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.
Shane Skidmore - Owner & Instructor
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 a number of renowned artists and groups, 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 (feat. Geno Lenardo from Filter, Device, Chevelle), Cage9 (feat. members of Powerman 5000), and Smells Like Nirvana (feat. Paul Wandtke of Trivium), to name a few.
Joe Babiak - Instructor
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.
Eileen Doan - Instructor
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.
Chano Cruz - Instructor
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.