Business Details
46 Years
experience
Private Music Lessons in Oak Park, IL
Since 1980, the Cappelli Institute of Music has been a trusted pillar of the Oak Park-River Forest music community, dedicated to fostering lifelong musical growth for students of all ages and abilities. Our legacy, rooted in European musical traditions and enriched by decades of local engagement, drives our commitment to excellence in private instruction. With a faculty of Chicago-area performing professionals, we offer personalized piano, vocal, and instrumental lessons that emphasize technical mastery, historical context, and expressive performance. Our structured curriculum balances foundational skills like note reading and rhythm with creative exploration, preparing students for recitals, competitions, or personal enrichment. Through daytime, evening, and virtual lesson options, we accommodate diverse schedules while maintaining rigorous pedagogical standards.Our instructors, many of whom are active performers, bring real-world expertise to every session, ensuring students gain both technical proficiency and artistic confidence. The institutes philosophy centers on individualized learning, with progress tracked through assessments and optional recitals that celebrate student achievements. As a community-focused institution, we prioritize accessibility and inclusivity, welcoming learners from beginner to advanced levels across Chicagoland. Our affiliation with organizations like the Music Teachers National Association underscores our dedication to professional excellence. For over four decades, we have nurtured generations of musicians, transforming casual learners into confident performers through patient, expert guidance.
Services
Piano Lessons
Guitar Lessons
Harp Lessons
Violin Lessons
Voice Lessons
Viola Lessons
Adult Instruction
Student Recitals
Online Lessons
Daytime Lessons
Details
- Year established: 1980
Highlights and features
- We offer 45+ years of combined teaching experience with Chicago-area performing professionals
- Our instructors tailor lessons to individual learning styles and musical goals
- We emphasize both technical mastery and expressive performance in every session
- Our faculty includes members of the Piano Technicians Guild and MTNA affiliates
- We provide flexible scheduling with daytime, evening, and virtual lesson options
What people say
Experienced instructors
Personalized approach
Family-friendly environment
Confidence-building recitals
Structured curriculum
Services
Piano Lessons
Private piano instruction for all skill levels emphasizes technical fundamentals, historical context, and expressive performance. Students learn note reading, rhythm, and dynamics through classical and contemporary repertoire. Our method combines traditional pedagogy with personalized goal-setting to develop both recreational and serious musicians.
Guitar Lessons
Comprehensive guitar training covers acoustic, electric, and classical techniques from beginner to advanced levels. Lessons focus on chord transitions, scales, sight-reading, and genre-specific styles while developing improvisation skills and music theory understanding for versatile musicianship.
Harp Lessons
Specialized harp instruction includes pedal/sharpening lever techniques, repertoire development, and orchestral preparation. Students study classical works while learning to adapt to modern styles, with emphasis on proper hand positioning and expressive phrasing for solo and ensemble performance.
Violin Lessons
Violin training combines Suzuki and traditional methods to develop technical precision and musical interpretation. Students master posture, bowing techniques, and sight-reading while preparing for recitals, competitions, and orchestral auditions across multiple musical eras.
Voice Lessons
Private vocal instruction focuses on breath control, pitch accuracy, and stylistic interpretation for classical and contemporary genres. Students develop proper technique while expanding vocal range and performance confidence through curated repertoire selection.
People
Jeffrey Cappelli
Piano Instructor
Piano instructor with decades of teaching experience, specializing in classical technique and performance preparation. Active performer in the Chicago music scene, dedicated to individualized instruction for students of all ages.
Matt Kavanaugh
Guitar Instructor
Professional guitarist offering comprehensive instruction in multiple styles, from classical to rock improvisation. Focuses on technical development and music theory application for students at all skill levels.
Marcia LaBella
Harp Instructor
Harp specialist with orchestral experience, teaching proper technique and repertoire development. Emphasizes musical expression and historical context while preparing students for solo and ensemble performances.
Mason Spencer
Violin Instructor
Violin educator combining traditional and Suzuki methods, preparing students for competitions and orchestral auditions. Focuses on technical mastery and expressive interpretation across classical and contemporary styles.
Nyela Basney
Piano Instructor
Experienced piano teacher specializing in adult education, blending classical training with personalized repertoire selection to maintain student engagement and technical growth at any age.
Questions
What music lesson formats do you offer?
We provide in-studio and virtual lessons for piano, guitar, harp, violin, viola, and voice, with flexible scheduling available for daytime, evening, and weekend sessions.
Do you accept students of all ages?
Yes, our instructors teach children, teens, adults, and seniors, tailoring instruction to each student's learning pace, musical interests, and technical goals.
Are recitals mandatory for students?
Participation in our June recitals is optional but encouraged. Instructors recommend students based on their progress and readiness for public performance.
What qualifications do your instructors have?
Our faculty includes Chicago-area performing professionals with degrees from top conservatories, active in both teaching and professional music communities.
Which areas do you serve?
We serve Oak Park, River Forest, Chicago neighborhoods, and surrounding suburbs including Hinsdale, Elmhurst, and LaGrange with convenient lesson locations.
How do I register for lessons?
Contact us via phone or email to schedule a consultation, then complete registration through our online portal with flexible payment and scheduling options.
