Naperville-area teens play it forward through their music

Jessica Zhang was teaching piano lessons to some younger kids, making a little cash in a way that's not uncommon for teens in orchestra or band, when a friend approached her with a "far-fetched" idea.

Instead of teaching music lessons to earn extra money, why not start a nonprofit and use the lesson fees as a way to provide free instruction to low-income students, Jessica's friend Abinaya Ramakrishnan asked her.

"Even though it was really far-fetched, I really wanted to do it because music is one of my biggest passions," said Jessica, a 15-year-old sophomore at Naperville Central High School who plays piano, flute and guitar.

She and Abinaya, a 15-year-old sophomore at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora, now are vice president and president, respectively, of The Muzic Academy.

In the few months since the idea was hatched, five leaders of The Muzic Academy have taught eight students at locations including the new nonprofit Alive Center in Naperville. Instructors have heard from another dozen or so who are interested. The high school-aged instructors charge regular-income students $10 for a half-hour lesson - a deep discount from the close to $60 fees charged by professional instructors.

"It dawned on me that my lessons are so expensive that my parents had to push me to practice when I was little. It wasn't out of joy," said Abinaya, who has been playing violin since age 4 and now focuses on viola. "Most of the teachers in this area are really expensive."

Although she originally practiced because her parents encouraged her to, as she got a little older, Abinaya said she realized music could be a stress reliever after a difficult day at school.

"I always fell back to music because it was always a way to relax and recoup myself," she said. "Many people in our community are unable to get that because cost always is a burden."

The money that Muzic Academy instructors make won't go into their pockets; instead, it will support free lessons, songbooks and even instruments for low-income students. The teens have approached music teachers at Naperville junior high and elementary schools so they can direct low-income students who want private instruction to the new nonprofit.

Abinaya says she also wants to connect with Bridge Communities, a Glen Ellyn-based nonprofit that provides transitional housing, so kids without a stable home still can learn to play an instrument.

"Music is something that's universal," said Max Zhang, a 14-year-old incoming freshman at Naperville North High School who is the nonprofit's cello instructor. "We think it's an experience that should be shared universally, too."

Those interested in free lessons should not approach The Muzic Academy directly, Abinaya said, but should first ask the music teacher at their school. The teens are hoping to work primarily with students in elementary and middle school.

"They're the ones that need to grow," Abinaya said. "That's when they realize they have a passion."

The Muzic Academy also plans to connect with Naperville North senior Amber Mraz, who this spring received a $340 grant from the Naperville Education Foundation to fund Community School of Music, which also aims to provide music lessons to elementary students whose families can't afford professional private instruction. Both Amber and Muzic Academy leaders say they want their efforts to continue past their high school years, so finding younger students to continue the instruction will be key.

Also important to their success is the teachers' ability to relate to their younger counterparts - musically and otherwise.

"We've come to a certain level and only a couple years ago did we have the same obstacles that they're having," Abinaya said. "We're able to give them advice and communicate with them easier because they're more or less our age."

Muzic Academy instructors say they've already learned new vocabulary and entrepreneurial skills from the process of filing paperwork to become an official nonprofit. Now they're ready to begin the school year by seeking more high school instructors and more students with whom to share the joys of music.

"Music should always be kept as part of your life, whether it's a hobby or a career," Max said. "It's something that nurtures us and lets us express ourselves."