In the News
Photo Courtesy of the Obama Foundation
No Tuition, All Heart: This Chicago Music School Hits the Right Note
Arts Midwest | June 2026
Started in 1976 in a former beauty parlor, The People’s Music School has welcomed thousands of students through their doors. None of them have had to pay a cent. Read more here.
The People’s Music School: The Largest Tuition-Free Music School Serving Chicago Children
WGN Daytime Chicago | May 2025
The People’s Music School is the largest tuition-free music school focusing on making music education accessible to children across the city.
Hear from President & CEO Miriam Owens and watch a live performance from The People’s Music School here.
The People’s Music School offering free music lessons to Chicago kids
Fox 32 Good Day Chicago | May 2025
The People’s Music School President Miriam Owens joined us in studio to share how the nonprofit is offering free music education to Chicago youth, emphasizing its impact on creativity, discipline and academic success.
Watch the interview here.
Amid Budget Cuts, Seven Local Nonprofits Will Receive Transformative Grants Totaling $490,000
Citizen Weekly | May 2025
At a time when many government-funded programs are being scaled back, seven Chicago nonprofits working on the city’s most urgent issues will receive a combined $490,000 in funding from Impact Grants Chicago, a women-powered collective giving organization.
Learn more about TPMS being a finalist here.
Con clases gratuitas, buscan que más niños en Chicago se interesen por la música
Univision Chicago | April 2025
“En Agustin Lara Academy, del vecindario de Las Empacadoras, decenas de niños se benefician del programa gratuito de la organización ‘The People’s Music School.’ Los participantes asisten a clases de música dos días por semana, cuatro horas en total.”
Learn about The People’s Music School’s Back of the Yards programming and how new students can apply here.
The People’s Music School hosting fundraising gala Friday
CBS News Chicago | February 2025
“A local school is providing 100% tuition-free music education to students. The People’s Music School is Chicago’s oldest and largest completely tuition-free music school.”
Hear from President & CEO Miriam Owens in conversation with morning news anchor and Big Night Emcee Audrina Sinclair here.
Newport Folk Festival unveils first acts for 2025 lineup
What’s Up Newport | February 2025
“The Newport Festivals Foundation is making grants to music education programs on behalf of the announced artists. They’ve already supported The People’s Music School, a Chicago-based organization offering free music education to children in the area.”
Learn more about Jeff Tweedy’s support of The People’s Music School here.
The People’s Music School Continues To Provide Free Music Classes To Families
Citizen Weekly | December 2024
“Since it was founded, the People’s Music, which is Chicago’s oldest and largest tuition-free music education program, has serviced 800 students across the city at four sites: Uptown, Albany Park, Back of the Yards and Bronzeville. Those locations are inside Chicago Public Schools because of partnerships.”
Learn more about The People’s Music School’s history and impact here.
WGN Spotlight Chicago | September 2024
“The Peoples Music School offers high-quality, intensive music education to underserved students for free. Its mission is to transform lives by advocating for tuition-free music education and investing in Chicago’s future.“
Hear from Back of The Yards family Sofia Rivera Granado and her mother Soso, plus President & CEO Miriam Owens here.
Free Back Of The Yards Music Classes Inspiring Kids To Thrive, Learn
Block Club Chicago | September 2024
“The People’s Music School offers over 700 students free musical education in Chicago, including 100 students from Southwest Side schools.”
Hear from Back of the Yards student Sofia Rivera Granado and her mother Soso and the impact of The People’s Music School programming on families like theirs. Read more.
FOX 32 Chicago | May 2024
“The People’s Music School is getting ready for its annual ‘Performapaloozathon’!”
Watch SLAM students Michal and Tito perform their original composition “Blues Combo” and learn more about TPMS’s mission from Dean of Learning and Teaching Natalie Butler. Watch here.
FOX 32 Chicago | April 2024
“The federal government says music is an important part of students having a well-rounded education. That statement comes at a time when many districts are battling budget issues and music is often one of the first cuts. The People’s Music School is making sure students don’t miss a beat.“
Learn about the work we’re doing to expand access to music education here.
Jennifer Hudson Show | February 2024
“Jennifer welcomes educators Natalie Butler and Nyle Taylor from The People’s Music School, a tuition-free music school serving youth from underserved communities throughout Chicago. Natalie and Nyle were surprised with a $10,000 donation to help support their efforts of bringing music into children’s lives.”
Watch Natalie Butler and Nyle Taylor on the Jennifer Hudson Show here.
FOX 32 Chicago | February 2024
“The People’s Music School currently serves over 700 children across four Chicago locations. President and CEO Miriam Owens joined Good Day Chicago along with assistant band director Nyle Taylor, to go over what the school has to offer.”
Watch Miriam Owens and Nyle Taylor’s interview here.
WGN Morning News | November 2023
“Director of the commerce Sarah Wilson joined WGN Weekend Morning News to share more — as well as a special number from the SLAM Brass Ensemble from the People’s Music School.”
Watch the SLAM Brass Ensemble perform on air here.
Reel Chicago | October 2023
“It’s…empowering that we’re able to partner with an organization such as The People’s Music School which is an embodiment of our documentary’s mission to inspire social awareness and create music and arts access for all,” added [filmmaker Kathleen] Ermitage.
Read about the film and the screening benefitting The People’s Music School here.
WGN News | June 2023
Northeastern Illinois University hosted Performapaloozathon. Nearly 700 students from The People’s Music School performed this year.
Watch WGN News’s coverage of Performapaloozathon 2023 on YouTube.
New City | June 2023
Performapaloozathon, a year-end jamboree in which 700 K-12 students from The People’s Music School perform in seven hours of musical performances, takes place at Northeastern Illinois University on Saturday, June 3, 9am-5pm.
Read more about this student music marathon at newcity.com
May 2023
The People’s Music School will bring in nearly 1,500 people to its all-day student music marathon at Northeastern Illinois University on June 3 in collaboration with Chicago Sinfonietta and Violins of Hope presented by JCC Chicago.
Read more about this student music marathon on our blog.
Better.net | December 2022
“The People’s Music School delivers access to quality, tuition-free music education, allowing students to grow musically, socially, emotionally and intellectually.”
Read more about giving to TPMS at Better.net.
Better.net | November 2022
“The People’s Music School centers their work on creating access to high-quality, tuition-free music education for kids across Chicago.”
Read more about how to support TPMS at Better.net.
Chicago Tribune | May 2022
“People’s Music School, Inc. [awarded] $25,000 for arts education.”
Read about the grant in the Chicago Tribune as well as on our blog.
Weekly Citizen | April 2022
“The People’s Music School will partner with Hyde Park Academy High School, beginning September 2022, to open a satellite program for the students in Woodlawn and surrounding communities.”
Read about the new partnership.
Axios | February 4, 2022
“Francis “Frank” Graffeo arrived this week to lead the People’s Music School at 901 W. Eastwood, where it’s been since 1995, with satellite spots in Albany Park, Back of the Yards and Grand Crossing.”
Read about our new president’s arrival.
WBEZ | December 17, 2021
“The People’s Music School wants to give students who otherwise couldn’t afford expensive music lessons the opportunity to learn an instrument–and also gain some life skills in the process.”
Read about The People’s Music School’s work to expand access to music education.
Block Club Chicago | December 15, 2021
“The People’s Music School works in Uptown, Back of the Yards, Albany Park and Bronzeville to provide kids access to a quality music education who otherwise might not be able to afford it.”
Read more about the impact The People’s Music School has on our students.
Chicago Magazine | November 9, 2020
“The People’s Music School seeks to interrupt the baked-in classism of classical music by providing tuition-free music education for low-income kids and teenagers.”
Read The People’s Music School feature in Chicago Magazine in full.
Chicago Tribune | September 23, 2020
“It will never go away, what she built. She just said, ‘I’m going to build this beautiful thing and it’s going to be messy and it’s not always going to be pretty, but it’s going to be magical.’ And it was.” – Lilly Torres, Associate Director of Community at The People’s Music School
Read the Chicago Tribune’s beautiful tribute to Dr. Rita Simó in full.
Chicago Sun-Times | September 23, 2020
“Rita was a defining force — a pioneer of social justice and equity who never stopped fighting for what our children deserve. Rita epitomized the love, truth and power of music.” – People’s Music School President Jennifer Kim Matsuzawa
Read more about our fearless founder and her legacy.
Chicago Sun-Times | September 18, 2020
The works created by the Green Star Movement for Uplift Community High School and the People’s Music School aim to reflect and beautify the community.
Learn how the mosaic at our Uptown Academy site reflects our history and culture.
Chicago Sun-Times | October 9, 2019
“The People’s Music School’s average student retention is seven years. Families commit to their children. They serve predominantly children of color. Their high-school graduation rate is 100 percent. That’s a successful outcome.” – Bronzeville Classical School Principal Nicole Spicer
Read about how our Greater South Side Band is growing!
Chicago Ideas | August 27, 2019
“You’ve never heard anything like this before. And that’s what the People’s Music School is counting on.”
Watch our students transform a classical piece into a classic hit!
Block Club | August 6, 2019
With its south side program doubling in size this year, the school is moving to Bronzeville Classical while it searches for a permanent South Side home.
Read more about our new home on the south side!
WGN | June 1, 2019
WGN and four other news networks captured our 2019 Performapaloozathon event and Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s visit with our students. Watch the full clip here.
Block Club | May 30, 2019
The school serves nearly 850 students from over 50 ZIP codes across Chicago and Performapaloozathon is the culminating event of the year. Every student gets a chance to perform on stage.
Check out the article to learn about our biggest community event of the year!
Chicago Tribune | May 28, 2019
“It’s the college cheating scandal flipped on its head: Parents going to great lengths to access a world-class education for their children, only here it’s done with integrity and grace, with an eye toward the greater good.”
Read the full article to learn more about what all our amazing TPMS parents and families do.
Chicago Tribune | May 28, 2019
“It’s the college cheating scandal flipped on its head: Parents going to great lengths to access a world-class education for their children, only here it’s done with integrity and grace, with an eye toward the greater good.”
Read the full article to learn more about what all our amazing TPMS parents and families do.
ABC7 | May 18, 2019
The People’s Music School’s President and Artistic Director, Jennifer Kim Matsuzawa, talks with Judy Hsu about the power of music, the legacy of immigrant parents, and why Chicago is full of potential.
Watch the full installment of this Emmy-winning series!
Univision| May 7, 2019
Lilly Torres, Associate Director of Student, Family + Alumni Engagement, talks with Diana Perez of Primera Hora about The People’s Music School’s mission and combined South Side Spring Concert at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts.
Watch the full clip!
Crain’s | May 18, 2018
TPMS President and Artistic Director Jennifer Kim Matsuzawa helped TPMS reach more students and brought the school out of a deficit in 2015 into an operating surplus on a $1.5 million budget in 2017.
Check out the article to learn about how she accomplished this and plans to serve 1,000 students by 2020!
WCIU, The U | May 18, 2018
TPMS Program Manager Josh deVries joins George Blaise on 26 N. Halsted to discuss ways in which The People’s Music School serves 700 students throughout Chicago, and how we empower our students to raise their voices.
Watch the full interview to learn more about the diverse programming at TPMS.
WBBM News Radio | May 17, 2018
‘Transforming lives through music,’ is the motto of The People’s Music School. WBBM New Radio honors TPMS as one of 50 newsmakers making a difference in 2018, WBBM Newsradio’s 50th anniversary.
Read the article here to learn more about the school’s roots and how we are making a difference in our students’ lives.
WGN Radio | May 7, 2018
In this audio interview, Tracy Sefl and Carolyn Sybesma, Director of Community Programs and Strategic Initiatives for The People’s Music School join Justin Kaufman of WGN Radio to discuss our mission and annual gala.
Listen to the full interview to learn more about the four TPMS programs around the city of Chicago.
Make It Better | April 25, 2018
In The People’s Music School’s Annual Gala on May 11, TPMS honored innovators and community leaders who have helped propel us forward in recent years, and celebrated TPMS’s ability impact students’ lives.
Check out the full article to find out more about Let It Shine, the 2018 Gala!
Voyage Chicago | April 11, 2018
In this interview, Voyage Chicago discusses how TPMS has grown since its beginnings in 1976 with just $625 and a donated piano, to serving almost 700 students with tuition-free music education in 2018.
Read the full interview to learn about our story, mission, and how to support our work and students!
Billboard Magazine | November 3, 2017
TPMS students opened the first-ever Obama Foundation Summit, sharing the stage with Common, Lin Manuel Miranda, Barack and Michelle Obama, and Chance the Rapper.
Read on to find out more about our performance at the Obama Foundation Summit!
Billboard Magazine | November 10, 2017
Billboard Magazine speaks with TPMS student Julia Soto about her experience performing at the Obama Foundation Summit, and about her backstage encounter with Barack and Michelle!
Get the full scoop on the Obamas’ message to Julia before her performance.
DNAinfo | March 31, 2017
Senite Barih, 14 year old TPMS student, opens up about her struggles facing racism at school and in the community – but how The People’s Music School provides a safe, comforting space where she finds comfort and positive mentors.
Read the full article, which includes testament from a long-time TPMS parent and TPMS President, Jennifer Kim Matsuzawa.
Crain’s Chicago Business | June 23, 2017
Why does the celebrated cellist devote his time and talent to making our city a better place? For Ma, it’s not just about the music.
Find out more about how Yo-Yo Ma makes an impact in Chicago through his involvement with The People’s Music School!
CBS Chicago
TPMS President and Artistic Director, Jennifer Kim Matsuzawa, talks about the One Chicago campaign, which aims to provide immigrants and refugees with easy access to legal help, medical assistance and other city services online.
See Jennifer’s interview and learn more about One Chicago
WFMT | December 1, 2016
The People’s Music School was proud to partner with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and Yo-Yo Ma for the annual Bach Marathon. In this interview, TPMS sits down with Mr. Ma to discuss music as a service.
Read on, and learn more about the Bach Marathon through this great video.
NBC Making a Difference | November 15, 2016
NBC Making a Difference speaks with Jimmy Chamberlin about the influence music has had on his life and what makes him feel compelled to give back.
Make It Better | October 6, 2016
Jimmy Chamberlin, Smashing Pumpkins drummer turned local business leader and father, has a message for our kids: “If you’re brave enough to visualize something, it can be attainable.”
Check out the full article, which includes details about our 40th anniversary!
Chicago Sun-Times | July 3, 2016
The People’s Music School has made vast strides in the past two years since our President and Artistic Director Jennifer Matsuzwa re-joined our community after over 10 years with Bain & Company.
Read the full article to learn more about how we’ve opened two new locations and closed a six figure deficit.
Make It Better | June 10, 2016
Asked to perform for the Forefront Luncheon, The People’s Music School made lasting impressions on a crowd of more than 800 people and Yo-Yo Ma! The famous cellist surprised our students through asking if he could join in the performance.
Read this Make It Better article to learn more, and check out this video of our talented students performing with Yo-Yo Ma!
DNAinfo | May 12, 2016
TPMS has always has a strong track record of student achievements. We’ve been hard at work these past two years to make sure our organizational operations are as strong as the community that’s sustained us for the past 40 years.
Read the full article to get the full scoop on our improved financial position and expansion to reach more students.
Built In Chicago | March 9, 2016
The People’s Music School unites techies and musicians alike in our 2nd annual Hackathon event. Technologists work with TPMS students and staff to develop apps as tools for music education. Check out which apps won this year!
Want to see Hackathon first hand? Check it out our video recap to see a quick summary of the day.
Chicago Inno | February 19, 2016
TPMS is always working hard to make sure our students learn the most they can and the best they can. This year, our faculty are using tech tools to test improvements in music instruction for our students. Read Chicago Inno’s article to learn more.
Hungry for more details? Head over to our “Tech + Innovation = Music Magic” blog for even more info.
Crain’s | March 13, 2015
Our President and Artistic Director found change and healing through music at The People’s School, where she had previously taught. She now offers guidance from her experiences to our students.
Read this Crain’s Article to learn more.
Chicago Splash Magazine | October 20, 2014
Chicago Splash Magazine discusses TPMS founder Rita Simó’s legacy, and the appointment of TPMS President & Artistic Director Jennifer Kim Matsuzawa.
The People’s Music School | September 22, 2014
The People’s Music School, the only tuition-free music school serving Chicago metropolitan area children, has appointed Jennifer Kim Matsuzawa as President and Artistic Director.
Longy School of Music | May 27, 2014
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Awards the Longy School of Music of Bard College a $100,000 Grant to Partner with WolfBrown to Study El Sistema-Inspired Orchestra Education Programs.
WCIU-TV | May 19, 2014
As a teacher who has found her passion in teaching, Stephane Collopy shares the story of why she loves her job at The People’s Music School.
Los Angeles Philharmonic | April 24, 2014
TPMS Youth Orchestras students Adilene, Karina, Alejandro, Luis, and Frank were 5 of only 26 students nation-wide chosen to participate in the first-ever Leadership Forum for Young Musicians in LA in February 2014.
Berklee City Music Network | February 27th, 2013
TPMS becomes a part of the Berklee City Music Network, a consortium of community organizations supported by Berklee City Music.
New York Times | August 26, 2011
“Rebecca Tirado arrived six days early to enroll her 7-year-old twins at the People’s Music School. With a tent, an air mattress and a cooler stocked with Gatorade and yogurt, she and her husband were ready for an extended sidewalk stakeout.”
Why? Read to find out!
Chicago Sun-Times | May 23, 2011
The Chicago Sun Times spends an afternoon at Hibbard Elementary, our Albany Park program site.
The Today Show | June 9, 2005
The Today Show’s Bob Dotson interviews TPMS founder Rita Simo and talks about the history and mission of The People’s Music School in his “Today’s American Story” segment.
