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Community Corner

Evanston's new etc. Music School Offers More than "Just Lessons" for More than "Just Students"

August 17, 2013, Evanston, Ill.—etc. Music School, a new kind of music and theatrical training experience offering private lessons, ensembles, classes and original productions, recently opened in Evanston. “The etc. school is dedicated to collaboration, team-learning, and confidence-building through affirming, creative teaching that respects and celebrates each student,” says Founder and Artistic Director Mike O’Mara.

O’Mara is an Evanston resident and teacher with a decade of professional experience leading ensembles and 15 years teaching experience. He explains that etc. is a new wholistic approach to musical and theatrical education that employs organic, collaborative study and experimentation. “At every level and in everything we do, we involve and respect the students’ interests and use those interests to foster motivation towards achieving each young artist’s goals,” says O’Mara.

The etc. Music School is guided by certain core beliefs, O’Mara explains: that every child, teen and adult deserves the opportunity to learn and create art in an affirming atmosphere; that everyone can contribute to an arts community; that arts education and participation is a core component of the human experience, and that everyone deserves the opportunity to create art regardless of race, religion, economic status, gender, age, or sexual orientation.

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 etc. Music School offers innovative, original, and exciting programming that focuses on student-inspired and student-created works at every level. The Evanston Teen Choir (grades 7-12) strives to instill a love of vocal music within the ensemble through positive, focused rehearsals and to engage and support the surrounding communities through polished performance of eclectic and challenging repertoire. Course offerings also include private lessons (piano, voice, and composition),  the etc. Creators’ Workshops (grades 8-12), etc. TinyShows (grades K-2), etc. KidShows (grades 3-6) and etc. Presents, main stage productions of original musicals created with high-schoolers, for high-schoolers, about topics high-schoolers are interested in.

The name “etc.” reflects O’Mara’s dedication to providing “more than ‘just lessons’ for more than ‘just students’.”

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etc. Music School is pleased to have secured a space in the Noyes Cultural Arts Center in north Evanston. “We are honored to have found a home to rehearse at Noyes, a center for so many great local arts companies”, says O’Mara. “We can’t wait to add etc. to that list!”

Classes at etc. start September 3rd, and shortly thereafter will be an Open House Celebration at Noyes on Sunday, September 22nd between 3-6 P.M. Sign-up for the free public event is now live at www.facebook.com/etcmusicschool.

Please visit www.etcmusicschool.org for more information and follow them on Twitter @EvanstonTeenChr. Any questions may also be sent directly to etcmusicschool@gmail.com. Scholarship options are available for those in need - etc. does not turn any family away for inability to pay!




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