Early Childhood - Musikgarten

Department Head

Off

Education

BME, St. Paul College of Manila
MA candidate, Northeastern Illinois University

nbaroja@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Fri, 07/01/2005 - 12:00

Location(s)

Name

Noralyn Baroja

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

Baroja, Noralyn web pic copy.jpg

Photo

Photo Credit

Photography by Educo

Professional Affiliations & Activities

ECMMA (Early Childhood Music and Movement Association)

Program Area

Three Questions Answer

Interests outside of music:
When she's not working with music, Noralyn loves to lead her church's youth group in performing juggling, acrobatic skills, dancing cultural dances, playing instruments, and singing in the community. They love to perform in nursing homes, youth gatherings, and festivals. Additionally, she enjoys playing WII at home with her kids.

Favorite quote:
" Being music literate is not how well you play an instrument or how well you sing. It is being able to put meaning in every music that you make."

Favorite composer or piece to play:
Bach and Mozart

Weight

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

http://www.chicagoguitar.com

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

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

Benham, Jeremiah web pic copy.jpg

Photo

Photo Credit

Photography by Educo

Professional Affiliations & Activities

Chicago Classical Guitar Society

Program Area

Private Instruction

Group Classes

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 - St. James

Suzanne Hannau

ntakagi — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 19:04:48 +0000

Suzanne Hannau ntakagi Sun, 10/08/2023 - 14:04

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

Musikgarten Certified
Blocki Flute Method

Academic Title

Flute & Musikgarten Faculty

Available For

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

I love teaching, and I love my students. I love figuring out what each student needs from me to understand a concept. I love making learning fun! I love working through the breakdowns as much as I love celebrating the breakthroughs. I love doing my part to help nurture creativity and expression. I love fostering space for students to begin thinking critically, and I love seeing my students flourish when they’re equipped with the tools to succeed without me.

Department

Department Head

Off

Education

MM Flute Performance, DePaul University
BM Flute Performance, DePaul University

shannau@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Sun, 05/01/2016 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Flute

Location(s)

Chicago - St. James

Name

Suzanne Hannau

Personal Website / Link

http://suzannehannau.com

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

8479051500

Photo

shheadshotlaugh1.jpg

Photo Credit

Gold Grid Studios

Professional Affiliations & Activities

National Flute Association
Chicago Flute Club
Trade Winds Ensemble
New Music Chicago

Program Area

Private Instruction

Three Questions Answer

Hobbies/interests outside of music:
I'm a Muay Thai instructor. Music and martial arts require overlapping skills like focus, discipline, and mental toughness. Sometimes I'll put the metronome on in class when drilling combinations!

Most memorable musical moment:
Any time Trade Winds and I get to perform the compositions of our students is extremely special. I love fostering creativity and seeing wonder and joy on their faces as their art comes to life.

What music means to you:
Music makes us grow! Music can challenge how we see the world, and give us the tools and courage to make it a better place. Music can be polished or raw, but both will make the world more beautiful.

Weight

GUID

150

Media ID

503

Willing to Teach at

Chicago - St. James

Jennifer McCormick

ntakagi — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 16:51:05 +0000

Jennifer McCormick ntakagi Mon, 10/09/2023 - 11:51

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

Significant teachers and mentors:
Voice with Nancy Henninger, Lorian Stein-Schwaber, Corinne Ness, Jeffrey Ray
Coaching with George Tenegal, Dr. A. Kit Bridges, Margo Garrett, Nyela Basney
Acting with Michael LaTour and Michael Kotze

Awards and achievements:
2nd place: The National Society for Arts and Letters Music Theatre Competition, Evanston Chapter
Estill Voice Training System, Levels I and II
World premier recording of "Abord de l'Evening Star," 2009

Academic Title

Voice & Musikgarten Faculty

Available For

Online

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

I reach out to all types and ages of students, from child to adult, beginner to advanced, and teach them how to find confidence and beauty in their own voice with no aesthetic or stylistic bias. Through my respectful approach students deepen their sense of humanity and strengthen their character, while cultivating their musicianship and musical sophistication.

My special music interests are American Music Theatre and the works of Richard Strauss.

Courses

Private Instruction
Jazz / Popular Voice
Classical Voice
Musikgarten Classes

Department

Department Head

Off

Education

Master of Music in Voice Performance, North Park University
Bachelor of Arts in Music Theatre, Carthage College

jmccormick@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Sat, 09/01/2007 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Location(s)

Name

Jennifer McCormick

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

Photo

JenniferMcCormick.jpg

Professional Affiliations & Activities

Professional affiliations & activities:
National Association of Teachers of Singing, member

Program Area

Private Instruction

Three Questions Answer

Interests outside of music:
Backpacking, crocheting blankets for family, running, working with my church's youth group

Favorite quote:
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." --Teddy Roosevelt, The Man in the Arena, excerpted from the "Citizenship in a Republic" speech.

Favorite practice tip:
Trust that with time, everything will resolve itself, and what was once difficult will come with ease.

Favorite composer or piece to play:
Anything by Richard Strauss, Guiseppe Verdi, or Giacomo Puccini. On the music theatre side, I adore AIDA, WICKED SWEENEY TODD, KISS ME KATE, and LES MISERABLES.

Favorite musical moment:
My favorite musical moment is a personal triumph in my own journey to great musicianship. I had been working for a year and a half on the music for my graduate recital, and was alone in the practice room when in one moment, things that all of my previous voice teachers had said just "clicked," and I found I was singing this well-known music higher and more beautifully than ever before. It was the moment when I knew that all my hard work had paid off, and I was going to give the best concert of my life.

Weight

AJ Seitz

ntakagi — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 06:25:02 +0000

AJ Seitz ntakagi Mon, 10/02/2023 - 01:25

AJ Seitz joined the Music Institute as an instructor in the Musikgarten and Roots & Rock programs in April 2023. She earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in music and philosophy. She also was a Grace Updergraff Bergen Scholar, Ried Scholar, and Galovich Student Symposium Presenter.

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

Additional studies/awards
Grace Updergraff Bergen Scholar
Ried Scholar
Galovich Student Syposium Presenter

Academic Title

Musikgarten Faculty

Available For

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

Teaching philosophy
My focus in my studies was popular musicology, specifically looking at ’90s punk subcultures and the ’60s folk rock movement. I believe that understanding the historical context of repertoire and playing go hand in hand. I also have a background in various childcare positions having worked with children aged 2-15 with very diverse backgrounds and learning styles.   When creating classes, at the forefront I am thinking about how to create lifelong musicians that have passion for what they do. I also like to emphasize that anyone can be a talented and successful musician no matter their background as long as they are committed to learning. With my teaching, I aim to share what I love about music and hope my students latch on to my enthusiasm.

Courses

Musikgarten

Department

Department Head

Off

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Music and Philosophy

aseitz@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Fri, 09/01/2023 - 12:00

Location(s)

Name

AJ Seitz

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

Photo

AJ Seitz pic 2024.jpg

Photo Credit

Karla Perez

Program Area

Three Questions Answer

Hobbies/interests outside of music:
While music is pretty much all-consuming for me, I do try and expand my horizons, taking time to pursue visual and fiber arts. I also like to spend my extra time cooking, doing home improvement projects, and spending time with my cat.

Most memorable musical moment:
I have so many memorable moments when it comes to music, but I always like to think back to my very first piano recital when I was around six years old. I was playing some short piece out of the level one book my teacher started us all on and wearing the dress I had gotten for the previous Easter. While it was a small affair, my teacher took so much pride in setting up the whole event and made the day so special for her whole studio. With my older brother on deck to play after me, I remember walking into my teacher’s living room repeating the memorized speech about the composer of the piece and proceeding to rush through the already-brief song I practiced for weeks. When it was over, we all came together and took pictures marking the occasion. These are the types of memories I look forward to creating with my students. The memories of first performances always stick with musicians and are so formative to becoming an artist.

What you love about Chicago:
I just moved to the city after spending my undergraduate years in the suburbs and have found an even deeper love for Chicago. The DIY and concert scene of the city is what I most cherish as there are so many options to hear live music any day of the week!

Weight

Willing to Teach at

Julia Wen

ntakagi — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 19:05:02 +0000

Julia Wen ntakagi Mon, 10/02/2023 - 14:05

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

The Alliance for Early Childhood Teacher Tribute (18-19)

Academic Title

Cello Faculty, Musikgarten Faculty, Suzuki Events Coordinator

Available For

Online

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

As a teacher, I aim to instill music appreciation and performance ability in each of my students by developing habits of excellence, commitment, and creativity. I believe every individual has the potential to learn and perform at his or her highest level and can pay music forward as a gift to his or her community. I love working with parents and students on the development of beautiful tone and beautiful hearts.

Courses

Private Instruction
Musikgarten classes

Department

Department Head

Off

Education

MM, Peabody Conservatory - Johns Hopkins University
BM, Roosevelt University

jwen@musicinst.org

Instrument(s)

Suzuki Cello

Cello

Location(s)

Name

Julia Wen

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

Photo

Wen, Julia2.jpg

Professional Affiliations & Activities

Suzuki Association of the Americas

Program Area

Group Classes

Suzuki Education

Three Questions

Interests/hobbies outside of music

A few of my favorite things…

What do you love about playing your instrument?

Three Questions Answer

When I'm not engaged in something music-related, I enjoy baking elaborate British Bake-Off recipes, reading all the books, and running off the calories I gain from baking.

My favorite book series is J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, my favorite TV show is Chuck, my favorite Broadway musical is My Fair Lady, and my favorite meal of the day is afternoon tea.

I love the range of voices and emotions the cello can produce. High or low, thin or thick, tender or raucous, laidback or energetic, the cello conveys it all through a warm, enveloping resonance. It's the best thing in the world to share with others.

Weight

GUID

207

Media ID

521

Willing to Teach at