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Avenue Kids
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My name is Tracy Brade. I am the director of Avenue Kids, a children’s orchestra
in Oak Park, IL. I began my violin studies in earnest in 1998 when my then
six-year-old daughter brought home a tiny violin from kindergarten. It was a rental
instrument leased by Music House, Inc., a music school, which provides instruments
and musical education to many Chicago public schools (www.musichouseinc.com).
Having been a singer and pianist since childhood, I immediately fell in love with the
instrument and was non-plussed by its lack of frets or keys (vocal chords don’t have
any either!) I just couldn’t put that violin down. My daughter finally complained that
I should get my own. So I did.
After studying privately with several violin teachers and being a constant presence
as both member and helper in my daughter’s orchestra classes, I was offered a job
by the music school’s director as a class violin teacher. Although surprised at first
by the opportunity, I dug in my heels and learned as much as I could about teaching
violin to children of all ages and classes of all sizes.
After six years of teaching orchestra classes at ten Chicago public schools and
private lessons at Music House, Inc., my family relocated to Oak Park, IL. I began
teaching private lessons out of my home. I really missed teaching the group classes –
teaching children the unique skills required to play as an ensemble -- listening, counting,
teamwork, being part of something bigger, the way the children react when they
discover all those wonderful harmonies, realizing that they are actually part of it!
(OK, OK, I’m really passionate about this).
So, as soon as I realized that the students and their families were also interested,
I started ensemble classes. For the kids it is a fun social event in which the “learning”
is painless. They’re having too much fun to realize that they are actually learning
complicated math skills and spatial recognition. Music makes us all smarter! For
documented research proving this fact, please visit the following web sites –
http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~syverson/worldsfair/exhibits/hall2/yoshimura/musint.htm
www.edu-cyberpg.com/Music/musicsmart.html.
I also believe in public performing. It builds confidence and poise as well as really
motivating the children to practice more! I called the park district; the book stores,
malls, whoever I thought might give these kids an audience. I was delighted by the
positive response and the eagerness to give the children a venue.
Music House, Inc.
Since 1951
“Where music lives!
2925 W. Devon Ave. t Chicago, IL 60659
Phone 773.761.3770 t Fax 773.262.7309 t www.musichouseinc.com
February 16, 2004
To Whom It May Concern,
Mrs. Tracy Brade has been an employee in good standing of Music House, Inc. from October 1999 to the present. Mrs. Brade has worked in the capacity as
instructor of string instruments including violin, viola, and cello in various Chicago Public Schools as well as teaching private lessons at our studio. Schools that
Mrs. Brade has worked at that Music House, Inc. has provided orchestra consulting include Decatur Classical School, Edison Regional Gifted, Hannah Solomon,
Walt Disney Magnet, Skinner Classical, Alexander Graham Bell, Hawthorne Scholastic Academy, Jamieson, and Stone Scholastic Academy. Mrs. Brade also
plays flute and teaches piano at Music house, Inc. Tracy has been involved in dozens of recitals, performances, and concerts as leader, instructor, and player in
the Music House, Inc Orchestra.
Tracy Brade has proved to be a reliable, valuable, and skilled player as well as instructor at Music House, Inc. I highly recommend Tracy Brade in any capacity
as String Educator.
