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Overview
What The People’s Music School does: It provides 100% tuition-free music education in Chicago, serving over 800 students across 55+ ZIP codes. The school helps children learn music and build social, emotional, and intellectual skills through intensive instruction and performance opportunities. How its product works: Students receive structured, rigorous music instruction and participate in performances, which together foster musical skill and personal development without any cost to families. How it’s different from competitors: It is Chicago’s oldest and largest tuition-free music school, and its students achieve strong outcomes, including a 100% high school graduation rate and a 96% college attendance rate, demonstrating both broad access and tangible success. What the goal is: To transform lives and strengthen communities by making high-quality music education accessible to all children, regardless of family income.
About The People’s Music School
Industries
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois
Founded
1976
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- MacArthur awarded $240,000 over three years in 2025, reinforcing institutional credibility.
- Impact Grants Chicago awarded $100,000 in May 2025, supporting program expansion.
- Fall 2026 programming spans Albany Park, Back of the Yards, Greater South Side, Uptown Academy.
What critics are saying
- A tuition-free model depends on fundraising; 2024-2025 gala revenue exceeded $750,000.
- Leadership changed recently; Miriam Goldberg Owens became CEO in August 2021.
- Student retention was 80%; if donations weaken, waitlists and staffing strain worsen quickly.
What makes The People’s Music School unique
- Founded in 1976, it remains Chicago's oldest tuition-free music school.
- 2024-2025 served 805 students across four sites with 70 teaching artists.
- The school opened its own Greater South Side site at 5410 S State Street in 2025.
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Benefits
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 6%1 year growth
↑ 6%2 year growth
↑ 6%David Michael elected to The People's Music School Board of Directors. Gould & Ratner is pleased to announce that Managing Partner David Michael has been elected to the Board of Directors of The People's Music School. Founded in 1976, The People's Music School is Chicago's oldest and largest tuition-free music school, providing high-quality music education to hundreds of students across the city each year. The organization's mission is to transform lives through access to music education, ensuring that all children have the opportunity to develop creatively, academically, and personally through the study of music. David's election to the Board reflects his dedication to community engagement and service beyond the practice of law. As Managing Partner of Gould & Ratner, he has long championed the importance of investing in initiatives that strengthen the communities in which Gould & Ratner LLP live and work. The firm congratulates David on this appointment and looks forward to the meaningful contributions he will make in support of The People's Music School and its students.
Miriam Goldberg Owens has been appointed President & Chief Executive Officer of The People's Music School.
Effective November 1, 2021, longtime Chicago nonprofit executive K. Sujata will be joining People’s as its Interim President.
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About The People’s Music School
Industries
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois
Founded
1976
There are no jobs for The People’s Music School right now.
Find jobs on Simplify and start your career today