News, Events, Awards & Achievements

From singing rounds with his parents in Bogotá, Colombia, to conducting the MIC Chorale for nearly 40 years, Danny Wallenberg’s life has been shaped by music and the connections it creates. Meet the conductor as he reflects on his musical journey and the Chorale’s 40th anniversary.

This fall, Music Institute of Chicago will become the exclusive regional provider of RCM Smart Start, a research-informed early childhood program. Meet the teachers who will bring the program to life and help young children build a joyful foundation for lifelong engagement with music!

A well-rounded music education combines individual instruction with opportunities to perform, collaborate, study music theory, and make music with others, helping students build confidence, strengthen musical understanding, and develop skills that last well beyond the practice room. We asked Music Institute of Chicago faculty why comprehensive music education matters and what they see in students who participate in multiple musical experiences.

We spoke with Music Institute of Chicago’s Piano Department Chair Elaine Felder to explore her approach to unlocking student potential, the benefits of both early training and adult study, and why chamber music is one of the most powerful experiences a pianist can have.

There's a lot a musician can gain from stepping outside what they already know. We spoke with Lake Forest campus director Hana Marek about what it looks like to cultivate curiosity through music, why exploring across cultures matters, and how those habits can shape both better musicians and more thoughtful citizens.

Meet Ari Barack Fisher: composer, violinist, and Academy Coordinator and Orchestra Manager at the Music Institute of Chicago. He started his own violin studies at MIC in 1996, and today he is back in the community supporting the next generation of students.