Young Sheila Esquivel plays violin at The People’s Music School People’s alum Sheila Esquivel is an accomplished musician, educator, and scholar. Her current work as a Program Director of New England Conservatory’s BEAM program is a strong testament to her passion and her brilliance. But she never pictured herself being where she is today. “I probably never would have gone to college, and never would have had a career in classical music. If it had not been for People’s, for that program, I wouldn’t have been able to do all I did. It completely changed my life.” Early Passion for Music ..read more

The second is benefits. Music education comes third. Our mission requires us to be so much more than a free music school: We are an after-school provider, ensuring equitable access to high quality programming immediately after the bell rings. We are an education organization, with our program leading to gains in literacy, math and student engagement. We are a community institution, working with and empowering the families and communities we serve. Our students become so much more than musicians. Bryce at the Gary Comer Youth Center, our Greater South Side site, in 2018 One of my favo ..read more

Maybe you know the answer! But what exactly does Service, Leadership, Artistry, and Mentorship mean to students at The People’s Music School? Hear from our honors students, all members of the SLAM program at TPMS, about what SLAM means to them.  S is for Service “My friend Marlen and I are usually early to SLAM on Saturdays. We use this time to help our teacher Mr. Felix set up chairs and music stands for our Jazz Ensemble so we can start rehearsing as soon as possible!”  Youssef, SLAM bass    “My participation at TPMS began as an act of service this year when the J ..read more

CHICAGO, IL – The People’s Music School, Chicago’s largest completely tuition-free, intensive music education program (since 1976) is pleased to announce our first in-person Performapaloozathon since 2019, occurring on June 3, 2023 on the Northeastern Illinois University campus in Chicago. Performapaloozathon, the capstone performance experience of the school year for the school’s students, captures the spirit and celebrates the work of our intensive after-school programs. Each of our 600+ students has an opportunity to perform onstage for an audience of their peers, family members, communi ..read more

Left: Violin teaching artist and Learning and Teaching Associate Felipe Tobar Blanco and Saxophone teaching artist Sam Hight perform “Sweet Home Chicago” with SLAM Jazz Ensemble at Big Night 2023. Right: SLAM Jazz Ensemble conductor Felix Ponce conducts “Sweet Home Chicago.”  April is Jazz Appreciation Month! We asked three of our teaching artists who are jazz musicians what inspires them about jazz and why musicians and non-musicians alike should appreciate the genre. Read what Felipe Tobar Blanco, Felix Ponce, and Sam Hight have to say below. Q: What experience do you have learn ..read more

As we unite #ChicagoInHarmony at this year’s Big Night, The People’s Music School will honor The Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation, whose committed support has empowered our students and championed our school for many years. The Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation invests in community-based organizations across Chicago and beyond. Their focus on youth services and direct service providers shows just how important community is to the work they do. “We made a strategic decision to fund organizations that are on the ground providing direct service to people in their communities, recognizin ..read more

This month, we are celebrating several pioneering Black musicians and composers whose music is known and beloved at The People’s Music School. Take a listen to the four performances below, each performed by TPMS students. Press  Original piece by Devonté Hynes (@bloodorange), arr. Third Coast Percussion (@thirdcoastpercussion) Devonté Hynes, also known as Blood Orange, is an English musician who has produced and written songs with many famous pop musicians. But he’s a “polymath” artist: his work spans many genres and mediums, be it R&B, jazz improvisation, classical, dance, or f ..read more

To the families of The People’s Music School, It is such a joy to meet all of you! In my first week as President and Chief Executive Officer, I wanted to introduce myself and to share how grateful I am that you are all part of the People’s family. Over the past year of visiting our programs across the city, it has always thrilled me to hear our students hard at work. We can’t wait to see their performances at this month’s Winter Concerts! I myself took piano lessons from kindergarten through my senior year of high school. My parents always pushed me to stick with it, and today, I am so glad t ..read more

Miriam Goldberg Owens, President and Chief Executive Officer of The People’s Music School, has served on the organization’s leadership team since August 2021, joining as Chief Operating Officer. She became Chief of Development and Operations in April 2022, expanding the organization’s fundraising footprint while driving operational improvements. Owens enters the role with a wealth of senior leadership experience in the social and private sectors. Her career roots are in driving equitable outcomes in public education: she was a 5th grade science teacher in Brooklyn with Teach for America and ..read more

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