Personalized lessons that match your goals & style
Whether you are an absolute beginner or the next guitar hero, Andre Alfonso Music studio will help you get to the next level as a musician. Our staff is dedicated to get students on stage performing and jamming with other musicians.
Student Testimonials
"The owner, Andre, is very caring and easy to work with. He took the time to explain to me over the phone what the experience would look like for someone like me, an adult interested in picking up an instrument for the very first time. I was fortunate enough to have Andre as my instructor, but I witnessed several other instructors who were so kind and talented. I recommend Andre Alfonso Music to anyone interested in a positive learning experience with encouragement and extra attention provided."
Theresa W.
Private Music Lessons
Brass
If you are tired of practicing out of your method book, look no further! Study real excerpts from popular songs, learn practice habits to extend range and tone quality.
Woodwinds
Develop healthy habits as a beginner or advanced student in breathing, voicing, embouchure, articulation, technique and more!
Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keyboard
As you begin to understand the basics, begin to work on popular songs, riffs and practice techniques to improve.
Jazz Improvisation
Want to hang with the other cats on the bandstand? Improv on any instrument will get you proficient in music theory and help you play like your favorite jazz artists. Develop scales and transcribed solos.
Sessions
Summer Session: June 1st - August 30th
Fall Session: September 1st - November 30th
Winter Session: December 1st - February 28th/29th
Spring Session: March 1st - May 31st
Meet the Teachers!
Andre Rivera - Brasswinds, Woodwinds, Guitars, Drumset, Voice, Recording Studio
Andre Rivera graduated from Augustana College as a Golden Apple Scholar with a degree in music education and minor in jazz studies. At Augustana he was principal trumpet in the Augustana Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra and Jazz Combos. Between coursework he developed programing, trained student recording engineers and operated WAUG.FM, Augustana radio, as its general manager. Andre has extensive experience with teaching band in public schools as well as general music, keyboarding, modern band, mariachi, jazz band and marching band.
Andre has been involved with multiple professional acts as a trumpet and guitar player, most notably directing Here for the Summer and Salsavera, rock and salsa bands whom have headlined themselves and opened for international and national touring acts. His recordings have been featured in commercials and NPR's LAist podcast "WILD". He also plays in the Monday Night Jazz Band at the College of Lake County.
Sam Rivera - Piano, Saxophone, Composition
Sam Rivera is a Saxophone instructor from Round Lake Heights, IL. He graduated from Elmhurst University with a double Major in Jazz Studies and Music Business. Sam was Lead Alto in the Elmhurst Lab Band, Jazz combo, as well as 1st tenor in the Mark Colby Sax combo.
Sam is also known for touring in different cities in China, and opened for different jazz artists like Ernie Watts, Carl Saunders, and Bob McChesney. He had the privilege to play with Tom “Bones” Malone of the Lieutenant Dan Band and has opened for Flock of Seagulls and played for special guest General John Kelly of the United States in Here for the Summer. Sam has been invited as a special guest to various churches around the United States.
Thomas Power - Guitars, Bass, Strings, Piano, Drums
Thomas Power is a North Shore based guitarist and bassist. Hailing from Libertyville, IL. Mr. Power has over 15 years of experience playing stringed instruments, encompassing instruments such as violin, ukulele, and the upright bass. Mr. Power is finishing his Music Education degree at Millikin University, specializing in jazz and commercial music styles. He also is one of the staple members of the band 'Here For The Summer'. Whether he's strumming his guitar or holding down the rhythm on bass, Thomas's versatility and dedication to his craft shine through in every note.
Kody Myhra - Woodwinds & Composition
Kody Myhra is a clarinet instructor from Antioch, IL. Kody graduated from Millikin University with her degree in Music Performance and a composition certificate. She has participated in many ensembles, including the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra, the Millikin Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Millikin’s Eidolan Woodwind Quintet, and various other chamber groups. She has been teaching since the Fall of 2021.
In addition to her performance career, Kody has written and premiered compositions of her own, including her piece titled Eccentric Shades for Clarinet Choir that will be premiered this June 2022 at The International Clarinet Association’s ClarinetFest. She has also written pieces for various chamber group combinations as well as unaccompanied solo works.
Caleb Peters - Guitar, Mandolin, Piano
Caleb is a local / regional performer in the Midwest Roots music scene residing in Round Lake, IL. After some classical and theory training on piano, he eagerly taught himself electric and acoustic guitar starting at age 10, and later learned the mandolin. His approach to music comes from a wide variety of influences and currently you can catch him performing Bluegrass-Americana-Folk-Roots style music with either of his bands ‘Miles Over Mountains’ or ‘Lucky Pickers’.
While applying his knowledge and love of music to performing and touring all around the country for the past 15 years, he’s also found the time to be an educator to students of all ages and skill levels. Caleb likes to cater to the student, letting them express what kind of playing they want to do, and paving the way for them by teaching theory and technique. Learning to play mostly by ear, he’s capable of teaching many genres and styles of music including bluegrass, folk, blues, country, old-time, rock-n-roll, pop, funk and more.
Starting his music career more primarily as a cover performer, he quickly grew into a singer-songwriter and has composed lots of original music. Over the past decade his band has released and toured in support of 4 albums, and currently working on a 5th effort. He’s performed at many notable venues and festivals, and been billed alongside grammy winning artists.
Caleb is proficient on acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, piano, bass.