Individual music lessons are an essential part of any musician's growth. Offering instruction on a wide variety of instruments, our program features over 30 of the best private lesson instructors the Chicago area has to offer. Lessons are offered at all six high schools during the school day for district students and weekdays after school for non-district students and adults.
New students must contact us first for a consultation and to schedule a trial lesson. Only returning students may register for lessons online. For an Individual Lesson consultation or to register for a (paid) trial lesson, call us at 847-718-7700 or email us at ce@d214.org.
Julian Velasco teaches students at Hersey High School.
Described as a “phenomenal sax soloist” (Chicago Tribune), Julian Velasco (he/him) is a Chicago-based Mexican-American artist, educator, and advocate for contemporary arts. Raised in the diverse musical culture of Los Angeles, his background draws from classical, jazz, experimental, and popular styles whose influences inform his approach to all music.
Known as “both an infectiously joyous interpreter of new music and a monster improviser” (Chicago Tribune), Velasco has premiered over 70 new works, collaborating with artists including the Bang on a Can All-Stars, Mei-Ann Chen, Billy Childs, Nico Muhly, Alex Mincek PRISM Quartet, Annika Socolofsky, and Rodney Whitaker. His first solo album As We Are debuted at #4 on Billboard’s Traditional Classical Album Charts, regarded as “fabulous” (Third Coast Review) and “gorgeous” (Gramophone).
Velasco is the Artistic Director and soprano saxophonist of ~Nois saxophone quartet. Founded in 2016, ~Nois has become one of the premier ensembles in the U.S. ~Nois has been awarded top prizes at prestigious chamber music competitions including the Fischoff and the M-Prize competitions.
Julian holds degrees from Northwestern University and Michigan State University. He is a Luminarts Fellow and Cedille Records’ Emerging Artist.
Julian Velasco
