About Us

The Old Town School of Folk Music teaches and celebrates music and cultural expressions rooted in the traditions of diverse American and global communities.

As we finish our 51st year in 2008, enrollment in Old Town School tuition programs averages close to 6,000 students per week, 2,700 of them children. The Lincoln Square and Lincoln Park facilities hold hundreds of classes and workshops in music, dance and art for adults, children and teens seven days per week, 48 weeks per year. Early childhood and middle school music programs thrive in three suburban branches as well as in several community outreach programs throughout the city. The School presents performances by internationally known touring artists, the best of Chicago's local artists and its staff and students virtually every weekend. Most Wednesday nights feature free concerts through AfroFolk Live and La Peña, popular and long established Community Programs. Some 85,000 come to these concerts and attend the Chicago Folk & Roots festival in nearby Welles Park annually.

Throughout our 50 year history, what has set the Old Town School of Folk Music apart from other music teaching programs has been the philosophy that music is for everyone. The founders wanted the School to be a place where, as founder Frank Hamilton said, "teacher and student would be partners in learning." This philosophy is still in place and the Old Town School continues to be a place that gives people the tools to make their own music. Young and old, beginners and advanced players, people from various cultures and traditions come together to create music and learn from each other.

Teachers, Staff and Board of Directors

Click for the full list of all the folks who make us, us.

Directions to the Old Town School

We have 2 main locations in Chicago - 4544 North Lincoln Avenue and 909 West Armitage. But we also offer our Wiggleworms classes at several branch locations.

Click here for directions and maps to the Old Town School.

Contacting the Old Town School

We're here to answer your call at 773.728.6000 from 9:00am to 10pm Monday through Thursday and 9:00am to 5pm Friday through Sunday (the box office is also open for calls during concerts).

Click for direct phone extensions, email addresses, and our contact form.

School Calendar

Click for the full School calendar.

Financial Aid

The Old Town School of Folk Music awards financial aid to both children and adults for private lessons and group classes based on financial need. Financial aid applications and renewal forms can be obtained at either of the School's locations or can be downloaded here.

National Recognition

The Old Town School is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Precollegiate Arts Schools (ACCPAS). ACCPAS is a division of the Council for Arts Accreditation Agencies (CAAA), the primary accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.