(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Walk by a garden level condo in Lincoln Square, and you'll likely hear plenty of music.
In one room, Alan Lewis works with adult student Mo Ulicny on her electric guitar. On this day, she's working to compose and produce her own music.
"Alan has been working with me to turn these little ukulele songs into full-blown songs and then recording them and listening for harmonies and other parts and doing the whole thing on Garage Band which has been wonderful," Ulicny said smiling.
"It's fun to do this as an adult, because it's an incredible creative endeavor and your mother isn't asking you to practice, you're doing it because you want to do it."
In another room, Gwen Lewis works with Conner McMahon, 14, as he perfects his version of “Separate Ways” by Journey.
"Let's work a little bit on the improvised parts," Gwen directed.
"I love piano. I started in 2nd grade. I love doing it. It's amazing to finally get it right and finally get the right notes," said Conner, whose little brother Ryan,10, plays as well.
"I've been playing since I was 4. I used to play the violin too. I've learned so much here. I play classical music," Ryan said.
Together, Alan and Gwen are Major Keys Music Studio.
"Primarily we teach voice, piano, guitar but we also teach ukulele, bass guitar, music production. How to perform, how to audition, performance is a big part of it," Alan Lewis said.
The studio is a collaboration years in the making, after both musicians spent years performing all over the world and together in Wedding Band.
"That's how we met, in Wedding Band and we were colleagues and friends for years before we got married. I was in Vertigo, a U2 cover and for years and we traveled the world."
Gwen Lewis, a teacher by trade, studied classical piano, majored in music in college and is a keyboardist and vocalist in various bands around Chicago.
Now, they share their experience and love for the arts with adults and children alike.
"Yeah, I lived the rock star life for a long time," he said laughing. "I never thought I'd be teaching back then but one night, we were talking about what was possible and we just looking around here and thought, hmm, we could do this. Let's make a plan for our life that is filled with love and music in our own home."
In a time where the arts are sometimes on the chopping block in public schools, the Lewis know what they do is crucial.
"I think it's amazing to have public music education but we can't always control where the funding goes, we can't always control the opportunities these kids have, so by creating a safe space for kids and their families,” Gwen said.
This year, Major Keys Music Studio celebrates five years in business: nearly 10,000 lessons, hundreds of students and countless rewarding moments.
"There's so many ways to incorporate music in your life. It's our favorite thing to find what strikes a chord with people quite literally makes them come alive because that's what motivates them, and that's what creates this community and keeps everyone coming back,” Gwen said.
"It's such a wonderful thing to help people make their own music, have their own voice and tap into their own emotions through music, and that's really, really rewarding work," Alan said.
For their students and their parents, Major Keys has made all the difference in their lives.
"They've grown so much in their confidence. Instead of sitting down to practice, they sit down to play on their own and I don't even have to tell them to," laughed Katie McMahon, Conner and Ryan's mother.
"Gwen keeps it exciting and fun, not like the piano teachers I had when I was a kid."
Students perform in two recitals each year.
The musicians and married couple say their next chapter is one they've been working on for awhile.
"We just released our first EP in October, we've got another EP dropping very soon, we have another single coming up very soon," Gwen said. "I'm really excited to perform and release music from our new band, Love More Fearless, and we're excited to perform as husband and wife. It's our time to shine."
"We've been making music through the pandemic, the last five years but now we feel it's time to get it out there and enjoy," Alan said.
Alan and Gwen Lewis, Major Keys Music Studio, and a community of creatives – a match made in music heaven, Made in Chicago.
"We show up as ourselves and we're really authentic and genuine and we've built this incredible community around us. Our students realize music is their superpower and they keep taking more lessons. It's an opportunity to express themselves. We let our students guide their own journey and encourage them to find their own path that makes their heart sing."
For more information about Major Keys Music Studio and Gwen and Alan's music, visit the Major Keys Music Studio website or Facebook page and listen to their new EP on their YouTube page.
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