Music Instructors at Hix
Jeff Lantz - Piano
Jeff Lantz is a concert pianist and award winning composer who has performed and/or recorded with Stephen Stills, Greg Allman, Frankie Avalon, Jim Peterik (Survivor/Ides Of March/Pride Of Lions/Life Force), Tico Torres (Bon Jovi), Mark Bryan (Hootie and the Blowfish), Josh Kelly, Nat Adderly, Al DiMeola, Billy Cobbham, Joe Vitale, and many more. Mr. Lantz has also produced and performed on over 100 CD's and musical albums for various artists, as well as composing scores for over 50 industrial soundtrack projects, and has been involved with performing, audio production, and scoring of 4 major films. Jeff has also entertained thousands across the United States performing his own musical compositions. Most recently, Jeff was a regular pianist at Walt Disney World, in Orlando, FL, where he was the opening musical act at the Comedy Warehouse, and created improvisational songs with the comedians onstage. Mr. Lantz has taught hundreds of students, from beginner to advanced, and is currently authoring his own music method, which he hopes to have in print by 2010. (Teaches at both Aurora & Batavia locations)
Ed Breckenfeld - Drums
Ed Breckenfeld is one of the top drummers in the Chicago area. A former major-label recording artist with Epic Records, Ed has been a member of and performed with many premiere Midwest bands over the years including The Insiders, Jim Peterik's World Stage, The Cathy Richardson Band, Pride Of Lions, Off Broadway, and the Dooley's. His recording work includes albums for the above bands and many other Midwest, national and international artists, along with radio and television commercials. Additionally, Ed writes a monthly column called "Off The Record" and other technique articles for Modern Drummer, the most widely read drum magazine in the world. Ed's over 35 years of drumming include 25 years as a well-known drum instructor, specializing in beginning, intermediate, and advanced drumset and snare drum technique. One of Ed's more illustrious students was Kevin Clark, the young drummer in the movie "School Of Rock". For more information, visit www.edbreckenfeld.com (Teaches at the Batavia location only)
James Jaffe - Guitar, Bass, Upright Bass
James grew up in a musically diverse enviroment, having a father who listen to classic rock and jazz, a mother who listen to classsical, and an older brother and sister who listen to mostly punk rock and metal. He began playing music at the music at the age of 11 when his parents bought him a saxophone for Christmas. When he was 13 he changed his focus and began playing electric bass and guitar. While in high school he was encouraged by his jazz band director to play upright bass in addition to electric, and soon after began playing in the school's orchestra as well. After high school he studied at the College of Dupage, and then finished his studies at Elmhurst College where he recieved a B.A. in Music with a focus in Jazz. Currently, besides teaching at Hix Bros. Music, James is a member of The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, and plays a variety of blues, rockabilly, and country standards with the Chicago based roots music band, The Screaming Bluedogs.(Teaches at both Aurora & Batavia locations)
Zach Petritsch - Guitar
Zach started taking guitar lessons from Carl Hix in 1994 when he was 11 years old and has been playing now for 14 years. When he was 15 years old entered the nation-wide contest "The Jimi Hendrix Competition" and made it to the semi-finals (Famous blues guitarist Johnny Lang won the competition). Zach began teaching lessons when he was 16 years old and since then has been teaching and playing in local bands. He is currently finishing his Associates Degree in Fine Arts at Waubonsee Community College after which he plans to attend Northern Illinois University to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance and Education. (Teaches at the Aurora location only)
Justin O'Connell - Drums
Justin O'Connell has been involved with the Hix Bros family since he started taking drum lessons from Andrew Hix at eleven years of age. As the years passed, the brothers began using him to mow their lawns, move small trees, pick up poodle droppings with toothpicks, and answer phones. Finally they decided to pay him, and Justin started working for the store at age 15. Justin began teaching at Hix Bros Music in 2003 and now teaches five days a week. Justin has played with many local bands throughout the years and owns and operates a private studio in Sandwich, IL. Justin has received his Associates Degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis on Music from Waubonsee Community College and is currently attending Northern Illinois University to complete a degree in Education and History. (Teaches at the Batavia location only)
Jeremy Schmidt - Guitar, Bass
Jeremy Schimdt has been giving guitar and bass instruction for five years. He has been instructing at Hix Bros Music for the past 2 years. At age 15, Jeremy began performing in a classic rock cover band. He has also performed in a number of Jazz ensembles from jazz standards, Brazilian and Cuban jazz, and jazz fusion. Jeremy currently performs in the greater Chicagoland area playing original and cover music. He is a Music Education Major at Northern Illinois University where he wishs to further his understanding of music and music pedagogy. (Teaches at the Batavia location only)
Marco Saporito - Guitar
Marco began playing guitar when he was 13 years old. It was around that time that he realized he had a passion for writing and playing music. As a singer and guitar player he started playing for a local church during his senior year of high school and started teaching guitar soon after. After teaching privately for a couple of years he started teaching out of a music shop in Geneva where he decided he really enjoyed seeing the progress his students were making. In 2005, Marco learned about Hix Bros Music and he's been teaching here ever since. Marco's main goal as a teacher is to keep it fun by giving his students multiple things to work on at all times. Usually this means some type of method book which teaches players to read music, scales and chords to build endurance and their chord repertoire, and then finally a song of their choice which he learns together with the student during their lesson. Personally he enjoys playing all types of music, but when its up to him he usually goes for the blues, jazz fusion-esque sound, which is what he's playing with his band at the moment. (Teaches at both Aurora & Batavia locations)
Nate Green - Drummer
Nate Green is currently the drummer for the Connexion Band, and he maintains a teaching position with Hix Bros Music. In addition, Nate is an active studio recording musician in the Chicago area working most recently with the Jeremy Bieber Trio, Dead Stock Audio, the Gin and Tonic country band, and Rosehip Studios recording artist Megan Krantz. Nate began studying percussion at the age of 12, and shortly after started studying with Detroit session player Keith Ottenbaucher. Following his high school graduation, Nate worked professionally with several Detroit-based music organizations and began teaching in local area schools. In 1996, Green moved to Chicago to attend the highly-acclaimed Northern Illinois University School of Music. At NIU Nate studied with Rich Holly, Jeff Stitely and Robert Chappell, with whom he developed his drumset and hand percussion styles. In 2000 he accompanied the NIU Steel band on its trip to Trinidad for the World Steel band Festival. Since earning his bachelor's degree in percussion performance from NIU, Nate has been busy teaching and performing in the Chicago area, including performances with the Champion Illinois Brass Band on its 2001 tour of England. (Teaches at both Aurora & Batavia locations)
Ric Larsen - Guitar
Ric Larsen started playing piano at age six and the guitar shortly thereafter. He was born into a musical family, with parents and two sisters who play instruments. Ric attended Minnesota State University where he spent his weekends performing with rock band, either touring the midwest or in the studio recording. In college he received classical training from James McGuire, renowned Jazz and classical guitar performer and instructor. After graduating college in 2005, Ric moved to Illinois to attend graduate school at Elmhurst College, to teach private lessons, and to train with world class concert guitarist Denis Azabagic. Currently Ric works as a private instructor at Hix Bros Music and as a private guitar and piano instructor at a local School for the Arts. He performs classical both as a solo act and as a part of a guitar/flute duet for private events. (Teaches at the Aurora location only)
Ben Janik - Guitar
Ben Janik began playing guitar at the age of 14, and was entirely self taught until he began taking lessons in Jazz and Rock at age 16. He came to the area to attend Northern Illinois University to study Jazz, and he nearly completed his Jazz Performance Degree. He has been teaching for several years and enjoys dedicating his energy and effort into helping students learn any and all styles of music.(Teaches at both Aurora & Batavia locations)
Frank Check - Drums
Frank Check was raised in a multicultural area outside of Chicago where he was exposed to Rock, Jazz, Funk, Gospel and World music. He began to play drums by the age of two and by the end of third grade he was performing with his church choir and his grade school jazz band. At age twelve Frank had his first gig with Elliot Wimbush at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago and knew that he wanted to be a musician for the rest of his life. Throughout high school he participated in all of the school bands where he earned many awards including several as a jazz soloist, the First Chair Award from Instrumentalist Magazine, three Woody Herman Jazz Awards, The John Phillip Sousa Award and the prestigious Semper Fidelis Award from the United States Marine Corp. After high school Frank was privileged to have the opportunity to play with The Shadows of Knight, the 1960s rock group famous for their rendition of the song Gloria. As a drummer Frank has played across the United States, as well as Canada, England, France and South Korea. Frank was the drummer for the world renowned Northern Illinois University Steel Band from 2001-2008 and has worked as a teaching assistant at the Birch Creek Music Center since 2003. Frank finished his Master of Music degree in World Percussion at Northern Illinois University 2008 where he also earned his Bachelor of Music in 2006. He is performing with Junk in the Trunk, The Rockerfellers Orchestra and teaches at Cougar Media Music, Hix Bros. Music and Waubonsee Community College. (Teaches at the Aurora location only)
John Swickert - Guitar
John has worked for Hix Bros Music since 1996, starting just after the great flood. His responsibilities include: Guitar Instructor, Receiving Manager, Data Entry, Website Help, Sales, Boss Baiting, Dog Catcher, and employee flogging. John has been involved in music since birth, hearing his father Jerry and Mother Mary Lee sing and play various instruments including piano, guitar, banjo, sax and others. His first paying gig came before the age of ten playing guitar and singing with his dad at a local pub. John has had professional instruction in Guitar, Piano and Voice. In 1981, John had his first guitar lesson with John Hix, the founder and original owner of Hix Music. After just 2 lessons, he was shipped off to the evil Carl Hix for lessons that continue to this day. As an Aurora high school student John was a state finalist in voice and sang in organized choral groups all through school and after. John generally no longer sings as a result of an unfortunate chipmunk watching expedition that went horribly wrong, scarring his vocal chords forever. He has played in various bands and done wedding gigs, but no longer plays out as work and life with his lovely family of four keeps him very busy. John has an Associates Degree in an Applied Science from Waubonsee Community College and another year and a half of schooling at NIU, when in the middle of school, he was dragged kicking and screaming to teach at Hix Bros Music. John was also an accomplished amateur auto racer. He raced formula Fords on and off between 1982 and 1994 as finances allowed. In 1992 John finished third overall in the Skip Barber Midwest Formula Ford Championship and was chosen as a finalist in what was called "The Big Show". The ten best drivers from the continental US and Hawaii were brought to Sebring Florida for a shootout. The winner won a $100,000 racing scholarship. Alas, John did not win this obviously-rigged event but is very satisfied with his Racing career and still enjoys watching and attending racing events. Playing with his daughter, teaching guitar and riding his motorcycle give John much pleasure today. (Teaches at the Aurora location only)
Adam Bockman - Bass
Adam Bockman is an electric bassist who teaches lessons four days a week at Hix Bros Music in Aurora. He is fluent in practically all styles of bass playing: traditional jazz, Beatles and Motown, prog rock and fusion, fretless Jaco-style and Wooten-type thump, various latin styles, and rock from Allmans to Zeppelin. He has worked with a long list of notable musicians, many of whom he won't mention because they still owe him money. Currently he can be heard playing bass lines by Bootsy, Jamerson, Larry Graham and others with The Manhattan Project - a ten piece funk/soul band with horns. (Teaches at the Aurora location only)
Jeff Swanson - Guitar
Jeff Swanson grew up in the quiet comfort of the midwest. Born and raised in South Bend, Indiana, Jeff began studying classical guitar at the age of seven. Enjoying and taking influence from much more than just classical guitar, he was introduced to improvised music just before getting into high school. From there he decided to take his studies further and attend a Berklee summer program. There his horizons were broadened by the likes of such guitarists as John Stowell, Rick Peckham, David Fiuczynski and David Tronzo. It was there he was also given the name of an acclaimed Chicago guitarist and educator. As soon as he returned from the camp he got in contact and began studying with Fareed Haque. Jeff now attends school at Northern Illinois University where he continues his studies with Fareed as well as Art Davis, Robert Chappell, Ron Carter and other Northern Illinois Jazz faculty. Jeff has also been developing his skills as a teacher. He had his own studio out of his house through high school, and now continues to teach out of Hix Bros Music in Aurora. (Teaches at the Aurora location only)
Joe Marinacci - Guitar
Joe Marinacci has been studying the guitar since the age of ten. After playing in jazz band throughout high school, he received a scholarship to study jazz guitar with Fareed Haque (Sting, Garaj Mahal), at Northern Illinois University's highly acclaimed music school. Joe studied under Fareed Haque for two years. He has been teaching professionally for four years and finds great joy and responsibility in educating. Joe enjoys all types of music and enjoys teaching jazz, beginner guitar,blues, music theory and rock/r&b. (Teaches at both Aurora & Batavia locations)
Matt O'Brien - Guitar
Matt has been playing guitar since he was 16 years old. He attained his Bachelor of Arts degree in music in 2001 at Roosevelt University. While in school, Matt focused on classical guitar and jazz, taking over 2 years of study in each style. His influences include classic rock, metal and classical music.(Teaches at both Aurora & Batavia locations)
Steven Bitte - Drums
Steven Bitte started playing drums at age 14 with the help of his father. After persistent practicing, he joined the psychedelic death metal group, Pooch Carver, who went on to record two full-length albums under Fantasy Owl Records. During the time he played with the group, he majored in music at College of Dupage. Steve enrolled in the PIT (Percussion Institute of Technology) program at Musician's Institute in Hollywood, California. Steve recorded with Hollywood rockers Elegantly Wasted and performed on a track with Alice Cooper's Ryan Roxie. After moving back to Chicago, Steve started teaching at Hix Bros Music. Recently, Steve has been studying with heavy metal icon Joe Nunez, drummer for the international heavy metal band Soulfly. With nation-wide touring experience, Steve continues to teach privately and play with various acts in the Chicagoland area mainly with the hard rock outfit Calling All Destroyers. (Teaches at the Aurora location only)
Jeremy Reeves - Guitar
Jeremy Reeves was born at a very young age. Soon after, he began taking lessons at Hix Music. He then promptly moved to Appalachia to pick banjo in a Reggae band. Bitten by the Jazz bug, he moved back to Chicago to study at DePaul University. This was followed by playing engagements in the caves and kitchens of Southern Italy where he perfected his "Rustico" style. After a triumphant return to America, Jeremy began teaching at Hix Bros Music, and still plays today, even after all these years. Thank you and good luck! (Teaches at both Aurora & Batavia locations)
Ken Mandat - Guitar
Ken Mandat began playing the guitar at 8 years old. Over the next 10 years, Ken took private lessons from Michael Konopka, a renowned Chicago guitarist and producer, who owned and operated Seagrape Studios and Thundertone Audio in Chicago. During his teenage years, Ken played in, and recorded with several Chicago bands, including the local heavy metal band Damien Thorne. Ken spent 2 years studying Music Theory at Triton College, and then moved the LA to attend Musicians Institute. At age 20, Ken signed a contract with CBS/RoadRunner Records and spent much of the 1980's and early 90's touring the US and Europe opening for such acts as Metallica, Motorhead, Slayer and many more. Ken has four worldwide releases to his credit, with album sales of over 200,000 copies, and also has producer credits on three releases for the A&M/Cobra Record label. Between recording and touring dates, Ken has also worked as a Plant Manager for several manufacturing plants in the Chicago area as well (gotta pay the bills). Ken now works for the Hix Bros as a salesman, website manager, teacher and is really the "Brains" of the whole operation (second to Amy, of course). (Teaches at the Batavia location only)
Caleb Willitz - Guitar
Caleb Willitz is a graduate of Millikin University with a bachelor of music degree. He currently works as a sound engineer, producer, and musician in Chicago. And is too lame to write a better bio than this. (Teaches at the Aurora location only)
Peter Farnum - Guitar
Pete Farnum has been studying jazz guitar for 8 years. His passion for guitar has taken him from those early middle school years to studying jazz guitar as a profession in college. He has most recently attended the University of Illinois in Chicago as a major in jazz performance. He has studied under many well-known Chicago area jazz guitarists, including John Papadolias (gypsy jazz), Don Tisch (improvisation), Dan Becker (blues rock), and Professor Zvonimir Tot (bebop/jazz). He plays in jazz ensembles and smaller jazz combo groups as well as a few different rock bands, and gigs around the Chicago area. (Teaches at the Aurora location only)
John Dudich - Guitar
John Dudich is a native of the Aurora area. In 2005 he received a B.A. in Commercial Music from Belmont University. From there he spent 2 years in LA playing music, and now currently resides in the Chicago area where he continues to gig and teach. He is fluent in playing and teaching many guitar styles including: Jazz, Rock, Blues Classical, Flamenco and finger style guitar. John has been teaching guitar for 7 years and is dedicated to helping guitarists understanding music theory so that they can function at their best. His guitar instruction includes music theory, sight-reading, ear training, and number systems. He greatly enjoys teaching all aspiring musicians from beginners to advanced. (Teaches at both Aurora & Batavia locations)
Hans Moscicke - Drums
What inspires musical success? For Hans, being raised by parents who constantly listened to an eclectic arrangement of music was part of it. The love of music somehow channeled itself into his blood, and a common story for many of us this is. He fell in love with drums at an early age (nine or so) and practiced incessantly for some good reasons (i.e. to get better), and for reasons that were not so good (i.e. to get the girls). Although he learned his craft largely in part 'by ear,' he realized his intuition could only take him so far. So he started formal training in early high school with Andrew Hix of HixBros Music. These lessons changed his life and inspired him to be a life-long musician. He furthered his educated at the top ranked jazz program of the University of North Texas and in Chicago under Northwestern University's jazz director Joel Spencer. How ironic is it that he is now teaching at the same launching-pad that originally hurled him in a love relationship with music? When asked why someone should consider taking lessons at Hix he answered, "I believe lessons are a beneficial learning experience regardless of your interest level in music or drums. I have seen even the least likely candidates mature not just musically, but in terms of discipline, concentration, critical thinking, and creative thinking. Music lessons seem to round a person out." Hans is currently pursuing a masters degree at Wheaton College, working part-time at a local church, and playing in an eclectic rock-band called Milano. www.hearmilano.com (Teaches at the Aurora location only)
Bill Fornari - Saxophone, Flute
Bill Fornari is a graduate of DePaul University with a BA in Jazz Studies. He has been playing professionally for more than 20 years as a sax player and vocalist. He has a wife, 2 kids and a cat. Not necessarily in that order.(Teaches at the Batavia location only)
Scott McConnell - Drums
Scott McConnell has been playing drum set and percussion for 13 years. He recently graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in percussion performance. While at NIU he studied percussion with professors Robert Chappell and Greg Beyer. He performed with the NIU percussion ensemble, the NIU World Steel Band, and the NIU New Music Ensemble. During his time as a member of the NIU World Steel Band he had the experience to perform with the Chicago Sinfonietta. He is currently continuing his studies at NIU pursuing a Masters degree in percussion and steelpan. Scott has also been an active gigging musician for the last few years performing in a number of different styles and settings. Scott has also been teaching private lessons for over six years teaching students of all different ages and experiences. (Teaches at the Batavia location only)
Tim Egan - Guitar
A consummate devote of the arts, Tim Egan has been playing guitar for 20 years. Originally a self taught musician, he graduated with honors from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University with his Bachelor's in Music. Known for his high level of professionalism, Tim is a respected performer in numerous groups in different styles. He plays guitar in the Avant Garde Jazz Trio Thor and The Southwest Jazz Quartet. In 2008, Tim was a finalist for the Nitelife.org "Best Guitarist" award for his work in a prominent Rock Cover Band. Tim is also a bass player for the rock band Floyd Pepper as well as the Latin ensemble Andaje Bohemio. A student of John McLean, Steve Ramsdell and Ralph Covert, Tim brings a high level of artistry to his lessons. In addition to a performance career, Tim is a respected composer/arranger, lecturer and musical theorist. In his little free time, Tim enjoys long conversations with members of Chicago's arts community and enjoying live performances. Tim has even sung in various operas with the DuPage Opera Company.(Teaches at the Batavia location only)
Ric Bianchi - Guitar
Ric Bianchi has a Masters Degree in music and attended the University of North Texas for his undergraduate program. He has performed with Jazz greats JJ Johnson, Ernie Watts, Cecil Bridgewater and Harold Jones. Ric has performed with former members of BB King, Frank Sinatra, The Oak Ridge Boys, Sting, Muddy Waters, Aretha Franklin, and Bill Haley and the Comets to name a few. He has chaired a college music program, taught 10 different music classes for 5 Chicago Colleges and has taught private lessons to all ages for over 15 years. (Teaches out of the Aurora location only)
Hershyl Edwards - Drums
Hershyl Edwards has been active in music for over 20 years. As a multi-instrumentalist (vocals, drums, guitar, bass, & keyboards), he has been a professional performer since age 17. He attended the University of Illinois as a music composition major. After college he continued pursuing a professional music career, performing in both original and cover bands. He has performed with a multitude of bands at venues all around Chicago and the Midwest including the Metro and Buddy Guy’s Legends. He has been teaching music to students of all ages for more than five years now. As a drum instructor he specializes in classical percussion as well as rock, funk, blues, reggae, dance, and hip-hop styles on drum set. As a voice instructor he specializes in classical, soul, blues, rock, and jazz singing. He also provides instruction in theory, ear training, and improvisation to all of his students.(Teaches out of the Aurora location only)
Frank Loria - Guitar
I have been playing guitar for 21 years, and studied with Frank Rumoro at the Fine Arts building in Chicago. I have taught in the Chicago Public Schools, private lessons out of my home and am currently in my 8th year of teaching at Hix Bros. I play out and record on a regular basis with various groups. I have been performing live in the Chicagoland area for about 12 years playing at downtown clubs opening for big name artists, headlining venues, as well as performing at private and corporate parties in Chicago and the suburbs.(Teaches out of the Aurora location only)-
Teacher Bios
Ever wanted to know our teachers on a personal level? No? Neither do we, but if you at least want to see what they look like, then click below.
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Rock Around an Hour... And a Half
An 8-week course focusing on real, live band situations. Learn valuable practice techniques, improvisational skills, music forms, and write and record an original song!