We are a small team of talented professionals with a wide range of skills and experience. We love what we do, and we do it with passion. We look forward to working with you.
Jason Thompson
Founder and Artistic Director
Jason Thompson is a seasoned musical professional. He has had a strong passion for music since a young age. Jason began taking private guitar lessons when he was twelve years old, and since then, he has studied with many of the finest musicians in the Chicagoland area and played countless genres, and in many different musical groups. Jason received his Bachelor’s in Music with Jazz Emphasis from Saint Xavier University where he studied with Dr. Shawn Salmon. Post graduation, Jason studied with John Moulder, jazz guitar professor at Northwestern University. Jason also studied piano privately with multiple college professors including Patricia Lee, principal pianist for both the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra who has also been featured with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Jason has come to realize that music not only provided him with an appreciation for the arts and culture, but a wide variety of life skills which set him up for success in everything from business, to school, to interpersonal relationships. Jason enjoys sharing his love of music with his students, and over the past ten years he has taught students from age 4-75. Jason cannot wait to continue spreading his love of music to the community through Edge Music Academy.
Contact Jason at jthompson@edgemusicacademy.com
Corey M.
Piano, Voice, Violin, and Woodwinds Instructor
Corey is a vocalist and piano player from Bolingbrook, Illinois who has been singing and playing piano for the majority of his life. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Westminster College in Pennsylvania, where he sang in all the choirs, played piano and sang for weekly church services, and was involved in both theater and opera as well. While there, he took private voice lessons from William Ambert and attended a weekly vocal master class with Anne Bentz. He likes teaching all ages, and is a very friendly and laid-back teacher who focuses on personalizing his lessons for each student based on their talents and needs. He currently lives in Bolingbrook with his wife, Cori.
Brian G.
Area Director
Brian earned his Bachelor’s of Music Education degree from VanderCook College of Music in 2015, graduating as Valedictorian. Brian taught band and music classes in public and private schools for eight years before joining Edge Music Academy full time. Brian has also taught private lessons for twelve years specializing in piano, drum set, guitar, and band instruments such as flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and percussion. Brian has taken private lessons from VanderCook’s top professors such as Dr. I-Hsuan Tsai and Tony Kidonakis on classical and jazz piano respectively. He studied percussion as his minor with Kevin Lepper and Brett Kuhn. He also studied trumpet with Dr. Leah Schuman, trombone with Tim Riordan, and upright bass with Doug Bistrow. In addition, Brian can play and teach other instruments such as the electric bass, ukulele, banjo, and harmonica. Brian possesses strong foundations in classical pedagogy, jazz harmony/improvisation, and extensive backgrounds in rock, blues, folk, soul, and some bluegrass. When he is not teaching, Brian enjoys performing with ensembles across the Chicagoland area in addition to accompanying choirs, cantors, and soloists. He is forming a 90s/00s cover band at the moment while also sitting in with churches, jazz bands and combos, and solo events on keyboards. Brian is thrilled to be working for EMA full time behind the scenes and in the lesson rooms.
Maggie M, MT-BC
Adaptive and Early Childhood Music Instructor
Maggie is a Board-Certified Music Therapist with over ten years of experience. Maggie received her Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from Arizona State University in 2010. As a Board Certified Music Therapist, Maggie is trained to utilize guitar, ukulele, piano, voice and percussion instruments in clinical practice.
Maggie has worked in a variety of clinical settings, using music to address a wide range of music and therapy goals. She has worked with children, adolescents and young adults with intellectual disabilities and adults with substance abuse and mental health conditions, neurological conditions (physical and cognitive), sensory (visual) impairments and medical conditions.
Maggie is thrilled to incorporate her music therapy training and experience in the instruction and music programming she provides at Edge Music Academy.
Ryan H.
Voice, Piano, Drums, Guitar
Ryan is a songwriter and composer who started his musical life as a drummer at age 2, he picked up the guitar and bass by the time he was 10, then added piano when he was 14. At Romeoville High School he was the drummer for the top Jazz Band all four years, sang in the top choirs, and played percussion in concert bands. He graduated Augustana College with a degree in Theatre and a minor in Music, where he was also in the Augustana Choir and jazz combos for two years. He grew up playing in bands at music schools and he is excited to share with students the joy music brings to life.
Drew S.
Piano and Adaptive Instructor
Drew is a pianist who is a strong believer that it is never too late to start chasing your dreams. Andrew has been studying piano and music theory with Maestro, Jeff Kowalkowski, for 6 years. Along with this teaching and study, he also plays in a number of rock and jam bands, including a world renowned tribute to The Doors. Not only does Andrew focus on music for work, but also works in therapy teaching children with autism
Frank N.
Guitar and Piano Instructor
Frank Novak is a professional guitarist and lifelong Naperville resident, specializing in jazz, classical, rock, and pop styles. He puts an emphasis on spreading happiness and creativity through music, and believes that one of the greatest joys in music is sharing it with others.
Frank graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in jazz guitar performance, studying with esteemed individuals such as Bobby Broom, Fareed Haque, and An Tran. He began playing piano six years ago to further his overall musicality and broaden his horizons. Frank currently performs across the Chicagoland area with groups spanning from large jazz ensembles to accompanying singers to playing solo.
Beth Thompson
Marketing and Communications, Events and Community Engagement
Beth Thompson has played instruments and sung in choirs throughout her life and knows the powerful strength of music in building a solid foundation for life. She built lifelong friendships through marching and jazz bands and firmly believes that the skills she built through music set her up for success in every area of her life. A Naperville North, High School, alum, Beth is excited to bring her skills as a marketer and communicator to the EMA team and promote the importance of music for young people in her hometown of Naperville, IL.
Contact Beth at elizabethweiner10@gmail.com
Want to join the EMA team?
Email admin@edgemusicacademy.com to apply today!