A Lifelong Love Of Music

"I've been performing since I was about 9 years old," said Kathi Cizewski. In fact, her first performance was in front of a full auditorium. She played piano at McCormick Place in Chicago for the Illinois Music Association.

"I played Bach C Major Prelude--memorized," Cizewski said.

Since then, she has beome an accomplished pianist, organist, clinician and published author. She is a nationally certified instructor and performer who is celebrating the 20th anniversary of her business this year, 

She has been teaching in Lake County for decades. In 1992, when some of the studios where she had been giving lessons closed up, she looked for a space of her own.

"I found the Grayslake location on Center Street, and it worked perfectly," Cizewski said. "In addition, I have taught at the College of Lake County for 35 years." 

Cizewski has developed a local and national career as a soloist and accompianist. She has performed on WTTW, WGN and WJOB Radio. Students come from throughout Lake County and range in age from 6 to 86 years old.

Never Too Old To Learn

Jim Hanrath of Libertyville, now 55, started taking piano lessons two years ago. 

"I like working with Kathi because she has both the patience and the grace of a saint," said Hanrath. "I like learning to play because it is something new. I am trying to appreciate both the theory of it and playing it."

He said he had always been into sports and the law, but wanted to do something new. He began with a group piano class at CLC, taught by Cizewski, and now works with her one-on-one.

"I like Jim's enthusiasm," said Cizewski. "He really, truly enjoys it. He wants to make this a lifestyle."

She said she loves working with students at any age.

"I love to nurture the students and help them find their potential," Cizewski said. "I encourage them to develop a love of music."

Starting Young

Paula Diaz, 12, of Round Lake, was the Composition Winner in 2011 meaning she can not only play music, she can compose it.

"I like learning new songs. If I struggle, she helps me to get better," said Diaz, a student at Big Hollow Middle School in Ingleside.

"Paula is a very good student who started out as a beginner," Cizewski said. 

Her mom, Patricia Gonzalez, said that Paula began piano lessons when she was just 6 or 7 years old. 

"Mrs. C. has been doing a great job guiding my daughter through the pieces, from easy to difficult," said Gonzalez. "She is a very dedicated teacher, very patient and kind. She is very passionate about the music. My daughter started out with no knowledge and now she is performing really long, difficult pieces."

Kathi's School of Music is accepting new students in both piano and guitar. 

"We develop musicians with dynamic expression and fully phrased development techniques," Cizewski said. "People learn to play sensitively and with creativity. Music is a universal language. Through it, people can share their feelings and moods."

Kathi's School of Music is located at 130 Center Street, Grayslake (847-223-5726 or kfc860@cs.com). Cizewski also teaches at the College of Lake County (kcizewski@clcillinois.edu).