Private Lessons
Rebecca VanDeCasteele
Flute Instructor
rvandy05@gmail.com
630-740-6449
Rebecca VandeCasteele lives in the Center Cass Community of Woodridge and District 61 schools and performs locally with the Center Cass Community Band. She studied flute performance and music education at Iowa State University of Iowa. She brings a love for music and impeccable flute technique to our school, looking forward to developing independent, thoughtful musicians.
Samantha Winkler
Clarinet Instructor
samanthawinklerclarinet@gmail.com
713-367-9574
Originally from Tomball, TX, Ms. Winkler is an avid performer and teacher, most recently giver her second Master’s Recital at the Bienen School of Music. She has also performed in solo recitals at the 2018 & 2017 Buffet Crampon Summer Clarinet Academy, 2018 Hidden Valley Music Seminars, the Brevard Music Center, and the University of Houston. She was a prize winner in the Buffet Crampon Student Showcase for her performance of Heinrich Sutermeister’s Capriccio for Solo Clarinet, and a semi-finalist in the Jan and Beattie Wood Concerto Competition for her performance of Carl Maria von Weber’s Concerto No. 2 Movement 3. Her playing has earned her elite spots in Masters programs across the country, including Carnegie Mellon University, Eastman School of Music, The Glenn Gould School, Indiana University, and Northwestern University.
Nancy Botti
Clarinet Instructor
nrrbotti@gmail.com
630-263-8322
Mrs. Botti has a comprehensive background teaching instrumental music which includes clarinet private lessons and ensemble coaching as well as band and orchestra instruction in grades 3-12. She also has experience as a music coordinator, overseeing the instrumental music program in eleven schools. A former member of the Chicagoland Pops Orchestra in Naperville, she holds degrees from Western Illinois University (B.A.) and DePaul University (M.M.Ed.) with additional coursework from Vandercook College of Music. Mrs. Botti’s favorite leisurely activity is spending time on the beach in Hawaii with her husband, Mark. Aloha!
Henry Carpender
Trombone Instructor
henrycarp.trombone@gmail.com
224-567-1333
Henry Carpender was born and raised in Mundelein, and grew up working and playing in the city of Chicago. In May of 2020, Henry is a graduate from the Eastman School of Music with a degree in Classical Trombone Performance, and has a Masters Degree in from DePaul University’s School of Music.
As a trombonist, Henry has had the opportunity to work with leaders in the fields of jazz music, classical music, chamber music, and brass pedagogy such as Steve Menard, Jay Friedman, and the Canadian Brass. As a freelance artist in the Chicagoland area, Henry has shared the stage with many stellar musicians and producers.
When not playing trombone, writing, or teaching, Henry enjoys spending time with the family cat, engaging in political activism, and writing about music.
Alex Beltran
Saxophone Instructor
alexdbeltran@gmail.com
630-240-0856
Alex received his Bachelor degree from Indiana University and his Master Degree from DePaul University where he studied with David Baker, Jim Snidero,and many others. In 2008, Alex made Chicago his home and quickly became an active member of the local and regional music scenes. Alex’s quintet, Merge, has released two albums of original modern jazz that have received praise from musicians and critics alike.
Alex has performed in both large and small venues across the country, under his own name and with musicians such as Jeff Hamilton, Phil Woods, Tim Ries, Ira Sullivan, Luis Bonilla, John Fedchok, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, the Chicago Yestet, and many others. In addition to his busy performing schedule, Alex is proud to be a Vandoren Performing Artist and maintains an active studio, helping a younger generation discover the beauty of music.
Emily Whittaker
French Horn Instructor
emilywhittaker463@gmail.com
312-508-1873
emilywhittakerhorn.com
Ryan Danikowski
Euphonium and Tuba Instructor
ryan.danikowski98@gmail.com
630-465-1689
Percussion
Patrick Rheingruber
708-341-0448
prheingruber@csd99.org
Wally Pochron
drum.man.wally@gmail.com
Flute Instructor
rvandy05@gmail.com
630-740-6449
Rebecca VandeCasteele lives in the Center Cass Community of Woodridge and District 61 schools and performs locally with the Center Cass Community Band. She studied flute performance and music education at Iowa State University of Iowa. She brings a love for music and impeccable flute technique to our school, looking forward to developing independent, thoughtful musicians.
Samantha Winkler
Clarinet Instructor
samanthawinklerclarinet@gmail.com
713-367-9574
Originally from Tomball, TX, Ms. Winkler is an avid performer and teacher, most recently giver her second Master’s Recital at the Bienen School of Music. She has also performed in solo recitals at the 2018 & 2017 Buffet Crampon Summer Clarinet Academy, 2018 Hidden Valley Music Seminars, the Brevard Music Center, and the University of Houston. She was a prize winner in the Buffet Crampon Student Showcase for her performance of Heinrich Sutermeister’s Capriccio for Solo Clarinet, and a semi-finalist in the Jan and Beattie Wood Concerto Competition for her performance of Carl Maria von Weber’s Concerto No. 2 Movement 3. Her playing has earned her elite spots in Masters programs across the country, including Carnegie Mellon University, Eastman School of Music, The Glenn Gould School, Indiana University, and Northwestern University.
Nancy Botti
Clarinet Instructor
nrrbotti@gmail.com
630-263-8322
Mrs. Botti has a comprehensive background teaching instrumental music which includes clarinet private lessons and ensemble coaching as well as band and orchestra instruction in grades 3-12. She also has experience as a music coordinator, overseeing the instrumental music program in eleven schools. A former member of the Chicagoland Pops Orchestra in Naperville, she holds degrees from Western Illinois University (B.A.) and DePaul University (M.M.Ed.) with additional coursework from Vandercook College of Music. Mrs. Botti’s favorite leisurely activity is spending time on the beach in Hawaii with her husband, Mark. Aloha!
Henry Carpender
Trombone Instructor
henrycarp.trombone@gmail.com
224-567-1333
Henry Carpender was born and raised in Mundelein, and grew up working and playing in the city of Chicago. In May of 2020, Henry is a graduate from the Eastman School of Music with a degree in Classical Trombone Performance, and has a Masters Degree in from DePaul University’s School of Music.
As a trombonist, Henry has had the opportunity to work with leaders in the fields of jazz music, classical music, chamber music, and brass pedagogy such as Steve Menard, Jay Friedman, and the Canadian Brass. As a freelance artist in the Chicagoland area, Henry has shared the stage with many stellar musicians and producers.
When not playing trombone, writing, or teaching, Henry enjoys spending time with the family cat, engaging in political activism, and writing about music.
Alex Beltran
Saxophone Instructor
alexdbeltran@gmail.com
630-240-0856
Alex received his Bachelor degree from Indiana University and his Master Degree from DePaul University where he studied with David Baker, Jim Snidero,and many others. In 2008, Alex made Chicago his home and quickly became an active member of the local and regional music scenes. Alex’s quintet, Merge, has released two albums of original modern jazz that have received praise from musicians and critics alike.
Alex has performed in both large and small venues across the country, under his own name and with musicians such as Jeff Hamilton, Phil Woods, Tim Ries, Ira Sullivan, Luis Bonilla, John Fedchok, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, the Chicago Yestet, and many others. In addition to his busy performing schedule, Alex is proud to be a Vandoren Performing Artist and maintains an active studio, helping a younger generation discover the beauty of music.
Emily Whittaker
French Horn Instructor
emilywhittaker463@gmail.com
312-508-1873
emilywhittakerhorn.com
Ryan Danikowski
Euphonium and Tuba Instructor
ryan.danikowski98@gmail.com
630-465-1689
Percussion
Patrick Rheingruber
708-341-0448
prheingruber@csd99.org
Wally Pochron
drum.man.wally@gmail.com
Piano Accompanist
Connie Lyda
cmlyda@sbcglobal.net
630-673-4164
Massimo Scapin
massimoscapin@gmail.com
Connie Lyda
cmlyda@sbcglobal.net
630-673-4164
Massimo Scapin
massimoscapin@gmail.com