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.

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