Private Instruction

Department Head

Off

Education

Masters of Music Composition, Bath Spa University, UK
Bachelor of Arts - Creative Arts (Music & Drama), Bath Spa University, UK

cleek@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Fri, 09/01/2017 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Music Production

Location(s)

Winnetka

Name

Clem Leek

Person Type

Administration

Faculty

Phone

847.448.8301

Photo

Untitled design (21).png

Program Area

Group Classes

Roots & Rock

Three Questions Answer

Interests outside of music:
Architecture, design, sports & travelling

Favorite quote:
'Less is more'

Favorite practice tip:
Don't give up!

Favorite composer or piece to play:
Favourite composers include Max Richter, Phillip Glass, Steve Reich & countless others.

Weight

-99

GUID

Media ID

Willing to Teach at

Dr. Marie Alatalo

ntakagi — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 20:24:09 +0000

Dr. Marie Alatalo ntakagi Sun, 10/01/2023 - 15:24

Dr. Marie Alatalo has been a member of the Music Institute’s piano faculty since September 2017 and is currently the Chicago campus director.
She received a high school diploma from Interlochen Arts Academy, she earned a bachelor of music degree from the University of Michigan, and she received a doctor of musical arts degree from Eastman School of Music. She has been an examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music, which named her a Teacher of Distinction, and she has had fellowships with Eastman and the Chautauqua Institution. She is a member of New Music Chicago and a past coordinator of the ISMTA Composition contest. She has recorded with the Eastman Wind Ensemble, and her solo recordings include sonatas from the Baroque period through the 20th century, Chopin preludes, and a solo recording featuring American composers.

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

Teacher of Distinction, Royal Conservatory of Music
Fellowships: Eastman School of Music, Chautauqua Institution
Artist in Residence (former), Cliff Dwellers Club
Recordings on itunes and spotify
SONY recording "Live in Osaka" with the Eastman Wind Ensemble
Community Arts Assistance Program Grants (Chicago) Two Thousand Notable American Women - The World Who’s Who of Women Quarterfinalist
Concert Artist Guild New York Competition Doctoral Fellowships
Eastman School of Music Graduate Awards
Eastman School of Music Chautauqua Fellowship
Professional Development Grant |Chicago Area Music Teachers Association
Various competition prizes

Academic Title

Piano and Musicianship Faculty

Administrative Title

Campus Director, Chicago

Anything else we should know?

Favorite quotes:
"Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music" - Rachmaninoff
"Good enough is not good enough"

Available For

Online

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

Marie Alatalo has taught piano for over thirty years. Her primary goals are to provide expert individualized instruction and to help students realize their unique musical voice. Students of Marie Alatalo learn the rudiments of music and harmony. The piano is approached with a natural hand position and a technique that focuses on flexibility. Students learn effective and productive practice techniques and are trained to become self-sufficient pianists. Encouragement is given to make piano and music a part of everyday life, to enjoy lessons and to transfer the self-discipline and confidence gained in piano study to other parts of life.

Courses

Private Instruction
Musicianship

Department

Department Head

Off

Education

Doctor of Musical Arts, Eastman School of Music
Bachelor of Music, University of Michigan
High school diploma, Interlochen Arts Academy

malatalo@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Wed, 10/11/2017 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Piano

Location(s)

Chicago - Gratz Center

Chicago - St. James

http://www.mariealatalo.com

Name

Dr. Marie Alatalo

Personal Website / Link

Person Type

Administration

Faculty

Phone

847.448.8319

Photo

Alatalo, Marie Dr web pic copy.jpg

Photo Credit

Program Area

Musicianship

Three Questions

Interests/hobbies outside of music

Three Questions Answer

Marie is an avid swimmer and cook/baker. She was a finalist in the Christmas cookie competition at Foodstuffs!

Weight

-97

GUID

112

Media ID

426

Willing to Teach at

Chicago - Gratz Center

Chicago - St. James

Patrick O'Malley

ntakagi — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 20:24:09 +0000

Patrick O'Malley ntakagi Mon, 10/02/2023 - 15:24

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

Additional studies in Baroque dance, harpsichord, basso continuo, Renaissance flute, shawm, viola, French horn

Recordings:
Double cd "Telemann: Canons & Duos" with Lisette Kielson.
Brandenburg Concerto #4 with Music of the Baroque.

Academic Title

Recorder Faculty (Suzuki)

Administrative Title

Campus Director, Evanston

Available For

Online

In-Person

Available Offsite

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

Music should be accessible to everyone. Any age, any level of experience, and ambition.

The recorder is my favorite instrument, with its beguiling tone, beautiful repertoire, and openness to players of any age, size, or financial means. The whole family can play!

Courses

Baroque Ornamentation

Department

Department Head

Off

Education

MM, Indiana University
Fulbright Scholarship Certificate, Rotterdam Conservatory, the Netherlands

pomalley@musicinst.org

Instrument(s)

Suzuki Recorder

Recorder

Location(s)

Name

Patrick O'Malley

Person Type

Administration

Faculty

Phone

847.448.8324

Photo

O'Malley-Patrick-web.jpg

Photo Credit

Mike Canale

Professional Affiliations & Activities

Suzuki Association of the Americas
American Recorder Society
Early Music America

Featured performer with Lyric Opera, Music of the Baroque, Haymarket Opera, Rembrandt Chamber Players, and many early music and chamber groups.

Founding member of Chicago Recorder Quartet

Program Area

Three Questions

A few of my favorite things…

What do you love about Chicago?

What does music mean to you?

Three Questions Answer

What do you love about Chicago?
Chicago has the exciting cultural diversity of a big city, plus the friendliness of the Midwest. I love living near Lake Michigan.

Favorite composer: Georg Phillip Telemann. Incredibly prolific, and each piece is a gem. My favorite musical form is Theme and Variations. It holds the key to our ability to make a better world. An eternal challenge to look at situations in new ways.

In architecture school I learned that design “problems” have “solutions.” Just when you think you’ve composed the last possible variation, your mind shifts and discovers yet another way. That’s beautiful and hopeful.

Weight

-95

GUID

179

Media ID

472

Willing to Teach at

Chicago - Gratz Center

Chicago - St. James

Dr. Sung Hoon Mo

ntakagi — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 19:04:35 +0000

Dr. Sung Hoon Mo ntakagi Sun, 10/01/2023 - 14:04

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

Significant teachers and mentors:
Over the years, Dr. Mo had a lot of accomplished and talented instructors. Some of his most significant teachers/mentors include: James Tocco, Leon Fleisher, and Emanuel Ax.

Awards and achievements:

Pianist Sung Hoon Mo has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician.
Sung has performed for the American Embassy in Guatemala and has toured throughout Puerto Rico, giving concerts at San Juan Conservatory and the Ponce Museum.

He was featured on PBS and has been heard on many radio broadcasts, including WQXR in New York City as a winner of the Bergen Philharmonic Concerto Competition.

He has given master classes and lectures in Sewanee Summer Music Festival in Tennessee and the National Conservatory of Music at Guatamala City.

In Germany, he has toured with violinist Victor Tretjakov and violist Yuri Bashmet in an ensemble Villa Musica.

He has collaborated with artists including violinist Charles Castleman, and cellists Pieter Wispelwey and Emilio Colon, with whom he has recorded on the Klavier and the Enharmonic labels.

Academic Title

Piano and Musicianship Faculty

Administrative Title

Site Coordinator, Downers Grove

Available For

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Courses

Private Instruction
Academy Chamber Music Coaches
Musicianship

Department

Department Head

Off

Education

DMA, Peabody Conservatory of Music
MM, Performer's Certificate from Indiana University
BM, Eastman School of Music

smo@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Sun, 09/01/1996 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Piano

Location(s)

Winnetka

Name

Dr. Sung Hoon Mo

Person Type

Administration

Faculty

Phone

847.877.4854

Photo

Mo, Sung Hoon_0.jpg

Professional Affiliations & Activities

Since moving to Chicago, he has been an active chamber musician and a guest solo recitalist performing at such venues as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra chamber music series, De Paul University, and the Ravinia Festival.

In addition to serving as the Downers Grove site coordinator and piano faculty at the Music Institute of Chicago, he is also on the piano faculty at the Wheaton College Conservatory.

Program Area

Weight

-93

GUID

Media ID

Academy Faculty

Chamber Music Coaches

James Setapen

ntakagi — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 20:24:09 +0000

James Setapen ntakagi Mon, 10/02/2023 - 15:24

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

Mr. Setapen is currently the Director of the Academy and Conductor-in-Residence at the Music Institute of Chicago. From 1988 - 2007, he was Music Director and Conductor of the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra.

He has also guest conducted many orchestras and opera companies throughout the country, including those of Denver, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Orlando, and Honolulu. He has also conducted in several cities in Italy, Germany, and Austria.

Jim also won his first prize in the Oakland Symphony's American Conductor's Competition.

Additional accomplishments include: Samuel Jones - Roundings (Naxos)

Academic Title

Academy Director and MIC Conductor-in-Residence

Administrative Title

Academy Director

Available For

Online

In-Person

Available Offsite

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

Special music interests
I love a broad range of classical music (symphonic, chamber, opera, Lieder, piano music, concerti, etc.) and the Beatles, Beach Boys, Nina Simone, Dixieland jazz, Bebop, and The Little Mermaid

Courses

Academy Artistic Director
Academy Orchestra Conductor
Private conducting lessons

Department

The Academy

Department Head

Off

Education

Master's in Opera Direction, Cleveland Institute of Music
Bachelor's with Distinction and Performer's Certificate in Clarinet, Eastman School of Music

jsetapen@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Sat, 03/15/2008 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Conducting

Location(s)

http://www.jamessetapen.com

Name

James Setapen

Personal Website / Link

Person Type

Administration

Faculty

Phone

847.905.1500

Photo

James Setapen pic 2021.jpg

Professional Affiliations & Activities

Recent guest engagements have included:
Milwaukee Symphony, the Park Ridge Fine Arts Symphony, the Northbrook and Racine orchestras, University of Chicago Orchestra

Music Director of Summer Music Monterey - worked with the youth orchestras of Oakland, Denver, and Amarillo

Recently the guest conductor for the Vermont All-State Orchestra, the Milwaukee High School Honors Orchestra, and the Northeast Kansas Honors Orchestra

Setapen has also been on the faculty of the Conductor's Institute at Bard College in New York

Formerly on Board of Directors of the International Conductors Guild, and of the Illinois Council of Orchestras Member - League of American Orchestras, Conductors Guild

Program Area

Academy

Three Questions Answer

A few favorite things:
Charles Chaplin, Mozart's letters, Italian food, Dennis Wheatley novels, teaching young people

Memorable moment:
April 16, 1999 - the first time I conducted my daughter in a solo work, my son in a youth orchestra, and my wife in a professional orchestra - all on the same concert.

What I love about conducting:
I love sharing my thoughts and enthusiasm about the pieces I am conducting, and seeing students bring them to life. There is so much to think of as one is conducting! It is a total immersion into music making and responding to other performers.

Weight

-86

GUID

196

Media ID

481

Willing to Teach at

Academy Faculty

Leadership

Music Theory

Brad Conroy

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

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

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

https://www.bradconroy.com/

Department Head

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

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

Andrés Guzmán

ntakagi — Tue, 27 May 2025 15:51:23 +0000

Andrés Guzmán ntakagi Tue, 05/27/2025 - 10:51

Academic Title

Trombone and Euphonium Faculty

Available Offsite

Off

Department

Department Head

Off

Hire Date

Thu, 11/07/2024 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Trombone

Location(s)

Name

Andrés Guzmán

Person Type

Faculty

Program Area

Weight

Phyllis Adams

ntakagi — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 21:27:23 +0000

Phyllis Adams ntakagi Tue, 06/20/2023 - 16:27

Awards and achievements:
Louisville Orchestra Apprentice Program Award 1973 - 1975, Jorge Mester

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

Research and presentations / publications:
• CD’s available on ITunes or CD Baby – “Opera by Request” and “Universal Peace”
  with flutist, Monty Adams
• Adams Magnificent Music Publications – 60+ transcriptions for flute & harp
  available from Flute World
• “Essential Recordings for Every Harpist’s Library”
• “Comparative Performance Practices and Perspectives for Ravel’s “Introduction
  and Allegro” – Using, Comparing and Listening with Different Editions
for the Most Effective Performance
• “The Nutcracker Ballet” – Performance of Combining Two Parts into One
• “Thinking Outside the Box - How to Create Your Own Career”

Academic Title

Harp Faculty

Available For

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

With more than 30 years of professional experience, I know that music brings joy and solace to people and that music means different things at different points in life. I enjoy teaching students of all ages and levels of experience from young beginners who cannot yet read music to experienced college students and adult enthusiasts. In order to bring this joy to others effectively and reinforce a positive experience within each performer, I use a success-proven method that gives each student all the necessary tools required to achieve their goals. Students are encouraged to listen to good recordings of all musical periods and genres, not just harp music, and to attend live performances on a regular basis.

Department

Department Head

Off

Education

Significant teachers and mentors:
Harp teachers: Gloria Agostini, Jana Bouskova, Alice Chalifoux, Edward Druzinsky, Karen Lindquist, and Carol McClure

Mentors: Julius Baker, Sherrill Milnes & Ray Still

padams@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Wed, 09/07/2016 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Location(s)

Name

Phyllis Adams

Person Type

Faculty

Photo

Adams, Phyllis.jpg

Professional Affiliations & Activities

• Louisville Orchestra - Second Harp 1973 - 1975, Jorge Mester
• Chicago Civic Orchestra – Principal Harp, 1975 – 1977
• Wolf Trap Festival Orchestra – Principal Harp 1979 - 1981
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra – sub and extra, Solti & Levine
• Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra – Principal Harp, summers 1982 –1989
• Venus Harps 1983 - 2005, Staff Harpist, Quality Control Supervisor and Artistic Director
• Lecturer in Harp - Illinois State University, School of Music 1985 -1990
• Exsultate Trio, Flute, Soprano & Harp 1989 – 1991
• Adams Magnificent Music – 1979 to present; with flutist Monty Adams
• ABRMS National Summer Harp Academy - Recitalist, Faculty Member &
Special Seminar Presenter 2012 – 2015
• Creator/Producer of “The World of Harp Music” WNIB, Chicago Classical Radio 97.1 FM
• Sponsored by Venus Harps (1995 –2001)
• Co-Created/Produced the Opera Idol Competition for world renowned baritone,
Sherrill Milnes/VOICExperience Foundation (2006 - present)
• Affiliate Teacher, The Harp School, Inc.

Program Area

Suzuki Education

Three Questions Answer

Interests/hobbies outside of music
Astronomy, entomology, world history, and yoga

Most memorable musical moment:
Recording sessions with flutist Monty Adams for our CD’s “Opera by Request” at Universal Studios in Chicago

Weight

Dr. Karin Addis

ntakagi — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 23:14:35 +0000

Dr. Karin Addis ntakagi Tue, 06/20/2023 - 18:14

Karin Addis, an Iowa City native, received degrees from the Eastman School of Music and SUNY at Stony Brook. Her principal teachers include James Dunham and Kim Kashkashian, with whom she studied with as an exchange student in Germany. As a performer, she has played with the Sarasota Opera Orchestra, the Jacksonvile Symphony, and the Charleston Symphny as well as others, and took part in the 2010 North American Tour of Star Wars in Concert. Formerly on the faculty at Valdosta State University, she is currently on the faculty at the Music Institute of Chicago, teaching both violin and viola, and coaching chamber music groups.s others, and took part in the 2010 North American Tour of Star Wars in Concert. Formerly on the faculty at Valdosta State University, she is currently on the faculty at the Music Institute of Chicago, teaching both violin and viola, and coaching chamber music groups.

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

Significant teachers and mentors:
Ms. Addis' principal teachers include violists James Dunham, and Kim Kashkashian
with whom she studied with as an exchange student in Germany. Additional mentors
that impacted her were those that she did Suzuki training with, such as Mark Mutter,
and Michele George.

Academic Title

Suzuki Violin & Viola Faculty

Available For

Online

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Department

Department Head

Off

Education

Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Music Performance , Eastman School of Music
DMA, SUNY at Stony Brook

kaddis@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Sat, 09/01/2012 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Location(s)

Name

Dr. Karin Addis

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

847.905.1500

Photo

Addis, Karin.jpg

Professional Affiliations & Activities

Formerly on the faculty at Valdosta State University, Karin is currently on the faculty at
the Music Institute of Chicago, teaching both violin and viola and coaching chamber
music groups.

As a performer, Ms. Addis has played with the Sarasota Opera Orchestra, the Jacksonville
Symphony, and the Charleston Symphony, as well as countless others. Additionally, she
took part in the 2010 North American Tour of Star Wars in Concert.

Program Area

Weight

Elif Allenfort

ntakagi — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 19:47:31 +0000

Elif Allenfort ntakagi Wed, 09/10/2025 - 14:47

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

The Royal Conservatory of Brussels. Brussels, Belgium
Queen Elizabeth Music Chapel, Waterloo, Belgium

Academic Title

Piano Faculty

Available For

Online

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

I believe that the arts, especially music, are supreme among all human achievements. Our existence is all about connection, and what better way to connect with each other than through music? Through making and teaching music, we can connect, affect and change each other in the most meaningful way. I take pride in being a musician and a teacher and am honored to play my part in this endeavor.

Music is my passion and teaching is an extension of it. I believe there is a need in every person to express themselves, and music can be a great medium for it. I wish to instill the love of music in my students (and art in general) to help them find their inner creativity and their own voice as they learn to make music.

I love the process of teaching and it is a great pleasure for me to watch how my students learn and grow. Over the years I have taught many students from a young age, and it always amazes me to see how they grow both as musicians and human beings, finding their creative voices. I feel quite honored to be in their lives and that they share this experience with me.

I am comfortable with, and confident in, teaching all levels of students. I create a curriculum for each student, according to their levels and individual needs. As in all forms of education, a solid foundation is essential. My curriculum always builds upon good technique, music theory and history; for I believe understanding what they play helps my students tremendously. I mindfully nurture my students' inner creativity and show parallels between music and other art forms, to help them become better musicians.

Department

Department Head

Off

Education

B.A. Piano Performance. Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory, Türkiye
M.A. Piano Performance. Roosevelt University Chicago Musical College.
Artist Diploma. Roosevelt University Chicago Musical College.

eallenfort@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Mon, 09/01/2025 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Piano

Location(s)

Name

Elif Allenfort

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

847.905.1500

Photo

Allenfort, Elif.jpg

Professional Affiliations & Activities

Member of Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) and the affiliated ISMTA and NWSMTA associations.
Active Solo and Chamber Musician with prominent local and international artists.
Extensive background as a professional accompanist with both instrumentalists and vocalists.

Program Area

Three Questions Answer

I am an avid reader. I enjoy reading both literature and non-fiction books, especially books about world history.
I also enjoy anything art-related: paintings, visiting art museums, the opera, classical and jazz concerts. I love spending time with my family and my Shiba Inu, Zola.

My favorite composers are: Bach, Brahms and Shostakovich.

Through playing my instrument I can make a deep and meaningful connection with others. I love when I see the impact that we musicians have on our audience which makes it truly worthwhile for me to be an artist.

Weight

Willing to Teach at