Chieko Garling 

Teaching Area: Classical piano, Jazz piano, Improvisation, Theory/Ear training  
www.chiekogarling.weebly.com

Born in Yokohama, Japan, I began playing  piano at the age of three. I received formal classical piano training in Japan for about 10 years.

I moved to the Chicago area to study jazz composition at Roosevelt University. I started to perform professionally while I was in college. Although I was into jazz, my interests in classical music never faded. Learning improvisation has helped me to better understand other types of music. I continued to study classical piano with concert pianist, Mikhail Yanovitsky.

I've been teaching piano some teenagers and adults here and there since I was in Japan, but I started to teach many students at JC's Guitar in Algonquin and Heavenly Pianos in Arlington Heights. In 2008, I decided to launch my own studio. Soon after I started to teach in my house, I had a full roster and started to struggle with balancing my teaching and family time, especially for my young son, Alex. I had to turn down many students just because there was no time available. 

In 2014, my husband and I decided to expand it to a school where teachers can learn my method, and team up to teach hundreds of students what I feel is the right way to teach. 

Learning music is a lot like learning conversation. It needs basic vocabulary, grammar, real life practice, and experience. Some concepts I teach are not introduced in typical traditional piano lessons. That's why I developed my own system and method book. It is not rare that parents want to start taking lessons themselves, after discovering my concepts through lessons for their children. Many times they would ask me, "Why didn't anyone teach me that when I was a kid!"  I am very happy to share what I can do, and why I can do it.

With my beloved lavender labradoodle, Frango.

This is my  son,  Alex. He is a comedian.

What I can do

1. I can memorize a new classical piece within few days after I start to learn it. (It's true. Ask my piano colleagues.)

2. I can memorize a new jazz piece almost instantly if it is in the form of a typical jazz tune. (It's pretty standard for jazz players, actually)

3. I can play for 3 hours non-stop, playing different songs without sheet music. (I believe 4 hours is my maximum I've ever done for a party. It is very tiring though, and you have to take a bathroom break eventually.)

4. I can compose, or transcribe without instruments.

Why I can do it

I learned how to do it through my studies at  Roosevelt University in Chicago (Thanks to the great faculty!). I could not do it before my enrollment there. I wondered why no one taught this to me before.

You must understand that I worked very hard, though. I studied all of my classwork diligently, came up with my own practice ideas, and applied them to my everyday practice. At the beginning it was frustrating, but all of a sudden, it happened in the third year. I was playing at a bar one night. The leader of the band called a tune that I hadn't played for 2 years, and I didn't have the sheet music. We started the tune, and  suddenly I was able to hear, think and anticipate the music before it actually happened.  It was like magic! After that night, everything became much easier. It was the most memorable moment in my musical life. 

​What I can not do

I can not tell which note is being played without a reference note. It means I do not have perfect pitch, or absolute pitch. I wasn't born with a special "gift" for music. In other words, I am an ordinary person, just like you. 

My Dream

I want to share what I learned and practiced (I'm still learning and practicing, by the way) with thousands, maybe millions of students! It is my hope and dream to share with people the things that I wished I could have learned when I was a child. 

As a Student

 I believe teachers study must be never ending. I am currently studying with Dr Razaq at Harper College. She has vast knowledge and experience, and some of my teaching tips come directly from her.

My personal practice project is working on Bach. Working in 12 keys, and improvisation in the style of Bach. I am hoping I can perform in front of my students someday,,,,.. Work in progress.. ...

My Credit

I've performed with Taku Akiyama, Carl Allen, Geof Bradfield, Vincent Davis, Savoir Faire, John Fedchock, Phil Gratteau, Harold Jones, Bob Long, Winton Marsalis, Scott Mason, Rob Parton, Marlene Rosenberg,Noritaka Tanaka, Mayo Tiana, Patrick Williams, Barry Winograd, the Harper Symphony Orchestra, and the Northwest Festival Orchestra.

I've performed at The Jazz Showcase, Pops for Champagne, The Green Mill,  The Isaac Hayes Center, Hot House, Fitzgerald's, Smoke Daddy, M Lounge, Cafe Shino's Piano Bar, Meson Sabika, Velvet Lounge, Chicago's First Lady, Wendella Boat, Smallbar, Salvartore's Restaurant, Taste of Chicago, Tower Club, the Chicago Club, the Charleston, Hilton Hotels, Marriott, and the Congress Hotel.