Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Zion Music Conservatory - Music Lessons in Naperville, IL
Zion Music Conservatory (ZMC) provides professional private music lessons in Naperville, IL, for students of all ages. We offer instruction in piano, voice, organ, acoustic guitar, and brass instruments in a supportive, Christ-centered environment. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced musician, our experienced faculty will help you grow.
Private Lessons We Offer
Our lessons are designed for students of all ages and skill levels, from beginners learning their first scales to advanced players preparing for college auditions or church services. Curriculum methods are standard for each instrument, and specific music content includes both standard and church-specific repertoire. Lessons are typically available in 30, 45, or 60-minute sessions. Lessons culminate in recital performances and participation in other musical opportunities at Zion.
Organ Lessons
Organ students begin by learning how an organ works, basic manual and pedal technique, and how to register music literature. Intermediate and advanced instruction incorporates higher level manual and pedal exercises and compositions. A background in keyboard technique is recommended, and a commitment to regular practice on an available organ is required.
Piano Lessons
Piano students begin by learning about the keyboard, identifying notes through basic hand positions, and learning music notation. Intermediate and advanced instruction incorporates more advanced scales, finger technique, hand positions, and piano literature. Access to a piano (preferably having one in the student's home) for regular practice is required.
Voice Lessons
Voice students begin by learning basic vocal technique through simple exercises and songs. Lessons also incorporate basic music theory. (A background in music theory is recommended but not required.) Intermediate and advanced instruction incorporates vocalises and more advanced art songs which expand vocal stamina and flexibility.
Guitar Lessons
Guitar students begin by learning about the guitar, including proper hand position, picking technique, and how to tune and care for the instrument. Lessons also incorporate basic music theory, emphasizing chord-based playing and basic strumming/rhythm patterns while learning to read music and/or tablature. Intermediate and advanced instruction incorporates more advanced chord progressions, varied strumming/picking techniques, exploration of scales, and additional music theory concepts. Owning or renting a guitar for practicing is required.
Brass Lessons: Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
Brass students begin with basic playing technique specific to their chosen instrument, incorporating basic music theory, scales, and embouchure development. Intermediate and advanced instruction builds on fundamental skills with more advanced exercises and playing technique to expand the player's stamina and flexibility. Owning or renting a brass instrument for practicing is required.
Why Choose Zion Music Conservatory
· Professional, experienced faculty
· Christ-centered learning environment (LCMS)
· Performance opportunities (church services + public recitals)
· Curriculum focused on both classical technique and church musicianship
· Conveniently located at 11007 Book Rd, Naperville (near Rt 59 & 111th)
About Our Conservatory
Zion Music Conservatory (ZMC) exists to train both youth and adult musicians for service in the church and community. We are especially focused on cultivating and encouraging the next generation of church musicians. We do this by providing professional studio lessons in an intentionally Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) context while using appropriate curriculum and methodology. We provide both public and (church) service-based performance opportunities. In all that we do, we strive to preserve the treasure of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through music, enrich the lives of those who learn this noble art, and serve others with our music.
Lessons are currently being offered in brass, piano, organ, acoustic guitar, and voice
Meet our Teachers
Emily Lee - Administrator
Emily Lee has been the Music Director at Zion Lutheran Church in Naperville since January 2020, serving as principal organist, choir director, and Sunday School music teacher. She prior spent eight total years in two other Lutheran parish settings, serving as Director of Parish Music, Kantor, and school Music Teacher. She earned her B. A. in Church Music and German from Valparaiso University and her M. A. in Theology from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. Mrs. Lee’s main instruments are organ, piano, and voice, having also spent over a decade’s worth of seasons participating in and assisting with numerous school and community choirs.
Susan Keller
Susan Keller has played piano from an early age and has been participating in church music for almost as long, from accompanying VBS singing to singing in choir. As a senior in high school, she served as the first Music and Worship Apprentice under Cantor Phillip Magness at Bethany Lutheran Church in Naperville. She studied church music at Valparaiso University, where she learned to play the organ, earning a B. A. in Music with an emphasis in Church Music. Over the past twenty years, Mrs. Keller has served the church in various capacities, including as Associate Cantor, leading both children’s and adult choirs as well as directing the handbells and playing organ for the Divine Service. She currently serves as organist at both Peace Lutheran in Plainfield and Hope Lutheran in Shorewood. Mrs. Keller’s home church is Bethany Lutheran in Naperville, where she attends with her husband and five children.
Tim Conrad
Low brass instructor Tim Conrad first began playing trombone in 1996 with his 5th grade band and continued through high school while broadening his musical skill, ultimately sitting as principal tubist his senior year and performing with local community ensembles on bass trombone. From there, Mr. Conrad went on to study music for two years at Augustana College in Rock Island performing with the Augustana College Symphonic Band. Subjects of study included music theory, acoustic science, performance, pedagogy, and ensemble conducting. He then pursued a more than decade-long career in culinary arts while continuing to perform as he was able. Aside from teaching, Mr. Conrad also does work tuning and repairing pianos and works with live sound, audio engineering, and recording.
Dave Seifrid
Dave Seifrid has been playing guitar for over twenty-five years and loves music of all different genres, playing rock, blues, folk, and classical guitar. Mr. Seifrid has studied with multiple teachers over the years and loves helping students to achieve their goals. He tailors his guitar lessons to the needs and goals of the student, incorporating technique, theory, and tunes in a fun and relaxed way. A personal comment from Mr. Seifrid: “I love the look on a student’s face when they have the ‘breakthrough’ moment on a song or piece they’ve been working on! There’s no better feeling than seeing that love of music come through with a student.”
Scott Gercken
Scott Gercken is Kantor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School in Brookfield, serving as organist and choir director and teaching primarily in the areas of music, Latin, and religion. He holds master’s degrees in music and religion from Concordia University Chicago and a Bachelor of Music Education with instrumental emphasis from the University of Illinois. Prior to joining the faculty at St. Paul’s, Mr. Gercken taught public school band and choir for seven years in rural Illinois schools but has served in many capacities as a Lutheran parish musician for over twenty-six years. In addition to being an active composer of music for the church, his primary instruments are organ, piano, horn, and baritone voice. Mr. Gercken resides in Brookfield with his wife, Rebecca, and their children, Julianna, Marilyn, Charlotte, Evie, Fritz, Katie, Henry, and Lilly.
Jonathan Swett
Jonathan Swett has been the Kantor at Bethany Lutheran Church and School in Naperville since 2021 where he performs organist duties, directs the various vocal and instrumental ensembles, and teaches general music in the school. He previously served in the same capacity at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Oak Lawn (2005-2014) and Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church and School in Hartland, MI (2014-2021).
Mr. Swett is a native of central (Eustis) and north central (Gainesville) Florida. He grew up surrounded by and participating in music in the church, especially on account of his father, who served for forty-four years as an LCMS Teacher and Minister of Music. Mr. Swett earned his bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Florida along with an Organ Performance Certificate. He has a master’s degree in Church Music from Concordia University Chicago and completed the LCMS Colloquy Program in 2011. Most recently, in 2023 and 2024 respectively, Mr. Swett became a Certified Educator in Dr. John Feierabend’s First Steps in Music for Preschool and Beyond and Conversational Solfege.
Location & Contact
11007 Book Rd, Naperville, IL 60564.
Phone: 630-904-1124 Email: [email protected]
Near Route 59, south Naperville