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829 South Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60304
Telephone: 708.524.1954 Fax: 708.524.5412
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| Contact us for more details: | Victoria Scaman
Executive Director
vicky@steckman-studio.org
(708) 524-1954
Dr. Harry Steckman
Artistic Director
harry@steckman-studio.org
(708) 524-1144 |
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Outreach Programs
For the past year, the Steckman Studio of Music has been taking its
early
childhood classes to a Chicago neighborhood with an interesting past
and an
energetic future: Wicker Park.
Once home to wealthy Chicagoans who, after the fire of 1871, built
themselves Italianate and Gothic-styled stone and brick mansions, by
the
1970's Wicker Park had degenerated into an economically depressed haven
for
drug dealers.
When young professionals began moving into the area in the 1980's,
Wicker
Park experienced a gentrification which has resulted in a burgeoning
demographic of families with young children. This change, which has
become
especially marked within the past five years, has led to the growing
necessity for cultural and educational activities for young families.
"I am so grateful that the
Steckman
Studio decided to hold classes at my local park field house. The
classes
have all of the elements the more expensive ones had, and it is so much
more convenient for us to walk to them."
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Steckman Studio in the Outreach Program at Wicker Park
The Steckman Studio, in conjunction with Kelly Torres, supervisor of
the
Chicago Park District's Wicker Park branch, and Susan Fontana, of the
Wicker Park Volunteer Committee, has stepped forward to help fill this
need. "Wicker Park does not provide any formal classes for this age
group
outside of the courses offered by the Steckman Studio," says Julie
Dickinson, mother of two and former president of the Wicker Park
Advisory
Council. "The classes are introducing my two year-old son, Elliot, to
music instruction and a valuable educational opportunity."
Andrea Edwards, a Wicker Park mom, went looking in different parts of
the
city for music classes for her daughter (then 18 months old), but
couldn't
find any that fit her family's budget: "I am so grateful that the
Steckman
Studio decided to hold classes at my local park field house. The
classes
have all of the elements the more expensive ones had, and it is so much
more convenient for us to walk to them."
Alison Madden, another Wicker Park mom, is equally pleased with the
proximity of the Steckman classes: "I was looking for a music or dance
class for my 18 month-old daughter. With a new baby in tow, the
logistics
of packing them both up and driving across town to a class was not
ideal.
I could not believe my luck when I learned that the Steckman Studio
was
holding classes at our local field house. I signed up immediately!"
But proximity and great prices are meaningless unless the following
questions can be answered satisfactorily: are Wicker Park's youngest
residents enjoying their classes? Are they becoming proficient in
toddler-sized musicianship? Edwards attests that her daughter's
interest
in music has decidedly increased since attending the Steckman classes:
"Music is now a very important part of her life and she looks forward
to her music class each week!"
Not only does Madden's daughter feel the same ("she has learned many
new
songs and she sings all of the time now") but Madden's infant son also
does
his best to participate in the classes' musical activities by "dancing
(on
his bottom) and clapping his hands."
The Steckman Studio is glad to be bringing music education to Wicker
Park's
youngest residents and will also soon be serving the school-aged
children
in the area by providing group piano classes.
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