OUR MISSION: The Friendly Music School (501c3) is a musical community that strives to inspire, bring together, and develop musicians of all ages and levels through our unique instructional approach. Our beginner, intermediate and advanced classes are led by professional musicians who guide students at their own pace with attention to individual musical interests. We are a community based organization that is all inclusive, and we strive to make music affordable to all, as well as financially rewarding to our mentors. We provide an environment for all musicians to learn from one another, play together and develop their skills. We encourage our musical family to consider the Friendly School of Folk Music a home where everyone is supported and welcome. We especially encourage our youth to choose music and the arts as a recreational outlet.
Tuition Rates -8 sessions
Group 60 minutes $180
Semi Private 45 minutes $195 per person (60 minutes - $215 pp)
Private 30 minutes $235
Private 45 minutes $315
Private 60 minutes $390
NOTE: You can choose to sign up by calling or emailing us. Choosing a personal sign up will allow you to pay with cash, check, or credit card on the first day of class. Call 708.749.1932 or email registration@friendlyschool.org.
Tuition Policies
Tuition is due in full by the first class meeting. You
can either pay online with a credit card when you
register, or pay with cash/check at the first class. All Credit
Card charges incur a 3% processing fee.
We ofer a $30.00 family discount per student if you
have multiple students enrolled from one family or
you have a student enrolled in multiple classes.
Group 60 minutes $180
Semi Private 45 minutes $195 per person (60 minutes - $215 pp)
Private 30 minutes $235
Private 45 minutes $315
Private 60 minutes $390
NOTE: You can choose to sign up by calling or emailing us. Choosing a personal sign up will allow you to pay with cash, check, or credit card on the first day of class. Call 708.749.1932 or email registration@friendlyschool.org.
Tuition Policies
Tuition is due in full by the first class meeting. You
can either pay online with a credit card when you
register, or pay with cash/check at the first class. All Credit
Card charges incur a 3% processing fee.
We ofer a $30.00 family discount per student if you
have multiple students enrolled from one family or
you have a student enrolled in multiple classes.
Our top-notch musician/instructors (hover on the photo for bio.)
INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHT: Cheryl Tomblin
Cheryl Lynn Tomblin, also known by her project moniker PIPES, is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from the Chicagoland area. She has released two PIPES EPs – Allow Me the Pleasure (BobDog Studios) and Those Ramblings on the Wall (Wire Records) – as well as one full length solo album, Mockingbird (Sound Vault Studios). The common thread between all her music: dark musings, contemplative desires layered on thick with her smoky vocals, pulling from musical influences such as PJ Harvey, Chris Cornell, John Lee Hooker, Cassandra Wilson, Alice in Chains, Morphine and Monique Ortiz. Tomblin began playing piano when she was 7 years old, violin when she was 10 and at 17 was given her first guitar. Over the years she has learned and played a variety of other instruments - cello, viola, ukulele –but her performance mainstay is guitar. Though most of her adolescent years was she spent listening to all the 90s grunge giants, she began the deeper dive into other genres like industrial, trip-hop, indie/alternative, blues and folk to cultivate her musical palette, soon leading her to start writing her own songs. With a B.A. in creative writing from Carnegie Mellon University, Tomblin has worked hard to sharpen her songwriting skills over the years, allowing her to play at various venues throughout the Chicagoland area such as Uncommon Ground, Abbey Pub, Elbo Room, The Friendly Tap, Sketchbook Brewery, Fitzgerald’s, The Outta Space, Montrose Saloon, The Burlington and Val’s Halla Record Store. She has also guested on Chicago’s WLUW with the release of Allow Me the Pleasure and most recently made the airwaves with her song “Weight in Gold” on Tom Jackson’s Saturday segment Somebody Else’s Troubles. When not performing, Tomblin is a full-time music instructor in the Berwyn/Oak Park area. www.cheryllynntomblin.com www.cheryllynntomblin.bandcamp.com www.pipesproject.bandcamp.com
Cheryl Lynn Tomblin, also known by her project moniker PIPES, is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from the Chicagoland area. She has released two PIPES EPs – Allow Me the Pleasure (BobDog Studios) and Those Ramblings on the Wall (Wire Records) – as well as one full length solo album, Mockingbird (Sound Vault Studios). The common thread between all her music: dark musings, contemplative desires layered on thick with her smoky vocals, pulling from musical influences such as PJ Harvey, Chris Cornell, John Lee Hooker, Cassandra Wilson, Alice in Chains, Morphine and Monique Ortiz. Tomblin began playing piano when she was 7 years old, violin when she was 10 and at 17 was given her first guitar. Over the years she has learned and played a variety of other instruments - cello, viola, ukulele –but her performance mainstay is guitar. Though most of her adolescent years was she spent listening to all the 90s grunge giants, she began the deeper dive into other genres like industrial, trip-hop, indie/alternative, blues and folk to cultivate her musical palette, soon leading her to start writing her own songs. With a B.A. in creative writing from Carnegie Mellon University, Tomblin has worked hard to sharpen her songwriting skills over the years, allowing her to play at various venues throughout the Chicagoland area such as Uncommon Ground, Abbey Pub, Elbo Room, The Friendly Tap, Sketchbook Brewery, Fitzgerald’s, The Outta Space, Montrose Saloon, The Burlington and Val’s Halla Record Store. She has also guested on Chicago’s WLUW with the release of Allow Me the Pleasure and most recently made the airwaves with her song “Weight in Gold” on Tom Jackson’s Saturday segment Somebody Else’s Troubles. When not performing, Tomblin is a full-time music instructor in the Berwyn/Oak Park area. www.cheryllynntomblin.com www.cheryllynntomblin.bandcamp.com www.pipesproject.bandcamp.com
TESTIMONIALS:
"We are very happy to be students and patrons of the Friendly Music School, coffee shop, and tap. Cheryl, our patient and beloved teacher, has been working with us for 3+ years. She has taught our kids a great appreciation for music and playing the piano. We always look forward to the music recitals at the coffee shop, it is such an awesome experience to see the kids musical talents and their progression! Geralyn takes good care of the music school and gives the kids awesome literary recommendations. While the kids are at their lessons we'll stop downstairs and get a tasty cold brew at the tap. The name of this establishment just speaks for itself, everyone is so Friendly. It's like a one-stop shop for all our needs. Thank you Rob! What would we do without our Friendly's!"
Mae & Adam
"My son is excited to go to his lesson each week, and comes out telling me about the fun he is having. These are private, half-hour lessons at a price that is extremely affordable. The Friendly Music School is non-profit, 501c3, as well, which is great because their attitude is all about helping the community." -Grace W.
“Each and every week, he is so excited to come. He loves it. I don't know how, but you guys have him playing almost all day every day at home!” - Lisa D.
“Rob has a great way with kids, and they don't even complain about practicing. Our whole family was so excited to see them perform at their recital.” - Mary R.
"We are very happy to be students and patrons of the Friendly Music School, coffee shop, and tap. Cheryl, our patient and beloved teacher, has been working with us for 3+ years. She has taught our kids a great appreciation for music and playing the piano. We always look forward to the music recitals at the coffee shop, it is such an awesome experience to see the kids musical talents and their progression! Geralyn takes good care of the music school and gives the kids awesome literary recommendations. While the kids are at their lessons we'll stop downstairs and get a tasty cold brew at the tap. The name of this establishment just speaks for itself, everyone is so Friendly. It's like a one-stop shop for all our needs. Thank you Rob! What would we do without our Friendly's!"
Mae & Adam
"My son is excited to go to his lesson each week, and comes out telling me about the fun he is having. These are private, half-hour lessons at a price that is extremely affordable. The Friendly Music School is non-profit, 501c3, as well, which is great because their attitude is all about helping the community." -Grace W.
“Each and every week, he is so excited to come. He loves it. I don't know how, but you guys have him playing almost all day every day at home!” - Lisa D.
“Rob has a great way with kids, and they don't even complain about practicing. Our whole family was so excited to see them perform at their recital.” - Mary R.
The Friendly Music School is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that offers music education through private, semi-private, and group instruction. Our instructors are passionate and accomplished musicians who currently perform locally and beyond; our classes are designed to develop the student’s music skill and appreciation no matter the starting level. At the Friendly Music School, we believe that you’re not just learning an instrument, you’re learning to be part of a musical community.