Holly Pintozzi -- Drums     
Holly has been teaching drums to students of all ages for the past five years.  She studied music performance, theory and composition at Northern Illinois University.  She has played professionally for over 20 years, performing, recording and doing session work (Randomosity Records, Studio VMR, Robert McShane).  Currently she plays in several bands, including Rockin' Mountain Oysters, that perform in many Chicago-area venues (Fitzgeralds, Taste of Chicago, Double Door).

Johnny Lukashevich -- Guitar
Johnny has been teaching guitar since 2002.  He studied theory, composition and jazz technique at Triton College.  He is currently the bandleader of a jazz/pop combo "Johnny L. Trio", performing original music in the Chicago area.  He was formerly a member of an alternative-rock band "The Slugs" with performances and airplay on television (Party of Five, Melrose Place, WGN Morning News) and radio (WLUP, WCKG, WXRT, WGN) and Chicago Venues (House of Blues, Metro, Taste of Chicago). 

Bob Koutek -- Bass
Bob studied music and theatre at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City.  He has performed jazz, orchestral and rock music with several different bands in various clubs in both New York and Chicago, and is also a session and studio musician.  He currently writes and performs professionally in his own band as well as in The Rockin' Mountain Oysters and Vernam Cipher.  Bob has recently been teaching locally and has a growing student base in Downers Grove.

Jason Styx -- Drums

Jason studied drums and percussion at The University of Houston. He marched in the Cavaliers Drum Corp.  Jason lived in Athens, Georgia for 10 years, performing and recording in jazz and rock bands, including Bloodkin and teaching at The Musicians Warehouse. Moving to Chicago in 1999, he has recorded and performed regularly with The Bon Mots, The Eric Chial 2, and The Wes Hollywood Show/Tenniscourts.  Jason currently performs with the roots/rock/country band Decoy Prayer Meeting.   He is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society.

Mike Janke -- Drums

Mike has played percussion and piano for over 30 years, performing with rock, country, choral and orchestral groups.  He has studied music composition and performance, and is also an Active member of the Theatre of Western Springs.   Mike currently plays drums with Hindsight, a rock band that performs in the western suburbs.

Jay Swanstrom -- Guitar

Jay is full-time teacher at Herrick Middle School in Downers Grove, IL, where he sponsors the Guitar Club and the Variety Show. He earned a Bachelor of Arts and also a minor in music from Augustana College. While at Augustana, Jay performed in several jazz ensembles and took classical guitar lessons. Jay has been in several different bands in a wide range of styles including rock, blues, funk, jam and metal. He has performed in the pit for musicals including Working, Pippin and The Wiz.    At his church, Jay plays bass for children’s musicals and is a long-time member of the praise band.    Jay has attended master classes, workshops, and private lessons with world-renowned guitarists Steve Grismore, Doyle Dykes, Greg Koch and Muriel Anderson.   Jay has maintained a private guitar teaching practice since 2004.  

John Janke -- Guitar

John is a high school student and a guitar specialist for many of the Rock Academy Group sessions.  He has been formally trained on the guitar for 6 years and has performed with various bands at local festivals and open mic nights. He has been teaching private guitar lessons since 2008.  John recently received 2nd place in a local guitar shredder competition.  He currently plays the a pop-metal band Run! It.

Cindy Mansfield -- Piano/Keyboards

Cindy Mansfield has been teaching piano and music in the area for over 15 years.  After graduating with a bachelor’s in Advertising/Communication, Cindy realized that her true passion was still music. Years of playing rock and roll in the Chicago area was still in her blood. Currently, she teaches piano/keyboard lessons in private, semi-private, and small group settings. Her forte is creating a love of music in her students regardless of their personal style. As a mother of two, she’s ready, willing, and able to help your child learn to rock!!    

Casey Fitzpatrick -- Horns

Casey is a professional saxophonist and educator in the Chicagoland area.  He currently tours with Chicago-based jam/rock band 56 Hope Road.  At only 27 years of age, Casey has already amassed over a decade of professional experience..  He earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts from Millikin University in Decatur, IL where he studied Commercial Music, and earned a Masters of Music as well in Jazz Studies from the U of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.  Throughout his entire career he has consistently maintained a private studio of saxaphone students in the middle school and high school levels and has served as a traveling clinician to schools across the nation with the Archipelago Music Project giving jazz, funk, and classical masterclasses. 

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