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Kids Guitar

Come to class, take a lesson, join the jam, build a band, or guitar together. Six strings of musical expression all your own!

When you go to the Old Town School of Folk Music, you are learning something bigger than just how to play guitar. Surrounded by the thousands of musicians who play on our stages, climb our steps, jam in our lobbies, we are a piece of something larger-a rich history, an evolving tradition, a living culture of folks from around Chicago and the world coming together to create music. Through the guitar, we foster holistic musical understanding and a true love for music. We teach young folks how to: create good tone, understand and maintain steady beat, play rhythm, hear and follow musical form, and be musically creative! The approach is joyful and accessible. We learn cool tunes of folk, rock, and pop traditions from around the world. Each song purposefully and authentically teaches new skills.


At the Old Town School of Folk Music, learning within the social environment is core to our approach. The musical conversation of our school - from classroom to concert to jam - inspires, motivates, and teaches our youth and their families to live musical lives. Come participate in that magic!

Little Strummers

Beginner

Saturday with Alec Feldges

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

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Free Friday Family Jam

WorkshopOpen to All

Friday with Max Berg

30 minutes  ·  Once a week for 1 week  ·  $0 ($0 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Guitar 1 - Kids

Beginner

Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday with Henry Altenberg, Jessica Martino, Ruben Portillo, Alec Feldges or Damien Dimas

55 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $231 ($211 members)

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

Guitar 2 - Kids

Intermediate

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday with Julie Helenius, Henry Altenberg, Jessica Martino, Alec Feldges or Damien Dimas

55 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $231 ($211 members)

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

Kids Guitar 8-12: The Songs of Taylor Swift

Open to AllNew!

Tuesday with Alicia Lees

60 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $231 ($211 members)

Location: Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave

Kids' Guitar: 5 - 7 years

BeginnerNew!

Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday with Julie Helenius, Max Berg, Ruben Portillo or Alec Feldges

55 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $231 ($211 members)

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

Private Lesson Options

Our private lessons like our group classes run in 8-week sessions, however, you can begin private lessons during any week in the session. Please call our customer service folks at 773.728.6000 to register as private lesson availability is based upon individual teacher schedules.

Lessons are scheduled weekly, for 30, 45 or 60 minutes, and are available every day of the week at our Lincoln Square and Lincoln Park locations. Our experienced and professional faculty will work with you to develop an individualized program that helps you achieve your musical goals.

Stop in at either location or call the front desk at 773.728.6000 to register.


8-week Session Prices

$336 for 30 minutes ($326 for members)

$480 for 45 minutes ($465 for members)

$616 for 60 minutes ($596 for members)


Session & Registration Dates

8-week lessons: 10/28/2024 – 12/22/2024

Monday 09/23/24: Re-registration for current students begins

Monday 10/07/24: Transfer registration

Wednesday 10/09/24: Open registration

8-week lessons: 01/06/2025 – 03/02/2025

Monday 11/18/24: Re-registration for current students begins

Monday 12/02/24: Transfer registration

Wednesday 12/04/24: Open registration

8-week lessons: 03/03/2025 – 04/27/2025

Monday 01/27/25: Re-registration for current students begins

Monday 02/10/25: Transfer registration

Wednesday 02/12/25: Open registration

8-week lessons: 04/28/2025 – 06/22/2025

Monday 03/24/25: Re-registration for current students begins

Monday 04/07/25: Transfer registration

Wednesday 04/09/25: Open registration


Teachers

Click for teacher profiles and schedules

»

John Abbey »
Bass Guitar, Upright Bass, Guitar

Henry Altenberg »
Guitar, Piano, Ukulele, Electric Bass

Luciano Antonio »
Guitar

Libby Apley »
Piano, Guitar

Max Berg »
Guitar

Scott Besaw »
Guitar, Voice

Bill Brickey »
Guitar, Wiggleworms Program, Drummers, Voice for Guitarists

Sean Colledge »
Fiddle, Guitar, Irish Tenor Banjo, Irish Mandolin, Irish Concertina, Cajun Accordion, Clawhammer Banjo

Steve Dawson »
Guitar, Songwriting

Deanna Devore »
Guitar, Songwriting

Tony do Rosario »
Jazz Guitar

Steve Doyle »
Dobro, Guitar, Lap Steel

Al Ehrich »
Bass Guitar, Upright Bass, Cello, Dance & Movement - Qi Gong

Alec Feldges »
Strummers, Kids' Guitar, Guitar

Ryan Fisher »
Banjo, Guitar

Jonas Friddle »
Banjo, Fiddle, Guitar, Mandolin, Ensembles, Band Coaching, School Partnerships

Dan Fulkerson »
Guitar

Steve Hutchins »
Guitar, Blues Band Live!

Xadie James »
Piano, Bass, Guitar, Cello

Paul Kaye »
Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin

Charles Kim »
Bass, Composition, Guitar, Songwriting, Ukulele (including Baritone), Mandolin

Colin Kolasny »
Piano, Guitar, Voice, Bass

Camille McClellan »
Guitar, Songwriting

Julia Mendiolea »
Guitar, Bass, Piano

Shelley Miller »
Guitar, Songwriting, Ukulele, Ensembles

Elaine Moore »
Guitar, Voice

Randy Morris »
Guitar

Shoji Naito »
Guitar, Harmonica (Blues & Jazz), Ukulele, Bass

Michael O'Toole »
Guitar

Mary Peterson »
Theater, Guitar,
Wiggleworms Program, School Partnerships

Ruben Portillo »
Guitar

Maddie Ring »
Fiddle, Wiggleworms, Guitar, Piano, Ukulele, Voice

Josh Ruebeck »
Audio Engineering, Voice, Guitar, Bass, Songwriting

Bill Simmons »
Guitar

Joel Styzens »
Drum Kit, Piano, Percussion, Guitar

Jacob Sweet »
Bass Guitar, Guitar, Songwriting, Ukulele

Harlan Terson »
Bass Guitar, Guitar

Rebecca Toon »
Voice, Guitar

Jon Wall »
Guitar, Ensembles, Bass

Chris Walz »
Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin

Chris Winters »
Guitar, Ukulele