Meet our Teachers

Voice and Piano

Anna Donnelly is an accomplished classical soprano and teaching artists based in Chicago, Illinois. In her professional singing career, she has performed with Chicago Opera Theater, Bloomington Chamber Opera, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and Miami Music Festival. Anna holds Bachelors and Masters degrees from the prestigious Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana where she studied with the esteemed Heidi Grant Murphy. While at IU, Anna performed in numerous opera productions and concerts. Some notable credits with IU Opera Theater include Gretel in Hänsel und Gretel, Drusilla in L’Incoronazione di Poppea, and Soeur Constance in Dialogues des Carmelites. Other recent credits are Pamina in Die Zauberflöte, and Gianetta in L’Elisir d’Amore. In January 2023, Anna was granted an Encouragement Award from the prestigious Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition. With a particular interest in voice science, Anna holds a Graduate Certificate in Vocology from Indiana University.

With half a decade of teaching experience, Anna has developed a teaching philosophy that is focused on the unique needs of the student and always fostering a love of music and singing. Anna welcomes students of all ages and skill levels. In the past, Anna has helped students successfully audition for leading roles in their school musicals as well as go on to pursue music at a collegiate level.

Woodwinds and Composition

Jimmy Farace is an award winning woodwind instrumentalist and composer in Chicago, Illinois. During his high school career, Jimmy was recognized in the ILMEA All-State Jazz and All-State Concert Bands. After graduation, Jimmy was awarded a full tuition scholarship to the prestigious Indiana University Jacobs School of Music to pursue a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance. In his final year of his undergraduate studies, Jimmy Farace earned a spot in the Disneyland All-American College Band. Jimmy currently works in a plethora of musical genres on many woodwind instruments including saxophone, flute and clarinet.

Honed with nearly a decade of teaching experience, Jimmy’s educational philosophy focuses on the individual needs of each student to create a unique lesson plan for a positive music experience and beneficial education. Jimmy is passionate about teaching beginners and advanced students alike - whether that means working through fun covers of popular songs, or diving into advanced repertoire! Jimmy has helped students successfully audition into collegiate music programs, as well as ILMEA concert and jazz bands and is excited to help you achieve your dreams!