The Chicagoland Accordion Academy will begin an after-school accordion program in the Chicago Public Schools in April 2024. Leah Stephens (picture lower left), a student of Mary Ann Covone (picture left top), and an ATG Board Member, is a full-time public school music educator in the Chicago Public School System. Leah is very enthusiastic about teaching accordion to young students, so she presented the idea of an after-school accordion program to her school principal. The principal was thrilled with the idea and sponsored Chicagoland Accordion Academy to become a vendor for the Chicago Public School System.

Leah and Mary Ann have already met with several families who are interested in the program and anticipate an initial enrollment of about 8 students. We hope this is the beginning of an accordion movement for children in Chicagoland! A second school has already expressed interest and will likely begin an after-school accordion program in the Fall. Students will be taught by Mayra Martinez (photo right), an accordion student of Mary Ann Covone and a recently retired Chicago Public School music teacher, along with Leah Stephens and Mary Ann Covone.

If you know of anyone who might like to donate some twelve bass accordions to the cause, we would be most gratefull. We have already received a donation of 10 Titan 12-bass accordions from an anonymous donor! By the Fall, we hope to need at least twice that many beginner accordions!

For further information: Maryann@chicagolandaccordionacademy.com