As we close out Mobile Care LOVES Chicago, we had the opportunity to talk with Evita Trembley, the founder of Ravenswood Music Academy, about the “why” behind her business. We feel incredibly fortunate to have the chance to partner with her on our upcoming “Spring Cleaning” event at Smack Dab, where her instructors will be leading a jam session with various instruments while kids are waiting for their dental appointments.
Interested in starting music lessons? You can go to her website www.ravenswoodmusicacademy.com where your first lesson is free!
1) Tell us about Ravenswood Music Academy
Ravenswood Music Academy provides private lessons in voice, piano, ukulele, guitar, violin, songwriting, music theory, and speech coaching, for anyone ages 3 and up! Our lessons are designed to support neurodiverse students, and to celebrate each student’s individual needs. Our teachers are expert musicians who hold music degrees, so they are able to prepare students for music competitions and auditions, while also creating innovative and non-traditional lessons that are based on the student’s skill level and interests.
Furthermore, at Ravenswood Music Academy we encourage our students to collaborate with each other, and we even offer performance opportunities such as recitals, recording days, open house performance nights, and more! Each summer, we host a variety of music camps including rock band camp, and group ukulele classes for students of all ages.
We’ve been so humbled by the positive response we’ve received so far. This rapid growth has allowed us to serve TWO neighborhoods: Ravenswood (3000 W Lawrence Ave), and most recently, Wicker Park (1579 N Milwaukee Ave).
2) What do you LOVE about Chicago?
Chicago is a very special city and, to me, it has always felt like home. The people in this city are, in my opinion, the best kind of humans – down to earth, and genuine. Many times, I’ll meet new people at restaurants, neighborhood events, concerts, or sporting events, and we’ll actually keep in touch. I can’t even begin to tell you the number of Uber drivers that have ended up being good friends of mine.
In addition to the authentic people that live here, I love Chicago because there’s always something to do. Everyday there are a plethora of activities or events that you can attend, whether it be a comedy show, a small opera, an art show, or a trivia night, and in the summers the number of amazing events triple.
Furthermore, Chicago’s rich music scene makes it seem like the “sky’s the limit” in terms of what art you could create. There are many different types of artists and musicians in the city that are eager to collaborate, and lots of support for small music businesses. This tight knit art community is the reason my business is able to host Recording Days, where the students go into a professional recording studio and learn how to use professional recording gear, or our Textile Rock Band Camp where the students hand dye their own band t-shirts while learning classic rock songs with their friends. The kindness of its strangers mixed with the diversity of its community, makes Chicago a city that I am proud to live in.
3) Why is it important as a small business owner to give back to your community?
I think of community in two ways: the relationships I’m cultivating with clients, and the larger Chicago community. I believe that everyone, especially small businesses, should be looking for ways to help each other, and to give back to our communities. Throughout my life, I’ve always been very passionate about helping those in need and that is part of the reason why I started my business.
As far as the relationships I’m building with my clients, I want to provide a positive musical experience for them and their families. Personally, I didn’t always have the most encouraging music lessons, and I often felt misunderstood. Once I did find the right teachers, it led me to grow and eventually flourish into the musician I am today. The teacher that really turned my private music lesson experience around was my piano teacher, Iris Clements, who inspired me the most when she said “I meet the kids where they’re at”. That’s what she did for me, and that’s what I will continue to do through my company.
When it comes to serving Chicago, I want to do good for my city – if we help one another, then we all grow stronger together, if we are stronger together, then the world is a better place. More specifically, it’s important for small businesses to help their communities, because they usually have a strong following and a community of their own. Small businesses can easily use their platforms to advocate for others who may not have the resources or community to ask for help. We all have struggles that we face, and not everyone has the same support or resources to help them through. As human beings living on earth, I believe we have a duty to help each other survive.
Evita, thanks for being a strong force for good in our amazing city!
