Hana Marek, Campus Director, Lake Forest & Lake Bluff, Music Institute of Chicago

 

Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber: Tell us about the Music Institute of Chicago and the lessons and programs you offer?

Hana Marek: The Music Institute of Chicago is one of the nation’s largest and most respected nonprofit community music schools. We welcome students of every age and experience level, from babies taking their very first music classes to advanced young musicians, adult learners, and everyone in between.

At our Lake Forest campus, students can take private lessons with exceptional faculty in a wide variety of instruments. We also offer RCM Smart Start early childhood classes, music theory, chamber music, ensembles, performance opportunities, and programs designed specifically for adult learners. Our goal is to help every student find a meaningful and rewarding place for music in their life.

 

LF/LB: We know that Music Institute of Chicago strives to nurture the whole musician. Please share a little more about the teaching philosophy at Music Institute of Chicago and what makes it unique?

HM: We believe a well-rounded music education includes more than private lessons. Students grow through purposeful practice, music theory, making music with others, and we make sure there are plenty of opportunities to perform and share their music.

What makes MIC special is the way these elements come together in a supportive, welcoming community. Our faculty members are not only accomplished musicians themselves but also dedicated teachers who understand that every student has different goals. Whether someone is preparing for a professional career, returning to an instrument after many years, or simply discovering the joy of making music, we meet them where they are and help them grow with confidence.

 

LF/LB: What is your vision or hope for the future of Music Institute of Chicago, Lake Forest Campus?

HM: My hope is for the Lake Forest campus to become an even more vibrant musical hub for the entire community, a place where students and families feel connected, inspired, and truly at home.

I would love to welcome more people of all ages through our doors, expand opportunities for students to learn and perform together, and build even stronger relationships with local schools, organizations, and businesses. Music has an extraordinary ability to bring people together, and I want our campus to be a place where those connections can flourish.

 

LF/LB: How does Music Institute of Chicago support and give back to the community?

HM: As a nonprofit organization, service to the community is central to MIC’s mission. We work to make high-quality music education accessible through need-based financial aid and scholarships, community partnerships, educational outreach, and performances that bring people together.

We also support the community by creating opportunities for people to experience live music and by helping students develop skills that reach far beyond the practice room: creativity, perseverance, collaboration, confidence, and self-expression. When we invest in musicians, we are also investing in a more connected and vibrant community.

 

LF/LB: Is there anything else you would like to share about Music Institute of Chicago?

HM: One of the things I love most about MIC is that there is no single definition of a musician. You do not need to be a certain age, have a particular level of experience, or aspire to a professional career. If music is meaningful to you, there is a place for you here.

I invite our Lake Forest and Lake Bluff neighbors to visit the campus, attend a performance, explore a class, or speak with us about finding the right musical opportunity. At the Music Institute of Chicago, we see the musician in you.