FACULTY

Michael Tahlier: Owner

Guitar & Bass instructor

Owner of Musician’s Workshop and former Director of the University of Wisconsin- Green Bay Rock Academy. Michael obtained his Masters of Music from DePaul University and his Bachelors of Music from Berklee college of Music. Studying under acclaimed musicians Hal Crook, Ed Tomassi, Mick Goodrick, and Jon Damian to name a few; Michael has developed a wide variety of teaching styles.

As a professional musician, Michael has toured with such national acts: Chicago, REO Speedwagon, Howie Day, Girl Talk, Nine Days, and has had the great fortune of working with such artists: Tim Stop, Rich Stitzel of (Miranda Lambert), Keith Carlock (Steely Dan, Wayne Krantz) Ricardo Vogt (Eliane Elias, Esperanza Spalding) Chris Clemente (Jennifer Hudson, Kanye West, Umphreys McGee) Khari Parker (Destiny’s Child, Joss Stone, Earth, Wind and Fire) on stage, in the studio, and with various educational settings.

Since 2007, Michael has Directed a summer enrichment program at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, to students grades 8 through the graduating senior, offering the opportunity to work with professional musician’s and educators from all around the country. Additionally, Michael is the author of Principles of Music for Guitar and Principles of Music for the Advanced Guitarist.

Personal Statement:

“My mission is to be a mentor, to teach what I have spent my entire life mastering, and to never stop learning myself. My goal is to be the person people come to for advice, encouragement and to develop my students to their full musical potential. Teaching music is my passion and is very rewarding working with others who share that same passion with me. Music is my life and my goal is to share what I have learned.”

Jake Rosenkalt

Drum Instructor

Jake Rosenkalt is a graduate of Berklee College of Music, known for his expressiveness and intensity behind the drumset. Rosenkalt moved to Chicago in the fall of 2023 and quickly integrated himself into the vibrant music scene. He has performed with many of the city’s top artists including woodwind master Geof Bradfield, Grammy Award winning bassist Clark Sommers, internationally acclaimed saxophonist Greg Ward, Dennis Carroll, Chris Madsen, Marlene Rosenberg, Mike Allemana, Scott Hesse, Alyssa Allgood (Named best Individual Jazz Musician by the Chicago Reader for 2024) Ben Walzter, Dave Miller, Pat Mallinger, Matt Ulery, and John Wojciechowski. He’s played at many of the premiere venues in Chicago including the legendary Green Mill, Andy’s Jazz Club, Winter’s Jazz Club, and Evanston Space. Rosenkalt is a regular collaborator with pianist Joe Alterman, who is considered “one of the freshest voices in modern jazz.” (Artsatl.Org). Outside of Chicago, Rosenkalt performs with internationally renowned musicians such as Paul Bollenback, Steve Cardenas, Kenny Werner, and Harvie S. While at Berklee, he was a member of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute, where he studied with luminaries such as Danilo Perez, John Patitucci, and Joe Lovano. In addition to performing, Rosenkalt is a highly respected educator. He’s on faculty at the Musician’s Workshop in Westmont IL and also runs his own private drum studio in Chicago. 

Jim Holman

Piano instructor

Pianist/performer/educator Jim Holman’s music has been heard in a wide variety of settings and ranges a broad spectrum of styles. Jim particularly enjoys improvising and composing. His influences include: Herbie Hancock, Al Haig, Brad Mehldau, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Ives, The Beatles, Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, The Dirty Projectors, TMBG, Stevie Wonder, Moondog, and MF Doom.

Jim Holman grew up as the son of a musician. He lives and performs in Chicago. Jim started taking private lessons in middle school before earning his BA in Music at University of Pittsburgh and MM in Jazz Performance at DePaul University. Upon his graduation from Pitt in 2010, he jumped right in earning his living teaching and gigging around the greater Chicago area.

In 2012 he released his debut album “Explosion” on the prestigious Delmark label. It featured the late alto legend Richie Cole. It received critical acclaim and international airplay. In 2013 he released his second album on Delmark, “Ira Sullivan Presents the Jim Holman trio: Blue Skies.” It features legends Ira Sullivan and Roger Humphries. It too received acclaim and international airplay.

Jim has performed with Mark Whitfield, Claudio Roditi, Jimmy Chamberlin (drummer for the smashing Pumpkins), Roger Humphries, Cecil Bridgewater, Ira Sullivan, Richie Cole, Yotam Silberstein, Donald Harrison, John Moulder, Abe Laboriel, Dennis Carroll, Clark Sommers, and Dana Hall to name just a few.

Jim Has studied directly with Ron Perrillo, Dana Hall, Frank Cunnimondo, Dennis Carroll, Thomas Matta, Scott Burns, and Dave Flippo.

Teaching Philosophy:
As a teacher, Jim strives to help his students fully activate their individual passion for music, regardless of age, experience or genre. His hope is for his students to become empowered to take personal and creative control of their musical pursuits. Regardless of style or interest, Jim asks his students to investigate the emotional/aesthetic workings of the music as well as theoretical and mechanical aspects of form. Aesthetic, theory, and technique all inform each other and should be learned in tandem. Ultimately however, priority is placed on music being a fun and enjoyable pursuit.

Colin Edmunds

Guitar & Bass Instructor

Colin Edmunds is a musician, guitar instructor , and recording engineer in the Chicago suburbs. Born in St. Louis, he grew up playing in a variety of bands, covering styles as diverse as jazz, hip-hop, and punk. After studying Audio Engineering in college, Colin began recording his own music and conducting experiments in modifying his own guitars. Basic guitar maintenance is a crucial part of modern guitar playing, and tech work is one of Colin’s passions. Teaching music since 2015, Colin’s experience covers all contemporary styles of music with clients ranging from the beginner student to the advanced musician. Whatever your musical interest, Colin is ready to help you on your musical journey.

Dalton Howland

Guitar & Bass instructor

Dalton began playing guitar at age 11, with a main focus in Rock and Blues music. Progressing quickly, he began performing alongside other Blues musicians and bands in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas. Into his teenage years, he also developed a strong affinity for Metal music, and joined several bands before finally becoming an official member of Midwest hardcore group, Words Like Daggers, recording an album and touring the states for close to two years. Continuing to gig and perform as a Lead Guitarist, he relocated to Chicago in 2013.

Besides gigging and playing with bands, he chose to further his education, and take his playing even more seriously. He attended Columbia College Chicago for a degree in Jazz Performance.

Dalton has over ten years of teaching experience, and has had many successful band members and artists as students. After years of performing on a single instrument he took it upon himself to learn much more of the bass, piano and synthesizer, and drums, enabling him to fully produce his own original music. Finding a real passion for music education, as well as functional knowledge for all musicians, he’s well-versed in advanced music theory and playing, all the way down to recording and producing, and expensive musical equipment.

Bilinda Lou

piano instructor

A native of Macau, pianist Bilinda Lou brings an extensive international background as both a performer and teacher. She has appeared in concerts across the United States, Austria (Salzburg, Vienna), Singapore, Australia (Sydney, Melbourne), Taiwan, and major cities in China including Beijing, Guangzhou, and Macau. She has also performed as a soloist with ensembles such as the Colorado Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra, Wright State University Chamber Orchestra, Macau Orchestra, Macau Youth Symphony Orchestra, Macao Youth Symphonic Band, and the Macau Percussion Association/“Encore” Percussion Ensemble.

Now based in Chicago, Ms. Lou is an experienced piano instructor who works with students of all ages and levels, from beginners to advanced pianists. In addition to teaching, she has extensive experience as a church pianist, choir accompanist, and chamber collaborator with vocalists and instrumentalists.

Ms. Lou holds an Artist Certificate from Azusa Pacific University, where she studied with Dr. Eugene Alcalay. She earned her Master’s Degree in Piano Performance at the University of Colorado Boulder under Doris Lehnert, with chamber music coaching from Prof. Margaret McDonald. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance (Cum Laude) at Wright State University with Dr. Jackson Leung and also pursued additional training in percussion.

Teaching Philosophy
Ms. Lou is dedicated to helping students build a solid technical foundation, musical understanding, and confidence at the piano. Her teaching combines structure with flexibility, tailoring lessons to meet each student’s individual goals—whether playing for personal enjoyment, preparing for exams such as ABRSM, or working toward performance opportunities.

Her lessons emphasize:
A clear and systematic approach to technique, theory, and musicianship.
A well-rounded curriculum including classical repertoire, ear training, sight-reading, and stylistic interpretation.