, California, and Dublin, Ireland to name a few. His music has been heard on WFMT Chicago, and he has given concerts for the Chicago Historical Society, the Chicago Classical Guitar Society, the Czech Guitar Society, The Schweiker House, as well as a private concert for Caroline Kennedy and her entourage.

Brad finished his B.M. at Northeastern Illinois University (cum laude) with a degree in Classical Guitar Performance where he studied with 19th century scholar Dr. Brian Torosian and furthered his music studies with a M.M. in Classical Guitar Performance at The Chicago College of Performing Arts, the music conservatory at Roosevelt University where he studied with world renowned guitarists Denis Azabagic and Sergio Assad.

Academic Title

Guitar Department Chair, Guitar Faculty

Anything else we should know?

Available For

Online

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

Brad’s teaching method is centered around classical guitar technique, but also stresses the importance of improvisation, jazz, modern music, and creativity. He works to help students develop a relaxed technique, disciplined approach, while also giving them the tools that they will need to grow on their own as both a musician and human being.

Courses

Guitar, Musicianship
Group Lessons

Department

Community Music School

Department Head

Off

Education

B.M. Northeastern Illinois University (Cum Laude)
M.M. Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University

bconroy@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Tue, 02/15/2011 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Location(s)

Name

Brad Conroy

Personal Website / Link

https://www.bradconroy.com/

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

Photo

Program Area

Three Questions

Interests/hobbies outside of music

A few of my favorite things…

Why study music?

Three Questions Answer

My interests outside of music are running, skateboarding and snowboarding, and being outdoors.

My favorite composers are Fernando Sor, Domenico Scarlatti, and Isaac Albeniz.

Why study music: It is the ultimate art that incorporates physical, aural, and visual aspects.

Weight

-10

GUID

131

Media ID

497

Willing to Teach at

Lake Forest

Jeremiah Benham

ntakagi — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 19:04:40 +0000

Jeremiah Benham ntakagi Fri, 10/06/2023 - 14:04

Jeremiah Benham has been a member of the Music Institute’s guitar faculty since September 2017. He earned master of music and bachelor of arts degrees from DePaul University. He is a member of the Chicago Classical Guitar Society.

Academic Title

Guitar & Musikgarten Faculty

Available For

Online

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

"If your heart beats and you can speak, you are already making music."

Courses

Private Instruction
Roots and Rock Faculty (guitar)
Ukulele Faculty

Department

Community Music School

Department Head

Off

Education

MM, DePaul University
BA, DePaul University

jbenham@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Sun, 09/10/2017 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Location(s)

Name

Jeremiah Benham

Personal Website / Link

http://www.chicagoguitar.com

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

847.905.1500

Photo

Benham, Jeremiah web pic copy.jpg

Photo Credit

Photography by Educo

Professional Affiliations & Activities

Chicago Classical Guitar Society

Program Area

Private Instruction

Group Classes

Early Childhood - Musikgarten

Suzuki Education

Roots & Rock

Three Questions Answer

Interests/hobbies outside of music:
I enjoy Yoga and spending time with my wife and three kids.

A few of my favorite things:
My favorite food would be Indian, Thai or anything spicy!

Why study music:
I study music because it feels dangerous like walking on a rooftop, yet I can do it without hurting myself or others. It also feels unpractical and my mind tends to be attracted to unpractical things. Its like someone asked me to go on this near impossible quest at an early age and the more I was warned about its possible peril, the more impassioned I became.

Weight

GUID

119

Media ID

432

Willing to Teach at

Chicago - Gratz Center

Chicago - St. James

Evanston

Winnetka

Mark Maxwell

ntakagi — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 19:04:53 +0000

Mark Maxwell ntakagi Mon, 10/09/2023 - 14:04

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

Diploma di Merito, Accademia Musicale Chigiana, Siena, Italy "Favorites", The Waller and Maxwell Guitar Duo (2018)

"Grand Popourri", Terz Guitar Duos of Giuliani and Mertz, The Waller and Maxwell Guitar Duo (2001)

Academic Title

Guitar Faculty

Available For

Online

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

I combine teaching the awareness of artistry, imagination, and performance practice concerns with strong technical development to develop the student's repertoire and performing experiences. I specialize in my own repertoire in early 19th century guitar with original and replica instruments and period techniques. I also play baroque guitar and renaissance lute.

Courses

Classical Guitar

Department

Community Music School

Department Head

Education

MM, Southern Methodist University
BM, Southern Methodist University

mmaxwell@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Sun, 09/01/1985 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Classical Guitar

Location(s)

Evanston

Name

Mark Maxwell

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

847.905.1500

Photo

mark_maxwell_photo_november_2020.jpg

Photo Credit

Fiona Maxwell

Professional Affiliations & Activities

Coordinator of Guitar Studies, DePaul University School of Music, 1986-present
Guitar Faculty, Northwestern Music Academy 2009-present
Board Member, Chicago Classical Guitar Society

Program Area

Private Instruction

Three Questions Answer

A few of my favorite things:
I can't pick one composer who is my favorite above all others. I perform and teach so many. But one who is special to me through my experience as a guitarist and as a member of choirs in my youth is Benjamin Britten. His Nocturnal, Op. 70 written for guitarist and lutenist, the late Julian Bream, is one of the greatest pieces ever written for the guitar. It is a Theme and Variations on the lute-song by John Dowland, Come Heavy Sleep. It is structured in reverse order, with the variations working toward the theme presented at the end. For the lute, the fantasies of John Dowland, especially the two built on chromatic themes-Farewell and Forlorne Hope, are my favorites.

What does music mean to you:
Music is such a direct form of communication, reaching and moving people at a basic level.

What do you love about playing your instrument:
The guitar is an intimate instrument with the articulation and tonal palette at one's fingertips. Holding the instrument and playing it is so rewarding. After 50 years of playing, it never gets old!

Weight

GUID

173

Media ID

466

Willing to Teach at

Evanston

David Onderdonk

ntakagi — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 19:04:54 +0000

David Onderdonk ntakagi Mon, 10/02/2023 - 14:04

David Onderdonk began playing the guitar at the age of eight. Growing up in Evanston, IL, his early interests included folk, blues, and rock music. In 1974 he was accepted into the classical guitar program at the University of Illinois in Urbana, IL. In addition to his classical studies, which included masterclasses with Manuel Barrueco, Eliot Fisk, and Eduardo Fernandez, he also played in the U of I Jazz Big Band under the direction of John Garvey.

In 1976, David started his career as a classical guitarist. From 1976-1978 he gave concerts in Europe, Central and South America, and throughout the United States as part of a duo called One Plus One with dancer Patricia Hruby Powell. He moved to Chicago in 1980 and began making connections in the jazz community working in various jazz clubs around the city including Andy’s, The Green Mill, and The Jazz Showcase.

Between 1984 and 1985 he released two albums on Quaver Records (Close Call and Lookout). This was followed by tours of the Midwest in support of those albums. In 1993 he and drummer Mark Walker released Loose Contact (an album of original music) on Southport Records. This CD received a four-star review in Downbeat Magazine. In 1996 he was a featured guitarist in JAZZIZ magazine for their Guitars on Fire issue. His studio recording work also includes CD’s, TV jingles, documentaries (A&E with Bill Kurtis), and a movie soundtrack (Off the Map). In 2005 he released Renaissance Guitar as an independent project. More recently, he collaborated with singer Ana Everling on The Music of Guinga.

He has played and/or recorded with Kurt Elling (three Grammy nominated albums), Michael Feinstein, The Lakeside Singers, Megon McDonough, Terry Callier, Grazyna Auguscik, Fareed Haque, Fred Simon, and Marlene Rosenberg. He has also appeared on recordings with Pharoah Sanders, Mavis Staples, Mike Stern, Howard Levy, Paul Wertico, and Paul McCandless among others. He was a member of the Chicago Jazz Composers Collective for eighteen years regularly showcasing new compositions at The Green Mill.

An instructor for over thirty years, David currently teaches at the Music Institute of Chicago. Past teaching credits include Interlochen Summer Jazz Camp, Roosevelt University, Columbia College, and The Old Town School of Folk Music. He previously served as Interim Instructor of Guitar at Interlochen Arts Academy for the 2015-2016 school year.

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

Latest releases are at: http://davidonderdonk.bandcamp.com
Sheet music is available at: http://sheetmusicdirect.com
Tracks that David has played on are at: David Onderdonk/sideman – YouTube

Academic Title

Guitar and Ukulele Faculty

Available For

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

I teach students to teach themselves.

Courses

Private Instruction
Roots and Rock
Jazz Guitar
Group Classes

Department

Community Music School

Department Head

Off

Education

Classical and Jazz Guitar studies, University of Illinois at Urbana (1974-1978)

donderdonk@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Thu, 09/01/2016 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Location(s)

Name

David Onderdonk

Personal Website / Link

http://davidonderdonkmusic.com

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

Photo

Program Area

Three Questions Answer

Interests/hobbies outside of music:
I enjoy making photo collages of images I find down by Lake Michigan. I've had a few shows of my work and even sold some pieces.

A few of my favorite things..
My favorite composer is Bach. I enjoy playing his music on a guitar that's in Baroque tuning (A415).

Why study music:
Music engages your entire brain function that can benefit other areas of your life. Bach's music seems to align my molecules.

Weight

GUID

180

Media ID

473

Willing to Teach at

Winnetka

Lake Forest

Stephen Ramsdell

ntakagi — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 19:04:56 +0000

Stephen Ramsdell ntakagi Mon, 10/02/2023 - 14:04

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

Significant teachers and mentors:
Anne Waller, Paul Berliner, and David Bloom

Trips to New York, Cuba and Brazil to study with master musicians

CDs of original compositions: Steve Ramsdell Group(94) and Looking For (2005)

I stay on top of developments in Jazz and contemporary music.

Academic Title

Guitar Faculty

Anything else we should know?

Favorite practice tip:
Empty your hands!

Favorite composer or piece to play:
Bach, Villa-Lobos, Bebop and original compositions.

Available For

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

Steve's philosophy on teaching focuses on where the students are, and then using that to try to meet them at that level and go from there. The goal with this is that over time he and the student will focus on technique, applied theory, listening, and repertoire in order to develop the overall musicianship needed to play at a high level. Considering that different styles of playing develop different skill sets, he enjoys working with Classical, Jazz, and other popular styles.

Courses

Private Instruction
Classical Guitar
Folk/Jazz Guitar

Department

Community Music School

Department Head

Off

Education

BM Classical Guitar, Northwestern University
MM Jazz Pedagogy, Northwestern University

sramsdell@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Location(s)

Name

Stephen Ramsdell

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

847.905.1500

Photo

ramsdell.jpg

Professional Affiliations & Activities

Awards and achievements:
Mr. Ramsdell performs commercial music, original music as a leader, jazz classics, and solo classical music. Some of his performance highlights include New Year's Eve celebrations at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, his original music at SPACE in Evanston, performances with Spider Saloff at the Iridium in New York, and shows with Matt Geraghty at Ondojazz in Lisbon and the Chicago Jazz Fest. His musical arrangements can be heard on Spider Saloff's CD 'Like Glass' while his original compositions appear on his release 'Looking For...' and his first CD, 'Steve Ramsdell Group'. As a teacher with decades of experience, Steve works with all levels of guitarists, striving to help his students develop the skills needed to pursue their musical goals.

Professional affiliations & activities:
In addition to all of Mr. Ramsdell's achievements, he is also on the faculty at Wheaton College and College of Du Page. Furthermore, he performs professionally in myriad styles as a soloist and in small and large ensembles as well.

Currently affiliated with Arlen Music for performances

Research and presentations / publications:
Editorial Work on Paul Berliner's book "Thinking in Jazz"
Interview with jazz guitarist John Abercrombie in the IAJE journal(1996)
Participated in Folkloric Workshops in Brazil (1997) and Cuba (1998)

Program Area

Private Instruction

Group Classes

Jazz Studies

Three Questions

Interests/hobbies outside of music

Why study music?

What does music mean to you?

What do you love about playing your instrument?

Three Questions Answer

Why study music:
I find music to be a demanding and rewarding daily challenge. I particularly enjoy the contrast between between jazz and classical...each style seems to appeal to a different side of my personality. There is so much amazing music to work on!

Interests/hobbies outside of music:
I also enjoy working out and reading a broad range of subjects and fiction.

Weight

GUID

188

Media ID

478

Willing to Teach at

Evanston

Winnetka