Accompanying yourself, singing and playing piano at once, feels impossible until someone shows you how to build the two skills and then weave them together. That’s exactly what these lessons do, whether you’re a singer who wants to back yourself up or a pianist who wants to find your voice. In-person at the studio in Ukrainian Village, or online via Zoom.
Voice student? Book a free 15-min call →
Not ready to book? Email Nick directly →
We build the playing and the singing as their own skills first, then layer them: simple accompaniment patterns under a melody, keeping a groove while you sing, and the independence that lets your hands run on autopilot so your voice is free. It’s methodical, and it’s very learnable.
Lessons are shaped around your songs and your goals, whether that’s singer-songwriter material, jazz standards at the piano, worship, or cocktail-style playing and singing. As a working pianist and singer myself, this is one of my favorite things to teach.
Adults and serious teens at any level. Singers who want to accompany themselves, pianists who want to add their voice, and total beginners who want both from the start are all welcome.
Lessons are private, 50 minutes, Monday through Thursday, 3 to 9pm. Pricing runs from a single lesson ($125) to the Semester Pack ($1,600 for 16); many start with the 4-Lesson Pack at $450.
Taught by Nick Olynciw, a working Chicago pianist, organist, and singer, in a real instrument-filled studio.
No. We can start from either side, or from zero on both. The lessons are built to bring the two together at whatever pace fits you.
It feels hard until it’s broken into steps, then it clicks. We build each skill separately before combining them, which is what makes it work.
Whatever you love, singer-songwriter, pop, jazz standards, worship, and more. Your repertoire drives the lessons.
“He always provides repertoire that matches your current level while still challenging you to grow technically and musically. Excellent at guiding students through improvisation in a way that feels approachable and rewarding.”
“He’s done an amazing job at building my skills and understanding from the ground up. He paces what I am learning very well so that it can feel challenging but doable.”
“Nicholas was my daughter’s voice teacher. He’s very perceptive at quickly getting to know a student as a unique individual.”
The studio holds 24 weekly lesson times. When fall enrollment opens, the list hears first, before ads, before anyone else.
One or two emails before fall. No spam, ever.