Rebecca Hahn

Owner
Teaches: On-Site/Virtual Private Piano lessons, AIM Testing preparation

Rebecca Hahn grew up in Roselle and attended Medinah Christian School, Wheaton Academy, and Wheaton College. While receiving her B.A. in Psychology, she studied classical piano and jazz through the Wheaton Conservatory and has taught privately for 20 years. She also taught at the Medinah Christian Conservatory and at the Roselle Park District. 

Rebecca’s teaching style takes a fresh approach to traditional methods. Without losing the importance of note-reading, music theory, technique, or rhythm and articulation, Rebecca also incorporates harmonization, composition, ear training, transposition, and accompaniment for singing or playing with a band. She believes in tailoring her instruction to the individual student and finding connection points between what most interests the student and their study of music. 

Rebecca resides in Elgin with her husband, Dan, and their three young children, Providence, Daniel, and Benjamin. Rebecca’s parents, Wayne and Joan Domke, are long-time Roselle residents who love the town and are tirelessly involved in the community. 

Rebecca is an active member of the MTNA, ISMTA, and the NWSMTA. 

Frankie Palermo

Teaches: Drum Lessons

Frankie has been a Professional DrumSet Performer for 50 years (since age 15) and a Professional DrumSet Instructor for 45 years. He started playing drums at the very young age of 5! Frankie studied at The Chicago Drum School in downtown Chicago under Ernie Gadzos and Marshall Thompson for many years. He then continued his studies with the world famous percussionist Bobby Christian. At age 15 he was accepted into the Chicago Federation of Musicians Union and began to work locally as a Professional Drummer in all types of musical situations through the Musicians Union. After completing his studies, he continued to perform both locally and on the road. Some of the venues that Frankie has performed at were The Newport in Miami Beach, The Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, Caesar’s Hotel in New Jersey, The Bop Shop in Chicago, Joe’s Be-Bop Cafe on Navy Pier in Chicago, The Green Mill in Chicago, Frankie’s Blue Room in Naperville., Fitzgerald’s in Berwyn. and numerous Festivals and Concerts in Chicago and the surrounding Midwest. As a DrumSet Instructor Frankie has taught on location at various studios in the Chicago area, virtually online, and in student homes. After 50 years of performing and after 45 years of teaching he is happy to say he’s still at it and enjoying every minute of it!

Justyn Jost

Teaches: Trumpet, strings

Justyn has been a dedicated music educator at School District U-46 since 2019, most recently as the orchestra director for Canton Middle School, its elementary school feeder programs, for the past 2 years, bringing his passion for music and a commitment to fostering a positive, differentiated and growth-oriented learning experience for all students.

Justyn earned his Bachelor of Music Education in 2013 from Illinois Wesleyan University and a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting in 2018 from Illinois State University. His past teaching and directing experience includes general music, high school and middle school choir, elementary school/beginning orchestra lessons, private trumpet and small group brass lessons, and directing the music for musical theater and opera productions.

Justyn’s past mentors have included Jake Worley-Hood and Rick Leister on trumpet, Dr. J. Scott Ferguson, Becky Moan, and Joseph Martarano for voice, and Dr. Glenn Block for conducting.

Over the years, Justyn has worked with students of diverse backgrounds and learning styles, focusing on creating an inclusive classroom where every student can succeed. He believes in the power of education to unlock potential and has worked diligently to integrate differentiated instruction, standards based learning, and holistic teaching practices into the curriculum to meet the needs of all learners.

Justyn has had experience both as a teacher and a performer. He has been a part of musicals, both on stage and in the orchestra pit, filling roles such as ensemble member or leads like Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun. Justyn has led and directed the music both as vocal director and pit conductor of a number of operas and musicals, including Legally Blonde, The Light in the Piazza, Hello Dolly!, Abraham and Issac, Così fan tutte, Newsies, and Jesus Christ Superstar. He has also participated in numerous professional development workshops and conferences to stay current with educational trends and best practices.

Outside of the classroom, Justyn enjoys playing board and card games, going on camping trips, and spending time with his wife Stephanie and their two rabbits, Sam and Pebbles.

Tom Malouf

Teaches: Private Guitar Lessons, Semi-Private Guitar Lessons, Group Guitar Lessons

After receiving his B.A in Music Education at Northeastern Illinois University, Tom has taught grade school music through high school music for over 45 years. Tom has a passion for the guitar, and can be seen performing as a singer/guitarist at festivals, libraries, park districts, and corporate events.

Tom’s career includes:
Director of Music at St. Walter Church in Roselle
Teacher at St. Francis High School in Wheaton

Tom loves people and making music with people. He believes strongly that music must be fun, and that we must meet the students where they are at and tailor the lessons to their needs. Tom lives in Wheaton with his wife, and has 4 adult children and 3 grandchildren.

Stephanie Jost

Teaches: PIANO, FLUTE, voice

Stephanie is currently the 4th-8th grade Choir Director and middle school general music teacher at LaGrange Highlands School District 106. She completed her Bachelor's in Music Education at Illinois Wesleyan University and received her master's degree in Vocal Performance from the Chicago Conservatory of Performing Arts. Her previous employment opportunities include teaching at Lemont High School, Freedom Middle School in Berwyn, as well as teaching private flute, piano, and voice lessons at many park districts including Roselle and Schaumburg. She performs locally, servicing her talents for funerals, weddings, and church services.

Stephanie was cast in numerous opera roles during her undergraduate work, including Puccini's La Bohème, Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro, and Donizetti's The Elixir of Love. During her graduate studies, Stephanie was involved with operas including Michael Torke's Strawberry Fields, Verdi's Falstaff, Judith Weir's King Harald's Saga, and Rossini's Il viaggio a Reims. She has also competed in vocal competitions such as Classical Singer, New York Vocal Competition, and Casa Italia Vocal Competitions. She has also been an assistant director for various school musicals such as Annie, High School Musical 18 2, The Little Mermaid, Seusical, Grease, and Cinderella. She has directed Beauty & the Beast Jr. and Shrek Jr.

In her free time, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her husband Justyn and their two bunnies Sam and Pebbles.

Helga Simms

Teaches: Virtual Piano Lessons, Bells Choir

Helga graduated from Concordia University with a double major in Music Education and Elementary Teaching. She loves to teach and has over 40 years of experience teaching piano, keyboard, and theory to students from ages 4 through senior adults both privately and at conservatories. Teaching classical, contemporary and jazz piano with a theoretical foundation is her specialty.

Helga is excellent at identifying her students’ strengths and helping them expand their potential, increase their eagerness to learn, and excel in their talents. She believes in strong teacher/student communication and in highlighting weekly personal growth. When not teaching, Helga loves to golf, cook, bake, and listen to music!

Lubomir Stamov

Teaches: on-site Piano, Jazz Piano, Rock piano, piano composition, voice

Lou received a B.A. from Roosevelt University and an M.A. from Indiana University in Voice and Piano Performance. He performed many years in all the major theatres and performed locally with the Lyric Opera of Chicago and on the classical radio station WFMT. Lou and his wife have three children and teach virtual lessons to students from all over the country. Lou is experienced in jazz piano, rock piano, classical piano, theory, composition and all styles of voice technique. He is also an active member of the MTNA, ISMTA, and the NWSMTA. We are very fortunate to have Lou as a part of the Roselle Fine Arts Academy family!

Oksana Stamov

Teaches: On-Site/Virtual Private Piano lessons, AIM Testing preparation

Oksana attended the Odessa Conservatory of Music and the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. She has over twenty years of piano teaching experience and has taught at multiple businesses such as the Arlington School of Music and the Palatine Music Center.

Oksana has also been a pianist for the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Highland Park for multiple years.

Oksana teaches students at all levels, and always encourages them to set attainable goals which she will help them achieve.

Oksana is an active member of the MTNA, ISMTA, and the NWSMTA. She prepares students for AIM testing and various recitals and school performances.

Oksana resides in Schaumburg with her husband Lou, and their three children: Sophia, Kate, and Mark.

Cynthia Caldwell

art Director
Teaches: Art Classes, Art Camps, Special Events

Cynthia received a B.A. in Computer Science from Brandeis University, but has always enjoyed and studied art, especially drawing and Zentangle. She left her high tech career in 2004 to pursue more creative outlets. Cynthia created Yet Another Mom Blog, where she posts arts, crafts, and other activities for all ages. In addition, she is a coloring book author, graphic designer, and jewelry designer (MiDonna Designs). For several years, Cynthia was a volunteer leader for her daughter’s Girl Scout troop and taught most of the arts and craft classes for patches and badges. She lives in Roselle with her husband, daughter, cats and chickens!

Sean Shipley

Teaches: ceramics, Mosaics

Sean received his B.S. in Art Education from Northern Illinois University and his M.S. in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. He has been an art teacher for over 25 years, teaching students from Kindergarten to 12th grade. Currently, Sean teaches drawing, painting, and digital photography at Proviso West High School in Hillside. Sean creates photos as art and has an affinity for pottery. At Roselle Fine Arts Academy, he heads up our Ceramics Studio. Sean is married and has two teenage children.

Karen Scoles

Teaches: Art Classes, Special Events

Karen is a professional portrait artist, mural painter and art teacher. She has been painting and teaching professionally for over 15 years and has taught students varying from K-12th grades. She currently teaches in the Keeneyville school district and runs an art club for her students there. At RoselleFA Karen teaches art lessons and also does workshops and private events for both children and adults.