July 28, 2023 I Event
Music School Arize Beyond Hosts Grand Opening
Arize Beyond Productions’ founder Yolanda Brooks speaks during the opening event.
Arize Beyond Productions, and its owner and founder Yolanda Brooks, celebrated the music school’s grand opening in downtown Waukegan, Illinois, on June 24.
The grand opening event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony where Brooks welcomed community members, family and future students. Billy’s Band of Brothers played during the opening event and notable speakers included U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider, Illinois State Senator Adriane Johnson, and Brendan Alviani, owner of Family Piano Co., which is Arize Beyond’s neighbor.
Brooks said the response from the community have been positive and heartwarming.
“I keep saying we need something like this in Waukegan,” Brooks said. “I keep connecting with my state rep and senators that came and spoke at the opening, so I’m encouraged by that.”
Brooks’ said her philosophy is to extend music involvement and education opportunities in her community. Throughout the music lessons, teachers are interactive and give students “practical implementation” in tapping into what their goals are according to Brooks.
“It’s all about learning and appreciating music and tapping into their gifts,” Brooks said. “It’s not just the teacher showing the notes and having the students play it; they’re interacting and having a conversation with them about what their goals are and the type of music the students want to pursue.”
Students can learn to play within excellence, not perfection, said Brooks. Having appreciation for the music and the power of music to transform is a goal Brooks hopes to achieve with her students.
“The goal is to have a welcoming atmosphere where students are motivated to grow in music,” Brooks said. “They will go home, practice, come back and grow more in their creativity.”
Arize Beyond is currently in the process of collaborating with local organizations in hopes of finding alternative spaces for learning and hosting recitals and performances. “This area is hungry for this type of performing arts in expansion,” Brooks said.
Arize Beyond currently offers lessons on a variety of instruments, including guitar, drums, piano, violin and flute.
— Kimberly Kapela
