VanderCook College of Music
Faculty & Staff
Anthony Kidonakis
Director of Jazz Studies
- Bio
- Education
- Courses
- Publications
- Media
Anthony Kidonakis joined the faculty of VanderCook in the Fall of 2009. He earned his bachelor of music education from Northern Illinois University, studying saxophone with distinguished research professor Steve Duke. Professor Kidonakis performed and recorded with the NIU Wind Ensemble under the direction of Stephen Squires, and toured the United States and Europe with the world-renowned NIU Jazz Ensemble and legends such as Benny Golson, Curtis Fuller, Jimmy Heath, Ed Thigpen, Frank Foster and Wynton Marsalis under the direction of Ronald Carter.
Professor Kidonakis maintains an active performance schedule with numerous local musicians and has worked with recording artists such as The Drifters, Gene “The Duke of Earl” Chandler, and The Cryan Shames, including a guest appearance with The Redwalls on NBC’s Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He taught band for five years in Downers Grove Grade School District 58, and is the composer for the Paideia Projects, a series of video documentaries on the contributions of Ancient Greece to Western civilization. Professor Kidonakis earned his master of music education from VanderCook College of Music in 2009, and a Master of Wind Performance and Literature from Northwestern University in 2012, studying saxophone with and serving as a teaching assistant for Dr. Frederick L. Hemke.