- Music Classes & Lessons
- Group Classes & Ensembles
- Private Lessons
- Early Childhood
- Summer Camps
- View by Instrument/Age
- Why Choose Merit
Individual lessons and group classes for students at any level.
- Community Programs
Bringing accessible, high-quality music education to Chicagoland communities.
- Selective Programs
The highest level of achievement for Merit students in tuition-free, audition-based programs.
- About
- Impact
- Support
Merit's supporters remove barriers to music education, ensuring access for Chicago's youth.
- Resources
Board of Trustees
We are proud to have a dedicated Board of Trustees who are passionate ambassadors for Merit and music education. Business leaders, artists, innovators, as well as Merit alumni and parents—this group of dedicated volunteers supports our mission by contributing their skills in various ways.
Trustee Officers
board Chair
Julie Baumeister*
Ernst & Young
What inspires you to be a Merit Board member?
I was introduced to Merit by another long-time board member who invited me to be his guest at the Merit gala. I will never forget how incredibly moving it was to listen to the talented Merit students perform and hear their stories of how the opportunity to study music and to be a part of the Merit community had changed their lives in sometimes dramatic ways. I instantly knew this was an organization that I wanted to become involved with and soon thereafter started my journey as a Merit parent and board member.
Immediate Past Chair
Charles K. Huebner*
RCP Advisors, LLC
What inspires you to be a Merit Board member?
I’m inspired by a desire to perpetuate the amazing mission that has been followed for over 40 years; along with the opportunity to innovate and meet challenges that are unique to today’s environment.
Vice Chair
Ryan DeVore*
William Blair
What inspires you to be a Merit Board member?
Seeing young, talented, impressive musicians and students find success and pride and confidence in their abilities. Human spirit and finding the discipline to become great are truly inspiring.
Vice Chair
Thomas V. Linguanti*
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius (LLP)
Vice Chair
Jennifer Montague*A
NiSource
What’s your favorite Merit moment?
My favorite Merit moment was at the Conservatory graduation in 2018. I got to award a college scholarship to a student I had driven to Merit for the past three years—a youth choir member at my church.
Treasurer
Michael Andrews*
Reynolds Consumer Products, LLC
How were you introduced to Merit?
While I was at PepsiCo, a colleague and I began discussing personal passions and we discovered a shared interest in music. She had just gotten involved with the Associate Board at Merit and invited me to a fundraiser at the House of Blues. After hearing students perform and talking with members and staff, I was instantly hooked! I joined the Associate Board a few weeks later.
Secretary
Marisela Rosales Lawson*
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Associate Board Representative
Andrew Scroggins
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
What’s your favorite Merit moment?
As an Associate Board member, my favorite moment was the first Play On event, with a performance by The JuJu Exchange. This was a new event for the AB and generated a lot of positive momentum that continues to this day. As a Merit parent, my favorite moments include watching my son at piano recitals, playing with a jazz combo, and standing up to take his first solo.
Trustees
Susan S. Aaron†
DePaul University; Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development
Duffie Adelson†
Merit School of Music (ret.)
Sonia Antolec
The 1937 Group