VIDEO: High School Music Students Provide Private Lessons to Bravo Waukegan! Kids

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Bravo Waukegan! also offers a one-month summer music camp to the middle school students, but what sets it apart is the students have the opportunity to take private lessons with some of the top high school music students from Lake Forest, Highland Park, Deerfield, Stevenson, Libertyville, and the Midwest Music Institute.

“This has been incredibly successful, beyond our imagination," Patricia Sikorovsky said. "The students who tutor get to fulfill service hours, do something unique for their resumes, and they are doing what they love. For the children, the idea of having one of these exalted high school students who are absolutely kind, enthusiastic, supportive and are able to relate to these young students in a way that a teacher who has 250 kids cannot is wonderful." 

The organization hopes to allow students to take two private lessons a week during the camp next year.

“Parents have contacted me to ask me to thank the people in Lake Forest. Many of the families have a one-parent income, and they say they would never have been able to give their children the opportunities that they now have without the Sikorovskys,” said Donaldo Batiste, superintendent of Waukegan schools.

Mariachi Band Celebrates Latino Community

One of the more innovative programs created is the after-school mariachi band. Patricia said in preparation, Bravo Waukegan! sent Jeanine Batty to one of the top mariachi teaching programs in the country. Within three weeks, Batty watched the program grow from 10 to 30 children.

"We’re receiving more funding and as the funds come in, we will expand to more schools,” said Patricia.

Students with two working parents have a place to go after school, and the music celebrates the Latino community, which comprises a large part of Waukegan’s population.

“There are a couple of special instruments which are really necessary for a mariachi band, the vihuela (high-pitched five-string guitar) and the guitarron (large acoustic bass guitar). We need more guitars for the mariachi program as it expands,” said Eugene Sikorovsky.

More Doors to Open

The future looks bright for Bravo Waukegan!

“We have aspirations for a summer band and orchestra program and providing enhancements for the students during the year, such as attending concerts and tickets to Ravinia,” said Patricia.

There is also the possibility of starting a children’s program with the Patricia has been trying to figure out a way to provide transportation for the students to Grayslake where the symphony performs.

“The buses are expensive and the school board doesn’t have the money to provide for enrichment programs,” explained Patricia.

Another goal is to try to get more of their most gifted students into the Midwest Young Artists Institute in Fort Sheridan. The institute has been supportive of Bravo, and several of their most-talented students are involved in their programs. “We’re going to give a big push in the spring to get a significant number of kids involved in the program,” said Patricia.

Keeping the Focus on the Kids

Though she shies from the attention, Batiste and the Waukegan School Board surprised Patricia at their October meeting with a plaque to say thanks for her dedication and hard work. The students in the mariachi band also serenaded her.

“I can’t tell you how much pride and appreciation we have for these earthly miracle workers,” said Batiste.

While Patricia was appreciative and flattered, she made it clear that she does not want people to make the organization about her. The Sikorovskys give a tremendous amount of credit to their board members and the Waukegan school board.

“This isn’t at all about me, it’s about the children, and we’re making a big impact. It’s not only what we’re providing, but it’s also the sense that somebody cares, that the bigger community is involved in this and sees that they have a responsibility in these children,” said Patricia.