Our Official Grand Opening Event!
Throughout the month of May, we will be celebrating our Official Grand Opening and Open House. All month we will be promoting 30% off on select items in our retail store. Register within the month of May for the opportunity to WIN a new Guitar! But wait, there’s more! We are also offering FREE introductory lessons for all new students. What a great chance to meet your teacher and learn about our program!
Stop by our location or give us a call to learn about all the new and exciting things happening in the month of May! 630-964-1400 * 37 W. Quincy Street, Westmont, IL 60559
Read MoreReggies Music Joint Album Series
Last Thursday we had the pleasure of hearing two of our faculty members at Reggies Music Joint for their monthly Album Series. They were covering Dream Theaters “Images and Words” and “Awake” note-for-note. Believe me when I tell you, this was an incredible show! Faculty member Michaele Hanneman (vocals) sang on the first album, “Images and Words” and Tim Seisser (bass) played on “Awake”. The bands were spot on and it was a lot of fun watching them do what they do best! Great show Michaele and Tim!
Read MoreWe would like to Welcome our newest Faculty member, Michaele Hannemann!
Michaele has been playing keyboards & singing in professional rock/pop bands since 1998. She’s played live & recorded tracks for original artists like: Dave Tamkin, Kimi Hayes, MER, Noah Gabriel, Sarah VonderHaar & Daphne Willis. Michaele has performed at notable venues such as: House of Blues (Chicago, IL), Alpine Valley Music Theatre (East Troy, WI), Milwaukee Summerfest (Milwaukee, WI), Wheeler Opera House (Aspen, CO), The Living Room (New York City, NY), Double Door (Chicago, IL), Martyr’s (Chicago, IL), and Cubby Bear (Chicago, IL). She currently sings & plays with the Chicago-based corporate band, “Green 13” (www.greenthirteenmusic.com), and is going to release her own album of original music in early 2012.
Musician’s Workshop would like to take a moment to recognize our newest addition to the string department, Valerie Fila!
Musician’s Workshop is proud to add to our String Department, Valerie Fila! Valerie is a well established viola/violinist in the Chicagoland area and is such a wonderfully talented, inspirational educator. Here is a brief biography of Valerie and her accomplishments.
Valerie Fila,
Valerie is currently finishing 
her bachelor’s degree in Music Education at Northeastern Illinois University. She has many years of experience with several symphonic orchestras, string ensembles, and chamber groups. In addition, Ms. Fila has an extensive knowledge of solo literature as both a teacher and performer. Under the direction of Maestro Joseph Glymph, Ms. Fila has been a member of the Classical Symphony Orchestra for 5 years, having performed in prestigious venues including; the Navy Pier Grand Ballroom, Chicago Cultural Center and Millennium Park. As the concert master of Northeastern Illinois University’s Orchestra, Ms. Fila was recently featured on the world premiere, “Cross Cultures” by Christopher Caliendo. She has studied privately under Maestro Joseph Glymph, Eloise Meloni, Brian Groner and Peter Chang. In the summer of 2011, Ms. Fila studied music and attended master classes in Rome and Florence, Italy. Ms. Fila has taught individual and group violin lessons at Logos School in Niles and privately in the Chicagoland area. Ms. Fila’s thorough musical training emphasizes proper technique, posture, tone precision, and musical expression. These daily practice habits will aide the progression of significant orchestral and solo literature. Students will further develop their confidence, coordination, musical sensitivity and awareness in addition to broadening their understanding of music history, theory and ear training.
Musician’s Workshop is proud to have on board Michael Block, Saxophone and woodwind faculty
Here at Musician’s Workshop, we pride ourselves at hiring the most professional musician’s and educators in the industry. Michael Block is no exception, and we are proud to have him as part of our team. Here is a brief description of Michael and his accomplishments:
Michael Block
Born in Chicago Illinois, Michael Block is a talented musician, composer and educator. Classically trained, Michael is proficient in virtually all styles of music playing tenor sax, alto sax, flute and clarinet. As a performer for over 13 years, he has played with a variety of talented groups including the Eastern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo, The Wheaton Municipal Band, The Chicago Concert Winds, The Kelly Bell Band of Baltimore Maryland, The Staff Blues Band, Little Boy Junior, Any Van Slyke, IMEA Honor Band, The Dogs of Rock, The Building Blocks, and much more. He has also performed on stage with several big names including Bob Mintzer, Scott Wendholt, and Wayne Bergeron. Michael has received training from many of Chicago’s top saxophonists including Mark Colby (DePaul University/Elmhurst College) and Louie Stockwell (Chicago Jazz Ensemble). At Eastern Illinois University he was trained and mentored by their accomplished jazz faculty: Paul Johnston (Piano) and Sam Fagaly (Saxophone) Director of Jazz Studies and formerly of the US Air Force Jazz Band. Michael also won several academic awards including The Eastern Illinois Talented Student Scholarship, The EIU Jazz Alumni Scholarship, and The New Trier Jazz Festival’s Outstanding Soloist Award.
Education
Eastern Illinois University – Music Education
Eastern Illinois University – Jazz Studies
Skills
Improvisation, composition, transcription, arranging, sight reading, tenor sax, alto sax, bari sax,
clarinet, flute, drum set, electric bass, piano.
Experience
Director of Jazz Bands/Assistant Band Director Lisle, IL July 2011-Present
• Auditioned and placed 55 students.
• Directed three school jazz groups.
‣ Jazz Ensemble (advanced)
‣ Jazz Lab Band (novice)
‣ Jazz Combo (advanced/improv.)
• Held jazz and pop improvisation clinics.
• Brought in guest artists and groups.
• Arranged and composed music for students of varying abilities.
• Assisted with Benet Academy Marching Redwings.
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Musician’s Workshop would like to welcome, Tim Seisser!
Musician’s Workshop would like to welcome our newest faculty member and bass instructor, Tim Seisser! It is a pleasure having Mr. Seisser as part of our faculty and staff. Below I have shared a brief biography about Tim and his accomplishments.
Tim Seisser:
Tim Seisser was born in Elgin, Illinois and grew up in Arlington Heights, a suburb of Chicago. He began playing the bass at age 13 and quickly progressed, technically and musically, thru high school. At age 16 he appeared on his first recording with progressive rock group “Parallel Mind” for their self titled debut. As a senior in High School he travelled to New York City, with the jazz big band “YJED”, to perform at the 6th Annual Essentially Ellington Festival at Lincoln Center.
In 2004 Tim moved to Chicago and began his career as a full time musician. It did not take long for Tim to become one of the city’s most in demand sideman/bassists. He regularly crosses between genres and has had the opportunity to perform with a wide range of talent. Tim most notably has performed with jazz artists like Mark Colby, Howard Levy, Corey Wilkes, Willerm Delisfort, Nicole Mitchell, Nick Colionne, World music groups A Cor Do Brasil, Occidental Brothers Dance Band International, Bossa Tres, Luciano Antonio, celebrity entertainers Max Weinberg, Charo and numerous other Chicago area rock artists, dance bands and jazz/fusion groups. Tim has recording credits at many major Chicago area studios and appears on recordings with Bob Minzter, Will Kennedy, Khari Parker and Allen Vizzuti to name a few.
He has performed at many notorius Chicago area venues including Alpine Valley Music Theatre, House of Blues Chicago, Hard Rock Cafe Chicago, The Green Mill, Andy’s Jazz Club, and Martyrs. Past notable festival appearances include The Chicago Jazz Festival, The Taste Of Chicago, The Little Apple Jazz Festival, The Cherokee Jazz and Blues Festival and The Blues To Bop Festival in Switzerland. Tim was an artist in residence for the Union League Club of Chicago Civic and Arts Jazz Ensemble in 2008.
In 2008 Tim released his first official album as a leader entitled “Wire and Wood”. It received acclaim from jazz reviewers and has been played on multiple Chicago area jazz stations including WDCB and WNUA. In 2010/2011 Tim released two more albums, “That’s Not Jazz” and “T.S.5 Live!”, which have both been well received in the Chicago jazz community.
He is an alumni of Victor Wooten’s Bass/Nature Camp and has had the chance to study with Victor Wooten, Steve Bailey, Adam Nitti, Chuck Rainey, Jeff Berlin, Jon Paul and Kelly Sill. Tim is also a staff writer for the online publication Bass Musician Magazine. Tim exclusively uses CB Custom Basses.
Tim currently resides in Chicago and is leading his own band and is keeping a very busy schedule as an A-list sideman.
To enquire about lessons with Tim, go to the”Contact Us” page, or call us at: 630.964.1400 and schedule a trial lesson.
Read MoreFree half hour lesson!
Musician’s Workshop is now offering free half-hour trial lessons to all new students. Fill out our inquiry form under the “Contact Us” page and receive your free lesson today!
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