American Music Institute - Welcomes NEW Music Faculty

American Music Institute - located in Chicago and western suburbs, is proud to introduce our NEW Music Faculty Members: Bing Jing Yu, Terry Leahy, Corey Cunningham, Joe Bauer, Emma Iacovella, Jordan Brown, Vinny Guido, Kasey Pennington. Our faculty members are available for lessons on campus, virtual and in-home. AMI Campuses are located in Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, Geneva, and St. Charles, IL. Schedule a trial lesson today with an AMI Faculty Member… AMI@amimusic.org - 630-850-850 - www.amimusic.org.

Bing Jing Yu - Violin / Viola - Available Sat - Clarendon Hills / Downers Grove
Bing Jing Yu received her Artist Diploma from New England Conservatory. She performs with the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra, where she has served as acting Concert Master and acting Assistant Concertmaster on various productions. Ms. Yu made her Carnegie Hall debut in 1992, playing the Bach Double Concerto with the New York String Orchestra under the late Alexander Schneider. Ms Yu has been trained through Suzuki Unit 4. She believes in setting her students up for success and in meeting them where they are, to both engage and challenge her students. Ms. Yu has coached violinists of all levels preparing their excerpts for orchestra auditions. She works with all levels of students from the youngest pre-twinkler to the most advanced.

Terry Leahy - Trombone / Trumpet / Tuba - Available Thur - Clarendon Hills / Downers Grove / In-Home
Originally from Australia, Dr Terry Leahy holds degrees from the Australian National University, the University of Minnesota and Northwestern University. Currently performing with the Peninsula Music Festival Orchestra (WI) and the Chicago Philharmonic, he is also an Executive Director of Landmark Brass Chicago. Terry is equally at home on alto, tenor and bass trombones and, additionally has recorded and performed on bass trumpet and tenor tuba. Terry Leahy has rich experience in performing as a soloist in recitals all over the world, tenuring positions as an orchestral musician as well as a chamber musician. As an educator, Dr Leahy has presented masterclasses in Australia, the US, the UK and South Africa.

Corey Cunningham - Guitar / Clarinet / Sax - Available Thur - St. Charles / Geneva / In-Home
Corey Cunningham holds his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The University of Texas at Austin. He is a composer and multi-instrumentalist whose music covers a wide range of styles and genres, and includes both acoustic and electronic works. In addition to composing, Corey is also an active performer on both saxophone and guitar. As a guitarist, he has been particularly active in performing new music, premiering the works of several young composers, as well as performing with The University of Texas New Music Ensemble and with Density512. As a saxophonist, he has toured and recorded professionally with groups such as the Twin Cities-based vocal ensemble Five By Design, and gospel artist Tonia Hughes.

Joe Bauer - Bass / Cello / Piano - Available Tues - Clarendon Hills / Downers Grove / In-Home
Joe Bauer received a Master of Music in String Performance from Florida State University and a Bachelor of Music in Double Bass Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He is a tenured member of Quad City Symphony Orchestra, a former Lecturer at Southern Illinois University, and a past Fellow with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Joe leads an eclectic musical career and has performed with acclaimed ensembles and artists as well as premiered works by composers including Michael Abels, Angel Lam, Chris Walczak, and Liliya Ugay. His students have been accepted into leading music programs, including the Berklee College of Music. His teaching philosophy centers on building a strong technical foundation that enables expressive and nuanced sound production.

Emma Iacovella - Voice / Piano / Trumpet - Available Tues, Thur & Sat - Clarendon Hills / Downers Grove / In-Home
Emma Iacovella (Voice/Brass/Piano) received her Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance (along with Music Education courses) at Kansas State University. Despite focusing her degree on Voice, she continued to play the Trumpet and French Horn in various bands. Emma has performed at Victor Herbert’s Centenary Concert with the Great Lakes Operetta Company. In addition to academic growth, Emma is dedicated to nurturing the holistic development of her students. She focuses on instilling a growth mindset, promoting resilience, perseverance, and a belief in their full potential.

Jordan Brown - Voice / Piano - Available Mon - Clarendon Hills / Downers Grove / In-Home
Jordan Brown holds a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Northwestern–St. Paul, and has built a dynamic career as a performer and teacher dedicated to vocal excellence. In 2022, Jordan helped establish Rochester, Minnesota’s first opera company, The Hometown Opera Company where he created programs and educational outreach and collaborations with local schools. Jordan is committed to expanding access to high-quality vocal education in his community and creating meaningful musical opportunities for singers of all backgrounds.

Vinny Guido - Guitar / Bass / Ukulele / Piano - Available Tues, Thu & Sat - Clarendon Hills / Downers Grove / In-home
Vinny Guido received his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Elmhurst University, Mr Guido specializes in guitar, classical guitar, ukulele, electric bass, and piano. Mr. Guido is passionate about helping students of all levels develop their musical abilities and creating a deeper appreciation for music. He believes that all students have the potential to become skilled musicians and focuses on teaching his students the value of music as a way to express themselves.

Kasey Pennington – Piano / Voice - Available Tues, Wed & Thur - St. Charles / Geneva / In-home
Kasey Pennington is a classically trained vocalist and pianist with performing experience in opera, musical theater, and contemporary repertoire. Kasey studied voice and piano at Northern Illinois University, where they received a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education with vocal emphasis. Kasey’s approach to teaching is student-centered, and students will learn the tools to practice and perform music in a way that can be sustainable for them as an individual.

About American Music Institute (AMI)
American Music Institute is a leading music education institution dedicated to fostering a love for music and providing high-quality instruction to students of all instruments, ages, genres and levels. AMI Campuses are located in Chicago, Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, Geneva, and St. Charles, IL. For more information about enrolling in lessons or any of AMI’s programs, please visit amimusic.org or contact AMI at (630) 850-8505 / AMI@amimusic.org