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Serving Communities through the power of music & arts

MORE THAN MUSIC

ACCESS. OPPORTUNITY. JOY

OUR MISSION

East Garfield Park’s future home for creative expression

A HOME FOR THE ARTS

NOW OPEN

THE CENTER

Help An Emerging Musician Find Their Potential

SPONSOR A STUDENT

GIVE THE GIFT OF MUSIC

SPONSOR A STUDENT

THE CENTER PROJECT

BandWith’s free performing arts programs have moved into a permanent home, launching youth & adult community programs in Spring 2026. Through a generous gift from the Glasser & Rosenthal families, BandWith purchased a 25,000 sq. ft. building in East Garfield Park. However, we need your help to complete the project! 

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2022

Capital Campaign Launched

BandWith kicked off fundraising efforts to build a permanent performing arts center in East Garfield Park.

2023

$8M+ Raised for the Project

Thanks to incredible donors—including the Glasser & Rosenthal families. BandWith secured over $8 million to make the dream real.

2024

Groundbreaking Ceremony

Shovels hit the ground as construction officially began at the new 25,000 sq. ft. home just blocks from our original program site.

2025

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Progress moved fast. We cut the ribbon on our new Performing Arts Center & Community Hub, celebrating this historic milestone with over 300 people!

SPRING 2026

YOUTH & ADULT PROGRAMS LAUNCH 

Our new Performing Arts Center & Community Hub expanded youth programming and launched adult community programs in February, where generations on the West Side will have opportunities to create, express themselves, and grow through arts programs!

KEY MILESTONES

BUILDING OUR FUTURE

OUR PROGRAMS

Empowering Chicago’s youth through music, dance, and creative expression.

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Titan Band

Grades 4–8

Using the modern band approach, Titan Band teaches students how to play, improvise, and perform on their instruments in a collaborative ensemble setting. Participants explore a variety of musical styles, including rock, pop, Latin, rap, R&B, country, jazz, and more, empowering them to start making music from day one. Designed for students in Grades 4–8, Titan Band provides an engaging, fun, and inspiring environment where young musicians of all backgrounds and experience levels can develop their skills, creativity, and confidence through performance.
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Jazz & Hip Hop I

Grades 2–4

This high-energy dance ensemble builds technique, rhythm, and style while improving flexibility, coordination, body awareness, and overall fitness. Dancers learn foundational jazz and hip hop movements, including turns, jumps, kicks, and basic choreography, while exploring fun and age-appropriate dance combinations. Through engaging classes and performance opportunities, students develop confidence, creativity, and a strong foundation in dance. Open to students in Grades 2–4.
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Jazz & Hip Hop II

Grades 5–8

Ready to take your dancing to the next level? Jazz & Hip Hop II builds on foundational dance skills while introducing more challenging combinations, dynamic choreography, powerful leaps, sharp turns, and stylized movement progressions. Dancers strengthen their technique, flexibility, coordination, and musicality while exploring rhythm, isolations, performance quality, and stage presence. Through high-energy rehearsals and performances, students build confidence, creativity, and the skills needed to grow as versatile dancers. Open to students in Grades 5–8.
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Elementary Drumline

Grades 4–8

Step into the energy and tradition of the drumline! Elementary Drumline introduces students to the fundamentals of drumming through a dynamic, performance-based ensemble experience. Participants develop proper stick control, timing, rhythmic accuracy, and ensemble awareness while learning essential rudiments such as single strokes, double strokes, paradiddles, rolls, and flam patterns. Through engaging rehearsals, students build coordination, discipline, and teamwork while performing on a variety of battery percussion instruments, including snare drum, bass drum, tenor drums, and cymbals. This ensemble provides a strong foundation in drumline technique, musicianship, and performance skills for students in Grades 4–8.
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1-on-1 Music Lessons

K–12

Private 1-on-1 music lessons offer students personalized instruction in guitar, piano/keyboard, bass guitar, drum set, ukulele, or voice. Students receive focused support tailored to their skill level and musical goals, helping them build strong technical skills, musical understanding, and confidence. Lessons are customized to each learner, making it easy for beginners to start and for developing musicians to grow at their own pace. Students interested in brass, woodwind, or orchestral string instruments must provide their own instrument. Through consistent instruction and practice, students strengthen creativity, self-expression, discipline, and overall musicianship in a supportive one-on-one learning environment.
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Bucket Drumming and More

Grades 2–4

Discover the excitement of making music through rhythm! Bucket Drumming and More introduces students to the fundamentals of percussion using buckets, hand drums, and a variety of percussion instruments from around the world. Participants develop rhythmic accuracy, coordination, listening skills, and creativity while learning drumming patterns, ensemble techniques, and performance skills. Through hands-on activities and collaborative music-making, students explore different percussion traditions and gain confidence expressing themselves through rhythm in a fun and engaging environment. Open to students in Grades 2–4.
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Guitar Ensemble

Grades 4–8

Learn, play, and perform with fellow guitarists in a fun and supportive ensemble setting! This class is designed for beginning to intermediate students who want to develop their guitar skills while making music with others. Participants will learn essential techniques, chords, strumming patterns, scales, and basic music reading while exploring a variety of musical styles. Through group rehearsals and performance opportunities, students build confidence, musicianship, listening skills, and ensemble awareness as they work together to create and perform music. Open to students in Grades 4–8.
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BandWith Chicago Performing Arts Program

Ages 14–18

The BandWith Chicago Performing Arts Program offers teens the opportunity to develop their talents in choir, dance, drumline, or stage band. Participants build technical skills, set personal and ensemble goals, and collaborate in a creative, supportive environment. The program culminates in performances that showcase their growth, creativity, and dedication while fostering confidence, leadership, and teamwork.
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The Windy City Ramblers Brass Band Workshop

Ages 12 & Up

Play, learn, and perform in a dynamic, multi-generational brass band experience! Participants build instrumental technique, ensemble skills, and musical confidence while exploring traditional and contemporary brass band repertoire. Musicians will develop tone production, rhythm, improvisation, and group listening skills through engaging rehearsals and performance-based learning. The workshop emphasizes collaboration, musical expression, and the joy of making music together across generations and experience levels. Open to participants ages 12 and up.
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The Windy City Ramblers Brass Band Ensemble

Adults

Play, refine, and perform in a high-level adult brass band ensemble! This group is designed for experienced adult musicians ready to deepen their instrumental technique, strengthen ensemble performance skills, and expand their musical artistry. Participants will engage with traditional and contemporary brass band repertoire while focusing on tone production, rhythmic precision, stylistic interpretation, and improvisation. Through rigorous rehearsals and performance-based experiences, musicians will sharpen their listening, blend, and overall ensemble cohesion. The ensemble emphasizes collaboration, musicianship, and the shared joy of making powerful music together at an advanced level. Open to adult participants.
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BandWith Voices

Ages 12 & Up

Sing, learn, and perform in a welcoming, multi-generational choir experience! Participants build vocal skills, explore music from a variety of styles and cultures, and develop confidence through engaging rehearsals and performances. Choir members strengthen their musicianship, learn the value of collaboration, and experience the joy of making music alongside singers of different ages and backgrounds. Open to participants ages 12 and up.
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The Chicago Community Chorus in partnership with BandWith Chicago

Ages 14 & Up

Join Chicago Community Chorus and BandWith Chicago Performing Arts for a welcoming, multi-generational choir where singers of all experience levels can grow, perform, and make music together. Build vocal skills, strengthen your musicianship, explore diverse musical styles, and experience the joy of singing in a supportive community. Open to participants ages 14 and up.
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Line Dance with Keema

Adults

Line Dance with Keema is a welcoming, high-energy adult dance class focused on line dancing, stepping, and other coordinated group movement styles. Participants will learn foundational footwork, rhythm patterns, and synchronized choreography while building confidence, coordination, and musicality. Set to upbeat music, the class emphasizes timing, teamwork, and style as dancers master both classic and contemporary steps. No prior experience is required—just a willingness to move, learn, and have fun in a supportive community setting.

SCROLL RIGHT ➟

800+

students learning, creating, and performing each year.

$13.5M+

raised for our new building project

​

13+

years of empowering youth through music and movement.

50+

live performances each year at schools, festivals, and city events.

15,000+

hours of music and arts instruction delivered.

hear it from our students

What BandWith does goes beyond music.

These are the voices of parents, students, and supporters who’ve felt the difference firsthand.

"BandWith feels like family. It’s helped me express myself through dance and become

more confident in who I am."

Jaliyah, Choir & Dance

“BandWith’s after school program takes me back to when I was young and we had programs and people who cared about the well-being of the kids. With programs like BandWith, youth throughout Chicago can see their
potential and value.”

Bernetta Smith, BandWith parent  

“I can be having the worst day of my life and when I start dancing, I can feel a weight being lifted...

I feel dancing gives me the freedom to be happy."

Mario, Dance Team

"Music used to be just a hobby , now I see it as my future. BandWith gave me purpose and a path."

Kristian, Drums & Piano

“When I dance with BandWith, I feel free.

It’s like all the stress of the day just melts away.”

Angel, Dance

“Performing at Arts in the Dark was unforgettable — the energy, the crowd,

the pride. I’ll never forget it.”

Nylah, Drumline

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SPACE RENTAL

RENT OUR SPACE

Host meetings, workshops, rehearsals, performances, and community events at BandWith Chicago. Flexible spaces. Inspiring energy. Built for creativity and connection.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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AUGUST 7, 2026

After School Matters Summer Showcase

Time: 5:00pm BandWith: 148 S. California Avenue Come celebrate our ASM Summer Program students' achievements at our Performing Arts Center! We'll also have Fall Registration for our upcoming Fall Programs. Enjoy their talented performances from: Choir 🎤 | Dance💃| Stage Band 🎸| Drumline 🥁 We hope to see you there! August Guest: Eriick Starr is a young, charismatic bandleader from Detroit Michigan. Starr is an especially gifted singer, keyboardist, songwriter, composer and arranger; for years he has trained in jazz, gospel, and pop styles which all come together to create his masterfully nostalgic yet authentically original sound. He has also performed with such Grammy Award winning artists as Paula Cole, Diane Warren, and Cory Henry. Performing professionally since age 19, Starr has had the pleasure to share the awesome experience of his work on many stages throughout the Midwest from local night clubs to places such as the historic Chicago Theatre, and House of Blues to name a few; he has also enjoyed success performing to international audiences in Europe.

RSVP
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AUGUST 20, 2026

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES:
ERIICK STARR

Time: 6:30-8:00pm BandWith: 148 S. California Avenue 🎶 Summertime, live music, & the incredible artists who inspire our students every day. Join us for BandWith’s Summer Concert Series—featuring live performances & an opportunity to connect with the musicians who help make our youth & multi-generational programs possible. ​ August Guest: Eriick Starr is a young, charismatic bandleader from Detroit Michigan. Starr is an especially gifted singer, keyboardist, songwriter, composer and arranger; for years he has trained in jazz, gospel, and pop styles which all come together to create his masterfully nostalgic yet authentically original sound. He has also performed with such Grammy Award winning artists as Paula Cole, Diane Warren, and Cory Henry. Performing professionally since age 19, Starr has had the pleasure to share the awesome experience of his work on many stages throughout the Midwest from local night clubs to places such as the historic Chicago Theatre, and House of Blues to name a few; he has also enjoyed success performing to international audiences in Europe.

RSVP
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INSIDE BANDWITH CHICAGO

UNISON COFFEE

A welcoming neighborhood café inside BandWith Chicago-serving coffee, conversation, and community.

NEWSLETTERS & ARTICLES

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