Private Lessons are available for piano, guitar, bass, drums, woodwind instruments, brass instruments, banjo, mandolin, vocals, accordion, orchestra instruments and more.
Please contact Carol for more information
1-618-345-6700 Tara Wright
Teacher Biographies
Andy Novara – Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin
Andy Novara is a graduate of SIU Edwardsville in jazz performance. He has studied under Fareed Haque and Rick Haydon. He has been teaching and playing professionally for the last thirteen years. An accomplished guitar, banjo, and mandolin player, Novara has performed at the Windfield Bluegrass festival, New York City jazz festival, ROMP, and various other venues throughout the Midwest. Well-known for his transcription improvisation and attention to fundamentals, Novara is a sought-after instructor and freelance musician. Some of his influences include Earl Scruggs, Tony Rice, David Grier, Adam Steffey, and Jim Mills. Novara currently resides in St. Louis where he teaches and performs locally with The Kansas Street Ramblers and New Roots. Novara seeks to teach musicians a fundamental understanding of their instrument, a strong background in music tradition, and an ability to balance independent improvisation with group band dynamics.
Sean Raila – Drums
Sean Raila studied music at 3 different schools; Columbia College-Chicago, SIUE, and Roosevelt University. He’s been Playing drums 18 years. Sean is also familiar with concert percussion, and all styles music on the drum set. He also plays professionally in a touring band.
Scott Seymour – Guitar
Scott Seymour studied at the University of Utah for Jazz Composition and studied at SIUE for jazz performance. He’s been playing guitar for over 35 years. Scott also have 12 years experience teaching groups and individuals.
Cindy Edwards – Piano
Cindy Edwards has an “Associate of Arts Degree” in Music with an emphasis on teaching piano. She has been playin for 40+ years and has accompanied chorus and churches for most of that time. Cindy has extensive experience in teaching all age groups as well as teaching special needs students. She emphasizes the fundamentals but believes that lessons should be fun and relaxing.
Kendrick Smith – Saxophone
Kendrick Smith is our talented woodwind teacher. Kendrick studied at SIUE for jazz performance, along with working on a jazz album. He’s also played and studied with numerous well known artists in the St. Louis area. He knows how to play a selection of woodwind instruments like the alto sax, clarinet, and flute. Kendrick also has experience teaching students of all ages.
Brian O’Donnell – Drums
Diane Schrader – Piano (Edwardsville)
Diane is our piano teacher at Swing City Music in Edwardsville. She has been with us for quite some time and is always encouraging students to further their knowledge of music. Having had students from age 4 to 80 she has the ability to get everyone excited to learn! Diane teaches lessons on Monday, Tuesday and Friday.
Jim Galbierz – Guitar (Edwardsville)
Jim is Rock n’ Roll. Having been with the Swing City family for years he has influenced many young players to realize their dreams and form a band. Jim, along side Swing City Music has created the summer youth concert series (for info see http://youthconcerts.blogspot.com/) in which students and friends play at gigs set up across Edwardsville and Glen Carbon. He has played with the band Rukus since the 1980s and opened for some of the biggest national acts in the world. Jim teaches every day from Monday to Saturday.
Josh Miller – Guitar (Edwardsville)
Josh Miller is a very talented guitarist basing his style from Zakk Wylde, Eddie Van Halen, and Joe Satriani. He is great with small children and is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. His favorite guitar is his Gibson Les Paul Traditional that he picked up at Swing City. He has a knack for keeping students interested and eager to learn their next chord, song, or arpeggio. Josh Miller gives lessons on Saturday.
