Amid Coronavirus Lockdown, Music Loft Still Offering Lessons

ROMEOVILLE, IL — Playing a musical instrument can be a great source of stress relief in trying times. Even if you don't know how to play, there are still people that can teach you. That's the service the Music Loft - with locations in Romeoville and Coal City - is offering local residents: Online, one-on-one music lessons.

"We do everything except harmonica and bagpipes," Music Loft owner John Kozlick said. "We can do violin, trumpet, trombone, sax, guitar, bass, drums... and voice."

Kozlick said the Music Loft had been in business for close to 40 years prior to the coronavirus crisis, with the location in Romeoville open for 19 of them. But after so many years in operation, Kozlick said the coronavirus crisis had hit his business hard.

"It's forced me to do online music lessons," Kozlick said. "We went from 120 students down to like 74, so it cut it way down."

Kozlick expressed sympathy for others who have lost their jobs or income amid the crisis when speaking with Patch. He said he understood music lessons were a luxury when one is more concerned with paying rent and buying groceries. He also said he understood that many people simply didn't want to deal with the technical issues involved with online lessons. Still, without more clients or income, Kozlick said he wasn't sure how long he would be able to keep the Music Loft open for anyone.

"I'm not sure if I can maintain," he said. "I know that I'll make it through May, after that it's questionable."

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Besides his own expenses, Kozlick said he had three music instructors that helped give lessons. Lessons cost $23 per session, but Kozlick said that people typically paid by the month, with their first lesson free.

"As long as they pay for three [lessons], they get one free... so it's like $92 per month," he said.

Those interested in contacting Kozlick about setting up online lessons can do so at the Music Loft's Facebook page, or via phone at (815) 293-2580. Kozlick said he preferred to receive text messages over actual calls, as he is unable to answer the phone while teaching lessons.

"Everything I'm doing now [with the lessons] is exactly what I would do [normally]. Even the lessons are one-on-one," Kozlick said. "There's no recorded anything. We're one-on-one going back and forth, just as if you were sitting right with me doing it."

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