Meet Lulu & her friends!

Kids piano teacher

  • Piano and Voice

    A native of Sao Paulo - Brazil, Luana Soare (“Ms. Lulu”) holds a Bachelor of Music from the State University of New York at Potsdam with a double major in vocal performance and music business. A versatile educator, for the past 10 years, Luana has worked as a private piano and voice teacher, has taught early music education classes for children ages 6 months on, and has also worked with opera education outreach. Her past companies include Florida Grand Opera, Minnesota Opera and Gymboree Play and Learn. Lulu focuses on teaching children and teenagers and her students have been accepted into prestigious music festival such as The Juilliard School’s Summer program and Interlochen Music School of the Arts. They have also accomplished honorary distinctions through the Royal Conservatory of Music’s examinations. As a performer, Luana has appeared in productions around the world, including The Magic Flute (First Lady) with Lyric Opera Studio Weimar, The Marriage of Figaro (Marcelina) with Vienna-Tel Aviv Vocal Connection, Giulio Cesare (Cornelia) with Chicago Summer Opera, Hänsel und Gretel (Sandman) with the Manhattan Opera Studio and L’Etoile (Koukouli) and Die Fledermaus (ensemble) with the Crane Opera Ensemble. She found in the North shore of Chicago her home, and lives with her husband and Oscar, their Goldendoodle pup.

    Hi! I’m Lulu!

    “Hi, I’m Luana, but you can call me Lulu”. After over 10 years of teaching children, I always noticed a little shine in their eyes, every time I said that phrase. As if allowing them to call me something other than my name sent a message of proximity, familiarity and warmth. I believe in bringing my students close and have fun with them as we are learning together. I’m learning how to teach them, and they’re learning their chosen instrument. Children learn better if they don’t realize they’re learning and if the environment is playful. Music is a complex art, but it should be perceived as fun and simple. It’s no wonder the word “play” is used in reference to music. 

    The most important lesson a young child can learn is to love playing an instrument, for that love will be carried through their lives. That same love will assist them through the challenges they may face in their musical studies. And that same love will keep them from quitting, which could be the most important lesson a child learns through an instrument. Determination, discipline and passion are life-long lessons that a child can learn through studying music. 

    There’s a saying that adults that are very good with children are good because they know how to “go down to their levels”. I believe that there’s no more incorrect saying.  Adults that are good with children are excellent at “going up to their levels” because there’s no more fascinating and complex minds than the ones of a child. I look forward to discovering the complexity of each of them, working myself up through their high levels and guiding them through unmasking their true talents.”

  • Piano and Violin

    Grace Bang graduated from the Illinois State University as a Bachelor of Music Education. As a versatile and passionate educator, Ms. Bang has had the privilege to teach violin and piano for the past few years. She has also taught in public schools in the Chicago area and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Education. When she is not studying or working on lesson planning, Ms. Bang also enjoys performing and has played with the Illinois State University Symphony Orchestra as well as chamber groups. She looks forward to continue to bring music to children and sharing her gift of teaching with families around Chicago!

    Hi! I’m Grace!

    “Nothing is more rewarding than having a student grow the same love and passion for music as you do. I think everyone needs to be exposed to music in any shape or form as it enhances every aspect of their lives. My personal philosophy as an educator is no matter what the students’ background, culture, identity, gender, age, ethnicity, etc. that I ensure they have the best, equal amount of education and respect that they deserve. I want to make sure that no students feel left out and they feel safe and as if they are a part of a community. Doing so, I will need to build a rapport and trusting relationship with the students. Not just as a teacher but as a mentor/role model.”

  • Piano
    Cassandra (Cassie) Fox is an experienced Piano Teacher and Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) who has worked as both a therapist and educator in the greater Chicago area for many years with kids of all ages in various settings (music studios, community music schools, therapeutic day schools and social service agencies). She has also taught kids, youth and adult piano classes at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, as well as taught K-5th grade general music through a non-profit organization in various Chicago Public Schools.  She holds a bachelor's degree in Music & Communications from the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music and a Master's Degree (MME) in Music Therapy from The University of Kansas (Go Jayhawks!). She also is experienced in working with adults in community mental health, assisted living, memory care and healthcare settings.  She has played piano since the age of 7 and loves teaching it and watching students grow and learn. She is a trained soprano and has performed in various recitals, weddings and church services, as well as has performed with various choirs throughout her life, including the Apollo Chorus of Chicago, Lux Cantorum Chicago and most recently with the Bach Week Festival Chorus.

    Hi! I’m Cassie!

    Everyone has an  'inner music child' and resonates with some type of music on some level.  When teaching, I try to foster my students' musical experience so that they can achieve their own musical goals. Through this, they will increase their self-esteem, their own creative self-expression and have a general sense of enjoyment. Playing piano is a wonderful foundation for learning music, as it requires one to learn both the treble and bass clefs. I encourage students to sing as much as they would like when playing, as singing and piano compliment one another so well. My overall philosophy is to  encourage and motivate students to learn through the inspiration of the music that they are drawn to. It is through these highly personal musical experiences that they can then use music as their own therapy throughout their lives.

  • Piano
    Dominic Doutney is a pianist from London, UK. He is currently undertaking his Doctor of Musical arts at Northwestern University, as a recipient of the Eckstein scholarship. Dominic is a graduate of the Royal College of Music in London, where he was awarded the Tagore Gold Medal, given to two students annually for outstanding musical contribution to the Royal College. He performed for His Majesty King Charles III (then Prince of Wales) at the prize-giving ceremony.

    ​Last month, Dominic made his recital debut at the Kennedy Center, having received 1st prize and audience prize at the Washington International Competition in May. Dominic also placed first in the Professional Artist Category at the Seattle International Piano Competition in September this year. Dominic was recently named a fellow by the Luminarts Cultural Foundation, an honour bestowed on two Chicago-based classical musicians each year. Other international competition prizes include 1st prize at the 25th Mauro Paolo Monopoli International Competition in Barletta, Italy, and the Royal Over-Seas League in London; 3rd prize at the Jaén International Piano Competition and the Clamo International Competition, both in Spain; and 5th prize at the Lyon International Competition.

    Dominic has made concerto appearances with orchestras round Europe, including the Leipzig Symphony Orchestra at the Leipzig Gewandhaus (Leipzig, Germany), the Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra at St John’s Smith Square (London), and the Malaga Philharmonic Orchestra (Jaén, Spain). Dominic has received full scholarships to attend some of the world’s leading summer festivals, including the Aspen Music Festival and School, the Banff Centre, and the Bowdoin International Music Festival. Dominic has made appearances on BBC Radio 3, CNBC and Portugal’s Antena 2.

    Hi! I’m Dominic!

    Learning a musical instrument is truly one of the most fulfilling experiences that a child can have. There are countless ways in which music aids in a child’s development, whether this be through improving problem-solving skills, developing social skills by working with others, engaging with and developing the creative side of the brain, and much, much more. Music is truly one of the most powerful, awe-inspiring and healing forces in the world. For me, it is one of life’s great joys to introduce young people to this special art form, and to help nurture a perennial love of music. The role of the teacher is critical in helping to cultivate this passion for music which is within us all, and so I do my very best to make the learning process a gratifying and rewarding experience. I aim for my lessons to be both enjoyable and challenging, constantly striving to help the child reach their full potential. I focus on having good technique and playing habits from the very first lesson, so that the student is set for a lifetime of good-quality piano playing.

    However far your child goes with music, by offering them the chance to start instrumental lessons you are opening the door for them to a unique and special world, giving them the opportunity to have a whole lifetime of experiences and memories to cherish.

  • Administrative Assistant

    Tenor David Kronenberg holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from the Chicago College of Performing Arts. David advocates for empowering young artists by equipping them with essential business and marketing skills to better manage their careers. He encourages them to build side hustles to achieve financial freedom, alleviating the pressure on their artistic expression. He believes the stigma that "you can only be a true singer if that is the only thing you do" must be dismantled. Because of his beliefs, David aims to build his business and administrative skills. He has worked various jobs in the music field, including as a Guide/Representative at the Tanglewood Music Festival, a Program Coordinator for the Center of Arts Leadership at Roosevelt University, and currently, the Company Manager for Chicago Summer Opera. David is grateful for the opportunity to provide support for Lulu's Music Studio, as he aims to build his own studio in the future.


  • Voice, piano, guitar and ukulele.

    Diana Monacelli is a Chicago-based operatic soprano praised for her strong musicianship and warm tone. Diana holds a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from North Park University. As an educator, Diana has taught private voice, piano, guitar, and ukulele around the Chicagoland area since 2016, specializing in classical and contemporary voice. She has experience teaching adults, teens, and children as young as 2 years old. Diana currently has the great joy of directing a children's choir and two plucked-string ensembles in Niles, IL. Many of her students go on to excel in their instrument and have won first prize in competitions. Also an active performer, Diana has performed shows in the US and internationally in venues like Carnegie Hall in New York as well as Los Angeles, and Austria. She has appeared in many of Mozart’s works including Despina in Cosi fan tutte, Zerlina in Don Giovanni, and Bastienne in Bastienne und Bastien. Her oratorio credits include a soloist in Handel’s Messiah. When Diana is not singing or teaching, she is spending lots of time outdoors with her dog Forrest, cooking, reading a good book, or painting!

    Hi! I’m Diana!

    “With hard work, curiosity, and a willingness to learn you can excel in music! Teaching music is not only about teaching an instrument but about building confidence in my student's abilities. Over the last 8 years, I have had the great joy of watching my students grow confidence in their unique talents and voices. I believe in creating a warm, compassionate, and nurturing environment for my students to feel safe to grow and learn. My favorite part of teaching is spending time with my students each week and having the privilege of watching them achieve what they thought was impossible and seeing their light shine!”

  • Voice, piano and cello

    Ashley Brewer graduated with dual degrees in Voice & Opera Performance and English Literature from Northwestern University. Previously, Ashley has performed as Pamina in Die Zauberflöte with Lyric Opera Studio Weimar and Adele in Die Fledermaus with the William Lewis School of Opera alongside Metropolitan Opera tenor William Lewis in his final performance. At Northwestern, Ashley appeared as Taumännchen and covered Gretel in Hänsel und Gretel, Mädchen in The Emperor of Atlantis, and the Zweiter Knabe in Die Zauberflöte. This summer, she is thrilled to be returning to Lyric Opera Studio Weimar to sing Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro. Ashley has had the privilege of teaching voice through a nonprofit organization called Through the Staff that aims to make music education accessible for all.

    Hi! I’m Ashley!

    “Music is a powerful catalyst for growth and creativity in children, providing them with invaluable skills that extend far beyond melody and rhythm. The transformative power of music nurtures creativity, discipline, and self-expression in young minds. I firmly believe that music is not just an art form but a fundamental tool for holistic development. It enhances cognitive abilities, improves concentration, and boosts confidence, laying a strong foundation for academic and personal success. In every lesson I teach, my goal is to inspire a lifelong passion for music, ensuring each child reaches their full potential in a supportive and encouraging environment.”

  • Voice, guitar, beginning piano and composition


    Carissa Crowton is a dynamic songwriter, performer, and teacher. She started singing before she could talk and has carried this passion for music throughout her life. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Utah State University where she focused on Vocal Performance and Composition. At Utah State University, she found great joy being a member of the USU Chamber Singers, teaching music to students of all ages, and starring in the University’s production of “Anastasia”.  Additionally, she found great joy in composing and songwriting.  At Utah State, she had her experimental contemporary works performed at new music recitals and her showstopping musical theater and pop songs performed at her senior recital. Now, after moving to the Chicagoland area, she continues to perform as a member of the College of Lake County Community Gospel Choir. In addition to her love of music, she likes spending time with her husband, going to the theater, and watching Disney movies!

    Hi! I’m Carissa!

    “Throughout my years of teaching, I have found that no matter the age or level of my students, people connect with music in their own profound way. Some of my students find it therapeutic, others find it joyful, and others feel freed by a new avenue for self-expression. I feel it’s important to teach in a way that is specific to the needs, abilities, and desires of each individual student. I feel that everyone has a unique voice to share with the world and I try to give my students the skills they need to find their voice. Music can be so joyful, and I believe in bringing the joy and fulfillment that music offers to my students while teaching them good technique.“

  • Piano, cello and beginning guitar


    Ben Kalb is a cellist, pianist, string arranger, and music educator.  He holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Cello Performance from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music, where he studied with world-renowned faculty, preparing classical repertoire for solo recitals and chamber ensembles.  As a student, Ben attended the Aspen Music School and Tanglewood summer festivals, as well as chamber music institutes including Kent Blossom, where he was coached by members of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra.  During his time at SUNY, he collaborated with multiple songwriters, developing his creative approach to instrumentation. After receiving his degrees, Ben held the principal on-stage cellist chair in two Tony award-winning Broadway musicals (Spring Awakening and Next To Normal), contributing string arrangements to the former, as well as performing as part of the show's band during its Off-Broadway run.  He has toured nationally and/or performed with a variety of artists including Grammy-winning composer Duncan Sheik and Ingrid Michaelson, and has appeared with various artists on late-night talk shows including Late Night With Conan O'Brien and The Late Show With David Letterman.  His playing can also be heard on multiple studio recordings as both a cellist and string arranger.  In addition to performing, Ben has been a dedicated music educator for over 20 years, teaching cello and piano (his first instrument), as well as beginning guitar and rock band seminars.  When he isn't teaching or playing, Ben enjoys exploring nature, hanging out with his dog, reading, and composing.

    Hi! I’m Ben!

    I believe learning music should be fun and rewarding, and it is a great feeling to see a sense of accomplishment in my students as they progress, to see their confidence and self-motivation build as a result of their effort.  Music can be a great source of self-expression and I like to work with students to find music they are excited to learn, while teaching fundamental technique in an integrated way.  It can also be a great way to sharpen focus while also providing relief from day to day stress.  I enjoy teaching more efficient ways to practice, preparing students for recitals and other performances, and generally having a relaxed and encouraging approach.

  • Piano
    Pianist Sarah Mei Li holds a Doctorate in Piano Performance and Piano Literature from the University of Kansas. Born into a musical family in China, she began her piano studies at the age of five under the guidance of renowned Chinese pedagogue Zhaoyi Dan. By age twelve, she was accepted into the prestigious Affiliated Middle School of the Sichuan Conservatory of Music, where her rigorous and professional training continued. Upon completing her studies at the Sichuan Conservatory, Dr. Li earned a full scholarship to Northern Illinois University in the United States, where she studied with acclaimed American pianist Professor William Goldenberg. After obtaining her Master's degree in Piano Performance and delving into the virtuoso repertoire, she pursued her Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Kansas, studying performance with distinguished American professors Jack Winerock and Steven Spooner, and pedagogy with renowned expert Scott McBride Smith.

    Dr. Li is the recipient of numerous awards from five international piano competitions, including the International IBLA Music Competition in Italy and the International Virtuoso Grand Prize Competition. As an active performer and soloist, Dr. Li has graced many of China's premier stages, including the Hong Kong Concert Hall, Guangzhou Xinghai Concert Hall, and Shenzhen Concert Hall. In the United States, she has been invited to perform at prominent venues such as the World Conference on Women in Chicago, the Chicago Cultural Center, and Carnegie Hall in New York City. Her chamber performances, alongside distinguished colleagues, have been praised at concert halls and academic institutions throughout the U.S. Recently, Dr. Mei Li has been invited to perform and give masterclasses in Mexico and at the North American Liszt Society Festival. A dedicated scholar, she has written her doctoral research on the late works of Franz Liszt under the mentorship of esteemed Liszt authority, Alan Walker. Dr. Li is also a member of the American Liszt Society and serves on the board of the KU American Liszt Society Chapter.

  • Piano Teacher

    From the age of 3, Lile has always had a love for the stage. Her determination to perform with beauty and grace has always been a strong force in her life and accomplishments, ever since her childhood in Russia. In 2021, after completing the Tbilisi State Conservatory, she pursued a master's degree at the DePaul School of Music in Chicago. She has performed in Carnegie Hall and many competitions and ensembles. Her performance is characterized as emotional, deeply meaningful, colorful, and sensitive. She is a kind, patient teacher that compels her students to excellence. She is currently pursuing a post-master’s degree at DePaul University. She has been teaching piano for over 10 years.

  • Piano, voice, guitar and ukulele

    Jenny Cook is a piano, voice, guitar and ukulele teacher and Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) in the Chicagoland area. She has worked as a voice teacher privately and in schools and has taught adapted lessons. As a music therapist, Jenny has worked in school settings, mental health settings, hospice, and in memory care. Jenny attended Michigan State University and received a Bachelor of Music in both music performance and music therapy and a Master of Music in vocal performance. Jenny recently attended Alverno College in Milwaukee and received a Master of Music Therapy. Jenny has performed in various operas and shows, most notably as a recitalist in Weill Concert Hall at Carnegie Hall, with Detroit Opera as a young artist, and as a young artist and cover at the Castleton Festival. Jenny decided to make the Chicago area her home in 2014 and started working as a teacher, performer, and music therapist in the area. She enjoys spending time with her husband and toddler, going to concerts.

    “Hi! I’m Jenny. I believe that we are all creative beings and deserve an avenue to express and honor that. I also know that we are all vastly different and learn about our creative identity in different ways. As a teacher, I enjoy building on strengths and adapting lesson format to creative a supportive environment for learning.”

  • Piano

    Daniel Szefer is a first-generation Polish-American. At the age of seven, he began his first piano lessons and was introduced to the public in Miami, FL, by the Chopin Foundation of the United States when he was ten. He was a top prize winner at the Arthur Fraser International Piano Competition, a finalist and prize-winner at the Prix Orford Musique, and, in March 2018, was the winner of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Concerto Competition.

    Szefer was one of eight international students invited to study at the Sergei Babayan Academy at the Cleveland Institute of Music in 2012. The same year, he gave a solo concert at the Chicago Symphony Center. He had his orchestral debut with the Lira Ensemble Orchestra conducted by Mina Zikri at the age of 13 and would concertize with this orchestra for the next three years. 

    In 2014, he was a Fellow at the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival and one of two Americans who participated in the 8th International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians in Moscow, Russia. Szefer had his Chicago Symphony Center orchestral debut with the Paderewski Symphony Orchestra in November 2015.

    Szefer is an active chamber musician and was a member of the Walden Trio, a piano trio formed in 2016 at the Mount Royal Conservatory in Calgary, AB. As a part of Walden, he has performed throughout Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Norway. In May 2018, the group competed at the 45th Fischoff Chamber Competition in South Bend, Indiana. Later that summer, they participated in the first Festival del Lago in Ajijic, Mexico. Walden attended the Trondheim International Chamber Academy in Norway and had the opportunity to collaborate with Asbjørn Nørgaard, violist of the Danish String Quartet, and work under musicians from the group Stockholm Syndrome and Joseph Kalichstein. He has performed with artists such as Desmond Hoebig and Andrés Cárdenes.

    During his time in Calgary, Daniel spent three years in Calgary Pro Musica’s Young Artist Development Program. As a member of the program, he has visited elementary schools throughout the city, delivering music education workshops and assemblies that focus on literacy and appreciation.

    In February 2020, he performed Chopin’s Concerto No. 2 with the Calgary Philharmonic and Karl Hirzer at their PhilKids Benefit concert. That same month, he was a Quarter-Finalist in the National Chopin Competition in Miami, FL.

    Most recently, Szefer was a semi-finalist in the 67th Kosciuszko Foundation Chopin Piano Competition and was awarded the Szymanowski Prize for the best performance of a Work by Karol Szymanowski. In May, he was a winner of the 2022 Evanston Music Club Scholarship Competition. 

    He has had masterclasses under artists such as Rafal Blechacz, Yoheved Kaplinsky, Robert McDonald, Garrick Ohlsson, Dang Thai Son, Dame Fanny Waterman, and others.

    Szefer graduated from the University of Calgary, where he studied under Prof. Krzysztof Jablonski. He received his Master of Music in Piano Performance at Northwestern University, where he was awarded Program Honors, studying under Prof. James Giles. 

    Szefer has advocated for equitable access to music education and further pursued this goal by becoming a 2023 corps member in Teach for America, where he taught at Victory College Prep in Indianapolis, IN.

  • Piano

    Michelle Tapp is a pianist, accompanist, and opera coach based in the Chicagoland area. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance with Honors from the University of Notre Dame, she continued to pursue her musical education with a master’s in Piano Performance from Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts as well as a master’s in Collaborative Piano from the University of Michigan. Michelle is greatly passionate about all things collaborative in music, including chamber music and art song, musical theater and opera, and commissioning and performing works by local composers. Her collaborative career has included performances and productions across the many Great Lakes states she has called home as well as across Italy and the Czech Republic. As a teacher and educator, Michelle has enjoyed a wide range of students from very young beginning pianists to pre-college students preparing for competitions and auditions to adult students learning a new and fulfilling hobby. She also enjoys interdisciplinary teaching and coaching, often working with voice students on foreign language diction and performance practice as well as string and wind instrumental students on musicality and collaboration. She firmly believes that every lesson and every performance is an opportunity for learning and growth for both student and teacher alike.


    Hi, I’m Michelle!

    My first priority is always to foster a positive relationship with the piano that will grow into a lifelong enthusiasm for music. As a teacher, I love to see my students flourish in an environment that builds self-motivation and joy. I also focus on instilling foundational musical knowledge and practice techniques that will be useful no matter where my students’ musical journeys take them, whether to advanced piano studies, picking up another instrument, or learning songs just for fun. Piano lessons are such an excellent avenue for self expression, problem solving, and confidence building at all ages and skill levels, so I aim to meet every student where they’re at and use all of my knowledge and creativity to help them to reach their individual goals and find what excites and motivates them along the way.

  • Piano

    Pianist Robert Levinger, a Wisconsin native, made his concerto debut at age 14 and has since engaged with orchestras around the U.S. Most recently, he performed on separate occasions with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra. Past accolades of note include distinction in the MTNA Young Artist and New Orleans International Piano Competitions.

    For nearly half of 2022, Robert spent his time performing as a part of Lincoln Center Stage, a piano quartet ensemble performing aboard cruise lines. Other important chamber music accolades include fellowships at the Kneisel Hall and Norfolk Chamber Festivals and collaborations with violinist Chihiro Kakishima in Brioche Duo around the U.S. and Japan.

    Recently completing studies with Wei-Yi Yang, Robert currently pursues a doctoral degree at Northwestern University studying with James Giles. Outside of music, Robert enjoys following the Green Bay Packers, playing word games, catching up on anything Star Wars related, and recently became a late- bloomer Zelda fan.