George Bolger has been playing music since Junior High School. He teaches Guitar, Bass, and Keyboards in all styles, specializing in Jazz and improvisational skills, as well as music reading and reading theory. He also has experience with MIDI instruments and digital recording.

In addition to his private lessons and schooling, he has graduated with a B.A. from Loyola University, received a diploma from the Berklee School of Music Correspondence Course and has taken the Howard Roberts Guitar Seminar. He has also studied with many of the top Jazz players in the Chicago area.

George has been performing in bands since Junior High, and has done solo performances, played in wedding bands, and done club and big band work. He has conducted workshops on improvisational playing, and to date has recorded three albums of original material.

The emphasis in his teaching is on music reading skills, using Classical as well as contemporary material on Keyboards, and standard music reading materials on Guitar and Bass. Students of all ages and levels are accepted. He has taught private lessons since 1974 and has teaching experience with students from age 4 and up. Students are expected to learn to read music and learn some theory, as well as practice at least a half-hour every day.

Visit George's website at www.gbolarts.com

Steve was born and raised in Chicago, Illinios where started drumming at the age of 10. At 16, Steve marched with the National Champion Chicago Royal-Airs Drum & Bugle Corps. By 18, he was performing with the United States Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps in Washington D.C.

Steve has directed music at several colleges, high schools, and middle schools. He has had hundreds of private students ranging in ages from 7 to 70, and has authored an instructional video entitled:

"Steve Fagiano Teaches Rudiments for Drumset."

Steve has performed with such notable musicians as Buddy Miles, J.C. Curlewski (Styx), Ronnie Keel, and Harvey Mandel.

He has also performed with several bands, including: Spread Eagle, Chameleon, and Centrifigual Force.

Visit Steve's website at www.fagianodrums.com

Pat Gaughan has a degree in music from the American Conservatory of Music. She has done Masters work at Northern Illinois University. Pat has been teaching guitar for 20 years. She teaches at The Player’s Bench, The Adler Cultural Center, and McHenry County College.

Pat performs throughout the Midwest as a singer/songwriter, and also performs blues, folk, and Celtic music. Her teaching covers the basis of music theory and guitar technique essential to all styles of music. Pat also has experience teaching through N.I.S.R.A. and S.R.A.C.L.C. where she taught the physically and mentally disabled. Visit her website: www.patgaughan.com

Margie Halinski Music Studio
5308 Circle Dr.
McHenry, IL 60050-6957
Phone: 847-497-4104

mhalinski@yahoo.com

Margie Halinski graduated from Northwestern University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance and Jazz Studies. She completed her Master’s Degree in 2000 at the University of Missouri-Columbia in Multiple Woodwind Performance and Music Theory. At the University of Missouri-Columbia, Ms. Halinski was the Jazz Graduate Assistant where she directed Jazz Band III and IV and several jazz combos. Her Music Theory thesis was entitled “Pitch Development in the “First Part: A Kiss of the Earth—Introduction” of Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.”

Margie has performed with Max Roach, Bob Newhart, Tom Scott, Daniel Rodriguez, Rufus Reid, Bobby Shew, Tim Shew, Marcus Roberts, Robert Sadin, and John Abercrombie. She has been featured as a soloist with the McHenry County College Concert Band, St. Giles Jazz Band, Northwestern University Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble, University of Missouri-Columbia Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble, Wheaton Municipal Band, and the National High School Music Institute Wind Ensemble. She has composed several original jazz ensemble pieces including “Reflections,” which featured pianist Danilo Perez and the Northwestern University Jazz Ensemble. She has also been a Head Counselor and Ensemble Coach for Northwestern University’s National High School Music Institute.

Currently, Margie has a private music studio consisting of thirty students ranging from fourth grade to college students. In addition to the Player's Bench, she also teaches at Libertyville High School and McHenry County College. As an active performer on saxophone, clarinet, flute, oboe, and bassoon, she plays at many Chicagoland venues including United Center - Chicago Bulls, Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Theatre at the Center, Royal George Theatre, Pheasant Run, and Northlight Theatre.

Gordon James has been a professional pianist for over 20 years. He majored in Piano and Electronic Music at Northern Illinois University where he studied under Art Hodes and Dr. J.B. Floyd. He has taught Jazz piano at Governor’s State University, as well as lectured on jazz improvisational and electronic music at the University of Iowa, and Elgin Community College. He has also been teaching private lessons 20 years.

In addition to teaching, Gordon is the keyboardist for TMC Music Production Company and the owner of J.J. Sound Recording and Flameboys Music Production Company. He is the keyboardist for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Elgin.

Gordon has been featured in the Discoveries column in Keyboard Magazine. His work has also received excellent reviews in the Illinois Entertainer, Chicago Tribune, Downbeat Magazine, and many others.

Mike received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. He has taught instrumental music at the Elementary, Junior High, High School, and College levels in the Chicago area. Mike’s performance credentials include performances with Billy Eckstein, Jimmy Dorsey, Tom Scott, Milton Berle, Las Vegas Rat Pack Show, Frank Mantooth, and the Ringling Brothers Circus. In the Chicago areas he has also performed with the John Burnett Orchestra, Bill O’ Connel Orchestra, Chicago Jazz Orchestra, and the Chicago Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra. Mike has also performed in Europe, the Caribbean, and a USO tour to Cuba.

Mike is currently active as a freelance woodwind artist in the Chicago area and leading his own jazz quartet. He is also a member of the Park Avenue Orchestra, which performs for many private and corporate events in the Chicago area and the Midwest. In addition, Mike is a woodwind instructor and directs the jazz program at St. Giles School in Oak Park, Il.

Mike has been teaching at the Player’s Bench since 1989. He continues to keep a very busy teaching schedule and accepts students of all levels, beginner thru advanced.

Please check out Mike’s website: www.mikeknaufmusic.com

Virginia has over ten years experience teaching violin to students ranging in age from 4 years through adults. She has taught in public schools, grades 4-9 in the United States and Germany.

Her professional background includes orchestral experience with symphonies in Omaha NE, Syracuse NY, and with the North Carolina Symphony. She has been a chamber musician as well, with the David Majors Players and various professional chamber groups.

Virginia has a Bachelor of Arts with honors from Syracuse University, where she studied with world-renowned concert violinist Louis Krasner. She also studied at the Robert Schumann Konservatorium in Dusseldorf, Germany under the direction of Sandor Vegh.

Virginia welcomes all beginning students, and teaches using a blend of Suzuki and traditional methods. She prefers students over the age of 4 and especially enjoys bringing music to teens and adults.

Mr. Petray started his musical journey in a Barber Shop Quartet in Los Angeles, CA, touring churches and competitions at age 9. Once solid with the guitar basics, he performed solo, and in rock bands during his school years.

After high school, Jed acquired his Bachelors degree in Music Performance at Arizona State University where he specialized in classical guitar, and piano.

Today he performs live music - mainly guitar and vocal – and is currently recording a CD of new and original compositions.

Dan Phelps is a native of Illinois who does one-man shows singing and playing traditional, acoustic blues such as the Delta and slide styles of greats like Son House & Charley Patton as well as ragtime styles like Rev. Gary Davis & Blind Blake.

Phelps has opened for and shared bills with Bob Brozman, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Woody Mann, Mike Dowling, Pat Donohue, Lightnin’ Willie and the Poorboys and C.J. Chenier, among many others. While touring the UK in 2004, Phelps appeared on BBC 2’s blues show, hosted by Paul Jones (of Manfred Mann & The Blues Band) and appeared on the show again in the spring of 2005 due to the overwhelming response from the first program.

In 2003, Phelps put out his first full-length CD, titled “Broke Down Engine.” The CD was produced by Matthew Fox, who has worked with such folk greats as Peter Ostroushko, Kari Larson and Dakota Dave Hull.

In 2005, Phelps put out his new CD, “Matchbox Blues,” to critical acclaim. Produced by 4-time EMMY nominee Roger Adler, this CD includes a mixture of ragtime-style guitar and Delta slide which highlights Phelps’ skills as a blues guitarist.

Along with playing two major festivals in Charleston, SC, Phelps also had another two successful tours of the UK in 2006 with more planned for the future.

Visit Dan's website at: www.danphelps.net

Chris teaches electric and string bass guitar. He specializes in jazz, pop, rock and funk.

Chris has a Bachelor of Music degree in Performance String Bass from Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. He has been performing in jazz, pop, rock and big bands in the area for many years. He also plays in musicals and does studio recording work. Chris teaches all levels and ages.

Chicago native Rick Rattner teaches guitar and bass guitar. He has been performing in various bands and composing music for almost 30 years. Rick attended Oakland University Music School and has a degree in Computer Science.

Rick is a session player and has composed music for numerous national commercial advertisements in television and radio, including Buick and National Kelly Services.

Rich teaches all styles and experience levels and prefers students eight years old and up.

Bob teaches Drum Set, Concert Percussion, Trumpet, and Tablas. He has been active in the music industry for at least 30 years, and has been teaching at The Player’s Bench for over 15 years. Bob teaches all skill levels, but does prefer students over age seven.

Vince Salerno has been playing and performing music for over 40 years. He as been teaching for nearly 30 years. Vince is a graduate of the American Conservatory of Music, with extensive coursework in Jazz Studies.

Vince has studied music with such music greats as Joe Daley, Ron Dewar, and Bill Sears.

Vince has performed in various jazz, country, and society bands. He has also performed with various famous blues artists. Among them, Luther Allison, Eddie Clearwater, Vanessa Davis Band, and Liz Manville.

Vince also teaches and performs harmonica. He studied harmonica with Howard Levy and Jerry Portnoy.

Aside from Alto and Tenor saxophone, Vince teaches flute, clarinet, and harmonica. He teaches all ages and skill levels

Bill teaches guitar, and has a music degree from Northeastern University. On top of the music education, Bill also has an AAS Aviation Mechanics Degree A+P license.

Bill has rocked with several bands and solo artists. He played in the band ‘Changes’ from 88-92. He was the guitarist for blues singer Eddie Burkes from 2001-2002, and currently plays with the band Random Access.

Born June 12th 1964, Bill grew up in Chicago and has played guitar since the tender age of 11 years. Yep, that’s almost 30 years of rocking experience! Bill enjoys teaching Rock, Blues, Country, Funk, and music theory. Bill has no age or experience requirements. All students are welcome.

Bruce has 35 + years of teaching and performing experience in all popular styles of guitar. He has performed as a guitarist, bassist and vocalist, in national venues, including Las Vegas, Nevada, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, The Rosemont Horizon (now Allstate Arena), as well as The United Center In Chicago. He also plays in the praise and worship band for the First Baptist Church of Elgin and is currently a member of the tropical rock band Pirates Over 40.

Bruce's approach to teaching the guitar revolves around building a firm understanding of the basics. This includes, music reading, proper techniques, and a belief that all music should be fun.

Bruce accepts students of all skill levels, and prefers students 8 years old and above.