Impact Report 2024 - Music Institute of Chicago

I M P A C T R E P O R T 2024

Dear Friends, We are excited to present the 2024 Impact Report for the Music Institute of Chicago (MIC). Each year since our founding in 1931, MIC’s faculty, staff, and trustees have fulfilled our mission to lead people toward a lifelong engagement with music.

We do this through high-quality music teaching, great performances, and service activities in our community. Learning music builds strong minds and noble hearts. We are proud to nurture the next generation of musicians, creative thinkers, music lovers, and community leaders!

MIC Board of Trustees at the 2024 Gala Benefit

Within this report you will find key metrics on enrollment, programs, and finances. In addition, you will be reminded that music has the power to transform students and their families. Music the MIC way means excellent individual teaching, a comprehensive menu of classes and ensembles, a supportive community, and exciting performance opportunities at Nichols Concert Hall.

In whatever way you participate at MIC, we want to say a massive thank you; we could not be a community music school without our community. We hope you find this report both a celebration of what we can accomplish together and an invitation to deepen your relationship with music and MIC.

Scott Verschoor Mark George Chair, Board of Trustees President and CEO

2024 FINANCIAL YEAR REPORT *

MUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

2024 Operating Revenue: $ 7.1 million

32 %

46 Staff

143 Faculty

8%

60 %

Net Tuition & Fees 60 % Contributions 32 % Earned Income & Other 8 %

"Teachers of Note" awardees Christina Tio and Bianca d'Avila do Prado

2024 Operating Expenses: $ 7.3 million 9%

4%

MIC Student Body

25 %

66%

Program Costs 66 % Management & General 25 % Fundraising 9%

Senior Leadership Team

4% Early Childhood 72% Youth

24%

1,846 Students

24 % Adult 72%

* Unaudited. Audited financial statements will be available in early 2025.

MIC STUDENTS COME FROM 5 Countries

24 States

92 Illinois Communities

40 Chicago ZIP Codes

$500,000 in need-based financial aid and scholarships awarded

MAKING THE BEST STUDENT-TEACHER MATCH Personalized Student Placement Process The Music Institute believes that some of its most important work is finding the teacher best-suited for each student. Finding that music teacher can seem like a daunting prospect for parents looking to ensure a positive start for their child or for empty nesters returning to music lessons after a long time away. Luckily, our amazing team of Campus Directors is there to help.

The right teacher makes all the difference

Music lessons provide the foundation for a lifelong engagement with music, and the Music Institute is invested in meeting new students where they are and taking them where they want to go. Whether that means mastering a favorite song to play in their living room for friends or taking the stage at Carnegie Hall, MIC is there every step of the way.

Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start.

Winnetka Campus Director Clem Leek with a prospective adult student

Prospective students meet with a Campus Director, either in person at their preferred campus or virtually. At this placement meeting, Campus Directors answer questions and assess the student's learning style, goals, musical interests, personality, and teacher preferences.

Open Houses and Instrument Petting Zoos

Prospective students try the guitar at an Evanston Open House

Each year, MIC welcomes the community for campus open houses. A favorite feature at these events are instrument petting zoos where students may try various instruments under the guidance of faculty members. Learning more about the instruments and having the opportunity to hear a professional musician demonstrate helps prospective students discover which instrument excites them most and gets them started on their own musical journey.

GREAT MUSIC TEACHERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE One of the most important components of taking music lessons is identifying the right teacher.

MIC faculty are highly qualified, experienced professionals.

As dedicated educators and performers, they hold degrees and have received specialized training from the world’s finest music schools.

The Music Institute's rigorous faculty hiring process ensures that its faculty are among the best-trained and most experienced in the Chicago area.

Suzuki violin/viola faculty Vannia Phillips works with a young open house visitor in Evanston's Nichols Concert Hall lobby

BAND MEMBER RICH BLOOM "TOOTS" HIS HORN FOR NEW CONDUCTOR TIMOTHY COOK

NEW BEGINNINGS IN LAKE BLUFF In partnership with Grace United Methodist Church, MIC extended its northern reach in fall 2023 with a new campus location in Lake Bluff. The new teaching space is a seven-minute walk from the Lake Bluff Metra station and is easily accessible from nearby communities including Libertyville, Gurnee, and North Chicago.

MEET TIMOTHY COOK, CAMPUS DIRECTOR LAKE FOREST/LAKE BLUFF MIC also welcomed Timothy Cook as the new Campus Director of both Lake Forest and Lake Bluff campuses at the start of the 2023–2024 school year. Before completing his master of music degree in instrumental conducting at Northwestern Univeristy, he taught high school for nearly a decade. He commented, "My classroom experience deeply informs my decisions regarding our privatelesson students."

In addition to his Campus Director duties, Cook is the new conductor of the re-envisioned MIC Concert Band and new Chamber Winds ensemble.

MIC Concert Band French horn section

“

I don’t envy Timothy’s job as director of the MIC Concert Band. Some of us have not played our instruments for 50 years.

But he handles us well and treats us with respect.

We learn so much about music theory and music appreciation, and we walk away from every rehearsal with at least one new pearl.

His optimism and passion for music and people gives us confidence that we will eventually get it right. Oops, I forgot to mention, it’s pure fun."

MIC CAMPUSES

8 Chicago - Gratz Center MIC Concert Band rehearsal at Winnetka's Thoresen Performance Center

Chicago - St. James Downers Grove

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION...

From the Music Institute's humble Winnetka farmhouse beginnings in 1931, the school has expanded to provide lessons and classes to nearly 2,000 students annually across eight campus locations.

Evanston Lake Bluff Lake Forest Wheaton Winnetka

While every MIC campus offers private instruction, classes and ensembles vary by location and capitalize on each unique space. All MIC students have the opportunity to perform at MIC's premier concert venue, Nichols Concert Hall, in downtown Evanston.

"Listening to Music," an online music appreciation class taught by Fred Simon, means students from across the country can benefit from instruction at MIC, no matter their location, and students studying in downtown Chicago enjoy varied performance opportunities at places like St. James Cathedral, Buchanan Chapel at Fourth Presbyterian Church, the Driehaus Museum, Zoolights, and more.

Lake Forest Campus

A C A D E M Y PRE-COLLEGE CONSERVATORY

Master Classes Take Student Performances to the Next Level Academy master classes offer invaluable opportunities for students, providing access to expert instruction from internationally and nationally respected pedagogues.

Performing artists and faculty members from the finest conservatories in the country regularly visit the Academy to provide tailored direction on technique, style, and interpretation, while offering fresh insights that deepen musical understanding.

Performing in front of peers and for a master teacher also builds confidence and stage presence. Most importantly, master classes connect students with professionals, creating networking opportunities for mentorship and future collaboration.

28 STUDENTS FROM 7 STATES

IL 17

WI 6

(l to r) Academy master class students Tristan Zhu, Lily Sullivan, and Elle Cho with violinist Midori, Curtis School of Music

IN 2

IA - 1

NC - 1

FL 1

2023–2024 Academy Master Classes STEPHEN BALDERSON, cello DePaul University School of Music

JENNIFER KOH, violin Soloist and recording artist

BENJAMIN BEILMAN, violin The Curtis School of Music

MIDORI, violin The Curtis School of Music

NATASHA BROFSKY, cello The Juilliard School

Academy Students Champion Community Service

ALAN CHOW, piano The Eastman School of Music

Each year, Academy students share their talent beyond the concert hall, despite a rigorous schedule that includes rehearsals, master class and competition preparation, music theory assignments, schoolwork, and family obligations. Nevertheless, Academy students find time to give back through community engagement performances at senior residences, libraries, community centers, schools, churches, and synagogues across Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

INNA FALIKS, piano UCLA, Herb Alpert School of Music FORMOSA STRING QUARTET Chamber Music Class MIRIAM FRIED, violin The New England Conservatory CLIVE GREENSMITH, cello The Colburn School GRIGORY KALINOVSKY, violin The Jacobs School at Indiana University

Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelson with Academy students and village of Flossmoor leadership

(l to r) Master class with cellist Clive Greensmith, the Colburn School, and students Jan Vargas Nedvetsky, Katarina Kenney, and Lucy Wu

For three consecutive years, Tristan Zhu, violin student of Almita Vamos, has performed a classical music concert at the Flossmoor Community Church, hosted by Mayor Michelle Nelson, whose daughter Kate is an Academy alumna. This year Tristan's concert inspired donations to Open Access, which aims to address food insecurity for families. He was joined by violinist Sasha Varchenko and MIC piano faculty Sung Hoon Mo.

A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE PAYS OFF Music competitions foster musical and personal growth, and artistic excellence. Academy students rehearse rigorously September through May to participate in the most respected competitions in the United States. Students work with artist level coaches to refine their interpretation and technique, and the guidance of a coach will provide insight into subtle cues like eye contact and body language. While they build connections in the music community, successful ensembles earn scholarships, recording opportunities, and public recognition.

(l to r) Quartet Meraviglia and Elysian String Quartet at the 2024 St. Paul String Quartet Competition

SERAPHIM QUARTET

ELYSIAN STRING QUARTET

QUARTET MERAVIGLIA

Twelfth Annual A.N. and Pearl G. Barnett Chamber Music Competition – First Place and Grand Prize Clark Snavely, Sasha Varchenko, Serge Kalinovsky, and Tristan Zhu Coached by Sang Mee Lee

2024 St. Paul String Quartet Competition Gold Medal, Audience Prize, and BIPOC/Female Composer Prize Kai Isoke, Ali-Landing, Vivian Van de Sype-Cucu, Katarina Kenney, and Nolan Chang Coached by Claudia Lasareff-Mironoff

2024 St. Paul String Quartet Competition - Silver Medal MYA Chicago Chamber Music Competition - Winner Open Division and Winner of Strings and Piano Category 51st Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition Junior Strings Division Bronze Medal Elle Cho, Lauren Kim, Emily Chen, and Lucy Wu Coached by Rodolfo Vieira

9 SENIORS MATRICULATED TO… The Bienen School of Music, Northwestern University Colburn Conservatory • Eastman School of Music • Harvard University The Juilliard School • New England Conservatory Stanford University

FAMILIES IN CONCERT On November 5, 2023, 61 MIC students of all ages filled Nichols Concert Hall with music as part of the fourth annual Families in Concert.

Each year we showcase students from near beginners to polished, preconservatory performers in a celebration of lifelong learning and engagement with music.

Host Committee Kathy Nordmeyer Renée Parquette* Zalman Usiskin*

2023 Teachers of Note Award Recipients MIC student performers gathered on stage following the performance. Students from MIC's Third Coast Suzuki Strings, Duo Piano, MIC Chorale, and Academy programs performed, in addition to Community Music School soloists of all ages.

INAUGURAL TEACHERS OF NOTE AWARDS MIC celebrated its world-class faculty with the inaugural "Teachers of Note" awards. Created to bring our community together to honor and express appreciation for our internationally-acclaimed, award-winning faculty, the recipients represent the excellence of the entire MIC faculty and demonstrate dedication, enthusiasm, and inspiration in their teaching.

Christina Tio, piano Bianca d'Avila do Prado, cello

$30,911 Raised to support faculty development, community programming, diversity initiatives, scholarships, and financial aid * MIC Trustee

ONE COMPOSER, ONE COMMUNITY First launched in 2021, One Composer, One Community (OCOC) focuses on the life and work of a single, underrepresented composer of color throughout the course of an academic year. This composer's work is featured in the "Nichols Concert Hall Presents" series as well as in student recitals, master classes, and other special events.

REENA ESMAIL, composer During the 2023–2024 season, MIC featured Indian-American composer Reena Esmail. Based in Los Angeles, Esmail's compositions navigate between the worlds of Indian and Western classical music and aim to bring communities together through the creation of equitable musical spaces. Esmail divides her attention between orchestral, chamber, and choral music and has written commissions for the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Seattle Symphony, Kronos Quartet, and many more.

Reena Esmail Weekend: April 19–21, 2024 The special weekend included a variety of interactive instrumental and chamber music workshops as well as an open rehearsal with the Academy. A culminating faculty-student showcase concert featured Esmail's music. The 2024 OCOC activities were made possible in part by a matching grant from MIC Trustee Barbara Sereda and Peter Sereda.

“

This was the first time most of our students had ever met a living composer. Reena shared her insights about the creative process, her journey as a composer, and her unique style of weaving together Western classical music with Hindustani classical music. Most importantly, Reena asked students and faculty, in an entirely authentic way, about their experiences of learning and performing her music.” ~ Mark George, MIC President and CEO

Student-faculty showcase concert participants with composer Reena Esmail

Workshop participant Edie Park and Reena Esmail

Workshop participant Anika Jerath, piano faculty Marie Alatalo, and Reena Esmail

(l to r) President Mark George and Board of Trustee members Paul Brourman, Tim Patenode, Barbara Sereda, Zalman Usiskin, and Ross Updegraf with Reena Esmail (center)

NICHOLS CONCERT HALL ATTENDANCE

18,000 + PERFORMERS

200 + PERFORMANCES

60+ RECORDINGS

190 RENTAL EVENTS

124

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS Built in 1912 by renowned architect Solon S. Beman and meticulously restored in 2003, Nichols Concert Hall celebrated 20 years as a state-of-the-art, 550-seat performance space and music education center during the 2023–2024 season.

On any given day, the Nichols Concert Hall building is filled with music. Walk in and you might hear Community Music School students young and old coming for a weekly lesson, or perhaps you hear the singing of an MIC Chorale rehearsal wafting down the hallway. A virtuosic Academy violinist records their college conservatory audition on the Nichols Concert Hall stage before a joyful juggling act ensues—student rehesarsals, a public master class, and evening guest ensemble concert.

This "jewel box" of a concert hall, as the Chicago Tribune describes it, is a bustling place where music comes alive in hundreds of awe-inspiring ways each year. Situated in the heart of downtown Evanston, Nichols Concert Hall also sits at the intersection of Chicago and the North Shore, acting as a key community resource that brings a multitude of musical opportunities to our students and the larger community.

NICHOLS CONCERT HALL PRESENTS The dazzling power of music was on display throughout the 2023–2024 "Nichols Concert Hall Presents" 20th anniversary season. The series included an exciting and diverse array of performing artists, most of whom are celebrated Grammy Award winners.

Mezzo-soprano CECELIA DUARTE kicked off the season with "My Latino Heart" a program that included Mexican boleros and the music of Manuel de Falla and Alberto Ginastera. Celebrated violinists and MIC alumni JENNIFER KOH and BENJAMIN BEILMAN (with Curtis on Tour) returned home to MIC. The Grammy Award-winning, genre-bending TIME FOR THREE entertained a delighted audience, while Nashville Symphony principal oboist, TITUS UNDERWOOD, (with MIC President Mark George) and groundbreaking, Grammy Award-winning ensemble, IMANI WINDS, brought new music to the stage. MIC faculty pianist, MATTHEW HAGLE presented an introspective program around the idea of flow, and MIC's annual MLK CELEBRATION CONCERT and family-friendly "DUKE IT OUT!" NUTCRACKER rounded out a season of memorable musical performances.

Gala Benefit ~ May 20, 2024 The Music Institute of Chicago welcomed nearly 270 guests to the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago for its annual Gala Benefit, which raised more than $900,000 from a combination of ticket sales, contributions, and sponsorships.

GALA CO-CHAIRS Carlos R. Cardenas

Courtney Holohan and Wesley Mueller

Tao Zhu and Weihua Ye

David and Eileen Zampa

DUSHKIN AWARD Marcus Roberts

CULTURAL VISIONARY AWARD FOR CHICAGO John and Fran Edwardson

RICHARD D. COLBURN AWARD FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE Erica Anderson

PATRON OF THE ARTS Edwardson Family Foundation

GRAND BENEFACTOR John and Pauline Fife

John D. and Alexandra C. Nichols Family Foundation

BENEFACTOR CDW

(l to r) MIC Board Chair Emerita Alexandra Nichols, Colburn Award recipient Erica Anderson, Cultural Visionary Award recipients John and Fran Edwardson, Dushkin Award recipient Marcus Roberts, and MIC President and CEO Mark George

Karen Z. Gray-Krehbiel and John H. Krehbiel Jr. Courtney Holohan and Wesley Mueller ITW Northern Trust Mr. and Mrs. Patrick G. Ryan Barbara Speer and Christopher Noon

(l to r) Gala Co-Chairs David Zampa, Courtney Holohan, Carlos Cardenas, and Weihua Ye and Tao Zhu

(l to r) CDW guests Luke Sznajder, Lexi Smolic, Laurie Agnant, Jessicalynn Spencer-Ramirez, Dani Stecyna, Qiana Nelson, and Zachary Lawhorn

Dushkin honoree, Marcus Roberts

Quartet Meraviglia, 2024 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition bronze medalists

Scott and Areta Verschoor and KPMG David and Eileen Zampa and Sidley Austin, LLP

DONORS LIKE YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE! The following list recognizes friends of the Music Institute of Chicago who contributed $250 or more cumulatively between September 1, 2023 and August 31, 2024. We are grateful to all the individuals, foundations, and companies that made gifts of all sizes to support our mission. $100,000 and more

$10,000 to $24,999

Edwardson Family Foundation Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity The Julian Family Foundation The Negaunee Foundation Alexandra C.* and John D. Nichols †

Anonymous gifts Rita and John Canning, The Canning Foundation Dr. Tanya L. Carey Cook County Arts The Crown Family Flying Food Group, Inc. Mary and Paul Finnegan Linda and Bill Gantz GCM Grosvenor Hans* and Denitta Germann Mrs. Mona Golub Mr. and Mrs. Dietrich† and Erika Gross Guidehouse Dan* and Yoo Mi Hahn Caryn and King Harris Harris Family Foundation Horejsi Charitable Foundation J. Thomas Hurvis and Ann Andersen Jackson National Life Insurance Ethelle Katz Mindy and Walter Kelly Susan Kiphart

$50,000 to $99,999 John and Pauline Fife ITW

$25,000 to $49,999 Paul M. Angell Family Foundation CDW LLC Courtney Holohan* and Wesley Mueller Illinois Arts Council Agency KPMG and Scott* and Areta Verschoor Mr. John H. Krehbiel Jr. and Mrs. Karen Z. Gray-Krehbiel Northern Trust Corporation Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Mrs. Barbara Ann Speer Jim Stone* David* and Eileen Zampa

LEARN Charter School Network Molex Incorporated Yana Nedvetsky* and Axel Vargas Cathy and Bill Osborn Renée Parquette* Timothy Patenode* and Judy Royal John and Kathy Piepgras Vikram K. Raghavan* and Shruthi Atmaram Ravinia Festival Association Scott and Nancy Santi Barbara* and Peter Sereda Sidley Austin LLP Jane Arries Solomon Liz Stiffel Lee Anne* and Rich Stoddart The John Taylor Family Charles A. Tribbett III and Lisa Tribbett and Russell Reynolds Associates Zalman* and Karen Usiskin The Wallace Foundation Mr. Miles D. White Wintrust Commercial Banking and Carlos R. Cardenas*

$5,000 to $9,999 Anonymous gifts Paul* and Katie Brourman Lawrence Corry Thomas L. and Patricia S. Gahlon Norman and Cynthia Goldring John R. Halligan Charitable Fund Irving Harris Foundation Mrs. Paul Klimstra Karen and Mark Koulogeorge Richard H. Lenny Jim † and Kay* Mabie Family Mr. Ernest Mahaffey Bob Moriarty Sylvia M. Neil and Dan Fischel Ms. Elizabeth O'Connor and Mr. Christopher Thomas Sargent Family Foundation Dr. Scholl Foundation Jennifer Steans and Jim Kastenholz Pam and Russ Strobel Ross* and Emily Parker Updegraff Catherine M. and Frederick H. Waddell Audrey Weaver

Audra Wilson* Florian Zettelmeyer* and Meghan Busse $1,000 to $4,999 Anonymous gifts 5 Purple Oranges Dr. Paul M. Aebersold Carey and Brett August Mrs. Gail E. Belytschko Jill Billhorn Mr. and Mrs. Norman Bobins, The Robert Thomas Bobins Foundation Carolyn Bucksbaum Walt and Julie Busse The Chicago Community Foundation The Chicago Community Trust City of Evanston Winnie and Bob Crawford The Nick Curry and Cara Tasher Family Fund Jon and Jayne Daniel Mr. James H. Davis Mr. and Mrs. Mark Deangelis The Howard and Ursula Dubin Foundation Evanston Arts Council Tiffany Farriss and George DeMet Elaine Felder Daniel and Sharona Feller Nancy and Michael Feller

Samuel Fifer Joe Fisher and Eyal Wallenberg Mr. and Mrs. John N. Fix Alex & Lesia Forowycz and Family James Franczek Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus F. Freidheim, Jr. James Ginsburg and Patrice Michaels Louise and Jim Glasser Joe Glossberg Linda Goldstein David Goroff and Jay M. Behel Eleanor Grumman David and Marion Hanold David and Beth Hart James Hayes Highland Park Community Foundation Renee Hoff Brian and Janet Hoffman Irene Jakimcius J.P. Morgan Private Bank The Karahalios Family KHS America & Meret Bitticks Suzanne Laplante MacLean-Fogg Company Make It Better Foundation Thekla and John Metz Judy Monroe Diana and David Moore Jeffrey and Christine Morse Clare Muñana

Christopher Noon Katherine L. Olson Ms. Sheila Penrose Mr. Robert Perlmutter Charlie and Jackie Pick Rachel Barton Pine and Gregory Pine PJH & Associates, Inc. Leann Pope Marcia and Jeff Rubin Segal Family Foundation Beth Sennett Dr. Farid and Dr. Houri Shafaie Suzanne T. Smart Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Stone Miriam Van De Sype and Flavius Cucu Liam and Mara Walsh Matt and Kelly Weisz $500 to $999 Anonymous gifts Accenture LLP Charles and Kate Arnold Edith Bayran Bernstein Lou Firm Jennifer McCarthy Bienemann and Robin Bienemann John M. Christian Mr. and Mrs. Roger Christoph Barry and Muriel Crawford Mr. and Mrs. Dan L. Drexler and The Joy of Life Fund

Mr. Paul Earle and Ms. Ellen Rudnick Mr. Avi Feller Jonathan Feller Mark and Ruthie Friefeld Dr. Mark George and Dr. Elizabeth Calihan Jeffrey Haydon Cynthia and Andrew Hopkins Hu Family James and Kathryn Jacobson Steven and Elaine Jaharis Heather and Stuart Katz Dolores Kohl Education Fund Maria and Aaron Lauve Dona Le Blanc Dr. Soo Young Lee Maurice Lemon and Catherine Kallal Jan McCarron Kathy Nordmeyer Radhika Papandreou Mr. and Mrs. David Rotholz Jason Rubinstein and Amy Francetic Mary Kathleen Rundell Fund Debbie Sandock Sam and Honey Skinner Mary Ellen Snyder Catherine Starks Susan Steinmeyer Dennis and Ailee Wen and Family

$250 to $499 Jeff and Keiko Alexander Anne and Dennis Arouca Christine and Peter Aznavoorian Terrence and Cindy Brady Riva Branch Mr. and Mrs. Howard L. Brenner Zi Chen Madelon Clymo Laurie and Bruce Davidson Maren W. Deaver Anne & Larry Donoghue Dana Drummond Louis and Ellen Fusco Vic Goldberg and Pat Waldeck Libby and Bill Graham Kathryn M. Green Renwei Guo and Weifang Wang Jennifer Hanson Robin and Edrene Heiss Marijana Ivanovic and Josip Sprajcer Jazz Artist Resource Grigory and Anna Kalinovsky Jennifer Ko Theresa Kuritza David and Darlene Landsittel Suzanne and Sean Lavin Candice and Sean Lawler Joan H. Lefkow Carol and David Liner Livingston Family Fund at The Chicago Community Foundation

Ms. Jeanne Lockridge Margaret Macdonald Jean Ann & Barry McCarthy Amy and Mark Mycyk Linda Nolan Sheila O'Grady Judy Perlman Clare Pierce Harvey Plonsker Sue and Tim Polutnik Joel Sharon Robbins Aaron Roberts D A. Roberts Yumi, Camryn, and Douglas Ross Kathleen Rundell Diane Saper Joseph Schneider Kathryn Schoenbrod Deborah and Laurence Segil Marcia Slomowitz Lydia and Joel Splan Mark and Terri Sullivan Sarah Tepper David and Bonita Turner Cecile Zhang and Arnaud Adant

In-Kind Gifts Elaine Felder William Harris Lee & Co Robert Hohf Scott and Lidia Sorenson

Gifts Received in Memory of Gilda Barston William A. Brandt Ruby Brenner Susan Charles Anna K. Esterl Carol Grimm Remi Laplante John D. Nichols Edward F. Scott Abraham Stokman George M. Williams Gifts Received in Honor of The Abraham Family Claire Aebersold and Ralph Neiweem Dr. Marie Alatalo Erica Anderson Marta Aznavoorian Dr. Daniel Baer Noralyn Baroja Jeremiah J. Benham Courtney Ciciora Horacio Contreras Timothy Cook Doris Currier Bianca D'Avila do Prado Barbara Drapcho John and Fran Edwardson Lena Esterl Elaine Felder David Fivecoate

Avi Friedlander Erin Fusco Barbara Ann Martin Green Matthew Hagle Dr. Ching-yun Huang Ethelle Katz Shelley Kiefer Quetzalan Kitchel Norris C. Larson The Last Repair Shop Technicians: Steve, Duane, Paty, and Dana Philip Lee Dr. Soo Young Lee Dr. Dorothy Jean Lloyd Stanley R. Mehaffey Sarah Montzka Claire Aebersold Neiweem Patrick O'Malley Devvora Papatheodorou Schreier Milana Pavchinskaya Steve Ramsdell Barbara Sereda* Lee Anne Stoddart* Dr. Christina Tio Scott Verschoor* Danny Wallenberg Nina Wallenberg Julia Wen Audra Wilson* Lisa Zilberman * Trustee † Deceased

SCHOLARSHIPS

THANK YOU TO OUR ANNUAL INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORTERS

Access to Excellence Artists of Tomorrow Gifted Scholars

paul m. angell family foundation • edwardson family foundation • john and pauline fife john r. halligan charitable fund • horejsi charitable foundation • illinois department of commerce & economic opportunity • itw the julian family foundation • the kiphart family foundation • william harris lee & co the negaunee foundation alexandra c. and john d. nichols family foundation northern trust • sargent family foundation shure • the wallace foundation

Gilda Barston Suzuki Cello Scholarship Roger M. Basrak Scholarship Emma C. Buccheri Memorial Endowment Richard D. Colburn Scholarship Dr. Tanya L. Carey Cello Scholarship Avi Friedlander Scholarship / The Curry Award of Excellence Elliot and Mona Golub Family Violin Scholarship Diane Schroeder Harris Memorial Scholarship Ilan Hurtado Suzuki Cello Scholarship Mindy and Walter Kelly Scholarship

W

Klimstra Family Piano Scholarship Frank E. Little Music Scholarship Fund

THE MUSIC INSTITUTE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGES THE FOLLOWING GENEROUS SUPPORTERS

Negaunee Foundation Academy Scholarship Jean Beaverson Pettibone Scholarship Fund John Piepgras Adult Piano Camp Scholarship

cook county arts

Rachel Barton Pine Violin Chair

evanston arts council, a city agency supported by the city of evanston

Mildred Robbins Piano Scholarship Suzuki Workshop Scholarship Fund

highland park community foundation

Almita Vamos Violin and Viola Scholarship The Wallace Foundation Suzuki Piano Program Scholarship William Warfield Scholarship

illinois arts council, a state agency Academy violist Neena Agrawal performs for the 2024 Gala Benefit

national endowment for the arts, a federal agency

IN REMEMBRANCE Susan Charles

Tony Porter

Susan served on the MIC faculty for 45 years.

During that time, she touched not only the lives of her students, but also the lives of her colleagues. Susan’s life freely demonstrated her profound commitment to her family, her genuine friendship, her spry sense of humor, her deep devotion to her students, and her enthusiastic passion for music.

Tony Porter served on the Music Institute of Chicago faculty for more than 20 years, teaching cello at both the Highland Park and Lake Forest campuses, and conducting the Reading Ensemble at the Lake Forest campus.

Tony was an extremely gentle and kind person, always treating his students and colleagues with deep respect. His profound artistry and passion for music was evident in his teaching, cello performance, and conducting.

During her tenure, she spent time as chair of the voice faculty and as a Faculty Committee member. Susan was the vocal soloist with the distinguished New Art Ensemble, a chamber music group in residence at MIC. She taught students of all ages in classical voice and music theater, and some of her students went on to sing leading roles across the United States at prominent concert venues including Carnegie Hall. In 2019, Susan received the Richard D. Colburn Award for Teaching Excellence.

In addition to teaching, Susan performed programs of contemporary music and art song throughout the United States and Europe at venues including the International Master Classes in Zurich, Switzerland; the Aspen Music Festival; the Guest Artist Series at the University of Texas; Preston Bradley Hall in Chicago; Northwestern's Pick Staiger Hall; and the University of Chicago.

In addition to his work at MIC, Tony served 29 years as cello faculty at Harper College, and more recently as music director and conductor of the Harper Symphony Orchestra.

He was a cellist with the Chicago Sinfonietta and the Chicago Modern Orchestra Project and performed regularly with a variety of Chicago professional ensembles.

"Tony taught me everything I know about ... becoming a musician and appreciating great works of music. He was soft-spoken, kind, talented, and the best friend and mentor I could’ve ever had." ~ Seventh grade student of Tony Porter

Abraham Stokman

Betsey Puth

Abe Stokman served on the MIC faculty for 33 years teaching piano, chamber music, and piano improvisation. Known for his improvisational mastery, skillful playing, and love of new music, Abe was also a prolific visual artist, avid cook, gardener, and cherished friend.

Betsey Puth became an MIC Life Trustee in 2016 after serving 15 years on the Music Institute's Board. Shortly after beginning her tenure, Betsey co-founded the Patron Society, a cornerstone group of individuals and family foundations committed to supporting MIC's Annual Fund at a leadership level. In addition, Betsey was a valued Development Committee member and served on the 2010, 2012, and 2013 Gala Committees.

The Chicago Reader called Stokman, “one of the city’s best-kept musical secrets” commenting on his commitment to zealously championing new music, particularly those of local composers."

Abe helped to start the Mostly Music series, was a member of the Contemporary Chamber Players with Ralph Shapey, and played with the new music consortium CUBE. His passion for contemporary music was celebrated across Chicago and the suburbs, as he championed new works and made that work accessible to audiences through the creation of the MIC's Music for a While series, the Four Score Festival, and the Generation Next Young Composers Competition.

In 2020, MIC presented its Richard D. Colburn Award for Teaching Excellence to Abe and his wife, fellow piano faculty, Arlene Stokman.

Aside from her MIC work, Betsey was a dedicated volunteer with several organizations including the Garden Guild; the Hadley School for the Blind, where she served as president of the Board of Trustees and the Women's Board; Town and Country Arts Club; the Fortnightly Club of Chicago; and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Betsey's warmth, energy, and generosity of spirit will be sorely missed. She imparted her enthusiasm for the arts to all who knew her. Together with husband John, the Puths' significant contributions to the Music Institute have enriched the lives of many aspiring musicians and ensure their lasting legacy.

2024-2025 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Scott Verschoor, Chair Alexandra C. Nichols, Chair Emerita Timothy J. Patenode, Treasurer Barbara Sereda, Secretary Carlos R. Cardenas, Vice Chair Lee Anne Stoddart, Vice Chair Paul Brourman Hans Germann Daniel Hahn Courtney Holohan Shiraz Kotte Kay Mabie Yana Nedvetsky Renée Parquette Vikram Raghavan Jim Stone Ross Updegraff Zalman Usiskin Audra Wilson Florian Zettelmeyer Tao Zhu

LIFE TRUSTEES John J. Berwanger Mitzi Freidheim Brooks Morgan Rachel Barton Pine Priscilla F. Richman William N. Topaz

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION 622 DAVIS STREET, 4TH FL, EVANSTON, ILLINOIS 60201 847.905.1500 • MUSICINST.ORG

HONORARY BOARD Robert Chen Peter Dushkin John and Fran Edwardson James Ginsberg Jennifer Koh Nina Kraus Deborah F. Rutter Scott and Nancy Santi Rick Waddell

EX-OFFICIO TRUSTEES Mark George Christopher Rintz

ON THE FRONT COVER: A special comissioned painting by renowned visual artist and MIC Trustee Paul Brourman, who provided an original painting of a child at the start of their musical journey, inspired by MIC students, for the 2024 Gala Silent Auction.

MIC staff were joined by Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and community members for a ribbon cutting and open house to celebrate their new central administrative office location at 622 Davis Street in downtown Evanston.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.