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Sheaff Music

Oak Park, IL 60301 (map)


Lessons Offered

Bass, Cello, Clarinet, Drums, Euphonium, Flute, French Horn, Guitar, Harmonica, Music Theory, Piano, Saxophone, Singing, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Viola, Violin, Music

Where are Lessons Offered

In Teacher Studio

In Student Home


About Me

He is a simple, down-to-earth kind of teacher. In his own words:

“I love to play music, I love to teach music, and I love to write songs. I mean it when I say 'if you're not having fun, I'm not doing my job.' See, I believe that the greatest results happen when I inspire you or your child to WANT to play more often. The greatest feeling in the world is when a parent begins to thank me profusely for the dedication I've inspired in their child. I certainly can't take credit for it all, but it's still a wonderful feeling."

My Musical Education Background

Phil began private piano lessons at age 4. He then began private Guitar Lessons at age 9. By age 15, his rock teacher ran out of things to teach him and advised he seek a new instructor. So, he sought out and studied Jazz with Greg Shearer the acclaimed Jazz guitarist. He next studied Jazz with Frank Dawson (Greg's teacher).

At age 17, he was recruited to teach guitar at Palatine Music Center. That year, his senior year of high-school, he played upright bass in the school's orchestra, and drums in the school's Jazz band.

At age 18, he accepted a guitar performance scholarship to Berklee College of Music, where he studied with Jon Finn and Johnny DeFrancesco among other notable guitarists of our time. He graduated in 2000 with Bachelors degree.

He has written over 400 songs, some of which have been played on television shows and radio stations across the world.

Genres and Subjects Taught

Rock, Jazz, Funk, Pop, Slap Guitar, Acoustic, Electric, Metal, Blues, Punk, Ska, Reggae, and more! I also teach Drums, Bass Guitar, and beginner to intermediate Piano.

Other subjects taught: Song-writing, Music Theory, Music Production & Engineering

Lesson Rates

In studio:
$30/half-hour
$50/hour

In home:
$40/half-hour
$60/hour

Ages / Skill Levels Taught

3 to 99

My Certifications and Awards


- Won KAM song writing contest online 2001
- In 2000, he won 4 Honorable Mentions in Eddie Kramer's song writing contest. (Every song he entered placed in the top 10 out of the entire school, what an honor!)
- Won Best Unsigned Guitarist Boston in Guitar Center's "Guitarmageddon" 2000
- In 2007, He signed a contract with Nickelodeon, and his music and voice were featured on the television show Zoey 101. He still receives royalty checks for the re-runs to this day.

My Musical Influences

Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Mozart, Bach, my mother, Pearl Jam, Metallica, Tori Amos, Andy McKee.


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