Which do you want to learn?
We recognize that your personal interests are important; we want learning an instrument to be fun for you.
No one is too old or young. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to strengthen existing skills, our instructional staff can improve your skills and find your talent. Some students may want to learn the basics while others are interested in music theory. Perhaps you’ve had some musical lessons or musical training or none at all. Tablature or notes? You and your instructor decide together.
Which do you want to learn?
We recognize that your personal interests are important; we want learning an instrument to be fun for you.
No one is too old or young. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to strengthen existing skills, our instructional staff can improve your skills and find your talent. Some students may want to learn the basics while others are interested in music theory. Perhaps you’ve had some musical lessons or musical training or none at all. Tablature or notes? You and your instructor decide together.
Individual Lessons
Group Lessons
Improve collaboration with fellow musicians, while playing as a band. Members decide what songs to play, and then spend time each week practicing and perfecting their sound as a group. Many groups show-off their skills at Open Mic Nights!
Learn More About Our Lesson Options
Individual Lessons
Group Lessons
Improve collaboration with fellow musicians, while playing as a band. Members decide what songs to play, and then spend time each week practicing and perfecting their sound as a group. Many groups show-off their skills at Open Mic Nights!
Learn More About Our Lesson Options
Meet the Teachers
Buddy
Buddy is the owner of DR WOODS. He is a professional musician, playing in and around the Chicagoland area for more than 40 years.
Buddy works closely with his students, teaching how to play music in a professional and cohesive manner, while maintaining a fun and relaxed atmosphere. He teaches students of all ages, and all levels of experience. Take your playing to the next level! No matter your experience, there is always more to learn. His motto: “I can teach anyone!”
Jeff
Jeff is the store manager at DR WOODS. Jeff is so personable, knowledgeable, and cool that we actually hired him one day when he happened to stop into the store to look around. Come in and ask him to tell you the story. Jeff started playing guitar at 8 years old, picked up the drums at 12. Jeff began touring with bands at age 15! He has always been an advocate of punk and rock’n’roll music. Jeff’s experiences give him all the knowledge that he needs to know how to help every musician get what they need for wherever they want to go.
Riley
Riley is a well-versed and talented musician who started his musical career taking lessons here at DR WOODS. He has a wide array of experience and his musical interests and talents span many genres, from jazz to pop, and anywhere in between. Riley also works in theater and regularly assists with productions at local schools and churches. Riley can teach you any style of music, and introduce some you may not already know.
Clayton
Clayton is a seasoned musician and teacher, giving lessons at DR WOODS for 20 years. He studied music at the Harper College Fine Arts Program; Clayton has an excellent jazz and rock background.
Sean
Sean is a jack-of-all-instruments and masters each one of them. Starting guitar at age 14, Sean decided to expand his musical horizons and pick up mandolin, bass, banjo and ukelele. Sean plays music professionally, and between his solo work (Sean Shiel) and his bluegrass band (Miles Over Mountains), he can be found playing up to 5 gigs a week. Sean has been teaching the instruments he’s mastered at Dr. Woods for over a decade now.
Caleb
Caleb is another of our veteran teachers. When not teaching music, you can find him touring with Miles Over Mountains & Lucky Pickers, playing a modernized style of bluegrass music. Caleb is an excellent teacher of technique, chord structures, and music theory.
Brian
Brian has been teaching drums, piano and playing professionally for over 30 years. He earned a degree in Fine Arts and Music Performance. Spanning genres from Jazz to cinematic to progressive electronica, Brian has had many works published and his music has even been licensed for products and productions on Television. Brian has a VAST variety of influences spanning all genres. This all has established Brian as a professional musician and music educator.
Lila
Lila has worked at DR WOODS for 10 years. She is in charge of greeting customers and ensuring that everyone becomes a part of our music community.
Meet the Teachers
Buddy
Buddy is the owner of DR WOODS. He is a professional musician, playing in and around the Chicagoland area for more than 40 years.
Buddy works closely with his students, teaching how to play music in a professional and cohesive manner, while maintaining a fun and relaxed atmosphere. He teaches students of all ages, and all levels of experience. Take your playing to the next level! No matter your experience, there is always more to learn. His motto: “I can teach anyone!”
Jeff
Jeff is the store manager at DR WOODS. Jeff is so personable, knowledgeable, and cool that we actually hired him one day when he happened to stop into the store to look around. Come in and ask him to tell you the story. Jeff started playing guitar at 8 years old, picked up the drums at 12. Jeff began touring with bands at age 15! He has always been an advocate of punk and rock’n’roll music. Jeff’s experiences give him all the knowledge that he needs to know how to help every musician get what they need for wherever they want to go.
Riley
Riley is a well-versed and talented musician who started his musical career taking lessons here at DR WOODS. He has a wide array of experience and his musical interests and talents span many genres, from jazz to pop, and anywhere in between. Riley also works in theater and regularly assists with productions at local schools and churches. Riley can teach you any style of music, and introduce some you may not already know.
Clayton
Clayton is a seasoned musician and teacher, giving lessons at DR WOODS for 20 years. He studied music at the Harper College Fine Arts Program; Clayton has an excellent jazz and rock background.
Sean
Sean is a jack-of-all-instruments and masters each one of them. Starting guitar at age 14, Sean decided to expand his musical horizons and pick up mandolin, bass, banjo and ukelele. Sean plays music professionally, and between his solo work (Sean Shiel) and his bluegrass band (Miles Over Mountains), he can be found playing up to 5 gigs a week. Sean has been teaching the instruments he’s mastered at Dr. Woods for over a decade now.
Caleb
Caleb is another of our veteran teachers. When not teaching music, you can find him touring with Miles Over Mountains & Lucky Pickers, playing a modernized style of bluegrass music. Caleb is an excellent teacher of technique, chord structures, and music theory.
Brian
Brian has been teaching drums, piano and playing professionally for over 30 years. He earned a degree in Fine Arts and Music Performance. Spanning genres from Jazz to cinematic to progressive electronica, Brian has had many works published and his music has even been licensed for products and productions on Television. Brian has a VAST variety of influences spanning all genres. This all has established Brian as a professional musician and music educator.
Lila
Lila has worked at DR WOODS for 10 years. She is in charge of greeting customers and ensuring that everyone becomes a part of our music community.