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Press Releases
From One Program to a Musical Community - 20 Year Anniversary - American Music Institute
20 Years of Music Excellence, Community and Creativity // Five major programs, open for musicians all ages and levels // Support AMI’s Mission - Get Involved
For 20 years, the American Music Institute has been more than a music school. It has been a home for young beginners, rising artists, passionate teachers, supportive families, and a community brought together through the power of music. What began as a place for music lessons has grown into a vibrant musical ecosystem — where education, performance, opportunity, and artistry all live under one roof. This year, we celebrate 20 years of music excellence, community, and creativity.
Our Story: From One Program to a Musical Community
During 20 years AMI evolved into a full musical pathway, supporting students from their very first notes to advanced performance opportunities, and is proud to be home to five major programs, each created to open new doors for musicians of all ages and levels.
American Music Institute (AMI)
American Music Institute (AMI) was founded in 2006 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with the mission to provide high-quality music education for all ages, instruments, levels, and styles of music in the Chicagoland area. With campuses located in Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, St. Charles, and Geneva, IL, AMI offers private lessons, group classes and masterclasses to families and schools.
Chicago Summer Music Camp
Chicago Summer Music Camp - is a day camp held at Clarendon Hills Campus for students of all levels, ages 5-18 years old, and all instruments. Since the establishment of AMI, summer music camp is taught by AMI's Award-Winning Faculty and structured to be enriching, exciting, and educational for children to experience music in a fun way throughout the long summer months.
American Youth Chamber Orchestra (AYCO)
American Youth Chamber Orchestra (AYCO) opened in 2007, providing young musicians, intermediate to advanced, chamber and orchestral training. Featuring world-class faculty from Juilliard, Oberlin, Berklee, and other top music conservatories around the world, AYCO also offers Band & Orchestra Clinics and masterclasses in Chicago and suburbs.
Chicago Violin Competition (CVC)
2014 marks the first Chicago Violin Competition (CVC) held. Held every two years, top international violin competition online sets a new standard in the musical community, providing young artists ages 7-28 the opportunity to showcase their talents on the world’s stage. CVC features history of Past Winners & Laureates from all over the world.. Next competition date - Nov 22, 2026.
GigHubb Chicago Live Musicians
GigHubb Chicago Live Musicians provides fully curated live music for events, weddings, hospitality and corporate functions in the city and suburbs. All revenue generated helps to support AMI’s many outreach and educational programs. Featuring a network of professional musicians, GigHubb offers all genres, instruments and music styles as live music entertainment for events in Chicago.
20 Years of Impact
What makes AMI special isn’t just the number of programs, but how they all connect and create a musical journey. Over two decades, AMI has helped thousands of students grow in confidence and skill, young musicians to experience their first performances, families build lifelong friendships, artists discover their voice and communities experience the beauty of live music. TESTIMONIALS
Message from the Founder
"AMI was built on a simple dream: that music could help people grow — not only as musicians, but as confident, creative human beings. Twenty years later, that dream lives in every lesson, rehearsal, performance, and smile in our halls. That’s why this year we say, “I AM AMI.” Because AMI is not walls or programs — it’s the people who bring it to life.
Thank you for being the heart of our first 20 years."
- Remus Badea, the founder of American Music Institute.
Get Involved
Support AMI's mission to provide high-quality music education for all ages, instruments, levels, and styles of music in the Chicagoland area. Celebrate 20 Years of Music, Community & Creativity.
Shop Merch
Support the American Music Institute by shopping at our official merch store. Find apparel, accessories, and gifts for musicians and music enthusiasts of all ages.
Donate
Your support provides financial aid and scholarships to some of the most deserving students. AMI is a 501(c)3, non-profit organization, all donations are ‘tax-deductible’.
Volunteer
Giving your time and energy is a great way to support music education in your community. Work behind the scenes at various functions with the AMI team.
FEATURED JOBS
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