Spring Recitals at LMK Studios

LMK Studios 1:30 PM Spring Recital

We are happy to announce the success of our annual LMK Studios Spring Recitals which took place on Sunday, May 19th, 2024. We hosted two recitals, the first at 1:30 pm (see image above) and second at 3:30 pm (see image below). Our recitals featured over 50 dedicated students who have studied piano for more than 6 months. Each student performed two, memorized pieces of their choice that were both challenging and fostered development of a new technical skill.

LMK Studios 3:30 PM Spring Recital

A variety of performances included solo works, duets, and even collaborations with fellow musicians. Megan McSweeney played an arrangement of the Beatles' "Let it Be" alongside her friend, Sophia Overstreet, on guitar. Nile Lowrey partnered with his dad to produce an audio drumbeat track that accompanied his live piano performance of "Sunflower" by Post Malone. It was wonderful to witness the variety of artistry and genres presented at these celebrations of students' music.

We also recognized students from our studio who participated in the annual Downers Grove Music Club Piano Festival, which took place on March 3, 2024. We distributed certificates to all of those who took on this challenge, which consisted of memorizing selected pieces and scales as well as performing for an adjudicator. Among the sixteen students who participated, three LMK Studios students received the highest scores in their levels: Cooper Phillips, Kayden Bacigalupo, and Keegan Bacigalupo. They were selected to perform in the DGMC Piano Festival Honors Recital at the Downers Grove Public Library on March 10th.

1:30 pm Recital Students received certificates for participating in the DGMC Piano Festival

3:30 pm Recital Students received certificates for participating in the DGMC Piano Festival

At the end of each recital, we said goodbye to and recognized the unique contribution of our beloved piano teacher of 2 years, Ellie Stankiewicz! We are very grateful for her leadership and artistry at LMK Studios as both a piano teacher and co-founder of the Taylor Swift Children’s Choir, The T. Swizzle Singers. She will definitely be missed in our studio and we wish her the best on her next career adventure as an archeologist!

The Summer Piano Lessons schedule is currently underway at LMK Studios. The new fall schedule begins the week of August 20th. Our next studio recital is slated for December of 2024.

Winter Recitals of 2023

Our studio hosted FOUR Winter Piano Recitals this season. (Actually, THREE Winter Recitals and one "adult gathering"). All events were so much fun! Students prepared 2 pieces for performance. Many holiday classics like "Deck the Halls" and "Jingle Bells" were performed as solos. Students were joined by a variety of fellow music-makers in duet performances with their teachers, parents, siblings, and friends.

Congratulations to all performers! Thank you for sharing your music with one another!

#1: 10:30 AM Winter Recital @ St. Luke Church. December 9, 2023.

 Watch the 10:30AM Video Here videography by Alex Rios

#2: 2:30 PM Winter Recital @ St. Luke Church. December 9, 2023.

Watch the 2:30PM Video Here

videography by Alex Rios

#3: A Small and Cozy Family Recital: Monday, December 11, 2023.

#4: Adult "Piano Gathering" @ Louise's House. Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. We forgot to take a picture. But here is a photo of a mouse playing piano, which was a subject of lively conversation.

Happy New Year to all Piano Families of LMK Studios! May 2024 be filled with music, good health, and peace on earth to all.

The T Swizzle Singers are BACK

Calling all 5th, 6th, and 7th grade Swifties Session 2 starts this week! Bring your hairbrush and let's sing together!

The T Swizzle Singers are Back for another Session of Singing Together! Videography by Alex Rios

It’s safe to say: this is the ERA of Taylor Swift. What better way to celebrate her music than by singing her hits with a new group of besties?! From the casual listener to the fans who track down every Easter egg, we invite all Swifties to join us in the singing experience of your wildest dreams.

Session 1 was so much fun! Session 2 will be our BREAKTHROUGH!

Sign-up for the Choir Here

Meet the Directors

Louise Kelly, LMK Studios Founder and lead piano teacher, will serve as the director of the TS Experience Choir. Louise has her Masters Degree in Choral Conducting from Vandercook College of Music, Chicago (2016). She directed Hillside School Choirs for 7 years before leaving to start LMK Studios. Louise is a songwriter herself and great admirerer of Taylor Swift. You can watch her play an excerpt from Taylor Swift's song"Lover" here.

The assistant director of theTS Experience Choir is Ellie Stankiewicz. Ellie has performed in countless musical theater productions starring in both leading and supporting roles. Some of her favorite shows include Kiss Me Kate, Wicked, and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Find out more about Louise and Ellie here.

About Rehearsals

The TS Choir Experience meets to sing on Tuesdays 5pm-6pm. Please have your singer there 5 mins early so we can start singing at 5pm. We'll meet in the Fellowship Hall at St. Luke Church: 5235 Fairview Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515

Session 2: Jan. 9-Mar. 19. Session 2 will culminate in a performance on our final day together, March 19th, during our regularly scheduled rehearsal time.

Singers should bring to rehearsal

• a pencil

• a hairbrush

• water bottle (optional)

Space is limited, so sign up today! All singers must complete this sign-up form, as well as a waiver of liability. Instructions about tuition payments will be communicated on invoices, sent to each enrolled singer.