Guitar Lessons | Corey Willis Guitar Teacher

Guitar & Ukulele Lessons in Elmhurst, IL

Corey Willis Music Instruction

Corey Willis is a versatile and accomplished educator and performer with over 20 years of experience. Widely recognized as a premier guitar and ukulele teacher in Elmhurst, IL, Corey is a trusted resource for students of all ages and skill levels throughout DuPage County.

Corey’s musical journey began at age 12, evolving into a career dedicated to mastering rock, jazz, classical, Latin American, and contemporary worship music. He has honed his craft under the mentorship of world-renowned musicians such as Steve Ramsdell, John Abercrombie, and Fareed Haque, and furthered his studies through jazz workshops at Benedictine University.

A passionate performer, Corey has spent nearly a decade performing seasonal solo guitar concerts, bringing diverse global compositions to the public. His performance resume spans from the Elmhurst Art Museum and Tannin’s Wine Bar to wedding ceremonies and wineries throughout Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay. His work with Classical Revolution-Chicago highlights his commitment to making classical chamber music accessible to the community.

A Personalized Approach to Learning Corey is a patient and engaging instructor, offering specialized ukulele lessons for beginners alongside his established guitar curriculum. Whether you are a senior looking to pick up the ukulele as a new hobby, or a student of any age aiming to master classical guitar, Corey’s teaching style is inclusive, adaptive, and encouraging.

With two decades of experience in contemporary worship music ministry, Corey also has a deep understanding of R&B, pop, and modern styles. He utilizes a seamless teaching approach that uses sight-reading as a foundation to integrate rhythm, melody, and technique. By combining strong music theory with practical play, Corey tailors every lesson to the individual goals of his students, ensuring a fun and rewarding musical journey.

"We have been lucky enough to have Corey as our son's teacher for 5 years. We have had him teach both in-person and remotely (through the pandemic) and we were so surprised at how effective he is at both! Wonderful communication skills and his knowledge and love for music translate into every lesson. He has a nice mix of music theory and high interest songs that keep my child completely invested in lessons. Corey is a wonderful teacher and I would strongly recommend him."

~Diane Gutterman

"Corey is an awesome teacher. My two boys have been learning the guitar from him for a while now.
They both enjoy his classes.
One of my sons has special needs. Corey is very patient with him and moves him along based on his abilities and still keeps it fun.
He is also very interesting with a lot of stories to tell of his extensive travels."

~Najwa Zafar

"Corey is super personable and has been a truly great guitar teacher for us. My son has been working with Corey for many years now and continues to enjoy every single lesson! We highly recommend him."

~Colleen Sinson

"I've been taking lessons from Corey for 3 years. He is very patient with me as an adult learner. I have learned to read music along with numerous classical guitar techniques. I'm not a great player but Corey always encourages me to keep going and reminds me of how far I've come. Highly recommend!"

~Lisa Narducy

ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS

Guitar Books and stuff

Fun and Educational Animal Books by Corey Henni

Teaching Philosophy & Method

For over 25 years, I have specialized in the "A Modern Approach to Classical Guitar" method. In my experience, this remains the gold standard for mastering fingerstyle guitar and building a professional foundation.

What makes this method unique is its versatility; it seamlessly integrates core rudiments—including rhythm, sight-reading, and advanced technique—into a curriculum that benefits students of all genres, from classical to contemporary pop. Whether you are a beginner picking up the instrument for the first time or an advanced player looking to refine your skill set, this approach provides the clarity and structure needed to reach the next level.

Expanding Your Skills: Ukulele Lessons In addition to my core guitar curriculum, I apply these same foundational principles to ukulele lessons. By focusing on proper technique and musical literacy from day one, I help students of all ages transition smoothly from basic chords to playing their favorite songs with confidence.