Gallagher School of Guitar & Drums

Andreas Kapsalis - Guitar

Teaching Neighborhoods: Chicago
Teaching Studios: Gallagher School Studio 1R, In Student's Home
Availability: "One-Off" Lessons Only -- M/Tues/W 3pm-9pm
----------------------------------------------
Extended Bio:

Andreas Kapsalis developed his unique guitar style by overcoming a hand injury that occurred in his youth. The outcome spawned a new approach: blending 10-finger tapping with traditional finger-style, flamenco, and contemporary guitar techniques. This allows him to play polyphonic music similar to a piano while retaining the percussive aspects of the guitar.

Kapsalis, a primarily self-taught musician, gathers influences from many musical styles including Jazz, Greek Folk music, Film soundtrack, and Rock.  These styles inspire him to write his own musical compositions.

Andreas' unique approach was discovered by Grammy Award-winning composer and producer Jim Tullio, a former student of Aaron Copland. Tullio recorded Andreas' first EP, garnering attention from such greats as Dave Brubeck, and Foley, bassist for Miles Davis in the late 1980's.

Andreas eventually teamed up with percussionists Jamie Gallagher and Darren Garvey to form the Andreas Kapsalis Trio. Because Kapsalis plays bass, harmony, and melody simultaneously, he effectively demonstrates a musical mastery that complements the unique presentation of the group.  The AK Trio is Andreas' main vehicle for performing his compositions in an ensemble setting.

In 2005, Andreas was awarded the Sundance Institute Composer Fellowship, which helped him develop the necessary skills to compose for Film. Andreas' first score was written for the internationally acclaimed and award-winning documentary Black Gold, which premiered at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. Since his initiation into film scoring, he composed music for several more critically-acclaimed films with genres ranging from horror, dramatic thriller, and political documentary.

The experience Kapsalis gains from working with Film undoubtedly enhances his sensibilities as teacher, composer, and performer.
Click here for private guitar lesson registration form

Andreas's Links:
aktrio.com
andreaskapsalis.com/filmreel.php

Watch a Video: Andreas Kapsalis plays Pink Floyd's Money.

Darren Garvey - Naperville Drum Set Lessons, Naperville Guitar Lessons, Naperville Percussion Lessons

Darren Garvey - Drum Set & Guitar


Teaching Neighborhoods: Naperville, DuPage Co.,IL
Teaching Studios: Home Studio, In Student's Home
Availability: Flexible Schedule
------------------------------------------------------------
Extended Bio:
Noted for his talents as a multi-instrumentalist, Darren Garvey is an active performer and studio session musician. 

A true creative force in Chicago drumming and beyond, Garvey explores both traditional and invented/extended techniques on all of his various instruments.  While Darren's unique style comes from developing mostly as a self-taught musician, he also studied under Glenn Kotche, Michael Zerang, and William Moersch.

By the age of seventeen, Garvey started focusing on percussion.  His commitment to Music eventually earned him a Percussion Performance and Jazz Studies degree from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.  In his final year of study, he joined the Andreas Kapsalis Trio.

Garvey's percussion set up with the AK Trio includes hand drums, glockenspiel, melodica, ocean harp, and toy instruments from around the globe.

He performs at a variety of venues, including the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and renowned jazz club La Zorra y el Cuervo in Havana, Cuba.

He records and performs with various groups and ensembles, while appearing on over thirty music recordings.

Darren is currently recording his first solo album, due for release in 2010.
Click here for private guitar/drum set lesson registration form

Darren's Links:
darrengarvey.com
myspace.com/darrengarveymusic
aktrio.com
cameronmcgill.com

 Watch a Video: Darren performing  Playful Little Demons with Andreas Kapsalis Trio.

Jamie Gallagher - Drum Set Lessons Chicago, Drum Lessons Lincoln Square, Drum Lessons 60618

Jamie Gallagher - Drum Set


Teaching Neighborhoods: Chicago (North Center, Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, North Side)
Teaching Studios: Gallagher School Studio 1R
Availability: M/T/W/Th; 3pm-9pm
---------------------------------------
Extended Bio:

Jamie Gallagher's main focus as an instructor is to empower his students with the learning tools that will enable them to explore the music within their mind's ear.  He has eighteen years experience as a professional recording and nationally touring musician, and thirteen years experience as a drum set/percussion teacher.

Since graduating North Central College's Jazz Studies Program in 2000, he concentrates his artistic energies on drumming for the Andreas Kapsalis Trio, Megitza, and Oucho Sparks.

Throughout Jamie's career, he has adopted the philosophy that making great music with the drums requires a more simplistic approach.  The ultimate goal is to produce many wonderful sounds with fewer instruments.
Click here for private drum set lesson registration form

Jamie's Links:
aktrio.com
megitzaquatet.com
ouchosparks.com


Watch a Video: Jamie performing Cubist with Andreas Kapsalis Trio.

Jamie's Base Drumming Blog Coming Soon...

Dave Gallagher - Guitar Lessons Chicago, Guitar Lessons Lincoln Square, Guitar Lessons 60618

Dave Gallagher - Guitar


Teaching Neighborhoods: Chicago, North Shore Suburbs
Teaching Studios: Gallagher School Studio 1R, In Student's Home
Availability: T/W/F; 3pm-9pm
--------------------------------------------
Extended Bio:

David Gallagher's professionalism as a guitarist and music teacher guides developing musicians through a creative and comprehensive approach to Music. 

He supports thirteen years of music teaching experience throughout the Chicago-land area.  He holds a B.A. in Music Performance/Jazz Studies from North Central College.

David currently records and performs with Chicago rock ensembles Umbra and the Volcan Siege and Oucho Sparks.

David Gallagher continues to help integrate Music for guitarists with each musician's personal goals in mind.
Click here for private guitar lesson registration form

Dave's Links:
ouchosparks.com
myspace.com/umbrachicago

Dave's Music Resource Blog Coming Soon...