Hello!
Hello! My name is Colleen Mahal, and I’m one of the instructors at UP Music. I've has been a K-12 music educator for over sixteen years. I'm a professional musician and have performed throughout the United States. Originally from California, I moved to Chicago in 2022. Fun fact, I'm a three time Grammy award winning vocalist and I perform classical music well as jazz and blues. In addition to singing, I plays piano and ukulele. My favorite hobbies are cooking and traveling. I'm excited to be a part of the UP Music team!
My Story
What was your first experience in music?
My first musical experience was learning to sing "You are my Sunshine" with my father, who would sing the harmony part while I sang the melody.
What instruments do you play, and which one is your primary expertise?
I play piano and ukulele, my primary area of expertise is voice and choir.
Have you performed professionally or collaborated with any notable musicians or ensembles?
I have performed with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. I recorded an album with SFSO in 2009 which one three Grammy awards for Best Classical Album, Best Sound Engineering and Best Choral Performance.
Can you share any success stories or testimonials from your previous students?
I had a middle school piano student who eventually went on to study at the Julliard School of Music.
If money was no option, what dream vacation would you go on?
A trip around the world for two years.
What do you do when you’re not teaching?
I love to cook and watch movies!
Contact
Email me for any questions about your student/our class! I also use the app Class Dojo for important announcements and updates; if you haven't yet been invited to my class through the app, please email me!
Email - mahal@strivingupmusic.com
Phone - 331-462-0776