The People's Music School
EducationIllinois, United States51-200 Employees
The People's Music School is a Chicago-based nonprofit in the education sector that provides tuition-free music instruction, making it the city's oldest and largest program of its kind. It serves more than 800 students across 55+ ZIP codes in the Chicago area. The school was founded in 1976 by Dr. Rita Simó, a Juilliard-trained pianist from the Dominican Republic, with the aim of eliminating financial barriers to music education. The program combines intensive instruction with performance opportunities to foster social, emotional, and intellectual growth, helping students build responsibility, self-esteem, and purpose. It operates as a community-focused organization in Chicago that supports youth development through music. In March 2025, The People's Music School hosted its eighth annual Big Night Gala to advance its mission.