Des Plaines Park District

Des Plaines Music Academy Instructors

Mick Archer

Classically trained (American Conservatory, University of Illinois, B. A., Masters Program in Music Liturgy/St. Joseph College), Archer has established a career that encompasses Blues, Jazz, Rock, Celtic, Liturgical, Country and Folk/Americana music as pianist, singer, guitarist, songwriter and band leader. He has performed in many styles and genres throughout metropolitan Chicago, across the US, in Japan, Holland, Germany, Ireland, England, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Finland and Norway. Currently Mick has recorded 4 albums and leads THE BLUES 88’s. As an opening act, he’s worked with Ray Charles, Jay Leno, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Styx, Ted Nugent and The Dells, and as a sideman with The Drifters, The Platters, Tito Puente, Sugar Blue, Bill Acosta, Milt Trenier and Red Holt. On top of that Mick has also had a distinguished career as a teacher at The Old Town School of Folk Music, The City Colleges Of Chicago, Park Ridge Park District, Family Piano/Waukegan, and for many years in his own studio in The Fine Arts Building in Chicago’s South Loop.

Alexis is a songwriter and a composer of her own music who has been performing since the age of eight. She’s been playing piano for 8yrs. Alexis is classically and contemporarily trained Soprano 1 vocalist. Throughout many years, she has gained extensive knowledge in key music components, such as vocal and breathing techniques, harmony, pitch, scales, arpeggios, posture, chord structure, sight-reading, and theory. Alexis has dedicated her life to this craft, because she finds enjoyment and passion in music. There is never a dull moment when you are doing what you love.

Administrative & Leisure Center2222 Birch Street • 847-391-5700

Golf Center Des Plaines353 N. River Road • 847-803-GOLF

Lake Park Golf Course & Marina1015 Howard Avenue • 847-391-5730

Mountain View Adventure Center510 E. Algonquin Road • 847-391-5733

Mystic Waters2025 Miner Street • 847-391-5740

Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center515 E. Thacker Street • 847-390-4949

Prairie Lakes Community Center515 E. Thacker Street • 847-391-5711