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Welcome to Steckman Studio website!
Steckman Studio of Music is a 25-year-old 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization.
We believe that music is for and in everyone and we are committed to sharing the joy and benefits of music with people of all ages and backgrounds regardless of their financial circumstances. Our music programs and performances are designed to be educational, therapeutic and to encourage personal development. Instruction begins at birth and becomes a life-long, life-enriching experience.
Presently, Steckman Studio of Music receives grants from the Oak Park Area Arts Council, in partnership with the Village of Oak Park, River Forest, and Forest Park, the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and RBC Dain Rauscher for a program called Jazz Prep. [More]
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Our Jazz Program:
The Steckman Studio's Jazz Ensemble is a twenty nine-year-old program.
It
is a natural outgrowth of the studio's mission which states, in part,
that
"music is in and for everyone." Click on the icon on the left side to listen to Jazz band. [More]
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African Drum Program:
The African Drumming Outreach Program began in September of 1996 funded through two grants-the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Opportunity Grant and the Oak Park Township Youth Services Grant. [More]
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 | Check out our student profiles!
Steckman Studio has been part of music education in many young people's lives. This section outlines some of our students and alumni who are as proud to be associated with us as we are with them. Click on the icon on the left side to see a video interview of Kejuan Carter, one of the students.[More]
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Our Teacher Profiles
Steckman Studio teachers are not only have life long passion in music education, but also are professional musicians. [More]
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The African Drumming Outreach Program began in September of 1996 funded through two grants-the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Opportunity Grant and the Oak Park Township Youth Services Grant. The program was designed to offer before and after school classes in African Drumming, specifically for those students who needed extra help in mentoring, attendance, participation, or other social or economic issues they had during the most difficult transition years between elementary and high schools.
The class is offered as an alternative to participation with drugs and other self-destructive behaviors that children of this age are exposed to. Teaching Leadership and Mentoring Skills through experiences with native instruments and learning how and why certain rhythms are used and with which ceremonies these beats and dances are associated with, help students learn of their heritage and how to become leaders.
Drum leaders in West Africa must show a high level of skill development on their djembe and other percussion instruments, be able to keep many different rhythms together with a steady beat, be able to start and stop the ensemble, and be a good communicator. These are some of the skills our students are learning.
In addition to performing at the Brookfield Zoo for the Hemmingway Foundation, the groups have performed for Black History Month and school recitals. Currently, the program is at Brooks and Julian Jr. High Schools in Oak Park and at Emmet School on the Westside of Chicago-a CPS School. The grants have the support of Senators Don Harmon and Representative Deborah Graham who were instrumental in their procurement. Contact us for more details. More updates will be published soon.
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 © 2011 Steckman Studio of Music | All Rights Reserved | No reproduction without permission
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