Private Lessons & Coaches in Hillside, IL

Hi my name is Horacio Hernandez! I’m a guitarist and educator with a bachelor’s degree in Guitar Performance and Music Education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. This educational background has not only provided me with formal teaching qualifications but also a deep appreciation for the transformative power of music in education. My training spans classical, jazz, rock, and more. I’ve worked with students of all levels—from complete beginners to advanced players preparing for auditions or performances. Whether you’re learning your first chords, exploring improvisation, or diving into theory and composition, I’ll create a custom lesson plan that keeps you inspired, challenged, and making real progress. My approach is tailored to each student’s goals, whether you’re a complete beginner, an aspiring songwriter, or preparing for a performance or audition. As a teacher, I focus on building strong technique, ear training, and musicality, while always connecting lessons to the student’s personal goals and interests. I aim to make every session clear, engaging, and motivating, with custom lesson plans that help you build skills step by step. I’m here to support you through your musical journey and make sure you enjoy the process along the way.

Founder and CEO of Mitch's Fitness, a premiere training facility. I specialize in strength training, weightlifting, athletic performance, speed and agility, and overall fitness. My teaching style emphasizes proper technique, accountability, motivation, and personalized coaching to help students build confidence and achieve lasting results.Certified ISSA Personal Trainer and Strength & Conditioning Coach with experience coaching youth, high school, collegiate, and adult athletes.

With 22 years in combat sports and athlete development, I bring the kind of experience you can't teach—you earn it. I competed exclusively in the super heavyweight division, finishing my amateur kickboxing career at 12-0 before turning professional, where I went 3-0 in kickboxing and 1-0 in professional boxing. Along the way, I earned three championship titles: TCB Illinois State Amateur Champion (1997), TBC Windy City Champion (1998), and TCB Midwest Champion (1999). Beyond my own competition history, coaching is where I’ve built my legacy. I’ve trained and cornered dozens of male and female athletes across boxing, kickboxing, and MMA, helping them build confidence, sharpen technique, and step into the ring prepared to win. My approach is equal parts technical detail, discipline, and mindset development—because a fighter’s body follows where their belief leads. I’m not here just to teach punches and kicks. I’m here to develop competitors, leaders, and resilient athletes who know how to push through, get better, and show up like champions.

"I hesitate to give constructive critique via message. As we know, words are not always interpreted as intended. That being said, here we go: I have worked with 4 personal trainers over the years. IMO you are the best. You know how the body works, what we should be feeing and where we should feel it. You have shown me that the smallest tweak can make the biggest difference. You’ve been through some things and you also know how the body doesn’t work (injuries) and you are careful about that. I like your training style and if I am not being challenged, neither of us is doing our best. Thank you for not swearing during our sessions. Please don’t tell me I’ve done something well, when I can feel I haven’t. False “kudos” are not appreciated. I understand we live in a time where everyone expects “good job” just for breathing, but when a person who is critical tells me my form/technique was good, I can believe them. Thank you for reminding me to “get out of my head”, but sometimes I need to step back for a minute; take a pause to reset. We’ve had some heated discussions and I’m fine with that as long as we come to an understanding by the end of the session. We play hard and a few clashes are to be expected as long as we have respect. I hope to meet the corporate people next time they come in. I will tell them how I appreciate your knowledge and workout advice. Sorry. Not so short.

I have over 30 years coaching experience. I have trained high performance players who hit college scholarships , played ITF tournament with World Junior ranking of 100 Good in adults and pro players Cardio Tennis Good with kids PTR Coach Developer ITF and PTR certified Pro

Multi-instrumental musician, producer, and educator. I have been producing since 2018, and teaching drums, bass, and music production since 2021. - I’m Flexible & fluent in: Pro Tools Ableton, FL Studio, Logic. - I specialize in genres like Pop, Soul, RNB, hip hop/rap, rock, CCM, alternative. Let’s open up your projects, assess where you’re at already, where you wanna take it, and the approach to get there. There’s multiple ways to get there & everyone vibe’s differently. Let’s lock in.

I am a professional cellist and educator who has taught private cello lessons for ten years. I love teaching students of all ages and skill levels. Whether your goals are to play just for fun or to go pro, I will work with you to find an approach that suits your needs!

Learn!While!Having!Fun! Choose and learn whatever songs/music you prefer to learn or improve upon (your own songs and music included, if applicable), and I will learn them for our sessions. My guitar journey began uniquely at the age of 19 while taking Piano Lessons. I then became the lead singer of a band named Tension at the age of 24, who performed at such venues as Mutiny, The Underground Lounge, and the Elbo Room, as well as for parties and a wedding. I still play to this day with the guitarist James and his brother Seth I have also written and performed my own Spoken-Word rap and poetry since I was a teenager to this moment . From Classical to Rock, Pop, Opera, R&B, Rap/ Hip Hop, and everything in-between..I am well-versed and have written and performed many songs in. each of those genres. I(We) will begin by personalizing y(our) lessons based upon your goals and expectations.. while building both your confidence in yourself as an artist and performer... and in me.. as an instructor, brother, and friend. Thanks for your consideration, !Nicholas (Nicky P) Pancotto!

"Nick's Joyful Kindness, Encouragement, Willingness and Ability to Teach me exactly what I wanted to learn is why I'm sticking with him. He is GENUINELY kind and interested in My Goals 1st.. Our lessons are personalized and based around my goals as a performer and person!

I’ve been teaching for the past five years. I have a bachelor’s degree in education. I have five minors in English, history, physics, psychology, and writing from IU.

" As my teacher, you’ve pushed me to improve all aspects of my learning and given me invaluable advice. I am forever grateful for everything you’ve done for me and how you’ve helped me. Thank you for everything!!!

Music has the power to transform, and I'm passionate about guiding students on their own unique musical journeys. As a professional pianist with 10 years of experience teaching, I've helped countless individuals unlock their musical potential and find joy in the art of piano playing. Whether you're a complete beginner or seeking to refine your skills, I'm dedicated to fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment tailored to your needs and aspirations.

For two decades, I've cultivated a passion for piano in students of all levels. My professional performance experience informs my teaching, making lessons engaging, effective and tailored just to you! I perform and teach all styles of music from classical to jazz, R&B to hip-hop, folk to indie, and more! In addition to piano, I can help you learn composition, songwriting, production, arranging, and help with playing in a group! I am here to help you achieve whatever goal you are trying to accomplish, whether that's playing your favorite song, or becoming a concert pianist