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Bio

 

 

        Irene Zissis ia an accomplished pianist and piano/vocalist who has over 25 years of performance experience, both in the Chicago area and internationally. Her vast repertoire includes: jazz, light classical, pop/rock, movie themes, show tunes, wedding music, holiday and theme music, and new age. A second generation pianist and piano teacher, Irene began lessons at the age of 4 under Masters of Music DePaul graduate, and long-time piano teacher, Kathryn Zissis, her mother. Irene continued her music education at the University  of IL at Chicago. After graduating, she studied extensively at the American Conservatory of of Music under virtuoso pianist, Frank Caruso. She both perfected her musicianship and acquired further valuable teaching skills under his exceptional tutelage. A partial list of her performance experience includes bookings at:

 

 

                                                      (*indicates 1 year booking; **inicates 2 year booking)

 

 

 

 

The Palmer House Hotel                                                The Sofitel Hotel

 

The Drake Hotel                                                             **The Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Hotel

                                                                

*The Ambassador West Hotel                                         **The Renaissance Chicago Hotel

 

The Chicago Hilton Hotel                                               The O'Hare Hilton

 

*The Hotel Intercontinental                                           **The Hyatt Regency Hotel O'Hare

 

**The Knickerbocker Hotel                                             The Waldorf Astoria

 

The Hyatt Regency Chicago Hotel                                  The Omni Chicago Hotel

 

The Westin Chicago Hotel                                              **The Hamilton Stouffer Hotel, Itasca, IL           

 

*The Westin Hotel O'Hare                                               **The Hilton Orrington Hotel, Evanston, IL

 

*The Park Hyatt Hotel                                                    Drury Lane Banquets

                                                     

Swissotel                                                                      The Whitehall Hotel

 

The Tremont Hotel                                                        The Talbot Hotel

 

 

 

 

 

                       The Manza Beach Resort Hotel, Okinawa, Japan - 4 months  

 

                       The Nagano Metropolitan Hotel, Nagano, Japan - 4 months

 

                       The Hotel Reisen, Stockholm, Sweden - 6 months

 

                       Princess Cruise Lines in the Mediterranean - 6 months

 

 

 

 

        Irene Zissis has also provided elegant piano and piano/vocal entertainment for hundreds of private and public events including wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions, fundraisers, corporate parties, business events, grand openings, cocktail parties, holiday parties and other funtions. A partial list of clients includes:

 

 

Trump Tower                                                                     

                                                                                                                The Ritz Carlton Hotel

The Signaure Room  at the 95th,                                       

John Hancock Center                                                         Highland Park Country Club

 

Chicago Cultural Center                                                     Chateau Ritz

 

The Field Museum                                                             Hotel Allegro

 

The University Club                                                           Phil Stefani's Restaurant

 

The Fairmont Hotel                                                           Rosewood Restaurant

 

The Newberry Library                                                        Hilton Gardens Oak Brook, IL

 

The Four Seasons Hotel                                                    Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro

 

The 99th Floor at Willis Tower                                          Fountain Blue Banquets

 

The Peninsula Hotel                                                          Kenilworth Club, Kenilworth, IL                                                     

Raffello Hotel                                                                    Modern Wing At The Art Institutue of Chicago

                                                    

 

                                                                              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Partial List of International Bookings

 

 

 

 

      Irene Zissis has taught piano to children age 5  - adults for over 20 years, and maintains both an active performance and teaching schedule. The essential goal of her teaching philosophy is to give her students the life-long joy of making music.To accomplish this, students must first acquire competence in theory and proper technique. Artistic expression and creativity are then developed. To progress, students must practice daily. Focused practice, even for 10 or 15 minutes every day is more important than longer, unfocused practice. Duration of practice depends on the student's age, level and goals. Children require parental involvement to oversee daily practice and to ensure that the student is practicing assignments correctly. Irene's teaching style is encouraging, patient, thorough, challenging, detailed, creative, nurturing, engaging, and fun. Her approach is flexible and suited to the needs, abilities, interests, and objectives of each student. A variety of styles are taught, which include classical, jazz, pop, rock, folk, movie themes and  new age. Irene beleives in a well-rounded teaching method which also incorporates ear-traing, chording, improvisation, song-writing and music history.

      Irene has also taught piano at Chicago's renowned Old Town School Of Folk Music for 4 years. There, she  taught both private piano to children and adults as well as group piano to young children age 4 - 7. In addition, she instructed teen and adult singers to accompany themselves on piano using chords.

     Along with her career as a performer and an independent music teacher, Irene  studied  psychology, including child psychology, and visual arts. She also earned a Certificate In Creative Arts For Young Children at Harper College, Palatine IL.. She uses her psychology background to determine each student's personality and learning style. When teaching young children, Irene incorporates visual arts and games to enhance musical concepts.  Irene has an excellent rapport with children.                                                                                                      As mentioned above, those who enjoy singing can learn to accompany themselves with piano chords. As an adjunct to reading notated music, students can learn their favorite songs by playing the melody in the right hand and chords in the left hand by learning to read chord symbols. 

     Irene's experience also includes teaching piano to seniors in assisted living residences, and providing piano entertainment and sing-a-longs for them.

     Irene's continuing education includes Piano Masters classes and teaching courses through professional associations. She is a member of Music Teachers National, Chicago Area Music Teachers Association, Piano Teachers Federation and Music Teachers Network.

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