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Classes for Beginners

It is never too late to learn a new form of expression.

Accordion 1

Beginner

Thursday with Heather Riordan

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Introduction to the Banjo

Beginner

Monday or Thursday with Chris Walz or Joshua Guy

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

For anyone attracted to the 5-string banjo but not sure which style to try first, this is for you!

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Clawhammer Banjo 1

Beginner

If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager John Huber with your contact information.

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Bluegrass Banjo 1

Beginner

If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager John Huber with your contact information.

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Bluegrass Banjo 1 Repertoire

Beginner

If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager John Huber with your contact information.

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Banjo 1

Beginner

Monday with Joshua Guy

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Progressive Ballet Technique

Beginner

Tuesday with Nichola Goss

30 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $86 ($66 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Argentine Tango for Beginners 1 & 2

Beginner

Monday with Eduardo Villalba

60 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $174 ($154 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Ballet for Every Body

Beginner

Monday with Sandra Adrian

60 minutes  ·  Once a week for 4 weeks  ·  $87 ($77 members)

For everybody and every body, this class is a perfect way to introduce yourself or come back to ballet.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Ballet Light and Easy

Beginner

Saturday with Barbara Silverman

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $230 ($210 members)

Gentle ballet for Saturday mornings

Location: Online

Ballroom for Barrooms

Beginner

Thursday with Louie Stallone

75 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $215 ($195 members)

Learn partner dance basics to use in any situation, with all kinds of popular music.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Beginner Ballet

Beginner

Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday with Nichola Goss or Emily Zouras

60 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $172 ($152 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus or Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave

Bollywood, Bhangra & More!

Beginner

Monday or Saturday with Alka Nayyar or Anjali Julka

60 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $174 ($154 members)

Traditional and modern Indian dance in one energetic class! No experience necessary!

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus or Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave

Brazilian Dance 1

Beginner

Saturday with Dill Costa

60 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $174 ($154 members)

Learn to move your hips, feet and body to samba and more! Beginner friendly!

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Breakdancing

Beginner

If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Erika Ochoa with your contact information.

60 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $174 ($154 members)

Flamenco Dance 1

Beginner

Tuesday with Maya Tatiana

60 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $174 ($154 members)

Join us in person!

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Hip-Hop Dance

Beginner

Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday with Dylan Wray or Amirah Sackett

60 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $174 ($154 members)

Beginner friendly!

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus or Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave

Basic Honky Tonkin Two Steppin

Beginner

Wednesday with Louie Stallone

75 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $246 ($226 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Irish Step Dance: Beginning

Beginner

Monday or Wednesday with Cheryl Ziemba or Maggie Radelet

55 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $158 ($138 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Latin Dance 1

Beginner

Wednesday or Saturday with Denita Inez

60 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $174 ($154 members)

Let's Mambo with a master! Beginner friendly!

Location: Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave or Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Lunch Time Latin Dance

Beginner

60 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $174 ($154 members)

Modern Dance: Beginning

Beginner

Monday with Ethan Kirschbaum

75 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $215 ($195 members)

Learn the basics of Modern dance with combinations, improvisation and contemporary music. All experience levels welcome!

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Swing Dance Basics

Beginner

Thursday with Louie Stallone

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $230 ($210 members)

Turns, tucks and turns, closed position, cuddles, swing outs -learn more as you swing the night away!

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Adult Tap 1

Beginner

Tuesday or Saturday with Reggio McLaughlin

70 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $202 ($182 members)

Rhythm Tap from scratch! Bring your tap shoes and a smile.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Adult Tap 1.5

Beginner

Wednesday or Saturday with Reggio McLaughlin

70 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $202 ($182 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

West African Dance 1

Beginner

Tuesday or Thursday with Idy Ciss

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $264 ($244 members)

Dances from Seneg.al, Ivory Coast, Mali, and more Live drumming, too! Beginner friendly!

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Qi Gong

Beginner

Thursday or Sunday with Al Ehrich

60 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $174 ($154 members)

Clear your mind, and change tense practice into flowing play.

Location: Online

Conga 1

Beginner

If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager John Huber with your contact information.

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $230 ($210 members)

Introduction to Djembe (West African Drumming)

Beginner

Wednesday or Sunday with Michael Taylor

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Discover the fun playing the djembe! No experience necessary.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Drum Kit 1

Beginner

Tuesday or Thursday with Joel Styzens

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Drum Kit 2

Beginner

Monday with Joel Styzens

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Beginner's Blues Band Live!

Beginner

Saturday with Steve Hutchins

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $293 ($273 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Daytime Acoustic Ensemble

Beginner

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Introduction to Ensembles

Beginner

Tuesday or Sunday with Shelley Miller or John Abbey

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Introduction to Irish Session Ensemble

Beginner

Monday with Mike Austin or Jim Conway

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $272 ($252 members)

If you've ever wanted to learn more about the Irish music tradition, this class is for you

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Introduction to the Violin/Fiddle

Beginner

Monday with Colby Maddox

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Get comfortable with the violin, even if you've never played a string instrument before!

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Fiddle 1

Beginner

Wednesday with Sean Colledge

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Begin with the basics of fiddling and learn to play simple tunes in no time.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Fiddle 1 Repertoire

Beginner

Thursday with Sean Colledge

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

This class is the next step between Fiddle 1 and 2. Students get to practice techniques such as rhythm, scale knowledge and other Fiddle 1 skills.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Beginning Cello

Beginner

Monday with Xadie James

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

An introduction to the rich sounds of cello.
In-person classes available!

Location: Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave

Guitar 1

Beginner

Any Day of the Week with Chris Walz, Randy Morris, Shelley Miller, Rebecca Toon, Scott Besaw, Tom Ryan, Henry Altenberg, Alicia Lees, Ruben Portillo or Camille McClellan

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

For the complete beginner.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus or Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave

Guitar 1 Repertoire

Beginner

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday with Joel Frankel, Charles Kim, Dan Fulkerson, Shelley Miller, Albert Martinez, Scott Besaw, Steve Levitt, Max Berg, Camille McClellan or Bear Williams

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Improve your skills by learning lots of great songs, different strums and a few licks, while singing and playing at the same time!

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus or Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave

Guitar 2

Beginner

Any Day of the Week with Shelley Miller, Albert Martinez, Scott Besaw, Carey Farrell, Steve Dawson, Nikki O'Neill, Ruben Portillo, Camille McClellan or Bear Williams

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Your playing will take on a new dimension.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus or Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave

Guitar 2 Repertoire

Beginner

Any Day of the Week with Jose Murillo, Charles Kim, Dan Fulkerson, Albert Martinez, Jim DeWan, Ruben Portillo, Bear Williams or Julia Mendiolea

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

This class is great entry point for the self taught. You will build repertoire and develop skills.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus or Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave

Blues Fingerstyle 1

Beginner

This class alternates every session with Blues Fingerstyle 2. Mark your calendar and be sure to sign up next session.

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Beginning Irish Guitar – Between the Reels and the Jigs

Beginner

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Fingerpicking 1: Song Accompaniment

Beginner

Thursday with Randy Morris

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Rhythm Guitar Essentials: Building Timing and Groove

Beginner

Monday or Tuesday with Dan Fulkerson or Henry Altenberg

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Location: Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave or Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Sight Reading for Guitar: Notes in Action

BeginnerNew!

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Taylor Swift for Guitar

Beginner

Monday or Tuesday with Alicia Lees

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus or Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave

Bass Guitar 1

Beginner

Monday or Sunday with Harlan Terson

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

4 strings that hold everything together.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Bass Guitar 2

Beginner

Monday or Sunday with Harlan Terson

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Bass is the glue of ensemble music.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Folk/Country/Blues Harmonica 1

Beginner

If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager John Huber with your contact information.

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Chicago Blues Harp 1

Beginner

Thursday with David Kachalon

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Whether you're just interested in learning the basics or aspire to play at the highest level, here's where you start.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Chicago Blues Harp 1 Online

Beginner

Tuesday with Zoe Savage

60 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $194 ($174 members)

Whether you're just interested in learning the basics or aspire to play at the highest level, here's where you start.

Location: Online

Introduction to the Mandolin

Beginner

Tuesday with Frank Hamilton

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

If you love the sound of a mandolin but have never played a stringed instrument before, this class if for you.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Mandolin 1

Beginner

Tuesday with Frank Hamilton

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Learn Mandolin fundamentals like left hand fretting, using a pick, and basic chords and melodies.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Mandolin 1 Repertoire

Beginner

Monday with Colin Cosgrove

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Take Mandolin 1 Repertoire if you have experience with a stringed instrument and you are comfortable learning melodies by ear and with tablature.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Bodhran: Beginning

Beginner

Tuesday with Mike Austin

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $230 ($210 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Piano 1: Introduction to Piano

Beginner

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday with Colin Kolasny, Leah Dahline or Xadie James

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

(previously named Introduction to Piano)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus or Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave

Piano 2

Beginner

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday with Colin Kolasny, Leah Dahline or Libby Apley

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

(previously named Piano: Beginning 1)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus or Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave

Songwriting: Fundamentals

Beginner

Monday or Sunday with Charles Kim or Josh Ruebeck

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Own the keys that will unlock the songs within you.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Introduction to Audio Engineering with GarageBand

Beginner

Monday with Jordan Paine

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Introduction to Ukulele

Beginner

Tuesday or Sunday with Michael Hammerman, Paula McKernan or Vanda Kay

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Get started with the ukulele by learning basic chords and strums at a pace designed for first-time players.

Location: Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave or Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Ukulele 1

Beginner

Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday with Michael Hammerman, Paula McKernan, Vanda Kay or Abigail Lyons

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Learn simple chords and play a song on the first night.

Location: Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave or Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Introduction to Ukulele: Taster Workshop

WorkshopBeginner

Sunday with Vanda Kay

120 minutes  ·  Once a week for 1 week  ·  $40 ($35 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Vocal Techniques 1: Breath, Free Tone

Beginner

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday with Carol Kagy, Rebecca Toon, Julia Storke, Jackie Jasperson, Nathan Kistler or Josh Ruebeck

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus or Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave

Vocal Techniques 2: Register, Range

Beginner

Monday, Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday with Carol Kagy, Rebecca Toon, Nathan Kistler or Josh Ruebeck

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus or Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave

Brazilian Vocals

Beginner

Tuesday with Luciano Antonio

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Irish Singing

Beginner

Tuesday with Kathy Cowan

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Singing in Tune 1: Techniques for Matching Pitch

Beginner

Saturday with Carol Kagy

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Vocal Technique for Guitarists

Beginner

Tuesday with Julia Storke

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Singing and play all at once with an emphasis on the voice.

Location: Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave