John Glines

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John Glines is a lifelong Chicagoan and a musician with a rich and varied background. He has been playing music since childhood and is fluent in styles ranging from jazz and classical to rock, blues, and Celtic. His diverse experience makes him well-suited to support students with a wide array of musical interests.

John studied with respected musicians including Anne Waller, Mark Maxwell, and Neal Alger, and has performed in masterclasses led by world-renowned artists such as Oscar Ghiglia, Eliot Fisk, and Sharon Isbin. He holds degrees in Music Performance, Cognitive Science, and Human-Computer Interaction from Northwestern and DePaul Universities.

Currently, John is the lead guitarist for the band Fin Talbot and is a regular fixture at Irish sessions throughout Chicagoland. In addition to guitar, he also teaches bass, ukulele, and piano.

As a teacher, John emphasizes joy, curiosity, and creativity. He believes that students learn best when they enjoy the process and feel empowered to explore. While early practice routines can be challenging, John uses a playful, student-centered approach to foster consistent engagement and a deeper appreciation for music. With experience teaching students of all ages and formal training in music pedagogy, he tailors each lesson to the unique needs and goals of the individual.

"If I could play any other instrument, it would be the harp, absolutely. It's obviously similar to the guitar, but I've always found it to be a beautiful instrument, and a lot of Irish/broadly Celtic music (which I love) is played on it."