About

Established in 2022, Chicago Piano & Drums is a music studio in the heart of Avondale offering piano, drum, and vibraphone lessons to students of all ages. We welcome people of all backgrounds and levels of experience. This music studio aims to provide access to music lessons for all students regardless of individual financial situations. Please contact us to inquire about current rates and possible financial accommodations.

Chicago Piano & Drums is now mask-optional for the time being. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping everyone in our music studio safe.

Our studio features two full drum sets, a 5’ 8” grand piano, and professional electric keyboard. There is a comfortable waiting room and free WiFi provided as well. We are located on the first floor with no stairs. Chicago Piano & Drums is a licensed small business through the city of Chicago. Hours by appointment only.

Piano Lessons

Piano lessons are focused in classical music with additional material specific to each student. Music theory, reading music, intentional listening, expressivity, and physical technique are all integrated into lessons. Our music studio is a safe place to be vulnerable, try new things, and feel supported in the challenges and discoveries that students experience. No matter your experience level or age, now is the right time to start music lessons.

Piano lessons are offered at the following lengths and rates:

$40 per 30-minute lesson
$60 per 45-minute lesson
$80 per 60-minute lesson

Chicago Piano & Drums accepts new students year-round, and doesn't turn away students based on finances alone. Please contact us to inquire about possible financial accommodations.

Phoebe Wu

I have been teaching piano lessons for five years to children and adults in Chicago, San Jose, and Sitka, Alaska. One of my main goals as a teacher is to encourage curiosity and joy in music-making while also providing a solid musical foundation. Music theory, reading music, intentional listening, expressivity, and piano technique are all integrated into lessons. My teaching is founded in classical music and adapted to each individual student. I believe in true mutual respect between student and teacher, and that music lessons are a safe place to be vulnerable, try new things, and feel supported in the challenges and discoveries that students experience.

As a pianist, I have performed for many years bringing new classical music to life as a soloist and with other composers, musicians, dancers, choreographers, and interdisciplinary artists. I earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from University of Michigan and studied with Logan Skelton and Christian Matijas-Mecca.

Phoebe's Website

Drum Lessons

Whether you have some playing experience under your belt and want to improve your skills, or you are brand new to drumming and enthusiastic about learning a new craft and exploring music, drum lessons at Chicago Piano and Drums can help you achieve your goals.

I teach private lessons on drumset mainly focused on improvisation and American music traditions such as jazz, R&B, and popular styles. In my teaching I place emphasis on the following concepts:

Relaxed Technique
Ear Training
Timekeeping
Idiomatic approaches to improvisation

My standard rates are:

$35 for weekly half hour lessons ($140 for a month with 4 lessons)
$60 for weekly hour lessons ($240 for a month with 4 lessons)

Chicago Piano & Drums accepts new students year-round, and doesn't turn away students based on finances alone. Please contact us to inquire about possible financial accommodations.

Michael Whalen

I offer private instruction in drum and vibraphone lessons. I have worked as an educator since graduating Berklee College of Music in 2016. In addition to private lessons, I have worked at multiple high schools and middle schools as a percussion instructor. I also have taught at the South Bay Summer Jazz Intensive, and served as music director of the Cats Big Band, a community big band based in San Jose, CA.

I teach jazz and roots styles, as well as their descendents (Rock, Pop, contemporary American styles). My drumset teaching is focused on relaxed technique, idiomatic improvisation, and effective timekeeping. I also teach advanced techniques (dampening, etc.) and improvisation for vibraphone.

Michael's Website