Flute

Department Head

Off

Education

BM, DePaul University
MM, Manhattan School of Music

jbartel@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Wed, 11/30/2005 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Location(s)

Lake Forest

Name

Jennifer Bartel

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

Bartel, Jennifer web pic2 copy.jpg

Photo

Photo Credit

Jennifer Bartel

Professional Affiliations & Activities

Ms. Bartel has performed with the Elgin and Rockford Symphony Orchestras, Park Ridge Civic Orchestra and Kenosha Symphony Orchestra.

She served on the board of the Chicago Flute Club both as Coordinator of the Annual Solo Competition and as Director and is a frequent adjudicator in Chicago area student competitions.

Program Area

Three Questions

Interests/hobbies outside of music

A few of my favorite things…

What do you love about playing your instrument?

Three Questions Answer

Hobbies include swing dancing, paper quilling, wine-tasting and exploring Traders Joe’s universe.

Some favorite things include books by Elizabeth Berg, music by Beethoven and chocolate.

What's not to love about the flute? It's a beautiful instrument, we get to play the melody more often than not, and it's portable!

Weight

GUID

117

Media ID

431

Willing to Teach at

Lake Forest

Meret Bitticks

ntakagi — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 15:40:24 +0000

Meret Bitticks ntakagi Sun, 10/01/2023 - 10:40

Altus Artist Meret Bitticks maintains an active schedule as a soloist, chamber musician, and clinician in the U.S. and abroad while on faculty at the Music Institute of Chicago (since September 2004) , DePaul University, Lake Forest College and Roosevelt University.
She earned a master of music degree from DePaul University and a bachelor of music degree from Ohio State University and she has studied extensively in Japan and in the U.S.
Meret is a registered Suzuki Flute Teacher Trainer and in 2013 became the first flutist to receive a Certificate of Achievement for excellence in Suzuki instruction from the Suzuki Association of the Americas.
She joined Trio Chicago and Friends for international concert tours, including the United Arab Emirates and Australia. A frequent volunteer at music camps in Haiti, Meret serves on the board of BLUME Haiti, an organization that promotes leadership through music education.
Meret has performed as a soloist and with various ensembles, and her recordings include Hysterical Stars with Head of Femur.

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

Toshio Takahashi, Suzuki Flute Method Founder
Talent Education and Research Institute, Matsumoto, Japan:
  Suzuki Flute Books 8, 10, 12, and 13
2004 Every Child Can!, Kim Lorimier
2015 Every Child Can!, Pat D’Ercole
2004 Suzuki Flute Book 1, Jerilee Kechley
2012 Suzuki Flute Book 1, Kelly Williamson
2005 Suzuki Flute Book 2, David Gerry
2007 Suzuki Flute Book 3, Kelly Williamson
2014 Suzuki Flute Book 3, Noelle Perrin
2008 Suzuki Flute Book 4, David Gerry
2009 Suzuki Flute Book 5, David Gerry
2009 Suzuki Flute Book 6, Kelly Williamson
2008 Suzuki Flute Book 7, Kenichi Ueda
2013 Suzuki Flute Book 7, David Gerry
2015 Suzuki Flute Book 9, David Gerry
2013 Suzuki Flute Book 14, David Gerry
2010 S. P. A. Course, Joanne Melvin
2009 Suzuki Flute Practicum, David Gerry
2012 Baroque Style, Courtney Westcott
2012 Suzuki Flute Overview, Toshio Takahashi
2016 Dalcroze Teacher Workshop, Jeremy Dittus
2013 Musikgarten: Family Music, Leilani Miranda
2013 Musikgarten: Cycle of Seasons, Leilani Miranda

Awards:
Altus Flutes - Artist
Suzuki Association of the Americas - Teacher Trainer and Certificate of Achievement (Level One)

Academic Title

Flute (Suzuki) Faculty

Anything else we should know?

Favorite quote:
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” - Jane Goodall

Favorite composer or piece to play:
Meret loves playing the repertoire from Suzuki Flute Book 1 and believes that Cuckoo and Moon Over the Ruined Castle are particularly beautiful and always offer room for advanced musical concepts. Of course, Meret also agrees you're never too old to Twinkle!

Available For

Online

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

Teaching philosophy and areas of expertise:
Meret's true goal as a teacher is to help nurture beautiful hearts that are open to the potential in all things and all people. She works with the whole person as well as the whole musician with a vision of her students becoming accomplished, independent learners. When given the opportunity, all people, regardless of their background, can learn to play music. As a Suzuki Teacher Trainer, Meret is one of nine flutists in North America authorized by the Suzuki Association of the Americas to train teachers in the Suzuki Approach.

Courses

Private Instruction
Suzuki Education
Group Lessons

Department

http://www.fleautiful.com

Department Head

Off

Education

Master of Music in flute performance, DePaul University School of Music,
Bachelor of Music in flute performance, The Ohio State University School of Music

mbitticks@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Wed, 09/01/2004 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Location(s)

Name

Meret Bitticks

Personal Website / Link

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

Bitticks, Meret web pic.jpg

Photo

Professional Affiliations & Activities

Significant Teachers and Mentors:
Katherine Borst Jones, Mary Stolper, Toshio Takahashi

Recordings
Tiny Tunemakers Sing-along CD Volume 1 (Flute)
Tiny Tunemakers Sing-along CD Volume 2 (Flute and Piccolo)
Hysterical Stars, Head of Femur (Flute and Piccolo)

Professional affiliations/activities
BLUME Haiti: noard member
Suzuki Association of the Americas: teacher trainer
Great Lakes Suzuki Institute: director
Chicago Flute Club: member

Program Area

Suzuki Education

Three Questions

Interests/hobbies outside of music

What do you love about Chicago?

What do you love about playing your instrument?

Three Questions Answer

Hobbies/interests outside of music:
Standup paddle board yoga, rabble rousing, falconry.

What do you love about playing your instrument:
I love that the flute can sound like a bird one minute and a person mourning the next. There's such tonal variety that we can get out of this little metal tube and so many opportunities for expression. We can make air dance and the flute sing—it's an amazing instrument.

What do you love about Chicago:
What's not to love about Chicago???

Weight

Willing to Teach at

Laura Hamm

ntakagi — Thu, 24 Aug 2023 18:47:18 +0000

Laura Hamm ntakagi Thu, 08/24/2023 - 13:47

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

Teachers that impacted her career:
Walfrid Kujala, William Bennett, and Julius Baker

She took master classes with Jean Pierre Rampal, James Galway, Doroit Dwyer.

Various performances with well-regarded organizations:
Chicago Sinfonietta, Joffery Ballet, Chicagoland Pops, and the Elgin Symphony.

Ms. Hamm was also a flutist with Trio Chicago and Friends, and had the opportunity to be a part of the touring Chamber ensemble traveling to Africa in 2004 and 2005, and Vietnam in 2005.

She has done several performance duos with her husband, George Goetschel on World Cruise Company tour, as well as performances with Larry Coryell, Nestor Torres, Michael Feinstien, Howard Levy, Chick Corea, and many more.

Academic Title

MIC Concert Band Sectional Leader - Flute

Available For

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Courses

Group Lessons
Adult Studies -
MIC Band Sectional - Flute

Department

Department Head

Off

Education

Master's in Music and Certificate in Performance, Northwestern University
Bachelor's Degree in Music, University of Washington

lhamm@musicinst.org

Instrument(s)

Name

Laura Hamm

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

Professional Affiliations & Activities

Ms. Hamm also has a relationship/background with various music programs around the area. She was a former member of the Goodman Theater Orchestra, Chicago Opera Theater, and the New Black Music Repertory Ensemble.

She is the Executive Director for the Musical Source of Chicago which is a booking agency for live musical performances

Served on the Board of Directors for Seattle and Chicago flute clubs for over ten years.

Program Area

Adult Studies

Weight

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)

Location(s)

Chicago - Gratz Center

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

Early Childhood - Musikgarten

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 - Gratz Center

Chicago - St. James

Maria Schwartz

Educo — Sat, 06 May 2023 19:04:59 +0000

Maria Schwartz Educo Sat, 05/06/2023 - 14:04

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

For her Suzuki studies, Maria has trained with David Gerry, Noelle Perrin-Bryson, Kelly Williamson, and Meret Bitticks at the Great Lakes Suzuki Institute.

Academic Title

Flute Faculty

Available For

Online

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

My approach to flute playing is strongly rooted with the Suzuki Method. Rich resonant sound, strong technique, and innovative practice habits are my teaching pillars for students at all levels. I describe my teaching style as constructive and encouraging.

Courses

Private Instruction

Department

Department Head

Off

Education

Professional Studies Certificate, Cleveland Institute of Music
MM, Cleveland Institute of Music
BM, Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam

mschwartz@musicinst.org

Hire Date

Mon, 02/01/2016 - 12:00

Instrument(s)

Suzuki Flute

Location(s)

http://www.Flutistrata.com

Name

Maria Schwartz

Personal Website / Link

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

Photo

schwartz_04.jpg

Photo Credit

Erielle Bakkum Photography

Professional Affiliations & Activities

Second flute, Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra
Second flute, New Philharmonic Member of the Chicago Flute Club

Program Area

Suzuki Education

Three Questions

A few of my favorite things…

What do you love about playing your instrument?

Three Questions Answer

Maria's favorite composer is Johannes Brahms. She began listening to his symphonies in high school and has had opportunities along the way to perform all four. The emotion-filled melodies Brahms wrote give Maria great comfort on any given day.

I love playing flute because of the quality of sound that can be produced. When I picked it as my instrument in third grade, I was immediately taken by how the flute sounded. Throughout my practice, what I sound like and how it may vary is always on my mind.

Weight

GUID

194

Media ID

480

Willing to Teach at

Juli Wood

ntakagi — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 19:05:02 +0000

Juli Wood ntakagi Sun, 10/01/2023 - 14:05

Additional Studies / Recent Awards / Recordings

2020 grant from Jazz Institute of Chicago " Fresh Voices " to compose new works honoring Thelonious Monk 2017 grant from the Finlandia Foundation to complete a recording of Finnish Folk songs arranged in jazz styles.
2016 Performer of the Year Award from the Finlandia Foundation Discography

Recordings
Movin' and Groovin', The Juli Wood Quintet featuring Mel Rhyne
Blues for Earma Jean featuring Earma Thompson
54321 Juli Wood
Synkkä Metsä/Dark Forest, Juli Wood Quartet
Suomen Salossa, Juli Wood Quartet

Academic Title

Jazz Saxophone and Jazz Vocals Faculty

Anything else we should know?

Wood, after all, owns a big and burly tone on tenor, her husky sound, deep rhythmic accents and prolific phrasemaking consistently commanding attention.
– Howard Reich, CHICAGO TRIBUNE

One of the pleasures of attending the Chicago Jazz Festival over Labor Day weekend each year is being able to hear the bevy of local players who make up the windy city jazz scene. Last year’s treat was Juli Wood, a gutsy tenor and baritone saxophonist who also sings with the earthy gusto of an R&B diva filtered through a hard bop sensibility.
– Bill Milkowski, JAZZTIMES

At first glance, Wood, an affable sort, doesn’t strike one as the feisty saxist she is. In this world where labels take a strong hold of peoples’ predetermined images like a gripping vice, it’s awfully good to know that there are people like Juli Wood… Wood’s playing that night at Andy’s made believers out of the packed house.
– Lofton Emenari III, CHICAGO WEEKEND NEWSPAPER

Available For

In-Person

Available Offsite

Off

Basic Teaching Philosophy or Special Music Interests/Specialties

I want the students to have fun with music ! I work on ear training with them as well as reading music. It's important to get them playing along with backing tracks to get the feeling of playing with a jazz combo. I try to take the mystery out of improvisation by explaining how chords are made and how to use knowledge of chords and scales to improvise.

Courses

Private jazz instruction
Jazz Improv

Department

http://www.juliwoodsax.com

Department Head

Off

Education

BM - Applied Saxophone - UW- Milwaukee
Two semesters of private lessons in Jazz Improv with Jazz pianist and educator , David Hazeltine, at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music

jwood@musicinst.org

Instrument(s)

Location(s)

Name

Juli Wood

Personal Website / Link

Person Type

Faculty

Phone

Photo

juliwood_069.jpg

Photo Credit

Renee Gooch

Professional Affiliations & Activities

Mentor for Jazz Institute of Chicago's " Women's Leadership Initiative "

Leading my own bands at jazz clubs and festivals

Program Area

Jazz Studies

Three Questions

A few of my favorite things…

What does music mean to you?

What do you love about playing your instrument?

Three Questions Answer

I'm so excited to work on a project about one of my favorite jazz composers, Thelonious Monk. My grant from the Jazz Institute allows me to compose music and write lyrics to existing Monk tunes in 2021.

Music has been my career and life for the last 35 years ! So many good times traveling and playing with great musicians in other cities, Detroit, Milwaukee, Helsinki, Barcelona, Stockholm... and the musicians here in Chicago have inspired and mentored me so much. I've been so lucky to meet and play with wonderful musicians !

I love the sound of the tenor saxophone ! It can be very emotional quite like the voice. ( I also love to sing ) I first fell in love with the sax watching the Chicago based TV show, Soul Train! Back in the day bands had horn sections, James Brown, KC and the Sunshine Band, Sly Stone. There are so many great jazz saxophonists to listen to and learn from. It's a never ending journey, really learning an instrument, but so satisfying and worthwhile.

Weight

GUID

210

Media ID

522

Willing to Teach at