We believe very strongly that students who take private lessons will be successful on their instrument because they have good adult mentors. The list of teachers that we endorse are the very best teachers in the Oswego area, and we believe they will assist each of our students in their music studies. Many of these teachers of hours either during the school day at OHS, or at nearby schools after school and in the evenings/weekends. Find the teacher that works best for you. We can offer recommendations if you are having any trouble or have questions.
Flute - Dr. Cate Hummel, (630) 428-3278 (comes to OHS)
Flute - Gwen Petersen, (630) 801-4850
Flute - Melanie Mathew, (630) 551-1472, melaniemathew@yahoo.com (comes to OHS)
Oboe - Judy Schneider, (630) 385-2426
Clarinet - Garrett Matlock (617) 650-8529 (comes to OHS)
Bassoon - Kim Richter, (630) 369-5679 (comes to OHS)
Saxophone/Clarinet - Shawn Maxwell, (773) 842-7052
Saxophone - Chris Werve (630) 740-9009
Saxophone- Rich Moore (815) 761-8400,
Saxophone- Joel Moore (815) 814-6251
Trumpet - Gene Arnold, (630) 554-0231 (comes to OHS)
Trumpet - James Knabe, (630) 988-0375
Trumpet - Wes Skidgel, 773 480 3852 , wes1tpt@yahoo.com (comes to OHS)
French Horn- Dana Sherman 630-301-0685, danamariesherman@gmail.com
French Horn - Rachel Maxwell, (630) 636-2721, rmaxwell@sd308.org
French Horn - Susan Ozvath, (630) 334-8640
Low Brass - Bob Skallerup, (630) 464-7129 (comes to OHS)
Low Brass - Craig Bonnis, (847) 524-0131 (comes to OHS)
Low Brass - Josh Biere, (847) 644-0017
Private Percussion - Brandon Runyon, (630) 330-0720
Private Percussion - Walt Schneider, (630) 385-2426
Private and Group Percussion - Vern Spevak, (630) 220-2311
Jazz Guitar - Aaron Krueger, (630) 817-2942
Flute - Gwen Petersen
Bachelor of Arts - Western Illinois University; Master of Music - University of Kansas (Lawrence);Graduate of Oswego Community High School. She has work experience in the following: West Suburban Symphony Orchestra - Piccolo/3rd Flute;West Suburban Chamber Orchestra - 2nd Flute/Piccolo; Wheaton Symphony Orchestra - Piccolo/3rd Flute - 1990; 20 years Private Teaching Experience. Previous Instructors include Mary Louise Poor, Gerald Carey, John Boulton, and Sue Calebaugh-McKeever.
Oboe - Judy Schneider
Judith Schneider is a music educator and oboist. She graduated with Bachelor of Music Education Cum Laude from the School of Music Montclair University in New Jersey. She also studied oboe with James Lakin at the University of Iowa for two years. While in Germany with her husband, who was in the Air Force Band, she created and taught two elementary bands in Wiesbaden, Germany. Mrs. Schneider taught music in the Westwood N. J. Schools for five years. After raising three children who are all musicians, she taught Band and Music Appreciation in the Englewood Cliffs N. J. Schools for eighteen years. She was the assistant editor of the classroom music series, Music and You. Judith Schneider has performed a professional oboist throughout her life, performing as principal oboe with the N. J. Philharmonic, Seton Hall Chamber Symphony, and the Garden State Band. She has also performed on Oboe and English Horn with the New Jersey Pops, St. Peter By the Sea Orchestra, Ridgewood Symphony, Wycoff Chamber Players, and the Staten Island Philharmonic. Recently, the Schneiders retired and moved to Yorkville, Illinois to be near their musical family. Judi enjoys sharing her musical talents by teaching oboe, and clarinet to students in the Oswego and Yorkville area and being a grandmother.
Clarinet - Anna Najoom
Clarinetist Anna Najoom of Chicago, IL maintains a diverse performing and teaching career. As an avid chamber musician Najoom is a member of The Sapphire Woodwind Quintet, Claraconbrio and The Chicago Clarinet Ensemble, The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Chamber Music Project and performs with Jason Seed and the Elixor Ensemble. Najoom appears frequently with orchestras throughout Chicago-land and the Midwest. Some include the Paderewski Symphony Orchestra of Chicago, Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, Wisconsin Philharmonic, and Kenosha Symphony. Najoom was appointed Principal Clarinet of the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra for the 2008-09 Season. Najoom has been on faculty of the Merit School of Music since 2003 and maintains her own private teaching studio. She holds a Master of Music in Clarinet Performance (M.M. 2003) from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis where she studied with Burt Hara, Principal Clarinet of the Minnesota Orchestra and a Bachelor of Music (B.M. 2001) from Lawrence University in Appleton, WI.
Bassoon - Kim Richter
Saxophone - Shawn Maxwell- www.shawnmaxwell.com
Shawn Maxwell of Aurora, Illinois is an accomplished woodwinds multi-instrumentalist (saxophones, clarinet and flute) professional jazz performer. He is also a teacher, composer, arranger and clinician. Leader of the Shawn Maxwell Quartet, he provides excellence in jazz entertainment in Chicagoland and beyond. Shawn attended Milikin University in Decatur, Illinois and received a Bachelors Degree in Commercial Music in 1999. Since 1999 Shawn has been in high demand. He began his career as an entertainer on a Caribbean cruise line. Since that time he has toured in Sweden, London, Portugal, and Greece. Additionally, he has played with numerous jazz combos at venues throughout greater Chicagoland.
Known for his high-level and high-energy playing Shawn Maxwell has a loyal fan base and regularly draws an appreciative crowd at his engaging performances. His current group, The Shawn Maxwell Quartet, was put together in 2004. In late 2004 Shawn took the band into the studio to record what would be his debut CD, “Originals.” “Originals,” features the compositions, arranging and production skills of Shawn. In the Fall of 2006 The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences Committee placed Shawn Maxwell on the Official First Nominating Ballot for the 2007 Grammy Awards in the following categories: Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Jazz Instrumental Solo, Best Jazz Instrumental Album.
In 2006 Shawn signed with the prestigious and legendary Conn-Selmer Company to join their Performance and Educational Artist Roster.
In 2008 Shawn released his second album, “Originals II,” on his newly formed label, “Dangerous Curve Productions.” “Originals II” features another twelve works that feature the writing, arranging and production skills of Shawn Maxwell. In 2009 Shawn recorded his first CD, "Maxwell’s House," for the Chicago Sessions Jazz Label. "Maxwell’s House" features another ten original compositions.
Shawn currently performs with his own group, The Shawn Maxwell Quartet, as well as several other groups. In addition to his busy performance schedule Shawn maintains a private lesson studio of 50 students in IL and continues to work as a clinician with young performers throughout the Chicago area.
Trumpet-Wes Skidgel
Wes Skidgel is an active freelance trumpet player in the Chicago area. He received his B.M. from Wheaton College and M.M. from DePaul University, both in trumpet performance. Wes is currently an adjunct faculty member at Elmhurst College where he teaches trumpet. Wes is the principal trumpet of the Dubuque Symphony and the Battle Creek Symphony. Wes has also performed with many ensembles throughout the Midwest; among them are Millar Brass, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, the Peoria Symphony, the South Bend Symphony and the Millennium Chamber Players. In 2011, Wes appeared as a soloist with the Dubuque Symphony to perform Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2. He also performs in the group State Street Brass.
Trumpet - Gene Arnold
Born and raised in central Illinois. He studied trumpet with Herb Stoskopf of Peoria, and graduated with a BM in trumpet performance from Northwestern University. He studied at NU with Vincent Cichowicz and Luther Didrikson. Other teachers have been Bill Scarlett and Tom Crown. Gene currently plays first trumpet with the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra and second chair with the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra. As an active free lance trumpeter he performs in wedding ceremonies, church services and community theatre productions.Gene has taught private trumpet lessons in the Aurora/Oswego area for about ten years. Gene and his family moved to Oswego five years ago. They have three children all of which play instruments, though not trumpet!
Trombone: Bob Skallerup
Bob Skallerup is a professional trombonist in the Chicago land area. He received a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Music Education from Elmhurst College. He has spent time on the road with Lou Rawls, Wayne Newton, Glenn Miller and Al Pierson to name a few. He has also played with Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus and numerous TV. and radio commercials. Lessons will consist of all aspects of trombone playing including sound production, slide technique, reading (sight, clef), ear training and jazz theory. He is looking forward to being part of the Oswego Band Program Team. My # is 630 464-7129 and my e-mail is www.leadbone@hotmail.com
Percussion - Vern Spevak
Vern Spevak is a graduate of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL where he was awarded a Bachelor of Music degree in percussion performance, while on a four year, full tuition scholarship. Mr. Spevak was a member of the internationally acclaimed NIU Jazz Ensemble, where he performed and toured with jazz greats Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Bellson, Don Menza, Clark Terry, Carl Fontana and many others. As a private instructor and clinician, Mr. Spevak remains highly in demand with a large weekly roster of private students and is a percussion consultant to many schools throughout the Chicagoland and Northern Illinois area. For more information, please go to www.spevakpercussionconcepts.com
Percussion - Walt Schneider
Walt Schneider is a music educator and percussionist. He graduated with Bachelor of Music Education in Percussion from U.M.K.C. Conservatory of Music, and received a Master of Arts in Percussion and Music Literature from the University of Iowa. He served in the United States Air Force Bands, and was Percussion Leader in the USAFE Band. Schneider completed his Doctoral Studies in Percussion at the Manhattan School of Music studying with Paul Price. For thirty five years Mr. Schneider taught Band, Percussion and Music Appreciation in Tenafly, N. J., near New York City. During this time he was continuously performing with many orchestras and bands in the New York/Jersey area including the N. J. Philharmonic and the Garden State Band. He served as the New Jersey All-State Band Percussion coordinator for over fifteen years. In 2001, Mr. Schneider was chosen by the New Jersey Music Educators Association to receive the Governors Award in Arts Education. Recently, the Schneiders retired and moved to Yorkville, Illinois to be near their musical family. Walt now performs percussion with the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra and is the drummer with the Yorkville Big Band. He looks forward to working with young people, who want to develop their musical and percussion performance.
Flute - Dr. Cate Hummel, (630) 428-3278 (comes to OHS)
Flute - Gwen Petersen, (630) 801-4850
Flute - Melanie Mathew, (630) 551-1472, melaniemathew@yahoo.com (comes to OHS)
Oboe - Judy Schneider, (630) 385-2426
Clarinet - Garrett Matlock (617) 650-8529 (comes to OHS)
Bassoon - Kim Richter, (630) 369-5679 (comes to OHS)
Saxophone/Clarinet - Shawn Maxwell, (773) 842-7052
Saxophone - Chris Werve (630) 740-9009
Saxophone- Rich Moore (815) 761-8400,
Saxophone- Joel Moore (815) 814-6251
Trumpet - Gene Arnold, (630) 554-0231 (comes to OHS)
Trumpet - James Knabe, (630) 988-0375
Trumpet - Wes Skidgel, 773 480 3852 , wes1tpt@yahoo.com (comes to OHS)
French Horn- Dana Sherman 630-301-0685, danamariesherman@gmail.com
French Horn - Rachel Maxwell, (630) 636-2721, rmaxwell@sd308.org
French Horn - Susan Ozvath, (630) 334-8640
Low Brass - Bob Skallerup, (630) 464-7129 (comes to OHS)
Low Brass - Craig Bonnis, (847) 524-0131 (comes to OHS)
Low Brass - Josh Biere, (847) 644-0017
Private Percussion - Brandon Runyon, (630) 330-0720
Private Percussion - Walt Schneider, (630) 385-2426
Private and Group Percussion - Vern Spevak, (630) 220-2311
Jazz Guitar - Aaron Krueger, (630) 817-2942
Flute - Gwen Petersen
Bachelor of Arts - Western Illinois University; Master of Music - University of Kansas (Lawrence);Graduate of Oswego Community High School. She has work experience in the following: West Suburban Symphony Orchestra - Piccolo/3rd Flute;West Suburban Chamber Orchestra - 2nd Flute/Piccolo; Wheaton Symphony Orchestra - Piccolo/3rd Flute - 1990; 20 years Private Teaching Experience. Previous Instructors include Mary Louise Poor, Gerald Carey, John Boulton, and Sue Calebaugh-McKeever.
Oboe - Judy Schneider
Judith Schneider is a music educator and oboist. She graduated with Bachelor of Music Education Cum Laude from the School of Music Montclair University in New Jersey. She also studied oboe with James Lakin at the University of Iowa for two years. While in Germany with her husband, who was in the Air Force Band, she created and taught two elementary bands in Wiesbaden, Germany. Mrs. Schneider taught music in the Westwood N. J. Schools for five years. After raising three children who are all musicians, she taught Band and Music Appreciation in the Englewood Cliffs N. J. Schools for eighteen years. She was the assistant editor of the classroom music series, Music and You. Judith Schneider has performed a professional oboist throughout her life, performing as principal oboe with the N. J. Philharmonic, Seton Hall Chamber Symphony, and the Garden State Band. She has also performed on Oboe and English Horn with the New Jersey Pops, St. Peter By the Sea Orchestra, Ridgewood Symphony, Wycoff Chamber Players, and the Staten Island Philharmonic. Recently, the Schneiders retired and moved to Yorkville, Illinois to be near their musical family. Judi enjoys sharing her musical talents by teaching oboe, and clarinet to students in the Oswego and Yorkville area and being a grandmother.
Clarinet - Anna Najoom
Clarinetist Anna Najoom of Chicago, IL maintains a diverse performing and teaching career. As an avid chamber musician Najoom is a member of The Sapphire Woodwind Quintet, Claraconbrio and The Chicago Clarinet Ensemble, The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Chamber Music Project and performs with Jason Seed and the Elixor Ensemble. Najoom appears frequently with orchestras throughout Chicago-land and the Midwest. Some include the Paderewski Symphony Orchestra of Chicago, Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, Wisconsin Philharmonic, and Kenosha Symphony. Najoom was appointed Principal Clarinet of the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra for the 2008-09 Season. Najoom has been on faculty of the Merit School of Music since 2003 and maintains her own private teaching studio. She holds a Master of Music in Clarinet Performance (M.M. 2003) from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis where she studied with Burt Hara, Principal Clarinet of the Minnesota Orchestra and a Bachelor of Music (B.M. 2001) from Lawrence University in Appleton, WI.
Bassoon - Kim Richter
Saxophone - Shawn Maxwell- www.shawnmaxwell.com
Shawn Maxwell of Aurora, Illinois is an accomplished woodwinds multi-instrumentalist (saxophones, clarinet and flute) professional jazz performer. He is also a teacher, composer, arranger and clinician. Leader of the Shawn Maxwell Quartet, he provides excellence in jazz entertainment in Chicagoland and beyond. Shawn attended Milikin University in Decatur, Illinois and received a Bachelors Degree in Commercial Music in 1999. Since 1999 Shawn has been in high demand. He began his career as an entertainer on a Caribbean cruise line. Since that time he has toured in Sweden, London, Portugal, and Greece. Additionally, he has played with numerous jazz combos at venues throughout greater Chicagoland.
Known for his high-level and high-energy playing Shawn Maxwell has a loyal fan base and regularly draws an appreciative crowd at his engaging performances. His current group, The Shawn Maxwell Quartet, was put together in 2004. In late 2004 Shawn took the band into the studio to record what would be his debut CD, “Originals.” “Originals,” features the compositions, arranging and production skills of Shawn. In the Fall of 2006 The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences Committee placed Shawn Maxwell on the Official First Nominating Ballot for the 2007 Grammy Awards in the following categories: Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Jazz Instrumental Solo, Best Jazz Instrumental Album.
In 2006 Shawn signed with the prestigious and legendary Conn-Selmer Company to join their Performance and Educational Artist Roster.
In 2008 Shawn released his second album, “Originals II,” on his newly formed label, “Dangerous Curve Productions.” “Originals II” features another twelve works that feature the writing, arranging and production skills of Shawn Maxwell. In 2009 Shawn recorded his first CD, "Maxwell’s House," for the Chicago Sessions Jazz Label. "Maxwell’s House" features another ten original compositions.
Shawn currently performs with his own group, The Shawn Maxwell Quartet, as well as several other groups. In addition to his busy performance schedule Shawn maintains a private lesson studio of 50 students in IL and continues to work as a clinician with young performers throughout the Chicago area.
Trumpet-Wes Skidgel
Wes Skidgel is an active freelance trumpet player in the Chicago area. He received his B.M. from Wheaton College and M.M. from DePaul University, both in trumpet performance. Wes is currently an adjunct faculty member at Elmhurst College where he teaches trumpet. Wes is the principal trumpet of the Dubuque Symphony and the Battle Creek Symphony. Wes has also performed with many ensembles throughout the Midwest; among them are Millar Brass, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, the Peoria Symphony, the South Bend Symphony and the Millennium Chamber Players. In 2011, Wes appeared as a soloist with the Dubuque Symphony to perform Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2. He also performs in the group State Street Brass.
Trumpet - Gene Arnold
Born and raised in central Illinois. He studied trumpet with Herb Stoskopf of Peoria, and graduated with a BM in trumpet performance from Northwestern University. He studied at NU with Vincent Cichowicz and Luther Didrikson. Other teachers have been Bill Scarlett and Tom Crown. Gene currently plays first trumpet with the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra and second chair with the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra. As an active free lance trumpeter he performs in wedding ceremonies, church services and community theatre productions.Gene has taught private trumpet lessons in the Aurora/Oswego area for about ten years. Gene and his family moved to Oswego five years ago. They have three children all of which play instruments, though not trumpet!
Trombone: Bob Skallerup
Bob Skallerup is a professional trombonist in the Chicago land area. He received a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Music Education from Elmhurst College. He has spent time on the road with Lou Rawls, Wayne Newton, Glenn Miller and Al Pierson to name a few. He has also played with Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus and numerous TV. and radio commercials. Lessons will consist of all aspects of trombone playing including sound production, slide technique, reading (sight, clef), ear training and jazz theory. He is looking forward to being part of the Oswego Band Program Team. My # is 630 464-7129 and my e-mail is www.leadbone@hotmail.com
Percussion - Vern Spevak
Vern Spevak is a graduate of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL where he was awarded a Bachelor of Music degree in percussion performance, while on a four year, full tuition scholarship. Mr. Spevak was a member of the internationally acclaimed NIU Jazz Ensemble, where he performed and toured with jazz greats Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Bellson, Don Menza, Clark Terry, Carl Fontana and many others. As a private instructor and clinician, Mr. Spevak remains highly in demand with a large weekly roster of private students and is a percussion consultant to many schools throughout the Chicagoland and Northern Illinois area. For more information, please go to www.spevakpercussionconcepts.com
Percussion - Walt Schneider
Walt Schneider is a music educator and percussionist. He graduated with Bachelor of Music Education in Percussion from U.M.K.C. Conservatory of Music, and received a Master of Arts in Percussion and Music Literature from the University of Iowa. He served in the United States Air Force Bands, and was Percussion Leader in the USAFE Band. Schneider completed his Doctoral Studies in Percussion at the Manhattan School of Music studying with Paul Price. For thirty five years Mr. Schneider taught Band, Percussion and Music Appreciation in Tenafly, N. J., near New York City. During this time he was continuously performing with many orchestras and bands in the New York/Jersey area including the N. J. Philharmonic and the Garden State Band. He served as the New Jersey All-State Band Percussion coordinator for over fifteen years. In 2001, Mr. Schneider was chosen by the New Jersey Music Educators Association to receive the Governors Award in Arts Education. Recently, the Schneiders retired and moved to Yorkville, Illinois to be near their musical family. Walt now performs percussion with the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra and is the drummer with the Yorkville Big Band. He looks forward to working with young people, who want to develop their musical and percussion performance.
