Tim and Bobbi founded Piano Trends in 1990. The Crystal Lake couple have been local residents since the early 80s. Bobbi is a National acclaimed adjudicator and private music instructor in addition to running Piano Trends with Tim. Both have extensive musical backgrounds as performers and business. Tim is also President of the Board at Raue Center for the Arts. Bobbi is  Artistic Director for the National Piano Conference at Raue Center which also features special NPC concert events throughout the year. Bobbi's Students have gone on to pursue music careers in many fields including perfomance, teaching and music therapy.  She has continued to work as a music consultant for several university and college music programs throughout the country. 

Tim also is a Speaker/Presenter for NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants. In 2019 Tim participated at the NAMMSHOW in Anaheim working a Retail Summit with Internationally acclaimed presenter Bob Phibbs AKA "The Retail Doctor" as well as industry icon and Music Trades writer Bob Popyk. Tim also presented his own Training session

"5 Events to Create Lifelong Customers". 

NAMM interviewed Tim in 2018 for its Oral History Series you can see here.  The Pauls have grown the buisness within the community and believe in giving back to our  community. 

Barb has been at Piano Trends since March of 2004 giving her an extensive knowledge of most departments at Piano Trends.  She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from DePaul University and has over 30 years of experience in classroom and individual music instruction, clarinet and saxophone performance, and ensemble conducting.

During her tenure at Piano Trends Barb has helped numerous students achieve their goals with solo and audition preparation, IMEA audition preparation, and overall skill development and improvement in their playing abilities, and is currently available for private instruction on clarinet and saxophone on Tuesdays and Fridays Email Barb for more info.  

You can find her in the store and office Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday where she can answer any lesson scheduling or billing questions. She knows our customers well and even sells hand crocheted fashion accessories and home decor items at the store.

Adam Huckeby works both as an excellent instructor at Piano Trends but you will find him helping out behind the counter as well.  He is a trombonist, pianist, and vocalist who performs, directs, and teaches professionally throughout the area. He is well-versed in a wide variety of musical styles—everything from classical to jazz to music theatre—and has worked with students and performers of every age. In the recent past, Adam has performed in multiple pit orchestras, music directed numerous community youth musicals, led several summer music camps, and played as a part of various local ensembles. In 2015, he launched his own business (Adam Huckeby Music) that provides independent music creation, production, and performance services. Currently, he serves as a Worship Pianist and the Director of Adult Choirs at his church in St. Charles and is involved with many ministries there, including Praise Bands, Handbells, Children’s Musicals, and Technical Media. He has been teaching privately for the past several years, and looks forward to being a part of the Piano Trends team!

Amy Nelson - Trumpet

Amy has been a member of the Piano Trends Staff for many Years and is our expert Trumpet instructor and Wednesday's person behind the counter. Amy graduated with her music degree at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb. Amy still tours with groups and orchestras regionally and nationally.  Amy was a  part of Adele's backup orchestra when Adele performed at the United Center in Chicago. . Amy also has toured with several Broadway shows including Fiddler on the Roof.  You will recognize her smile behind the counter....

April Noel Milbratz, Voice, Piano and Acting Lessons

April has previous ties to Piano Trends Music as she worked for us in the early 2000s both behind the counter and in the teachings studios. We are happy to have April back in our music teaching studios.  April has numerous credits in local and regional theater and in addition to providing voice and piano instruction is glad to work with aspiring young actors in our studio as well. Need to prepare for an audtion then April will help you prepar. 

Phil is not only our Band instrument Repair Technician, he also is the Piano Trends Music Company School Band Representative. Phil covers everything Band when calling on schools and area band directors. Bring your instrument in to Piano Trends for a repair or estimate. If you have a question for Phil give us a call or drop him an email message by clicking on his name above.
A Better and Safer Way To Clean Your Instrument Cleaning musical instruments has always been a very necessary thing to do, but it has never been a process that cleans every nook and cranny of your instrument, inside and out. With the addition of the ULTRASONIC POWER cleaning system at our Repair Shop, complete cleaning both inside the instrument and outside are fully accomplished. We do not use harsh chemicals such as muriatic acid or others. UTRASONIC POWER uses only a mild detergent. This process relies on the ultrasonic (sound waves) to dislodge all of the dirt and debris that accumulates over time. The inside of your instrument when finished is bright and clean.

Pat Roak - Piano Technician

Pat Roak has been working with Tim and Piano Trends for more than 30 years, even before Piano Trends opened. Pat has become Tim's number one go to technician and helps cover most of the Chicago Area Concert venues and artists. Between Tim and Pat the two have tuned for just about every artist using a piano that has passed through Chicago in the last 40 years. Pat helps keep all the pianos in the store and warehouse in tune and ready to go. Just give us a call and we can set up a home piano tuning for you.

Rick Cornwall player piano installer

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Rick Cornwall goes back to the beginnings of Piano Trends as well working with Tim on many piano technical projects. Rick does all of Piano Trends' player piano installations and repairs. He is a certified technician for both QRS and PianoDisc player systems. Rick is our guy to install any player piano system when you choose Piano Trends for that service. Rick also is one of our piano tuners covering much of the chicago area for us.

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Piano Trends is proud to have someone the caliber and talent of Jason Bruno. Jason assists Piano Trends with all things related to piano and other departments. Stop in to meet Jason and the rest of our friendly staff anytime. Jason teaches as well in our studio conducting classes in piano and Saxophones, alto, tenor, and bari. He also is our step up and professional band and string instrument expert whether you are looking for an new instrument or just need advice.  Jason was raised in Crystal Lake and studied piano with Steve Szalaj for 8 years. His love of music and piano performance led him to play in many talent shows, recitals and competitions. After high school Jason went to college and studied jazz performance on Alto saxophone. In 2001 and 2002 he worked as a teacher and piano sales associate at Piano Trends. 

Tom Vos - Violin, Voice, Piano, Percussion, Drums, Viola, Cello,

A graduate of the music school at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois and has worked as a freelance professional musician for more than 20 years. Tom began his musical journey at the age of three, studying the Suzuki violin method with Betty Haag-Kuhnke. Tom then studied violin with Dr. Eugene Gratovich for a few years, and in 1984, he was introduced to the viola by his third violin teacher, Dr. Milton Goldberg. While a student at DePaul University, Tom studied violin with Mark Zinger and also successfully completed Suzuki violin teaching training for books 1-3 with Judy Yamada and Margery Aber at the Chicago Suzuki Institute. After receiving his Bachelor of Music with a double major of violin performance and jazz studies, Tom attended the University of Southern California from 1993 to 1994, enrolled in the prestigious "Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television" program. While participating in the program, he was awarded the Harry Warren Memorial Scholarship (first prize) for film music composition. Over the course of his professional career, Tom has recorded on every major scoring stage in Hollywood and has participated in both Grammy and Academy Award winning projects. He has extensive experience both performing and recording, including commercial music, film and television scores, live concerts, appearances in films and television shows, and several national and international tours. He is also a member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers and Publishers) and has received the ASCAP Popular Music Award (or “ASCAPlus”) numerous times since first receiving the award 1998. As a composer, Tom’s original compositions have been published by The Pilgrim Press (United Church of Christ) and soon a catalog of his works will be available through his own publishing company, Celestial Breath Publishing (www.celestialbreathpublishing.com). In his free time, Tom enjoys writing poetry, creating collages, and volunteers with his dog Fritz as a therapy dog team at local retirement communities.

 Adela is one of our most popular voice instructors. Adela is a Graduate of Roosevelt University with a Masters Degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy. She currently also works with many High School choirs and students preparing them for college and play auditions. From classic to broadway Adela is experienced and well qualified from beginners to advanced. Adela Has been teaching at Piano Trends Music since 2000. Many of the Schools Adela works with teaching at include: Jacob High School, Wauconda High School, Dundee Crown High School, Woodstock High School, Carmel High School and Morton West High School. Adela is also the choir conductor at Zion Methodist Church and has been in that capacity since 1996. Having Earned numerous Music Scholoarships in undergraduate and graduate school, Adela has performed at many different venues including Richard Miller Master Class, Concordia University Guest Faculty Recital, Cuneo Museum, Daley Plaza, and many joint recitals. We are proud to have Adela as part of our Piano Trends Family. click on Adela's name for more info

 -- Christine is a valuable and experienced piano and flute instructor here at Piano Trends. Chris works with both Children and adults and she takes her music and dedication to her students seriously.Chris is also an accomplished Flutist where her music degree is.  Call to check Christine's schedule availability.

Corrin Littlefield - Piano and Flute

Corrin earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Millikin University, where she played in the Wind Ensemble. Corrin has played flute for thirteen years and piano for approximately eleven years where she started right here at Piano Trends Music as a child.  She played flute throughout college and piano through her junior year.  Corrin teaches music at Crstal Lake Montessori School during the day. Teaching is her passion and she hopes to instill a love for music into all of her students. Call for avaiable times 

Todd Skaronea - Guitar Ukulele

Todd joins the Piano Trends Staff bringing  performance and teaching experience to our studioes. he loves working with children and adults alike. ..

Lisa Perfors Violin/Cello

Piano Trends Music is proud to introduce Lisa Perfors to our teaching staff. Lisa received her Bachelor of Music in 2014 from Eastern Illinois University. She will be teaching Violin, Viola and Cello and has performing experience with both the Eastern Symphony Orchestra and Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra. Call us for Lisa's teaching availability 

Collin Berg Guitar Ukuele Instructor

  Collin Berg has been part of the Piano Trends Staff for several years  Collin teaches all styles of guitar and also instructs ukulele as well. He currently has his own band The Phonographs and runs his own recording studio. He plays in Beatle cover bands playing the John Lennon part to perfection.

Kathleen Mitchell is a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University with a degree in Music Education. Kathleen in addition to teaching in the Piano Trends Music Studios teaches music in School District 300. She is a member of CorCor Horn performers and is a terrific beginning to advanced horn instructor. We are proud to have her on our staff For more information click on Kathleen's name above to send us an email for more information...

Adam Brown Instructor of Trombone, Tuba, Trumpet Piano and most band instruments

Adam Brown also holds a position as a music teacher instructing strings and band students in District 300 Lake in the Hills.Adam has his bachelor of music degree from Northern Illinois University in Dekalb where he majored in music education instrumental/band. Adam teaches private students in the Piano Trends Studio in piano, trombone, clarinet, alto sax, bari sax, tuba.

Aldren Briones is a vocal performance student with piano as a secondary instrument at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb. Aldren works as a Children's music director with Children's theatre of Elgin, Arts Center of St. Charles and also works as accompanist and worsip leader for FIL-AM Baptist Church. Aldren is proficient in teaching both voice and piano in the Piano Trends Studios. Feel free to call or email for more information by clicking on Aldren's name above. ...

John Benedeck is a Western Illinois Grad and also works for AM-560 The Answer in Chicago as a producer. John has been teaching and performing at events for Piano Trends for several years. He has experience and background to help all beginners advance. John is a local who studied choir under Derek Galvicius at McHenry High School.