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Monday 10am - 3pm Tuesday 10am - 3pm Wednesday 10am - 3pm Thursday 10am - 3pm Friday 10am - 3pm

Bravo Waukegan

Empowering Children Through Music

Bravo Waukegan enriches the lives of the many remarkable students through the support and development of the Waukegan schools' music programs. Not only do we significantly help to provide students with instruments while subsidizing private lessons, but also work to provide teachers with access to necessary resources for professional growth. We also fund the rental of performance spaces, commission

compositions for the orchestra, begin dynamic new after-school music programs, support the Waukegan Public School Summer Music Camps, and fully encourage the involvement of parents in all aspects of the programs. As our programs help thousands of students to develop music skills and appreciation, we are ultimately helping to greatly strengthen schools, families, and the Waukegan community!

06/06/2026

That’s our first Fun Friday wrapped up! Thank you to all the teachers and their hard work as we begin to work on our pieces for the final concert. Excited for more to come!

06/02/2026

A huge thank you to all our families for your patience and understanding as we worked through the last-minute change of location. We know it has been stressful and we really appreciate your support. We are happy to say BB26 is up and running!

We’d also like to thank the staff at Jack Benny Middle School for helping us settle into our new space. Everyone has been so welcoming.

It has been fantastic to see our returning students again and to meet so many new ones. After months of planning, there’s nothing better than hearing music in the halls and seeing students excited to play.

A special shout out to our friends at Lake Forest College for their generous donation of music books this year. The students are already putting them to good use!

If you need to get in touch with the Bravo Buddies team, please email [email protected] and someone will get back to you.

Here’s to a great month of music!

05/29/2026

🎵 We Have a New Home for Bravo Buddies 2026! 🎵

After a few unexpected twists and turns this week, we're delighted to confirm that Bravo Buddies 2026 will take place at Jack Benny Middle School!

We want to thank Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 for working quickly to find a new location and ensure that our students can continue making music without interruption.

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and flexibility over the past few days. We can't wait to welcome our students on Monday for another summer filled with music, learning, friendship, and fun.

See you at Jack Benny Middle School! 🎻🎺🎶

🎵 ¡Tenemos un nuevo hogar para Bravo Buddies 2026! 🎵

Después de algunos giros inesperados esta semana, ¡estamos encantados de confirmar que Bravo Buddies 2026 tendrá lugar en Jack Benny Middle School!

Queremos agradecer al Distrito Escolar 60 de la Unidad Comunitaria de Waukegan por trabajar rápidamente para encontrar una nueva ubicación y garantizar que nuestros estudiantes puedan continuar haciendo música sin interrupción.

Gracias por su paciencia, comprensión y flexibilidad durante los últimos días. No podemos esperar para dar la bienvenida a nuestros estudiantes el lunes para otro verano lleno de música, aprendizaje, amistad y diversión.

¡ Nos vemos en Jack Benny Middle School! 🎻🎺🎶

05/28/2026

Important update for Bravo Buddies families:

Late this week, we were informed of construction related issues at John Lewis Middle School which mean the building is no longer able to safely host Bravo Buddies.

The school district is currently working to move the program to a new location and we will share the details with families as soon as they are confirmed.

We know many of you are waiting for student schedules and, unfortunately, this unexpected situation has caused a delay. Schedules will be sent out as soon as possible.

We are very sorry for the inconvenience and truly appreciate everyone’s patience and flexibility while plans are finalized.

One thing we do know for certain... Bravo Buddies 2026 is happening and THE SHOW WILL GO ON!!!! 🎶🙌🏻

Actualización importante para las familias de Bravo Buddies:

A finales de esta semana, se nos informó de problemas relacionados con la construcción en la Escuela Secundaria John Lewis, lo que significa que el edificio ya no puede albergar de forma segura a Bravo Buddies.

El distrito escolar está trabajando actualmente para trasladar el programa a una nueva ubicación y compartiremos los detalles con las familias tan pronto como se confirmen.

Sabemos que muchos de ustedes están esperando los horarios de los estudiantes y, desafortunadamente, esta situación inesperada ha causado un retraso. Los horarios se enviarán lo antes posible.

Lamentamos mucho las molestias y realmente apreciamos la paciencia y flexibilidad de todos mientras se finalizan los planes.

Una cosa que sí sabemos con certeza... ¡¡¡Bravo Buddies 2026 está sucediendo y EL ESPECTÁCULO SEGUIRÁ!!! 🎶🙌🏻

05/11/2026

🎶 Ready to take your child’s music playing to the next level this summer?

Bravo Buddies gives students the chance to grow their skills, build confidence, and fall even more in love with music through:

⭐ 8 individual instrument lessons
⭐ Fun Fridays & musical activities
⭐ Support from inspiring music teachers
⭐ A welcoming and encouraging environment

We offer lessons in:
🎻 Violin & Viola
🎺 Trumpet, Trombone
🎷 Saxophone & Clarinet
🥁 Percussion
🎸 Guitar
🎹 Piano

…and more!

Whether your child is just beginning or already loves playing, Bravo Buddies is a summer they’ll never forget.

📅 Registration closes May 15
🔗 Register here: www.bravowaukegan.org

04/27/2026

We’re excited to introduce the Bravo Buddies 2026 team!

Leading the program this summer is Itzel Lobo, our Lead Teacher. Itzel is Waukegan born and raised and now teaches choir and general music in District 60. She knows our students, our schools, and our community, and we’re so happy to have her leading Bravo Buddies this year.

Returning as Program Director is Kathia Torres for her second year with Bravo Buddies. Kathia is an accomplished music teacher who made a huge impact last summer. She loved the program so much she wanted to come back, and we are thrilled to have her with us again.

Joining the leadership team this year is Kashyap Prasad as Assistant Program Director. Kashyap has been a Bravo Buddies teacher for the last three years and is a fantastic musician who brings great experience, energy, and a real connection with our students.

Bravo Buddies is one of the best parts of summer, and we’re looking forward to another four weeks of music, learning, and fun with our District 60 students.

Registration is open now through May 15 and is ONLINE ONLY this year through the Bravo Waukegan website. If you have any questions or run into any problems, please reach out to the team at [email protected]

04/12/2026

As we count down to just one week until our upcoming fundraiser, we want to take a moment to recognize and thank the sponsors who have made this event possible.

We are incredibly grateful to our Title Sponsor, American Place Casino , for their generous support and commitment to our mission.

We would also like to thank our Bloom Sponsors: Mighty Hook The Tranel Financial Group , Libertyville Sunrise Rotary Club, and Lake Forest Bank & Trust

Their support helps us continue to expand access to music education for students across Waukegan, ensuring more young people have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive through music.

We are looking forward to a wonderful afternoon and are excited to celebrate with you all!

04/01/2026

We’re excited to be getting ready for Bravo Buddies 2026.

Our four-week summer music program offers individual lessons to elementary and middle school students in District 60, giving them the chance to build skills, confidence, and a real connection to music.

This year, registration will be online only, making it easier for families to sign up.

📅 Registration opens April 15 and closes May 15

We can’t wait to welcome our students back this summer.

03/30/2026

A special delivery at the Bravo Waukegan office this week.

Three Yamaha Clavinova pianos, generously donated in memory of a much-loved piano teacher. These were her instruments, and her family shared them so her love of music can continue through the next generation of students.

They will soon be added to the inventory for Waukegan Community Unit School District 60, where students will have the chance to learn and play on them.

It’s a simple thing, but also a powerful one, passing something on so it can continue to make a difference.

We’re very grateful for the generosity and thought behind this gift.

03/23/2026

We are delighted to announce that American Place Casino is the Title Sponsor of our upcoming fundraiser, The Next Movement: In Full Bloom.

Their generous support is helping make this event possible and ensuring that more Waukegan students have access to meaningful, high-quality music education.

We hope you will join us on Sunday, April 19 from 12–3 PM at Exmoor Country Club for an afternoon of live student performances, including Waukegan High School Chamber Strings, along with stories that highlight the impact of Bravo Waukegan’s work.

Tickets are available now on our website, and we would love to have you there.

Address

400 E Illinois Road
Lake Forest, IL
60045

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 3pm
Tuesday	10am - 3pm
Wednesday	10am - 3pm
Thursday	10am - 3pm
Friday	10am - 3pm

Website

https://www.bravowaukegan.org/about/

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