Starting in the home of the Michors, a Western Springs family, Music Makers has developed into a widely known musical program in the community. Music Makers is further continuing its growth with a new facility located at 4332 Howard Ave., Western Springs.

Music Makers began 40 years ago when lessons were offered inside the Michor home, owner Jeremy Michor said. It then moved to Grand Avenue School where it has remained for the past 25 years.

“The space provided at Grand Avenue is just becoming too small for the growing number of lessons being requested,” Michor said.

The new Music Makers location will officially open towards the end of November or by early December, he said.

The new building is a house that was commercially restored into a space with 15 studios, he said.

“The new building will be a huge improvement because it’s a brand new, beautiful facility with a nice waiting room, a rock band room and a large room for musical practice,” Michor said. “Recitals can be held in the building, and there will be free open mics for the community. It will be phenomenal for our parents, teachers and students.”

Students such as Jessica Phillips ‘19, have responded positively to the re-location.

“I cannot express how excited I am for the new building,” Phillips said. “Being so involved in the program, and seeing it grow is just so exhilarating. I think it will provide an amazing rehearsal and work space.”

Students will be able to walk over to take lessons or attend play practice right after school because the building is across the street from Field Park Elementary and two blocks away from McClure Junior High School, Michor said.

Originally the program had three teachers and offered only piano and guitar lessons along with one theatre production a year, he said.

Now, Music Makers offers piano, voice, guitar, ukulele, bass, drums, violin, viola, cello, banjo, reeds, brass, and harp lessons as well as eight theatre productions yearly, he said. There are over 30 teachers and 400 private students.

“Music Makers is a positive program because it really gives all younger kids, high schoolers, and college kids an outlet to express their creativity,” Phillips said.