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Midwest Young Artists

Training nearly 1000 young musicians annually from 76 Chicago-area communities.

(Programs for ages 6 mos. – grade 12)

www.MYA.o rg

Chicago’s Leading Youth

Arts Education Center

• Nine Orchestras

• 65+ Chamber Ensembles and Jazz Combos

• Early Music Academy & New Music Ensemble• Four Choral Ensembles• Four Jazz Big Bands

• Early Childhood Education Classes• Mentorship and Outreach Programs

• Music Theory, Composition, and History

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MYA is the leading ensemble based music

program in the Midwest &

the most comprehensive in the nation.

Located 30 miles north of downtown Chicago

in Historic Fort Sheridan(bordering Lake Forest and Highwood)

The MYA Center is a 14,000 sq-ft building with 2 large performance halls, 8 classrooms, a

recording and editing studio & large reception area. Designed by famed Chicago Architects

Holabird & Roche .

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The MYA Center in Highwood

Founder & Director – Dr. Allan Dennis “Dr. D”

One of the most rewarding gifts we can offer our children is the opportunity to sense the thrill of

performing great music. Add to the process the experience of playing alongside friends and

colleagues, and the student’s appreciation for music further evolves into something extraordinary.

Through participation in music, students master self-discipline and leadership and a deep mutual

respect for one another that extends beyond the concert halls and into every facet of their lives.

– Dr. Allan Dennis

• Doctorate, with distinction, from Indiana University in Bloomington• Studied at the Eastman School of Music and the Royal Flemish Conservatory

of Music in Antwerp, Belgium• Extensive performance background as a soloist and orchestra member• Principal and co-principal bassist with the Albany Symphony, Cedar Rapids

Symphony, and Madison Symphony• Music Director for Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra• Heidi Castleman Award for Excellence in Chamber Music Teaching• Board of the National Conductor Guild• Tanglewood Music Institute

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MYA’s Leadership

MYA ensembles are coached by a staff of professional music educators, including members from:

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Music Faculty

• The Chicago Symphony Orchestra• The Lyric Opera of Chicago• Chicago Chamber Musicians• Northwestern University• Roosevelt University • DePaul University

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MYA promotes its programs through

Chicago-area public and private schools, private music teachers and an extensive

network of professional musicians. Auditions are required for most

ensembles.

P a r t i c i p a t i n g s t u d e n t s c o m e f r o m 7 6

c o m m u n i t i e s i n t h r e e d i f f e r e n t s t a t e s .

Students at

MYA

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MYA is a Leading Pre-College Prep School

for Aspiring Professional MusiciansMYA Graduates have attended the following institutions:

Harvard UniversityNew England Conservatory of Music

Princeton UniversityYale University

Johns Hopkins UniversityCarnegie Melon University

Cornell UniversityDartmouth College

Brown UniversityNorthwestern University

University of ChicagoVanderCook College of Music

Bard Conservatory of MusicBoston Conservatory of Music

Cincinnati ConservatoryCleveland Institute of Music

Curtis Institute of MusicEastman School of Music

California Institute of the ArtsCarnegie Mellon University

Cleveland Institute of MusicKenyon College

Oberlin Conservatory of MusicPeabody Conservatory

Wheaton Conservatory

- and many other fine schools

MYA Alumni have become members of these prestigious orchestras:

Berlin Philharmonic Montreal Symphony Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire, France Philadelphia Orchestra Los Angeles Philharmonic Grant Park Symphony Orchestra Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra Peoria Symphony Orchestra The Minnesota Orchestra New York Philharmonic Orchestra The New World Symphony Orchestra Washington National Opera Orchestra - and many other fine orchestras

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Awards and RecognitionYouth Orchestra of the Year : 2009, 2003, 1997

– Illinois Council of Orchestras

More Illinois Council of Orchestras Awards:

2009 Volunteer Guild of the Year

2005 Chamber Ensemble Program of the Year

2000 Music Director of the Year

1999 Chamber Music Ensemble of the Year

1998 Volunteers of the Year

1995 Programming of the Year

National Arts Endowment Grant Recipient

WFMT, WGN, and Public Radio International broadcasts

Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition – 14 medals, including 6 gold

Children’s Choir for Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s annual Welcome Yule holiday concert series

Collaborations with the Chicago Ballet

Winners, 2001 Vienna International Youth & Music Competition and Festival (Orchestra)

MYA musicians have the extraordinary opportunity to

perform in Chicago’s world-class performance venues.

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Performance

• Civic Opera House

• Pick-Staiger Concert Hall

• Symphony Center

• The Harris Theater of Music and Dance

• Genesee Theatre

• Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park

• Ravinia

• Wentz Hall, Naperville

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MYA Performance Tours

2013 - France and The Netherlands2010 – Germany2010 – Carnegie Hall, NY2009 – Kennedy Center for Performing

Arts, Washington DC2008 – United Nations, New York2007 – Korea and China 2006 – Krannert Center, U. of Illinois2005 – Spain and Portugal2004 – Switzerland2001 – Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic1998 & 2001 - Scotland

• Chamber music• Orchestra• Jazz• Early Music• Intensive Instrumental

Workshops Clarinet Viola Flute Clarinet Double Bass Percussion

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MYA Summer Programs

Every summer, MYA conducts a series of camps

and workshops that draw students from across

the country. Top level faculty and guest artists

are brought in to make this an amazingly high

quality summer music experience

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What People are Saying

Michael Cameron, Chicago Tribune

Contributor “…judging by Saturday’s display of high artistry, [MYA] has made considerable strides in [a] short span. It took scarcely more than a decade for Midwest Young Artists to grow from a fledgling single-ensemble embryo into the premier area hub for pre-college professional music training. …serious music fans should consider them a viable alternative to the local line-up of world-class professional ensembles.”

John Yeh, Chicago Symphony

Orchestra Asst. Principal Clarinet “MYA is the best, most comprehensive music education program for pre-college age musicians I have ever encountered. The dream of Dr. Allan Dennis has enriched the lives of countless young musicians, their families and communities. MYA is truly special.”

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What the Students are

SayingDear Dr. “D”…

National Concerto Competition

National Chamber Music Competition

Annual Benefit

Annual Chicago Bass Festival

Annual Chicago Viola Festival

Annual Chicago Double Reed Festival

Annual Music & Family Fun Fest

College/University Visits and on-site Auditions14

Annual Special Events

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To remove financial barriers for all prospective students, MYA counts on support from individual and corporate donors to help build an endowment fund that can offset low tuition, provide need-based scholarships, and provide support for its community outreach programs.

Building a home with the power of

music to enrich the lives of our

students…

If you would like to make a donation to MYA, please visit mya.org or contact Karen Dennis, at 847-926-9898.

MYA brings classical music to over 3000 CPS students annually at Ravinia.

MYA sponsors twenty low-income Young Music Scholars from Lake County with free semi-private lessons and orchestra participation.

… and the community.

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Mentor Scholarship Programs

Scholarships

Mathieu Dufour Woodwind ScholarshipCharles Pikler String ScholarshipJohn Bruce Yeh Woodwind/Percussion ScholarshipCharles Geyer and Barbara Butler Brass ScholarshipDale Clevenger Woodwind/Brass ScholarshipJeremy and Kate Black String ScholarshipRami Solomonow String ScholarshipCarrie Dennis String Scholarship

Scholarship recipients will also receive:Mentoring from by their scholarship’s namesakeLesson instruction with their scholarship’s namesakeRecognition in all MYA Concert Programs

MYA awards merit-based scholarships to selected students from participating ensembles and provides need-based financial aid to students who are accepted into our programs:

Charles Pikler, Principal Violist of the

Chicago Symphony Orchestra works

one on one with MYA students

Abt

Paul M. Angell Family Foundation

Barnes & Thornberg, LLP

Bauch & Michaels, LLC

Baxter International, Inc.

Baytree National Bank & Trust

Belmont Trading Company

The Michael D. and Jolynn Blair Family Foundation

D’Addario Foundation

Deloitte Consulting, LLP

Discover Financial Services

Dr. Scholl Foundation

John J. Dugan Charitable Foundation

Franczek Radelet

The Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation

C. Louis Meyer Family Foundation

Highland Park Community Foundation

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Thank you to our 2013-2014 Donors & Sponsors

Highland Park Cultural Arts CommissionHighland Park Pops Jazz Dance Band

Hollister Incorporated

Illinois Arts Council

Jazz Educational Network

Keyth Technologies

National Endowment for the Arts

Negaunee Foundation

North Shore Community Bank & Trust

North Shore Gas

James D. Sedlack Memorial Fund

Steinway & Sons

Nathan Tannenbaum Foundation

Walgreens

World of Beer

YEA! Highland Park

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MYA 2014-2015 Board of DirectorsExecutive Board:PresidentTom SharpMorgan Stanley Wealth ManagementSenior Vice President - Senior Portfolio ManagerMYA Alum Parent

SecretaryRhona ReagenThe Studio of Rhona Reagen in SkokiePresidenMYA Alum Parent

TreasurerDale RudyNorthern Trust Company, Senior Vice PresidentMYA Alum Parent

Founder, MYADr. Allan DennisFounder and Director, Midwest Young ArtistsMYA Alum Parent

Board of Directors (in alphabetical order)

Sarah AlterGeneral Growth Properties

Jeff AndreasenRichard Day Research, Research AssociateMYA Alum Parent

Karee BuergerDeloitte and Touche, LLP

Tom Chmielinski *MYA Parent

Ellen DistelheimDistelheim & Solon, LLCMYA Parent

Stephen FatumBarnes Thornburg, LLP, PartnerMYA Alum Parent

Gary FryMYA FacultyMYA Alum Parent

Joan GarnerMYA Parent

John GremerWalgreens, Director of Community Affairs

Derek HanDeloitte and Touche, LLP

Mee KimMYA Alum ParentKimee Foundation, Seoul, Korea

* Executive Committee member

Michael KissNorth Shore Community Bank (Ret.)

Charles MattensonStrategic Intellectual Property Specialists, Principal MYA Alum Parent

Carol Mavrakis *Attorney MYA Parent

Kelly McNamara-CorleyDiscover Financial Services

Ken Michaels *Bauch & Michaels, LLC, PrincipalMYA Parent

Richard MintelUniversity of Illinois (Ret.)MYA Alum Parent

Stacy OverbyDiscover Financial Services

Michael PapierniakUOP (Ret.)

Cathy Popp *MYA Alum Parent

Susan WrightPresident, Baytree Bank

Debra Wrobel

MYA Parent

Board of Advisors

President EmeritusRichard SugarSugar, Felsenthal, Grais & Hammer LLP

Nancy HoborNorthwestern University

H.Y. KimBinggrae, South Korea

The Honorable Mark KirkUnited States Senate

Larry Ter MolenTer Molen, Watkins & Brandt

Catherine MoulyMYA Alum Parent

Daryl NelmsMYA Alum Parent

Jeffrey A. ReinMYA Alum Parent

Honorary Artistic Advisor

Lang LangLang Lang International Music Foundation

Music Advisors

Charles PiklerChicago Symphony OrchestraMYA Alum Parent

Leonard SlatkinMusic Advisor

John Bruce YehChicago Symphony OrchestraMYA Alum Parent

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Contact MYA

Location Midwest Young Artists

878 Lyster Road

Highwood, Illinois

60040

Phone 847.926.9898

Web Address www.mya.org

Podcast www.wmya.fm

Social Facebook.com/midwestyoungartists