About John
John has been teaching private piano lessons for over 25 years. He began his teaching career with Ortigara's Musicville in Chicago Ridge, where he taught from 1988-2006, followed by Beautiful Music in Downers Grove until 2009. John began teaching lessons out of his home studio in 2003, where he now teaches full-time. One of John's favorite things about teaching today is working interactively with the computer. Students can play along with an "electronic orchestra" (the computer) from their first lesson. John is particularly excited about his latest addition to the studio, a Yamaha acoustic piano. For those interested in starting their own studio, John has occasionally given lessons concerning music software.
In addition to teaching, John O'Keefe has been a professional musician for over 25 years. His career began in 1982 with Our Lady of the Snows Parish in Chicago, as an organist for weekend church services. Over the years John has performed regularly at several fine dining establishments in the Chicagoland area, including Nikos Restaurant in Bridgeview (12 years), and the Country Squire located in Gurnee (3 years), as well as many of the areas hotel and banquet halls for private/public functions. John's current role as one of the Music Directors at St. Symphorosa Parish in Chicago keep John busy by playing weekend mass services as well as the musician for wedding & funerals performed at the church.
About Sue
Sue is a full time music teacher at St. Symphorosa and St. Rene elementary schools. She and John have been performing together since 1999. They began working together at Our Lady of the Snows Church. With Sue's experience singing in a band for many years, John and Sue began working outside of the church playing private parties for Christmas and New Year's Eve at Nikos Restaurant in Bridgeview, where John had been playing for many years. Sue began joining John at Nikos by singing on Friday nights and special holiday performances on Valentine's Day and Sweetest Day. Sue's performance career includes time spent singing for church services, part of a music band, and at area dining establishments and private engagements.
Sue served as choir director from 1998-2000 at Our Lady of the Snows, and in 2000 moved to St. Symphorosa with John to serve as a Director of Music at St. Symphorosa, a position she currently holds today. As Directors of Music, John and Sue have the privilege of working with many dedicated and talented people. They work together with the Adult Choir which sings every Sunday at the 9:30am mass, as well as special occasions including Confirmation, Graduation, and First Holy Communion. Sue also works with the Children's Choir, which sings at Christmas and Easter time.
In addition to their work at St. Symphorosa, John and Sue have also served as music ministers for weddings throughout the Chicago area. Please visit the Performance page to check their schedule to find out when you can meet and hear them live!