Lisa Borelli

Founder, Piano Lisa teaches beginning through advanced piano. She began playing the piano when she was five years old. Under the direction of Lucretia Peterson of Salt Lake City, Utah, Lisa played competitively on a state level throughout her high school years. She received numerous honors in piano performance, played publicly throughout the inter-mountain area, and also participated in the music and vocal program at Lewis and Clark College of Portland, Oregon where she received her degree in International Business.   

She founded Musical Chairs Studio in 2004 with the goal of providing a music lesson experience that created a life long love for music and served as a vehicle for self-expression and building self confidence. Under her direction, Musical Chairs has experienced consistent growth and now operates in various Chicago schools as well as offers lessons in the Lincoln Square studio. 

Additionally, Lisa established the Serenading Seniors and Play it Forward programs where students are encouraged to share their gifts with those who are less fortunate and instill the concepts of community service and philanthropy in today's youth. Lisa believes music is the single most important childhood experience that has shaped her life and feels blessed for the opportunity to pass this on to others and continues to teach piano lessons herself for children and adults.

Voice, Piano, and Business Manager Stuart Thompson teaches beginning to intermediate piano and beginning to professional voice. He is a classically trained vocalist with a masters in vocal performance from DePaul University and has studied piano at Indiana University and Butler University. Stuart is a frequent performer of opera and cabaret around Chicagoland with a budding career as a comedic baritone. Having a versatile voice some notable roles include, Tonio, The Father in Hansel and Gretel, and The Count in the Marriage of Figaro. 

Stuart’s musical interests are French art song, German Opera, and Italian food. His teaching methods revolve directly around the student’s individual needs and personality but always include heavy emphasis on technique, and theory. As a singer Stuart incorporates singing into piano lessons and has the student using their voice to fully understand intervals and for note learning. Stuart’s approach to music education is fully nurturing and enjoyable, but he has the highest of expectations for his students as he consistently sees success from his most dedicated and disciplined students.  He can be reached at manager@musicalchairsstudio.com  

Violin, Viola, Strings, Composition, Guitar, and Piano

Trevor Adams is an Alaskan composer, music educator, and violist.  He teaches violin, viola, guitar, ukulele, piano, and music composition, and loves creating lessons that are fun, supportive, and tailored to each student’s interests and goals. For Musical Chairs, Trevor maintains a large violin, viola and cello private studio. He is also the director of our Chicago Youth Orchestra and the Orchestra program at McPherson Elementary School.

Trevor earned his B.M. in Music Education and B.A. in Music Composition from the University of Alaska Fairbanks which he feels brings both a broad and in-depth approach to teaching. He has taught music to students of all ages—from young children to adults—in kindergarten through high school classrooms, afterschool programs, group classes, youth and community orchestras, summer music intensives, and private lessons. Whether your child is just starting out or you're an adult learner looking to explore something new, he'll be there to guide you every step of the way.

As a performer, he has performed with the Nanook String Quartet, Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra, and Refraction Ensemble to name a few.  Trevor draws on these experiences to bring a well-rounded perspective to my teaching. His goal is to make every lesson an enriching experience that fosters both growth and creativity.

Piano, Voice, Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Trumpet and Drums is an experienced multi-instrumentalist and composer. He earned his Bachelors of Music degree for Composition and Classical Voice at San Francisco State University, where he studied composition under co-founder of EarPlay, Richard Festinger and voice under Nikolas Nackley. He studied at the Chicago Conservatory of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University where he received his Masters in Composition and Classical Voice under composer Daron Hagen.

He has performed in a number of ensembles, choirs and bands in addition to having many of his works premiered for opera, choir, chamber ensembles, and piano. He is most known for his work as singer, guitarist, and songwriter for the rock band “The Silhouette Era,” which have released numerous works and toured over the last 7 years.

Carlos' diverse experience and love for all types of music allows him to creatively approach each instrument and student with the attention they need. He believes that creating a fun and safe environment for his students is crucial. Music fundamentals are an integral part of his lessons, but fun musical experiences are the driving force of his teaching. 

Cello, Piano, and Guitar: Ben Kalb is a cellist, pianist, string arranger, and music educator.  He holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Cello Performance from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music, where he studied with world-renowned faculty, preparing classical repertoire for solo recitals and chamber ensembles.  

As a student, Ben attended the Aspen Music School and Tanglewood summer festivals, as well as chamber music institutes including Kent Blossom, where he was coached by members of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra.  During his time at SUNY, he collaborated with multiple songwriters, developing his creative approach to instrumentation. 

After receiving his degrees, Ben held the principal on-stage cellist chair in two Tony award-winning Broadway musicals (Spring Awakening and Next To Normal), contributing string arrangements to the former, as well as performing as part of the show's band during its Off-Broadway run. He has toured nationally and/or performed with a variety of artists including Grammy-winning composer Duncan Sheik and Ingrid Michaelson, and has appeared with various artists on late-night talk shows including Late Night With Conan O'Brien and The Late Show With David Letterman.  His playing can also be heard on multiple studio recordings as both a cellist and string arranger.  

In addition to performing, Ben has been a dedicated music educator for over 20 years, teaching cello and piano (his first instrument), as well as beginning guitar and rock band seminars. 

Flute, Saxophone, Clarinet: Wills Mckenna is a saxophonist, flutist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Chicago, IL. He grew up in Evanston, IL and after learning flute and saxophone in middle school and high school, he studied jazz saxophone and flute at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, and continued studies at the New England Conservatory in Boston, receiving training in both improvised and classical approaches. 

Wills also has experience as a board-certified music therapist and received a Master's of Music Therapy at Nazareth College in Rochester, NY, and later worked as a music therapist at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago for six years. At Lurie Children's Wills provided music therapy interventions to children ages 0-18 in intensive care and oncology units. 

He has maintained an active performing career in Chicago and across the midwest playing flute and saxophone in a variety of bands ranging in style from straight-ahead jazz to rock and pop and has played at venues including Schubas, Lincoln Hall, and the Jazz Showcase. He has released several albums under his own name or under his regularly performing collective groups. 

Wills's music teaching approach is rooted in developing strong musical foundations and technique while also embracing improvisation, even from an early stage, as a vehicle for self-expression and confidence building. His work as a music therapist has led him to believe that music education can have a positive impact on emotional and physical health. In his free time Wills enjoys mindfulness meditation, composing original music, biking, and experimenting with saxophone and flute electronic effects pedals. 

Theater,  Ukulele, and Piano   Saoirse moved from Dublin, Ireland to Chicago in 2023.  She is a trained theatre artist and producer, with a Master's degree in Theatre Practice from University College Dublin where she also gained experience in Theater Education.

Saoirse is passionate about learning new things and exploring different forms of expression. She is fluent in Irish and has experience teaching piano, harp and ukulele. She most recently directed the Finding Nemo production for Musical Chairs Studio, assisted with the production of Into the Woods and is the Director of Musical Chairs Theater Company. 

She loves working with children and contributing to the development of their creative spirit and self-confidence. Her previous experience as assistant director for American Montessori Academy exposed her to working with children of all ages in a creative engagement-based approach which she carries forward today in her teaching. 

Voice and Piano   began her musical journey at age 3 by studying piano with her father. Shortly after, she became involved with local children's theater companies in her hometown of Portland, Oregon, where she began early training as an actress and vocalist, cultivating a lifelong love for the performing arts. Alex moved to Chicago to continue her vocal studies at the Chicago College of Performing Arts, earning her Bachelor's degree in voice. She remains a multi-faceted performer in the Chicago area, actively working with a diverse array of artistic ensembles, including the Haymarket Opera Company, Bach + Beethoven Experience, Schola Antiqua, William Ferris Chorale, and the Grant Park Chorus.

A mother of two with a natural affinity for working with children, Alex brings her passion for music and education into every aspect of her career. This is especially evident in her role as a founding member of Chicago’s female-forward, cross-genre vocal trio, Artemisia, which frequently collaborates with youth ensembles to advocate for community and cultural awareness through music. Additionally, she composed "What Happens When a Woman?" which has been performed by hundreds of ensembles internationally.

As a teacher, Alex helps students of all ages develop a well-rounded knowledge of basic musicianship skills, including technique, ear-training, music theory, harmonic language, sight-reading, composition, and improvisation. She tailors lessons to suit each student's personal goals and strengths, pairing technical study with age-appropriate repertoire that both interests and challenges them. Above all, she aims to foster a healthy fundamental technique and a genuine appreciation for music that her students will carry with them throughout their lives.

Violin, Viola and String Techniques (Virtual only): A native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and has performed with numerous regional orchestras around the country, including Mercury, Unsupervised, and Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestras. She is a founding member of the Southport String Quartet which has engaged in outreach and professional performances around Chicago. 

Hanna holds degrees from Rice University and the University of Maryland where she studied with Ivo Van Der Werff, Joan DerHovsepian, and Katherine Murdock. Hanna has performed in solo and chamber music masterclasses for James Dunham, Peter Slowik, Geoff Nuttall, Roger Meyers, and Ralph Kirschbaum. Over the summers she has performed with the National Repertory Orchestra, Contemporary Performance Institute, Kent/Blossom Music Festival, Chautauqua Music Festival, and the National Orchestral Institute. 

As a violin and viola teacher, she works to make music a fun, enriching, and challenging aspect of a student’s life by working to develop the critical thinking, listening, and emotional skills that can be learned through studying music. She teaches students of all ages and ability levels, from beginners to those preparing for auditions. 

Step the Beat, Drama Alex is a Seattle born multi instrumentalist, band leader, and theatrical comedian who broke into the Chicago scene in 2018. He has been making music since memories could form, but began his formal education through his band program at 12. 

He continued his education through the Gonzaga Jazz program followed by further education through involvement with jazz festivals in Seattle and Chicago. He currently is a singer songwriter, band leader of an experimental funkadelic brass house group, and a community builder through organizing a long running series of interdisciplinary jams. 

In his theater experience, Alex is an improvisational comedian with over 10 years of experience at the Blue Door Theater, Jet City Improv, the iO theater, and the Second City Musical Conservatory. He has been in several independent stage plays through the Annoyance and Pocket Theater. 

Alex’s pedagogy is holistic and community oriented in nature. He believes that ultimately music, and performance as a whole, should be for people, by people, and with people. His philosophy of musical humanism is what fosters a supportive environment for students of all backgrounds to connect and learn from each other to advance the art to new vistas.

Alex leads several of Musical Chairs programs including Theater Improv Club, Drama Debut for our youngest budding actors and our outreach programs with the American Montessori Academy and Ladybug & Friends Daycare. Alex is also an experienced teacher for many intstruments including improv piano.

Piano - Zachariah Schmidt graduated Cum Laude from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance. He accompanies several schools in the Chicago area, collaborates with various instrumentalists and vocalists, as we as maintains high extensive private lesson studio. Mr. Schmidt is the primary accompanist for the Whitney Young High School choirs, the Senn High School choirs, and the Franklin Fine Arts Center choir.

Zachariah was a finalist in the Georgia State University Brumby Concerto Competition in April of 2017, playing Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto with "beautiful phrasing, melodic presence and powerfully controlled clarity." He was also a finalist in the 19th Regional Osaka International Music Competition in the spring of 2018. He has studied and performed with choirs and solo instrumentalists in Atlanta, Omaha, Nashville, Chattanooga, Denver, Germany, Greece, Austria and the greater Chicago area. Mr. Schmidt's performance experience is diverse and vast, having expertise in repertoire ranging from Bach and Mozart to Chopin and Rachmaninoff.

Zachariah's passion for classical piano emerges with every student. His teaching experience includes young beginners through highly advanced students.  He is patient and customizes his approach to each unique student's needs and interests. 

Guitar, Bass, Jam Session - Born and raised in the Chicago area, Colin began playing bass and guitar at the age of 14 and has been an active musician and instructor ever since. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music business from Southern Illinois University, as well as a master’s degree in jazz studies from DePaul University. 

Colin also co-formed the jazz/funk trio Spare Parts who are currently signed to the Grammy winning label Ropeadope Records.  Colin can also be found freelancing in a wide range of bands around Chicago and beyond.  He has performed with notable musicians including Grammy winning bassist Victor Wooten, SNL bandleader / saxophonist Lenny Pickett, virtuoso guitarist Fareed Haque, and drummer Stephen Perkins of Jane’s Addiction to name a few. 

Colin focuses on connecting his students to music by developing fundamentals and repertoire, as well as the student’s specific musical interests.  He works to introduce his students to new music whenever possible and always encourages their own exploration. 

Piano, Voice, Theater, and Dance - Hannah Silverman is a Chicago-based voice and piano teacher with over seven years of experience as a teaching artist. Originally from Nashville, TN the daughter of acclaimed electric violinist Tracy Silverman and flutist Thea Suits, Hannah was highly encouraged to find herself with a career in the arts. She was encouraged to play and write music from a young age, and began dancing at 2 years old. 

As a teen, Hannah starred in esteemed songwriter Marcus Hummon's new musical, The Piper, during which Marcus wrote a new piece for the show inspired by her voice. She was also featured in Nashville Arts Magazine for her work in Act Like A Grrrl with the Actor's Bridge Ensemble. After falling in love with musical theatre in highschool, she supported that passion with classical voice training. 

Hannah obtained her Bachelor of Arts Magna Cum Laude in Theater and Dance from Macalester College with a minor in Vocal Performance. While in college,  She spent a formative semester at the Moscow Art Theatre School in Moscow, Russia where she honed her acting skills. 

This year, she directed the Musical Chairs production of Matilda the Musical at Queen of Angels school. Recent performances include Legally Blonde with Surging Theatrics, starred as Dianne in Million Dollar Quartet at the Metropolis Theater and this year toured in Poland with Trap Door Theater as an associate ensemble member. 

Early Childhood Music and Theater: Jan Slavin is a singer, writer, and stand up comedian who appears regularly in cabaret shows and at comedy clubs both locally and nationally. Jan is a certified Music Together teacher and has been bringing the joy of music to toddlers and preschoolers for nearly 20 years. Her fun-loving natures is one that our youngest students thoroughly enjoy.  She is a unique member of our team who ignites a love for the performing arts with our earliest musicians and actors.

Piano: Chicago native, Ethan began playing piano at the age of six. A former student of Musical Chairs during his formative years, we are proud to welcome him back now on our faculty team. 

During high school, Ethan spent his Saturdays at Merit participating in their prestigious Tuition-free Conservatory. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Lawrence University studying under Anthony Padilla, and his Master’s Degree from DePaul University where he studied with George Vatchnadze and Marta Aznavoorian. 

Ethan  has won numerous awards and scholarships and participated in festivals and competitions nationally and internationally. Since 2018, Ethan has been a member of the piano faculty at the Merit School of Music and Musical Chairs Studio. He is also currently the organist at Queen of Apostles Catholic Church and pianist with the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra.

Piano, Voice, Ukulele: Gretchen is a mezzo soprano who moved to Chicago in August of 2023 after living in Michigan where she attended Hope College. She majored in vocal music education, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music as well as a K-12 certification to teach. 

Gretchen has been singing for as long as she could remember, and while she did not begin formal voice training until college, she grew up playing piano, saxophone, ukulele and guitar.

Gretchen believes that healthy singing and creative musicianship can be obtained at any age, and creating a comfortable and safe space is the first step to making exciting musical choices and mistakes. 

Gretchen enjoys listening to and singing most genres of music, but particularly enjoys jazz, opera, and musical theater. In her spare time she loves to read, run, and spend time with her partner Daniel and their cat Deli.

Piano, Voice: 

Emily Wright is an American soprano originally from Florence, Kentucky. Emily obtained her Master’s degree in Voice Performance from the Chicago College of Performing Arts in 2023. Performing in multiple world premieres during her time at CCPA ignited her passion for new music and contemporary opera. She attended the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts in 2016 for Vocal Music, and received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina in 2021, studying Vocal Music and Economics. 

Emily enjoys and has experience working with students of all ages. She prioritizes creating a positive, safe environment where students can develop consistent, sustainable techniques in both voice and piano. She believes in the power of play, and wants her students to have fun and express themselves while also achieving their musical goals. In her free time Emily loves to spend time by the lake, listen to pop music, and cuddle with her cat, Nicki.