Meet Our Coaches
Betsy Ko
kobetsy@gmail.com
Betsy Ko, a leading music educator in Chicago and native of New York, started her teaching career at Merit School of Music in 1994. She earned her Masters in flute performance from DePaul University, where she studied with Mary Stolper, and holds Illinois Type 10 teaching certification in music. She moved on to establish the Music Department of ChiArts, Chicago’s first public arts high school where she served as Music Department Head from 2009 to 2021. Additionally, she directed the ChiArts Band from 2009 to 2023.
Betsy continues today with a variety of endeavors, including teaching both group and private students and coaching the Purple Hippopotami Flute Quartet. She was very proud to see this ensemble shine in both the M-Prize and Fischoff Chamber Music Competitions where they earned medals in 2018 and 2020 respectively. Betsy has been an active performer throughout her time in Chicago.
Private coaching is one of Betsy's professional joys. Her approach is to develop the musical confidence of each student and to help them explore a broad range of music literature as they find their unique voice. Fundamentals of the flute, starting with a beautiful tone and clear articulation, are key priorities. Reading and rhythm skills are addressed in every lesson so that students can gain the skills they need to have fun making music with others.
April Severs
aprilsevers@gmail.com
April teaches private lessons for oboe, bassoon, and clarinet for Lake Central School Corporation. She graduated with a Bachelor's of Music in Music Education and in Music Performance (Oboe) from Olivet Nazarene University, and has been teaching private lessons for over 15 years. She's participated in marching bands, concert bands, orchestras, and chamber groups over her educational career.
In addition to teaching elementary general music in the public schools, she has taught musicians of all ages and skill levels, both in-person and via virtual private lessons. She enjoys seeing the excitement of her students as they accomplish their goals, whether that's starting a new instrument, advancing their skills, or preparing for competitions or college auditions.
Andy Sutton
andy@andysuttonmusic.com
Andy Sutton is an in demand drummer and teacher from Crown Point who currently plays, tours and records with award winning acts such as Dick Diamond and the Dusters, Liz Mandeville, Joe Marcinek Band, Keith Jackson and stop.drop.rewind. He has also backed up Scott Ellison, Chris Shutters, Jamey Aebersold, Voo Davis, Buddy Guy, Marty Sammon, Slim Gambill (Lady A), and several others nationally as well as in the Chicagoland area.
Andy holds a roster of about 35 students, and takes opportunities to give clinics whenever possible. This allows him to pass on knowledge he acquired from studying with drumming legends such as Tommy Igoe, Johnny Vidacovich, Todd Sucherman, Chris Coleman, Tom Hipskind, Frank Donaldson and Ruben Alvarez.
Andy endorses Vic Firth Sticks, Beat Boogie Drums and Mono Cases, and is a member of the Vic Firth Education Team, the Jazz Education Network, and the Percussive Arts Society.
Joe Sanchez
Sanchez.Clarinet@gmail.com
Clarinetist Joseph Sanchez is an active Chicago-area freelance musician and educator. Sanchez specializes in classical orchestral and wind band performance and has performed as clarinet and bass clarinet with several Midwestern orchestras including: Quad Cities Symphony, Madison Symphony, Kalamazoo Symphony, Chicago Sinfonietta, and Battle Creek Symphony. During his tenure with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago in 2012-2014 he collaborated closely with Yo-Yo Ma and performed under some of the most esteemed conductors of our time including: Riccardo Muti, Jaap van Sweden, Carlos Miguel Prieto, Rei Hotoda and Harry Bicket.
Sanchez is also co-founder of the Lake Effect Clarinet Quartet (LECQ) and Ursa Ensemble, a mixed chamber ensemble (Violin, Viola, Cello, Flute, Clarinet, and Voice). Sanchez can be heard playing bass clarinet on LECQ's 2019 album release Nielsen, Grainger, and Strauss (available on Spotify and Apple Music).
In addition to his private teaching studios in NWIN and Chicago, Sanchez currently holds woodwind instructor positions at Lane Technical High School and with the Northwest Indiana Youth Symphony where he conducts sectionals and private lessons. He is currently attending DePaul University for a graduate degree in music performance to be completed Fall 2022 and currently holds degrees in both clarinet performance (BM 2012) and mathematics (BA 2012) from the same institution.
Leta Sena-Lopez
lsenalop@lcscmail.com
Leta Sena-Lopez has been the Director of Bands at Kahler Middle School in Dyer, Indiana since 1995. She attended Indiana State University on the George M. Graesch Wind Scholarship, and received her B.S. in Music Education. She went on to study conducting with Dr. John Boyd, and completed her M.M. in Wind Conducting at ISU. Over her years of study at the university, Leta played the bass clarinet and studied saxophone with Janet Lulloff, Harry Gee, and Paul Bro. She is a former member and featured soloist with Windiana Concert Band of Northwest Indiana and toured with the group to China in 2006. In 2007, Leta was selected as Outstanding Minority Educator of the year by the Indiana State Teachers Association. She has been recognized by her school administration for numerous musical achievements, and was selected as the first recipient of Influential Women of the Year in the Arts, by the Northwest Indiana Influential Women's Association. Her educational work during the pandemic was featured in In Tune Magazine, and she has been a podcast guest and clinician with MusicFirst Online Classroom.
Leta will be offering lessons for saxophone with a focus on the fun of mastering the instrument. Lessons will be based on developing fundamental skills and learning music that is unique to the interests of each student. She is also available on a limited basis for hire as a piano accompanist for the ISSMA Solo & Ensemble contest with first priority given to her private lesson students.
Kevin Lewis
klewis@lcscmail.com
My name is Kevin Lewis and I am currently in my 15th year of teaching band, and 8th year of teaching band at Grimmer Middle School. I will be teaching euphonium, trombone, tuba, and trumpet.
I am a low brass specialist, with my primary performing instrument being euphonium. Trombone and tuba are secondary instruments that I enjoy playing and teaching privately as well. I have also instructed many trumpet students over the years. I perform on a regular basis with the Tinley Park Community Band. Past performing groups include The South Shore Brass Band and The Michigan City Municipal Band.
I have a Bachelor’s of Music Education degree from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana and a Master of Music Education Degree from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.
I look forward to working with you to take your playing to the next level!
Ana Boulas
ana.boulas97@gmail.com
My name is Ana Boulas and I am the Flute Instructor for Lake Central School Corporation. I received my Undergraduate degrees in Flute Performance and Music Education from DePaul University in Chicago. During my time at DePaul, I was an active participant in the school’s orchestral, wind, chamber, and opera orchestra ensembles as well as other orchestral opportunities throughout the city. As a finalist with honorable mention in the DePaul Concerto Competition, I have performed in cities such as Aspen, Chicago, and St. Louis as well as overseas in Tuscany and Thessaloniki. My primary teachers include Stefan Hoskuldsson, Alyce Johnson, and Kerry Bellamy Jasek, with additional influences from Mark Sparks and Emma Gerstein. I offer years of experience having taught individual and group lessons, coached sectionals, and lead masterclasses. Additionally, I’ve taught a variety of students from beginner to adult. During this time I am able to offer both in-person lessons throughout the Northwest Indiana area as well as virtual lessons via Zoom!
Chad Miller
millerchad78@gmail.com
Chad graduated from Indiana University South Bend with a B.M. in music composition with focus on Tuba performance. As a tuba player he has been a performing member with the Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps from 1997-1999 and served on brass educational staffs at The Glassmen and Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps, as well as the 2001 Division 3 World Champion Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corp, where he served as the Brass Caption Head and Arranger. Chad is currently the brass caption head for the Colts Drum & Bugle corps and has been since 2017.
While composing and arranged for many genres of music Chad continues performing on a regular basis with multiple groups in the Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan areas. His experience performing in diverse settings from symphonic bands to New Orleans Funk and Blues bands continues to inform his approach to brass playing and music in general. He has been performing professionally since 1997.
Chad is passionate about teaching and mentoring musicians of all levels, from beginners to professionals. He takes a hands-on approach to fostering success in each individual while also emphasizing technical proficiency and performance quality. He has maintained a private studio since 2001 and sent multiple middle and high school students to State solo and ensemble as well as All State band. He has also had many of his students go on to careers both in playing and teaching music.
Chad offers lessons on all brass instruments.
Bennett Garvey
bennettmgarvey@gmail.com
My name is Bennett Garvey, I’m currently pursuing a degree in Jazz Studies at the Jacob’s School of Music with a focus on Saxophone. I have experience teaching a wide variety of music including Classical, Jazz, Pop, Latin, Brazilian and Funk. I’ve played with bands such as The Teacha’s Band, The Nick Danger Band, Apollo Selene, and Citruses around the Chicagoland area. I also lead my own jazz trio, The Bennett Garvey Trio.
I find it important for a student to develop a healthy relationship with music and practice. Along with developing a fundamental level of technique on the saxophone, it’s just as important to find joy and fulfillment from getting better at your instrument. I personalize each of my lessons depending on the goals of each individual student, and have experience teaching students of all ages. I put emphasis on developing a student’s ear alongside an understanding of music theory. So they can hear and understand everything that the band is playing, along with playing their parts correctly!
I’ve studied with world renowned teachers Dr. Thomas Walsh, Greg Ward, and Adam Turman. I’ve also been under the direction of Mark Walton, Candace Boone and Elliot Smith, being a Lake Central alumni. Along with Saxophone I also have experience playing Flute, Clarinet, Piano and Drums.
I offer lessons in person or on zoom!
Omar Tlatelpa-Nieto
odtrombone@gmail.com
Omar Tlatelpa-Nieto is a Chicago area trombonist and educator. He is a graduate of Lawrence University, where he received a Bachelor of Music in Trombone Performance with a Minor in Pedagogy. He went on to receive a Graduate Performer’s Certificate at Northern Illinois University.
As a performer, Omar has had the privilege to play as a regular member with the Wheaton Municipal Band, a substitute musician with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and as a freelance/chamber musician around the Chicago area.
A passionate educator, Omar has served as a coach for the Fox Valley Symphony Youth Orchestra (Appleton, WI) and as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Northern Illinois University. In his capacity as a Graduate Assistant, he taught course in Western Music History and Brass Technique. He also assisted within the trombone studio as a chamber music coach and private instructor of secondary trombone lessons.
As a teacher, Omar believes in fostering creative and thoughtful musicality with a sound technical foundation. He believes in meeting every student where they are, helping them grow into a person who has the tools and confidence to face any challenge head on.
Schedule your session
Schedule your session today by contacting your preferred music coach. Use our “Meet our Coaches” page to find emails for each of our coaches.