Our Team
Shane Skidmore
I hold a music performance degree from Columbia College Chicago and founded Rock Hands Music while working as a touring, writing, and recording guitarist. When the pandemic hit in 2020 and live performances came to a halt, I shifted my focus to full-time teaching and I absolutely love it. My mission is to provide high-quality and enjoyable music instruction, whether in your Chicago / Oak Park home, our studio space in Oak Park or online.
Owner & Instructor
Joe Babiak
Joe is an accomplished professional drummer with a degree in music. His extensive career in Chicago, L.A., and Europe has allowed him to perform, record, and tour with renowned artists, including: David Ellefson (Megadeth), Frank Bello (Anthrax), Todd Kerns (SLASH), Andy DeLuca (James LaBrie, Symphony X), Martin Motnik (Accept, Uli Jon Roth), Kill Hannah (Atlantic Records), Michael Angelo Batio (Manowar, Nitro, Holland), South of Earth (ft. Geno Lenardo from Filter, Device, Chevelle), Cage9 (ft. members of Powerman 5000), and Smells Like Nirvana (ft. Paul Wandtke of Trivium).
Instructor
Eileen Doan
Eileen is an actor, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter who has worked in Chicago, New York, Maine, Vermont, North Carolina, California, New Zealand, and more.
She started playing the piano in elementary school and picked up guitar, violin, drums, and other instruments along the way. She graduated from the University of Kentucky with a double major in Political Science and Psychology and is now a professional actor-musician in theatres across the country.
Instructor
Chano Cruz
Chano is a full-time performing and touring bassist residing in Chicago. He’s primarily known for being the bassist of The Stephen Hull Experience, a blues trio playing all around the world. Chano has been playing music since he was 9 years old and turned music into his life. He also plays piano and guitar. On top of performing with multiple bands in the Chicago area, Chano has a passion for teaching and sharing knowledge from his musical endeavors.
Instructor
Julian Daniell
Julian is a drummer, percussionist, and multi-instrumentalist who’s been teaching and performing around Chicago for over 10 years. After earning his bachelor’s degree in music from Columbia College Chicago in 2015, he has played with a wide range of local and touring acts, appeared on dozens of albums and singles, and written, recorded, and performed his own original music. Julian teaches drums, guitar, piano, voice, and songwriting.
Instructor
K Chinthana Sotakoun
K Chinthana Sotakoun has been singing professionally since they were 13 in a rock band with their dad. Since then, they have toured the world singing on cruise ships and as a regional musical theatre performer. K Chinthana is a singer/songwriter who makes indie rock. They have been teaching for the last four years and have been independently studying vocal pedagogy and anatomy for the last ten. They love to help students of all ages and abilities find their unique voice and reach new heights they didn't think possible.
Instructor
Ethan Stalbaum
Ethan is a highly acclaimed professional guitarist with a passion for sharing his love for all things music. New to the Chicagoland area, Ethan earned his Master's Degree in Jazz Guitar Performance from the University of North Texas, where he held the guitar chair in the Grammy nominated One O'Clock Lab Band. His years of performing around the DFW Metroplex led him to performing regularly with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, touring with Country and CCM artists, and being an in demand recording artist. His teaching philosophy is to make music fun, engaging, and allow students to express themselves in a low pressure environment.
Instructor