Lise Gilly, a native of the D.C. area, received her Bachelor’s degree in Music/Music Ed from the University of Miami, Florida. She then relocated to Chicago where she received her Master’s in Music Performance from Roosevelt University where she studied with members of the Lyric Opera Chicago and the Chicago Symphony.  Upon graduating, she was hired as the Performing Arts department chair at the prestigious Lincoln Park High School for the Arts. Her performing arts team enjoyed a spot as one of the top four Illinois high school music departments from 2008—2015.

In addition to being an educator, Ms. Gilly is a Grammy voting member and freelance musician in many styles including Latin Jazz/Salsa, Indie Rock, Blues and Classical. Notable groups she has performed with are: The Civic Orchestra of Chicago(the Chicago Symphony’s training orchestra), Chicago Music Award winners Carpacho y su Super Combo and Girl Group Chicago;  Latin Grammy winner Sones de Mexico and International Blues act, Nigel Mack and the Blues Attack.  She also appeared as a musician on the FOX TV hit Empire.

Ms Gilly also leads her own band, Grupo Cha Cha, aka the lovely ladies of Latin Jazz.  Their two CD releases “Direcciones” and “This is the Life” filled with original compositions by the ladies, has worldwide airplay on the radio and internet. Their many live performances include Summer Concert Series at the Morton Arboretum, Shedd Aquarium, the Chicago Latin Jazz Festival, Chicago Women in Jazz series, Morton Grove Park District, Hothouse Chicago and WGN- TV CHICAGO’s noon news.

Grupo Cha Cha also has an All-Ages Interactive show called “Latin Adventure” where participants learn basic dance steps and play along to music using authentic Latin Hand Percussion. They were also one of the featured bands at the Chicago and Washington DC National Flute Conventions where Ms. Gilly was on the Women Composers panel as well.

Ms. Gilly goes between Chicago and South Florida where she teaches music and enjoys freelance playing in both locales.