Alumni

Merit alums achieve their dreams and share their gifts with the world.

Success in Music & in Life

For over 40 years we’ve seen the transformative impact of providing Chicagoland youth with equal access to high-quality music education. 

Merit alums—doctors, engineers, teachers, concert pianists, and jazz trumpeters—go on to achieve their dreams and share their gifts with the world.

"Merit provides windows for young people to see a variety of futures. Merit helps our students to open those windows and step through."

Charles Grode
Merit’s President & Executive Director

Alums by the Numbers

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students trained since 1979
0 %
of Conservatory graduates attend college
0 %
study music and 35% study STEM fields
0 %
are the first in their family to go to college
A group photo of merit conservatory students at graduation

Colleges Attended

  • Cleveland Institute of Music
  • Columbia University
  • Eastman School of Music
  • The Julliard School
  • Northwestern University
  • New York University
  • Princeton University
  • Stanford University
  • University of Chicago
  • Vanderbilt University

Just to name a few!

Stay Involved with Merit after Graduation!

Graduation doesn’t have to mean goodbye. There are many ways for alumni to participate in the Merit community and give back to the next generation of youth musicians.

Here are a few ways to stay involved:

Let Us Know What You're Up To!

We love hearing from our alums. Fill out this form and get in touch.

Give the Gift of Music