instructors

Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Piano 

(Available Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)

The owner of Kimberlyrics! In high school, Christian earned his Bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies and countless awards across Illinois, including a Concerto Competition win at Elmhurst Univeristy. Along with classical wins, Christian also has 7 outstanding soloist awards at the Elmhurst College/University Jazz Festivals from 2019-2022. He's worked with, and continues to work with many big names in jazz and music such as Doc Severinson, Randy Brecker, Mike Stern, Bill Evans, Roberta Gambarini and more. He currently performs regularly at many world famous jazz venues across the Midwest U.S. and continues to branch out. Christian has been teaching for many years dating back to 2018, and is even a current teacher at Dundee-Crown High School, Dundee Middle School, and other local schools outside of D-300. He is an active member of the local music scene performing at numerous venues in Dundee. Christian comes to Kimberlyrics with ambition, great ideas, talent and the will to succeed!

Trumpet/Piano

(Available Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)

Jamie Ruiz is a graduate of Elmhurst University where his time was spent studying under Grammy Award Winner Doug Beach and playing in the internationally acclaimed Elmhurst College Jazz Band. This experience gave him the opportunity to play alongside musicians such as Doc Severinson, Sean Jones, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Randy Brecker and many more. He has headlined festivals and clubs across Europe in the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany, Poland and more. Jaime is an active teacher, performer, and arranger, where most recently, his arrangements have been performed in festivals across the United States by Mariachi Estrellas De Chicago, where he played trumpet and was their arranger and copyist. He spends most of his days teaching and arranging in the Chicagoland area where he proudly serves a studio of mainly female trumpet players!

Guitar/Ukulele/Voice/Songwriting

(Available Monday, Thursday)

Brendan is a passionate musician and songwriter with over a decade of guitar playing experience. He’s been playing live shows, both solo and with his own bands, for more than 6 years.  His teaching style is tailored to each student and he loves working with song writers! His goals are to bring out your creativity and help you create, and accomplish, new goals! 

Saxophone/Flute/Clarinet/Piano/Vocals

(Available Monday, Thursday, Friday)

Abe is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist based in the Chicagoland area. He holds a Bachelor's of Music Performance and Education from Nazareth University of Rochester, New York, as well as a Master's of Jazz Studies from Northwestern University. As both an instrumentalist and vocalist, he uses the two disciplines simultaneously to inform his practice and playing, offering a more integrated music-making experience. He has performed in numerous venues in both Chicago and New York and has been a bandleader and sideman with acts such as Josh Groban, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas and more. Abe has ample experience teaching in public schools and privately for years, offering years of experience to teach and approach all of his students!

Flute

(Available Wednesday)

Sarah is our flute instructor, and comes to Kimberlyrics with over 20 years of flute experience. She studied Flute Pedagogy at the University of Northern Iowa, and has performed on all range of flutes (Piccolo, C Flute, Alto Flute, Bass Flute, and Contrabass Flute). Her flute knowledge spans many genres including Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary, and Extended Technique, or the flute as you don't normally hear it. She not only has a deep love of all things flute, but also specializes in Wind Band repertoire, has previously performed in pit orchestras, and also has 11 years of Marching Band experience."I'm excited to bring my flute Henry and my piccolo Burt Reynolds to the Kimberlyrics students! Ask me how they got their names at our first lesson!"

Piano

(Unavailable)

Anna is one of our piano teachers and she comes with  nearly 20 years of experience! Having taken lessons as a child, she’s spent many hours studying both theory and technique and now she’s bringing her talent to the halls of Kimberlyrics. If you’re looking to take piano with a music veteran who really knows her stuff, look no further! Anna has you covered and you may leave with more knowledge about theory than you anticipated!