PIANOS IN THE PARKS

Play a piano outdoors this summer.

Pianos will be placed in parks across the city on June 21st as part of Make Music Chicago—the free citywide celebration of the musician in us all—and will be available for anyone to play all summer long.

If you’ve never played before but want to try it out you can stop by for a free introductory lesson (schedule below↓). Or if you have some experience already, feel free to sit down and tickle the ivories any time during each park’s opening hours. Pianos in the Parks is presented in partnership with the Chicago Park District as part of their Night Out in the Parks program.

Sign up for a free piano lesson.↗

Kennicott Park (4434 S. Lake Park Ave.)
Teachers: Dre Meza & Neko Cortez
Saturday, 6/21, 11am-12pm
Wednesday, 6/25, 12-1pm
Wednesday, 7/2, 12-1pm
Wednesday, 7/9, 12-1pm
Wednesday, 7/16, 12-1pm
Wednesday, 7/23, 12-1pm

Jackson Park (6401 S. Stony Island Ave.)
Teacher: Pam Nuttal Sawyer
Saturday, 6/21, 11am-12noon
Wednesday, 6/25, 2-3pm
Wednesday, 7/2, 2-3pm
Wednesday, 7/9, 2-3pm
Wednesday, 7/16, 2-3pm
Wednesday, 7/23, 2-3pm

Neko “Suave” Cortez is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, ethnomusicologist, and educator originally from Dayton, Ohio (the home of the funk), now based in Chicago, IL. He was introduced to music at a young age through his father, who is a bass player. Neko quickly fell in love with music that makes people dance, and he keeps that rhythm close to his heart. Musically, Neko seeks to act as a vessel for the music that already exists in the universe. He seeks to play honestly and to heal others through music. As an educator, Neko seeks to guide students towards creating music that is a reflection of life, and to empower students by deepening their musical connection with their identity and ancestors.

Chicago-based composer and orchestrator Michelle Isaac is known for creating playful and poignant works for the concert hall, stage, and screen. A Chicago DCASE grant winner and Chicago Sinfonietta Freeman Composing Fellow, Michelle has reached audiences globally, with notable performances by the Fort Worth Symphony, Chicago Sinfonietta, Paradox Opera, Knox-Galesburg Symphony, and the UW-River Falls Percussion Ensemble, and upcoming commissions from the Reno Philharmonic and the Crystal Lake Community Band. Michelle is enthusiastically active in music education, and her work as faculty and guest lecturer includes The People’s Music School, Roosevelt University, OPUS Chamber Music Camp, and Chicago Area Music Teachers Composition Festival. She is currently in her fourth year of collaborating with Keith Carlson, director of bands in Woodridge (IL) School District 68, on a groundbreaking project combining classroom composition curriculum with commissioned works for junior high band. A native of Waukegan, IL, Michelle is an accomplished percussionist and pianist, getting her musical start in the Waukegan Public School system. She earned her Master of Music in Composition from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, where she studied with Stacy Garrop and Kyong Mee Choi, and her Bachelor of Arts in Music from the College of Saint Benedict. michelleisaac.com

Cassandra Kaczor is a Chicago-based composer, pianist, multimedia artist, multi-instrumentalist, and entertainer. She has performed piano, drums, bass, and as a vocalist in nineteen states, on cruise ships, and in Europe. Cassandra works as a professional piano bar entertainer with a catalog of over 1000 songs that guests can request on the spot. Kaczor has her Master’s degree in Music Composition as a Performing Arts Scholar from Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts, where she studied privately with Dr. Kyong Mee Choi. She was awarded residencies at the Djerassi Resident Artists Program and the I-Park International Artist-in-Residence Program in 2018. Over the years, Kaczor worked as a professional pianist and singer at venues such as Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar, Sluggers, Redhead Piano Bar, the Zebra Lounge, and as a freelance teacher, performer, and composer. She has made a return to teaching and has written her first novel, along with completing her first EP. She lives in Chicago with her husband and is currently pursuing a second master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. cassandrakaczormusic.com

Dre Meza (they/them) graduated from Columbia College Chicago in Jazz Studies and Vocal Performance. They are based in Pilsen but grew up in Joliet. They are a music educator, freelance vocal coach, sound healing artist, composer for film, and the Education Specialist at Intonation Music.

Margaret Murphy, affectionately known as the Jazz Cop, is a graduate of Chicago State University with a BM in vocal performance and jazz piano. This award winning international vocalist has been showcasing her talent in the Chicago area for over thirty years. Margaret developed her unique vocal style and showmanship under the tutelage of Jazz Master tenor saxophonist Von Freeman with whom she shared the stage at The Taste of Chicago, The Jazz Showcase, The Chicago Jazz Fest, Andys, The Green Mill and many other popular Chicago venues. As leader of her own quartet, she has been featured at the Navy Pier Beer Garden, Chicago Lake Cruises, The House of Blues, The Mississippi Valley Blues Fest, The Englewood Jazz Festival and The Chicago Jazz Festival. Margaret has performed for both Presidents Obama and Clinton as well as tours in London, Paris and Germany. Margaret is the founder and executive director of the South Side Jazz Coalition. This not for profit organization is dedicated to the preservation and furtherance of jazz through education, community outreach and live performance. 

An Phan is a Chicago-based classical pianist, music educator, and collaborative artist passionate about connecting people and the community through music. Ms. Phan is an award winning pianist receiving recognition from the Musicians Club of Women, the Avanti Arizona Steinway Association, Arizona Yamaha and Bosendorfer Competition, and the Evanston Musician’s Club. Ms. Phan has performed as a classical pianist in various music festivals such as the Colburn International Beethoven Festival, International Institute of Young Musicians, and the Adamant Music Festival. An holds a Bachelor’s of Musical Arts in Piano Performance and Psychology from Roosevelt University, a Master’s of Education in Educational Psychology and a Education Specialist degree in School Psychology. Outside of music, she is a practicing School Psychologist supporting diverse learners in public schools by providing academic, social emotional, and behavioral support in multiple school settings. As an educator, Ms. Phan combines her clinical and educational training to make music education accessible to all learners.

Hello I am Pam Sawyer also known as Mama Pam. I love teaching music. Its a love language. Music is about relationship with self and others. Music is also about realizing your objectives through clarifying communications. In addition to this, music is about identifying obstacles and discovering how to overcome them. Music is also about telling a story. You can accomplish much by finding Your musical key to opening the doors of understanding.🎼 🎶 and expression.