American Music Institute - Welcomes NEW Music Faculty

American Music Institute - located in Chicago and western suburbs, is proud to introduce our NEW Music Faculty Members: Bing Jing Yu, Georgia Jacobson, Joe Bauer, Silje Sevcech, Terry Leahy, Tommy Shermulis and Jordan Brown. Our faculty members are available for lessons on campus, virtual and in-home. AMI Campuses are located in Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, Geneva, and St. Charles, IL. Schedule a trial lesson today with an AMI Faculty Member… AMI@amimusic.org - 630-850-850 - www.amimusic.org.

Bing Jing Yu - Violin / Viola - Available Sat - Clarendon Hills / Downers Grove
Bing Jing Yu received her Artist Diploma from New England Conservatory. She performs with the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra, where she has served as acting Concert Master and acting Assistant Concertmaster on various productions. Ms. Yu made her Carnegie Hall debut in 1992, playing the Bach Double Concerto with the New York String Orchestra under the late Alexander Schneider. Ms Yu has been trained through Suzuki Unit 4. She believes in setting her students up for success and in meeting them where they are, to both engage and challenge her students. Ms. Yu has coached violinists of all levels preparing their excerpts for orchestra auditions. She works with all levels of students from the youngest pre-twinkler to the most advanced.

Georgia Jacobson - Voice / Piano - Available Sat - Clarendon Hills / In-Home
Mezzo-soprano Georgia Jacobson, born in France and raised in northern Minnesota, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Voice Performance from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and a Master of Music and Artist Diploma in Opera Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), where she was a scholarship recipient and awarded the Sam Adams Award. She has held positions as Music Faculty at Lake Superior College and Angeles Academy of Music in Los Angeles, California. Committed to fostering music education, Georgia has taught private voice and piano lessons to students of diverse ages and abilities, emphasizing technical development and artistic expression in a supportive environment

Joe Bauer - Bass / Cello / Piano - Available Tues - Clarendon Hills / Downers Grove / In-Home
Joe Bauer received a Master of Music in String Performance from Florida State University and a Bachelor of Music in Double Bass Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He is a tenured member of Quad City Symphony Orchestra, a former Lecturer at Southern Illinois University, and a past Fellow with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Joe leads an eclectic musical career and has performed with acclaimed ensembles and artists as well as premiered works by composers including Michael Abels, Angel Lam, Chris Walczak, and Liliya Ugay. His students have been accepted into leading music programs, including the Berklee College of Music. His teaching philosophy centers on building a strong technical foundation that enables expressive and nuanced sound production.

Silje Sevcech - Bass / Cello / Guitar - Available Wed & Sat - Clarendon Hills / Downers Grove / In-Home
Silje Sevcech holds a Bachelor's degree from Illinois Wesleyan University and currently performs around Chicago, either as a bassist, or playing their original music with a string quartet. Prior to living in the city, Silje participated in many types of ensembles including orchestras, chamber groups, jazz ensembles and combos, wind ensembles, pit orchestras, and pop/rock bands. As an educator, Silje strives to build their students a holistic foundation upon which students can grow. This includes learning solid technique and the mechanics of the student’s instrument, developing practice skills, participating in ensembles to broaden the student’s experience, gaining an applied understanding of music theory and history, and fostering the student’s passion and appreciation for music.

Terry Leahy - Trombone / Trumpet / Tuba - Available Thur - Clarendon Hills / Downers Grove / In-Home
Originally from Australia, Dr Terry Leahy holds degrees from the Australian National University, the University of Minnesota and Northwestern University. Currently performing with the Peninsula Music Festival Orchestra (WI) and the Chicago Philharmonic, he is also an Executive Director of Landmark Brass Chicago. Terry is equally at home on alto, tenor and bass trombones and, additionally has recorded and performed on bass trumpet and tenor tuba. Terry Leahy has rich experience in performing as a soloist in recitals all over the world, tenuring positions as an orchestral musician as well as a chamber musician. As an educator, Dr Leahy has presented masterclasses in Australia, the US, the UK and South Africa.

Tommy Shermulis - Winds / Brass - Available Mon & Wed - Clarendon Hills / Downers Grove / In-Home
Tommy Shermulis received his Master of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied with Mr. Charles Neidich, and his Bachelor in Music degree from Illinois State University, where he studied with Dr. David Gresham. Mr Shermulis is a multi-instrumentalist. Currently, he is Bass Clarinetist for the Peoria Symphony Orchestra and is founder and performer of multiple ensembles, including the Elite Four Jazz Band and the Delicious Bass Clarinet Choir. He is an avid teacher, teaching lessons on all woodwinds at a professional level, as well as brass and piano to beginner and intermediate students.

Jordan Brown - Voice / Piano - Available Mon - Clarendon Hills / Downers Grove / In-Home
Jordan Brown holds a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Northwestern–St. Paul, and has built a dynamic career as a performer and teacher dedicated to vocal excellence. In 2022, Jordan helped establish Rochester, Minnesota’s first opera company, The Hometown Opera Company where he created programs and educational outreach and collaborations with local schools. Jordan is committed to expanding access to high-quality vocal education in his community and creating meaningful musical opportunities for singers of all backgrounds.

About American Music Institute (AMI)
American Music Institute is a leading music education institution dedicated to fostering a love for music and providing high-quality instruction to students of all instruments, ages, genres and levels. AMI Campuses are located in Chicago, Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, Geneva, and St. Charles, IL. For more information about enrolling in lessons or any of AMI’s programs, please visit amimusic.org or contact AMI at (630) 850-8505 / AMI@amimusic.org