Childrens' Choirs Perform at North Shore Unitarian Church

On Feb 12 at the 9:15 and 11:15 services, the North Shore Unitarian Church Children’s Choir will play host to the Maywood Fine Arts Association Children’s Choir, in presenting a program celebrating the joy of sharing music with others. Both groups will be led by Katie Cacamuggio. The North Shore Choir consists of 20 children, age 6 to 12, who further their unique and individual spiritual path through singing together.

The MFAA, located at 25 North Fifth Avenue in Maywood, Illinois, began over 30 years ago with one couple, Lois & Ernie Baumann, who saw the need to provide an opportunity for low income parents to give their children fun and educational activities in the arts. They started with a small dance studio and soon added tumbling instruction. In 1979 they opened Stairway of the Stars Dance Studio and Mr. Ernie’s Flip Flop & Fly Tumbling School.

In 1996 with the help of concerned parents and community members the Maywood Fine Arts Association was established as a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation. Their goal was to combat the escalating rate of drug activity, gang involvement, and teenage pregnancy by providing the young people of Maywood and surrounding communities with healthy after school and weekend activities in fine and performing arts. Currently, there are over 500 families enrolled in classes at Maywood Fine Arts taking art, music, drama, karate, dance, tumbling and aerial arts. http://www.maywoodfinearts.org/

The mission of Maywood Fine Arts Association (MFAA) is to provide a safe and nurturing environment in which children can develop skills and appreciation of the arts that will enable them to succeed academically and socially and to obtain higher educational opportunities.  The Association provides as many children as possible with the opportunity to study the arts, thereby expanding their cultural horizons by allowing them to envision their possibilities and encouraging them to reach their full potential.  While exploring various art forms the children are taught self-discipline, teamwork, and respect for others.  We have found that an active involvement in the arts also gives children pride in new accomplishments, which results in a greater enthusiasm for learning and improved study habits