Meet Our Instructors
At Avant-garde we believe a great teacher-student match is key to your success in music. All our teachers are classically trained with extensive teaching and performing experience, many with expertise in multiple instruments and multiple degrees in music. We’ll pair one of our excellent teachers to you or your child according to your unique musical goals, learning style and personality.
Piano, Mandolin, & Conducting Teacher
Natallia has been teaching in the Unites States for 17 years, after moving from Belarus where she earned her doctorate in music from the Belarussian State Conservatory in Minsk.
Natallia is a well-rounded musician and teacher, whose expertise is in conducting- meaning that she plays and teaches many instruments, and fully understands the depth of music theory, music expression, and music instruction. Natallia loves teaching students of all ages and she offers a perfect combination of warmth and structure with her teaching approach.
Natallia seeks out from every student exactly what will inspire and motivate them, and then she designs her lesson programs accordingly. She enjoys teaching classical repertoire, popular music, and everything in-between. She has taught students of all ages private lessons for over 20 years, was the teacher and supervisor at the Belarussian College of Music and Art. She is currently the assistant conductor of the New North Shore Chamber Orchestra in Evanston and a Music and Piano Instructor for the Montessori Music School in Mundelein, IL.
Natallia Lysenka
Adam McKinstry
Piano, Guitar, Ukulele & Mandolin
“Adam rocks! He rocks as a person, a teacher, and of course- a musician. Adam teaches with great care to detail, and also keeps the lessons modern, fun, and engaging.” Sara Formerly, Dynamic Music.
Adam studied guitar performance and music theory and composition at Columbia College in Chicago. He was the top guitarist on fretboard jury 2 years straight and Adam has been teaching for over 10 years (students of all ages and levels)—plays and teaches a variety of styles including: classical, rock, blues, pop, psychedelic, metal, ska, reggae, and flamenco. Adam is also a singer/songwriter and has been performing his own compositions in multiple bands since age 12.
My Philosophy on Music:
There is imitation and creation, but to truly create, one must first learn the established forms before one can break them. Eventually through discipline to these forms, one will see these forms not as absolutes governors, but instead a variety of tools that aid us in our artistic expression and enjoyment.
My Philosophy as an Educator:
To be an effective educator I believe that one must not only create a curriculum and pay attention to the individual needs of their students, but one must also provide an environment that fosters growth. That is why I am a firm believer in being extremely kind, providing positive feedback and maintaining a safe environment.
Grace Seo
Piano
Grace has been teaching in the United States for 32 years, after moving from South Korea to Chicago, she earned her Master’s and Doctorate degree in Music from the American Conservatory of Music. Grace specializes in piano instruction for sight reading, music theory and performance. Her greatest passion is working with children, but she also works with students of all ages. Combining a warm and structured approach coupled with years of experience makes her a very effective teacher. She is an instructor at YoDan Piano, and she has performed in many professional performances, including the Christian Choir accompanist Tedium by Mozart, The March 1st Korean Movement Ceremony, Duo at Children's Museum and Park's 21st Scholarship Foundation.
Guitar, Piano, Drums, Percussion & Ukulele
William Gingrich teaches multiple instruments including guitar, piano, classical percussion, drums and ukulele. He teaches beginners to advanced students of all ages, specializing in music theory and improvisation. He uses his flexibility within music to tailor a specific approach for each student. Each lesson, William encourages his students to build lasting connections with the music, and the fundamental skills of musicianship. His diverse skill set has allowed him to work across many musical styles, and fill a wide range of roles over the years including: principal percussionist, conductor, music director, and rock musician.
Students under his tutelage tend to become driven and focused. Through the joy of collective music making, they are encouraged to continue developing new skills in music and in life.
William holds a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a dual concentration in jazz drums, and classical percussion. He is also the Director of Music at School of Rock Arlington Heights, and the Drummer of Taylor Street Organ Trio and XTREME Cover Bands Chicago.
William Gingrich
Jieun Lee
Piano
Miss Jieun Lee teaches all ages and levels, from complete beginning piano students through the advanced university level.
Jieun is nurturing, kind and open minded to approaching each student and lesson program with attention to individualized goals and methods. She has an impressive educational, teaching, and performance background and is also a professional choir piano accompanist and director.
Jieun holds a Masters of Music in Piano Performance from California State University in Northridge, is a Piano Faculty Member for multiple Korean Universities, and is teh director and accompanist of Salem Methodist Church in Schaumburg, IL.
Piano, Voice, Violin and Viola
Laurel grew up outside Grand Rapids, Michigan and started piano at the age of 5. She attended Grand Valley State University and received her Bachelors of Arts in music, where studied piano, violin, voice, and composition, with an emphasis in musicology. Her interest in musicology led her to study religious music, songwriting and vocal pop with the LoVetri method. She has performed as the music director of two churches in the Grand Rapids area over the span of 6 years and has been teaching piano and violin since 2014. Laurel earned a Masters of Divinity Degree from Western Theological Seminary, which led her to live abroad in Oman and Lithuania before settling in Chicago.
Laurel’s teaching philosophy aims to cultivate a healthy and sustainable relationship with music. Music can unlock life skills such as mindfulness, problem solving, strategy and self awareness, and applying it back to the music gives a more rich, empowered experience, no matter a person’s amount of natural talent.
Laurel Pals
Piano, Bass, Guitar, Ukulele, Tuba
Mike Frasier is a musician and teacher with over 25 years of music experience. He has a passion for sharing his love of music with anyone who has the curiosity to learn. He has taught students of all levels, from beginners to advanced University students—and all ages too!
As a touring professional he has traveled around the world, performing every style of music from classical to classic rock. He’s in active demand in the Chicago area as a player of tuba, piano, bass, and more. Born and raised in Michigan, Mike graduated summa cum laude from the University of Michigan with two bachelor’s degrees in music performance and music theory. Moving to Chicago in 2014, he then graduated from Northwestern University with simultaneous Master’s degrees in music performance and music theory. His academic credentials led to a position at Saint Xavier University, where he has taught music theory and music history among other topics for the last several years. He draws from his vast experiences as a musician with every lesson!
Mike Frasier
Cello
Charlotte Ullman is a cellist and educator based in Evanston, IL. An active orchestral and chamber musician in the Chicago area, Charlotte performs with orchestras including the Illinois Symphony, Dubuque Symphony, and New Philharmonic, and was a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago from 2020 to 2023. Charlotte is an instructor at the Christopher Laughlin School of Music in Northbrook, IL, and has taught with The Peoples' Music School and Merit School of Music.
In 2020, Charlotte earned an advanced certificate in cello performance from Bard College Conservatory, studying under Peter Wiley. While studying at Bard, she performed actively with orchestras including The Orchestra Now and the Albany Symphony Orchestra. While earning her Master's degree in cello performance from Southern Methodist University, studying under Andrés Díaz, Charlotte performed in orchestras including the San Angelo Symphony Orchestra, and performed often as a chamber musician around Dallas and in several concerts alongside the Escher String Quartet. Charlotte holds a Bachelor's degree in cello performance from Carnegie Mellon University, wher eshe studied with Anne Martindale Williams. A versatile performer, Charlotte has performed in festivals including Opera in the Ozarks, Texas Music Festival,Wintergreen Music Festival, and Meadowmount School of Music.
Charlotte Ullman
Jesse DeHaro
Guitar, Bass, Drums, Synth
Milwaukee, WI Location
Jesse DeHaro is a passionate and versatile musician with over 15 years of experience, dedicated to helping you discover your potential and master the guitar. As a multi-instrumentalist, his passion for music ignited when he picked up his first guitar at the age of 12. Since then, he’s explored various styles and instruments, continually expanding his skills and musical knowledge.
His primary expertise is with guitar, but he also has experience with bass guitar, drums, and music production, having played in various bands across genres. He started his journey with formal lessons, which built a solid foundation, and he’s continued to grow through self-study, online courses, and collaborating with other musicians.
Jesse finds great joy in teaching and guiding fellow musicians to reach their full potential. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your technique, Jesse is here to help you achieve your musical goals. His current technical abilities and background in music theory is on par with professionals and he has knowledge and skills across many genres of music, including rock, blues, jazz, metal, and classical.