Keys to Connection

Keys to Connection At Keys to Connection, our mission is to spread the healing power of music to link lives across generations.

It takes a village to make this happen!We had an incredibly generous support from Mr. Scott Verschoor - thank you so mu...
05/03/2026

It takes a village to make this happen!We had an incredibly generous support from Mr. Scott Verschoor - thank you so much! With additional support still coming in, we are thrilled to share that this event will raise more than $2,000 for the Music Institute of Chicago.

We would like to give our sincerest thanks to the many people who made this event possible, including but certainly not limited to:
• Mr. Scott Verschoor, our biggest supporter and advocate
• Ms. Rachel Barton Pine, for her outstanding support, kindness, and generosity
• MIC leadership and campus directors: Ms. Sue Polutnik, Ms. Jennifer Bienemann, Ms. Jen Hanson, Ms. Erin Fusco, Mr. Patrick O’Malley, Ms. Marie Alatalo, Mr. Clem Leek, Ms. Hana Marek
• Our amazing MIC teachers: Dr. Matt Hagle, Ms. Elaine Felder, Mrs. Brigitte Gray, Ms. Bianca d’Avila do Prado, Mr. Avi Friedlander, Dr. Soo Young Lee, Ms. Christina Tio, Ms. Lisa Zilberman
• New Trier teachers: Ms. Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Tony Knuth
• So many others in our community who supported this effort
Thank you all for making this event so special.

05/03/2026

After a month of preparation, the Keys to Connection team (Eric Wang, Helena Sprajcer, Brian Wu) finally presented MIC’s first-ever resale event to MIC students and public.

About 150 people attended, turning it into a memorable success. More than 30 families donated to support this effort. The beautiful performance attire was redistributed to over 50 families. The boys’ collection was sold out completely, and most of the girls’ dresses found new owners. It was especially rewarding seeing families and children excitedly choosing their new performance attire, enjoying the event’s welcoming atmosphere.

One touching moment stood out. As we reached out to local families, we met a family who came to visit and will be relocating to Chicago from Austin this summer. They have a child who is 5 years old and learning piano. They visited our event and showed strong interest in starting their music adventure at MIC.

Our team grew stronger as well. Through regular meetings, we built trust, learned to define roles clearly, and supported one another every step of the way.

Thank you to everyone who came out and made this day so special. More to share soon as we celebrate the many people who made this possible.

04/30/2026

After browsing our boys‘ collection, be sure to also check out our dresswear for girls. The team at Keys to Connection is excited to present a plentiful selection of colorful dresses for every style.

We have a large assortment of gorgeous, high quality dresses, perfect for musical performance. Each piece is under $10, making these elegant and eye-catching dresses great for anyone aged 4 to 16. Don't miss your chance to get these beautiful pieces!

The Performance Closet will occur on Saturday, May 2nd, from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M at MIC Evanston Campus.

04/29/2026

Do you have any children who are 5 to 16 years old, have a passion for music, and require high quality performance attire?

Then come take a look of our boys’ collection at The Performance Closet! We have gathered over one hundred stunning performance pieces, almost all of which have only been gently used or even brand new! From fun accessories to formal pants and shirts to sharp suits, there is something for every young, aspiring musician.

Furthermore, concert attires are being offered for an affordable price range of up to $10!

The Performance Closet will occur on Saturday, May 2nd, from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M at MIC Evanston Campus. These items are unique and one-of-a-kind, so get them before they’re gone!

The Performance Closet!Mark your calendar for May 2nd! 10:00am-3:00pmMusic Institute of Chicago1490 Chicago Avenue (ente...
04/27/2026

The Performance Closet!

Mark your calendar for May 2nd! 10:00am-3:00pm
Music Institute of Chicago
1490 Chicago Avenue (enter Grove St)
Evanston, IL 60201

04/26/2026

Keys to Connection, together with our wonderful guest performers, shared a truly special afternoon at The Wellshire Morton Grove.

The music filled the room, but it was the moments after the performance that stayed with us. One resident gently held each performer’s hand and said, “Thank you for coming and bringing such a beautiful performance to our center.”

It was a simple gesture, but one we won’t forget.

An afternoon of music, smiles, and connection: these are the moments that remind us why we do this.

04/24/2026

Deepest thanks to MIC@Music Institute of Chicago and Rachel Barton Pine, Violinist for their generous support. Watching the video moved us to the bottom of our hearts. That moment captured exactly why Keys to Connection delivers The Performance Closet. Young musicians practice with dedication, hoping to give beautiful performances. By helping them afford the attire they deserve, we enable them to shine on stage.

Mark your calendar for May 2nd! 10:00am-3:00pm
Music Institute of Chicago
1490 Chicago Avenue (enter Grove St)
Evanston, IL 60201

04/22/2026

Once worn under bright lights, filled with music and nerves and excitement…
Now these beautiful performance gowns are ready for their next stage. A big thank you to Rachel Rachel Barton Pine, Violinist and family for supporting the Performance Closet project. We cannot wait to see other young musicians step into the spotlight with these dresses and continue the story.

May 2nd! 10:00am-3:00pm
Music Institute of Chicago
1490 Chicago Avenue (enter Grove St)
Evanston, IL 60201

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Kildeer, IL

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