Business Details
21 Years
experience
Private Music Lessons in Aurora, IL
Founded in 2005 by Gus Gotsis, Apollo Music has been dedicated to fostering musical growth and creativity in Aurora, Illinois. Our mission centers on providing personalized music education through a team of professional instructors who prioritize individualized learning and technical mastery. We cater to students of all ages, from beginners to advanced performers, offering tailored instruction in piano, guitar, violin, drums, and vocal training. Our philosophy emphasizes a structured yet enjoyable environment where students develop confidence, creative expression, and a lifelong appreciation for music. With expertise in preparing students for college auditions, competitions, and recreational performance, we integrate theory, sight reading, and improvisation into every lesson.Our instructors bring decades of combined experience in teaching, performance, and composition, ensuring a comprehensive educational experience. Located in Aurora, we serve surrounding communities including Naperville, Oswego, and Plainfield. Regular student recitals and performance opportunities highlight our commitment to showcasing musical progress. We maintain affiliations with professional organizations like the Illinois State Music Teacher Association to enhance student engagement. Through adaptive teaching methods and a focus on student goals, Apollo Music remains a trusted resource for music education in the region.
Services
Piano Lessons
Guitar Lessons
Violin Lessons
Drum Lessons
Vocal Training
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- We offer personalized instruction tailored to each student's musical goals.
- Our instructors have decades of combined teaching and professional performance experience.
- We prepare students for college auditions, competitions, and solo performances.
- Lessons integrate music theory, sight reading, and improvisation techniques.
- We serve multiple communities including Aurora, Naperville, and Plainfield, IL.
What people say
Experienced instructors
Personalized lesson plans
Visible student progress
Supportive environment
Performance opportunities
Services
Piano Lessons
Our piano lessons cater to all skill levels, focusing on technique, music theory, and performance preparation. Students learn classical, jazz, and contemporary styles while developing sight-reading and improvisation skills. Instructors tailor lessons to individual goals, whether recreational playing or college audition preparation.
Guitar Lessons
Guitar instruction covers acoustic, electric, and bass guitar with emphasis on chord progressions, fingerpicking, and music theory. Students explore rock, blues, jazz, and folk styles while building technical proficiency and stage performance skills. Lessons adapt to each student's musical interests and experience level.
Violin Lessons
Violin instruction focuses on proper bowing technique, finger placement, and music theory fundamentals. Students study classical repertoire while developing sight-reading and ensemble performance skills. Lessons accommodate beginners through advanced players preparing for competitions or recitals.
Drum Lessons
Drum instruction emphasizes rhythm, coordination, and musicality across rock, jazz, and Latin styles. Students learn rudiments, reading drum charts, and performance techniques using acoustic and electronic kits. Lessons prepare students for band participation and solo performances.
Vocal Training
Vocal lessons develop breath control, pitch accuracy, and performance techniques for classical, pop, and musical theater styles. Students study vocal warm-ups, repertoire selection, and stage presence while building confidence in solo and ensemble settings.
People
Gus Gotsis
Founder
Gus Gotsis founded Apollo Music in 2005 after earning his music degree from Southern Illinois University. With decades of performance experience in jazz and blues ensembles, he brings extensive industry knowledge to our educational programs.
Lisa Starr
Vocal & Piano Instructor
Lisa Starr combines classical voice training with dynamic teaching methods. With over 20 years of performance experience in jazz and pop ensembles, she helps students develop vocal technique and stage presence while maintaining musical enjoyment.
Joshua Iyer
Piano & Strings Instructor
Joshua Iyer holds a Master's in Music Composition from the University of Illinois. As former concertmaster of the Augustana Symphony Orchestra, he brings professional orchestral experience to piano and string instruction while maintaining an active composing career.
Ashley Wenzel
Piano Instructor
Ashley Wenzel earned her BA in Music from Aurora University with piano performance emphasis. An active member of the Illinois State Music Teacher Association, she specializes in teaching students of all ages through performance opportunities and theory exams.
Eric Thompson
Guitar & Bass Instructor
Eric Thompson has taught guitar for over two decades, holding a Jazz Studies degree from Northern Illinois University. His teaching philosophy focuses on student interests, tailoring curricula to individual goals while maintaining technical proficiency across multiple instruments.
Questions
What instruments do you teach?
We offer instruction in piano, guitar, violin, drums, voice, and multiple string instruments with specialized instructors for each discipline.
Do you teach all skill levels?
Yes, our instructors accommodate beginners through advanced students, tailoring lessons to individual experience levels and musical goals.
Are there performance opportunities?
We organize regular recitals and showcase student performances on our YouTube channel to celebrate musical progress and build confidence.
Do you prepare students for auditions?
Yes, our instructors specialize in audition preparation for college programs, competitions, and solo performances with technical and repertoire guidance.
What teaching methods do you use?
We combine technical training with creative expression, using visualization techniques, music theory integration, and personalized repertoire selection for effective learning.
How long are music lessons?
Lesson durations vary based on student needs and age, typically ranging from 30-minute sessions for young beginners to hour-long lessons for advanced students.
Videos
Reviews (3)
Jerria D.
Dec 23, 2021
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Great school! The teachers are remarkable. Gus & Bruce are so great I can see the development over the years in our kids musically!
Bugeaterxv
Dec 28, 2019
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Great place to learn music with a variety of instruments to choose from (vocal too). The teachers really seem to care about the students. Fairly cheap for great quality
Sachin Dole
Mar 13, 2013
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My kids learn the piano here with Ms Lisa. They love it, they play very well and the younger one now picks his own songs (simple ones) which he reads off sheets and plays. I buy guitar strings from here too. They have recitals on site at which one can listen to all budding stars strut their stuff. Owner (Gus Gotsis) is affable man who is passionate about his business of teaching music.
