Musician Mike Manson opens music school

Shanita Bigelow |

World renowned Jazz bassist Michael Manson and his wife, both long time music educators have opened a music school on the South side of Chicago. The Musical Arts Institute (MAI), while in its infancy, has a current enrollment of 62 students and offers programs for children and adults. We offer voice lessons [and] lessons on every instrument, said Manson from Texas while on tour with legendary musician George Duke. Mansons vision for the school and his students is one of expansion. When I was being formed as a musician, he said recalling his former teacher Mwata Bowden, he [Bowden] was the one that took the limitations offI felt I could do anything. That is the spirit of MAI. If I could do that for our young peopleI feel we could impact a generation, Manson said. The vision is to have a performing arts center on Chicagos South sidea state-of-the-art center where young people can learn and honetheir craft. MAI is located at 9244 S. Lafayette.

This Friday, Aug. 13, MAI is hosting a piano workshop at ChicagoState University from 12:00 4:00pm. The reception and workshop will feature Duke, Rodney East, a hip-hop and R&B composer, producer and performer and Percy Bady and Jason Tyson, gospel producers and performers, among others. Beginning, intermediate and seasoned musicians are invited.

Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

STARR Community Services International, Inc.