Piano Trends Music Company was established in 1990 by local ownership of Tim and Bobbi Paul who still operate Piano Trends in a family service oriented atmosphere. Piano Trends Music is proud to be known for friendly, courteous and honest service. Piano Trends is a full service music store offering sales, rentals, service and repairs in every department. We are proud of our teaching staff and the quality of music education we offer. Please Call us with any questions you might have at 815.477.4266
If you would like to contact any of our staff just click on their name to send an email.
Piano Trends Music Company and all of their teachers have been honored and selected as one of the Best of the Fox. Piano Trends was voted and chosen by readers of the Northwest Herald for 2009 and 2010. our staff makes learning to make music fun!
Office and Billing Manager-Woodwind Instructor Barb Schotanus
-- Barb has been at Piano Trends since September of 2004. she holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from DePaul University. Barb has over 20 years of experience in classroom and individual music instruction, clarinet performance, and ensemble conducting. She can answer any lesson scheduling or billing questions. The best time to catch Barb is on Tuesday or Saturday. Barb also teaches woodwinds at Piano Trends and is a wonderful Clarinet performer.
Operatons Manager - Piano & Guitar Instructor Tony Zirfas
-- Tony is the Operations Manager for Piano Trends. Tony is able to answer your questions and handle your requests. He is in charge of the showroom floor and able to assist with any musical instrument or music sale. Tony is also a fine musician and performs for Piano Trends at special events like this performance the Chicago Merchandise Mart. Tony also teaches piano and guitar in our lesson studios one night a week. "Anthony" shares a hobby with his girlfriend Ashley...The Chicago Bears and their sugar gliders!
School Band Representative/Trumpet Instructor Roger Reupert
-- Roger is Mr. Band at Piano Trends calling on school music departments to assist them with any musical need our store has to offer. He is one of the most talented and in demand musicians in chicagoland. We feel honored to have him on our staff. Roger has performed with many professional musicians and tour productions including a long stint with "WICKED" when it was playing in Chicago. Roger is the guy when Band questions come up at school. He visits all of the area directors on a weekly basis. Roger also is available for Trumpet Instruction at Piano Trends. Email Roger for more information by clicking on his name above.
Voice/Piano Instructor Adela Kim
-- Adela is our most requested Voice Instructor. Adela is a Graduate of Roosevelt University with a Masters Degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy. She currently also works with many High School choirs and students preparing them for college and play auditions. From classic to broadway Adela is experienced and well qualified from beginners to advanced.
Adela Has been teaching at Piano Trends Music since 2000. Many of the Schools Adela works with teaching at include: Jacob High School, Wauconda High School, Dundee Crown High School, Woodstock High School, Carmel High School and Morton West High School. Adela is also the choir conductor at Zion Methodist Church and has been in that capacity since 1996. Having Earned numerous Music Scholoarships in undergraduate and graduate school, Adela has performed at many different venues including Richard Miller Master Class, Concordia University Guest Faculty Recital, Cuneo Museum, Daley Plaza, and many joint recitals. We are proud to have Adela as part of our Piano Trends Family.
Piano and Keyboard Instructor Mike Muggli
-- Mike earned is Music Education Degree from Millikin University and has been with the Piano Trends Music Studios for several years teaching private piano and keyboard.
Mike also serves as a full time music instructor at Hannah Beardsley Middle School in Crystal Lake. He is also a fine performer in his own right working weddings and other functions. Just ask his students or stop in and hear him play the BLUE PIANO in our showroom between students.
Violin/Viola/Piano Instruction Debbie Grimes
-- Ms. Grimes holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Instrumental Education from the Hartt School of Music, Connecticut and a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Catholic University, Washington, DC. Ms. Grimes' primary instruments are violin/viola; she is also proficient on piano, cello and trumpet. She has over 25 years experience in working with young children, the last 15 as Director of the Smiling Strings program. A member of the American String Teacher's Association where she was a 2006 National Conference presenter, her public school orchestras consistently receive superior ratings at the CPS Elementary Music Festivals and she has appeared as a guest conductor for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Ms. Grimes is also the Music Director and Co-founder of the Northside Youth Symphony, a non-profit organization comprised of elementary/middle schoolers that rehearse at Northside College Prep HS representing students from approximately 25 North Side schools. Ms. Grimes is a member of the Lake Shore Symphony and in her free time enjoys world-wide travel and playing with her two young grandsons!
Piano / Flute / Voice Instruction / Music Therapy Jan Vogeler
-- Jan teaches piano, voice and flute but in addition works with our special needs students through our program with NISRA. Jan provides individual and group music therapy. Call us for details or to schedule a phone appointment with Jan to discuss your individual needs. Jan also teaches beginning guitar lessons at Piano Trends.
Guitar and Bass Guitar Instructor Chris Angelos
-- Chris joined the staff in the summer of 2005 and brings yet another talented guitar player and teacher to the Piano Trends family. Chris plays in area bands and is known in the community as his family owns the Olympic Restaurant in downtown Crystal Lake.Chris teaches all styles but he has a unique jazz style to his performance on electric guitar. Stop in and listen to him jam. He is our most sought after and requested Guitar instructor. Chris is also an avid Hawks Fan as you will see watching the following video clip
Piano Instructor Michael Pecak
-- Michael is no stranger to Piano Trends Music and we are proud to have Michael in his capacity as Piano instructor. Michael has performed in store concerts at Piano Trends in the past. He earned his bachelor of music degree from Northwestern University and a certificate in piano performance from Fryderyk Chopin University of Music, Warsaw Poland most recently. Mr. Pecak's full resume is on file at Piano Trends and available for interested students and parents to view. Call or email for Michael's availability.
Piano/Flute Instructor Christine Rehayem
-- Christine is a valuable and experienced piano instructor here at Piano Trends. Christine works with both Children and adults and she takes her music and dedication to her students seriously.Chris is also an accomplished Flutist and instructor of flute. Call to check Christine's schedule availability.
Drum/Sax/Trumpet Instructor Mark Kahovec
-- Mark is a graduate of North Central College earning his Degree in Music Education. He Joined our teaching staff with a great teaching resume. Mark currently teaches in the Crystal Lake School District Music Department and is teaching private lessons in the Piano Trends Music Studios. Mark teaches Sax, trumpet and drums and percussion. Call or email today for Mark's full schedule and availability.
Band Instrument Instructor Kathleen Mitchell
-- Kathleen's major instrument is the french horn but is well versed in all band instrument and instruction. Kathleen is a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University with a major concentration in French Horn and minor in Voice. She recently taught both general music and band for Harrison School District 36 in Wonder Lake. Piano Trends is glad to have Kathleen on the staff. Call for Kathleen's availability and schedule.
Piano Instructor Lisa Strandberg
-- Lisa is no stranger to PIano Trends. She loves working with beginning piano students both children and adults offering several evenings of availability to teach. Call 815.477.4266 for Lisa's availability or drop us an Lisa an email by clicking on her name above.
Drums/Percussion Chris Popp
-- Chris Popp is the Piano Trends Percussion Drum Instructor. From set to bongos or complete percussion Chris brings the experience needed to instruct beginners to advanced drumming.
After graduating, Chris went on to play with the Woodstock Musical Theater Company for many years in their orchestras, and also directed the orchestra while playing drums in a production of Jesus Christ Super Star. He also played at the Elgin Hemmens Theater for several musical reviews.
Video Clip introducing Chris
Chris has also enjoyed working with Steve Szalji and the Crystal Lake Community Choir in their orchestras for over fifteen years. Chris is well in tune with the local music scene and enjoys working with our local youth teaching music
Piano / Flute Instruction Trudi Werner
-- Trudi has taught piano in the Piano Trends Music Studios for many years and is especially gifted working with young children.
See Trudi teaching in our studio above. Trudi is available on Saturdays. Please call to check her current openings. Join Trudi on her facebook page. You can find her on the Piano Trends Facebook Page.
Guitar Instructor Brandon Erker
-- Brandon offers instruction in both acoustic and electric guitar in the Piano Trends Studio. He is available several evenings each week plus Saturdays.
Call for more information or to schedule a lesson time. Brandon is pictured left with two of his closest friends. Remember you can always judge a person by the friends he keeps!
Piano / Voice Instructor Ruth Regan
-- Ruth brings experience and talent in both vocal and piano to the Piano Trends Staff. Ruth is a native of Wauconda and graduated from Millikin University with a degree in music vocal performance and early childhood education. Ruth is happy to work with young children as young as 4 on piano. She enjoys tennis and yoga in her spare time. To check on Ruth's availability call or email and we will be glad to assist.
Staff/Piano Instructor Jenny Paul
-- Jenny grew up at Piano Trends. Jenny now works (very)part-time as our backup when available. Jenny is a 2008 Graduate of St. Norbert College. Jenny can be seen on the history page of this site playing on "Liberace's" nine foot Concert Grand built by Baldwin. This piano was the one Liberace performed on in his last appearance at New York's Radio City Music Hall. Jenny works full time for the Hilton Corporation.
Entertainer Mike Potts
-- Mike Potts is a member of the Piano Trends Team. Mike is a fine young entertainer. Mike has spent the better part of the past couple of years entertaining on cruise ships. Mike has appeared several times on behalf of Piano Trends at the Chicago Merchandise Mart at The Baker House in Lake Geneva to name just two. If you would like to hire Mike for your next party contact us and we will put you in touch. We captured Mike playing his favorite musical instrument on a visit to our showroom.
Piano Technician Terry Jarrett
-- Terry is a founding father of Piano Trends. He has been with us since the very beginning and even before. In the early days Tim and Terry did everything from moving the pianos, selling the pianos and tuning them.
Terry learned the craft of piano technology from Tim and is now considered one of the finest craftsman in the area. Terry is pictured left at the Piano Trends Piano Repair Facility working on a 1920 Steinway Grand.
Resident Artist Dean Malsack
-- Dean is our Resident Artist. You never know when you might get to catch Dean at Piano Trends playing a tune or two at one our beautiful Baldwin Pianos. Dean is a local Baldwin Artist. Watch our events and news page for stories and Dean Appearances in our showroom.
Dean is available for in home parties and receptions. All five of Dean's CD recordings are available at Piano Trends or online. You may also find Dean Filling in on the piano sales floor on Sundays. you just might get a free in store mini concert if you catch him in on any given Sunday Afternoon.
Player Piano System Installer/Piano Technician Rick Cornwall
-- We have known and worked with Rick for many years. With Terry Jarret and Tim Piano Trends has a tremendous amount of Technical experience to draw upon. Rick services and installs all makes of player piano systems as well as being one of the area's premiere piano technicians.Rick does many of our Artists Concert Tunings along with Tim and Terry. Rick is pictured installing a player system in the Piano Trends Shop
Piano Refinisher
Everett Hopkins
-- There is no one better in all of the Chicagoland area in piano refinishing. whether you need to touch up a scratch, blend a finish to match or to completely refinish, Everett is the best period. Call us if you have any questions and we can have Everett get in touch with you. you might even run into him at our warehouse or showroom touching up our floor models.
Piano Technician
Jeff Cappelli
-- Jeff Handles most of our Chicago and south of Chicago Technical work. Jeff also handles many of our Concert Tuning work in Chicago. He is a valuable and trusted member of our extended "Trender" Staff.
Music Computer Genius Bill Marquardt
-- If you have a computer problem call Bill at 815 354-4528. If you have a music related computer question call Bill. Bill is your source for assistance and support in the computer business. After all he keeps our system up and running!!
Part Time Sales Jason Paul
-- Jason was raised at Piano Trends selling his first piano at age 13. Jason still works a few weekends and for special events at Piano Trends during the year. Jason is pictured here making sales calls on his "portable" cell phone!
Return Policy
Piano Trends will exchange any music or accessory or gift item in same condition and original package for same value within 10 days with receipt. There are no returns or refunds unless written approval is given in advance in writing by management.
Piano Trends Music is home to the Chicago Blue Piano...Believe in Music...Locations in Crystal Lake Illinois Lake Geneva Wisconsin and Downtown Chicago Illinois
