Brendan Frank is a Chicago-based musician, educator, songwriter, and performer. While maintaining a rigorous teaching and performing schedule, Brendan has performed sold-out concerts across the United States and internationally. Some of his notable appearances include: House of Blues Chicago, Metro Chicago, National Underground NYC, Opryland Nashville, and a special solo performance in Busan South Korea. He has also appeared on the morning news programs for ABC7 Chicago, WGN Chicago, and WBEZ’s Morning Shift. He is well versed in several styles of music including rock, jazz, acoustic, country, blues, and classical.
In 2010, Brendan began as the Director of Bands at Antioch Upper Grade School in Antioch, IL. There, he inspired students to be lifelong patrons of the arts through a performance-centered instrumental program. He grew student involvement in the band program from 98 students in 2010 to 187 students in 2023, and bands under his direction were recognized at the county and state level for their excellence. In addition to his duties as band director, he also reestablished an extracurricular Jazz Band, designed and implemented a two-tiered guitar program for the students of Antioch Upper Grade, and initiated a brand-new Music Technology and Composition course that used iPads as the primary instrument. Brendan maintains a passion for music education and is an active educator and clinician in the Chicago suburbs.
Brendan has been studying guitar and trumpet since he got his start as a musician in 1997. He graduated from John Hersey High School in 2006 and attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study Instrumental Music Education. At Illinois, Brendan was an active member in several performing groups including the Jazz Guitar Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Marching Illini, and British Brass Band. He is an alumni of the Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity.
From July 2016-June 2017 Brendan took a sabbatical leave from public school teaching and worked as a Guest English Teacher in South Korea. He returned to the Chicagoland area in July 2017 and is continuing his work as a musician and music educator. You can read about his experience abroad here.
Brendan finished his Masters in Music Education through Eastern Illinois University in July 2022. Throughout his coursework Brendan has stayed active in recording sessions, public performances, and private events. You can book Brendan for an event using the Contact page above.
