Lee Rodriguez - Saxophone & Clarinet

Lee has over 20 years of teaching experience. He is able to teach both classical and jazz styles on saxophone and clarinet. Lee has performed as a freelance musician. He performed the National Anthem at the 1982 World Series and was a member of the Jungle Dogs Band and Larry Williams' Blues Band. He has also performed with the College of DuPage Jazz Ensemble. Lee studied at Southern Illinois University in Jazz Performance and Improvisation. He studied with Dr. Robert Allison, Dr. Eric Mandat, Harold Miller, Buddy Rogers and Clayton Schorie.

Joel Moore - Saxophone & Clarinet

Joel has 20 years of playing and teaching experience. He is currently the instructor of Applied Jazz Saxophone at Lewis University and on faculty at Prairie State University and Benedictine University. He has performed with artists such as: Arturo Sandoval, Eddie Daniels, Jim Snidero, and Maynard Ferguson. Joel has a BS in Media Communications with a minor in Music from Western Illinois University and a Masters of Music in Jazz Pedagogy from Berklee College of Music Boston Conservatory. He has studied privately with Bill Pierce, Bob Berg, and Rick Margitza.

Susan Rodriguez - Flute

Susan has 9 years of private teaching experience. She also teaches General Music classes and has taught band in the past. Susan has been a member of the Fox Valley Concert Band and performed with many instrumental groups at the University of Illinois. She was featured on one of the tracks on Eric Jackson's CD. She has a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Illinois.

Drenda Schmidt - Flute

Drenda has 20 years private teaching experience and is currently the band director at Indian Creek Middle School where she teaches grades 5-8. Drenda is also a member of the National Flute Association. She has been a member of the Naperville Municipal Band (1983-1995), Grace United Methodist Church flute choir, North Central College flute choir, and also performs at weddings. Drenda has a BA in Music Education from Western Illinois University.

Stephanie Rains - Flute/Voice

I've been teaching elementary music in the Oswego School District since the 2006-2007 school year, and love every minute of my job. I love teaching children about music and the things that it can do for their lives. I started in music when I was ten years old, playing the flute, and then got into singing when I went into high school. Both have afforded me such wonderful opportunities. In playing the flute, I was even able to be a part of a flute choir that traveled to England during my undergraduate degree. I graduated in 2006 from Millikin University with a B.M. in Music Education (vocal emphasis). I have also completed Masters Studies in Education at Aurora University.

I love teaching and helping students really see what they can do to develop their talents, and further, what they can then do with those developed talents. I look forward to working with you!

Anne Heckel - Clarinet

Anne has 40 years teaching experience. She was a band director for 2 years before going on to become an elementary school teacher for the last 32 years. She has performed over the years with groups such as the Fox Valley Symphony (23 years), the American Legion Band (35 years), and the Aurora Summer Concert Band (42 years). Anne has a BS in Music Education with a clarinet emphasis from Quincy University.

Laurie McCauley - All Band Instruments

Laurie has been teaching elementary band, choir, general music, and middle school band at various schools around Chicagoland for 10 years. She has directed flute and clarinet choirs and has taught jazz band as well. Laurie has been performing with the Wheaton Municipal Band since 2002 and the Murphy-Roche Irish Music Club since 2004. She has previously performed with the Chicago Classical Symphony Orchestra, and DePaul University's Wind Symphony, Orchestra, Opera Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble. Laurie has a Bachelor of Music with a double major in Music Education and Flute Performance from DePaul University. She also has her Teaching Certificate for grades K-12 in Music.

Mike Orenic - Trombone, Euphonium & Tuba

Mike has been teaching private lessons since 1980. He has performed with the Joliet American Legion Band, Cathedral of St. Raymond Brass Ensemble, and is a founding member of the Fortress Brass Quintet and Joliet Junior College Community Band. He has performed at many churches and summer music festivals around the area. Mike has a Bachelor of Music Education from St. Francis University in Joliet and is working toward a graduate degree in Music Education from Illinois State University.

Fred Cantu - Trumpet & French Horn

Fred taught as a band director for 6 years and has been teaching private lessons for 12 years. He has the ability to teach many styles of music from classical to jazz as well as being able to teach all brass instruments. Fred has been the lead trumpet player for: The 911 Mambo Orchestra (Grammy nominated), Willie Wilson Orchestra, WGN TV show Singsation, Selena, Chuchito Valdez, Peter Hennis Orchestra, and Trent Carlini. Fred has studied at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Roosevelt University, and has studied with Roger Ingram and Rob Parton.

Eric AuCoin - Brass

Eric has been playing trumpet for the past 32 years and has been teaching brass lessons in the area for the past 11 years. He was also a middle school band director in St. Charles for 4 years. For three summers, he has directed a neighborhood summer jazz band for junior high students in Naperville. Eric currently plays with the 8-piece Louisiana zydeco/funk band Hurricane Gumbo. He also occasionally plays with the Associates Band, a 9-piece wedding band. About 11 years ago, he was involved in the Chicago neo-swing scene playing with The Big Swing and The Riff Rockets. He also played for several years in the Calvary Church (Naperville) orchestra and has performed for wedding ceremonies on piccolo trumpet. Eric has a Bachelor of Music Composition from Oral Roberts University and a Masters of Business Administration also from Oral Roberts University. He has teaching credentials from Trinity Christian College.