The Suzuki Academy of Kalamazoo (SAK)

This week’s on Orchestra Jammbo’laya, or Ojamm!

Headed by artistic director Jenna Moore, project manager Cynetta Moore and instructor Jacob Olbrot, Ojamm partners with Suzuki Academy to provide a diverse group of students, local artists and teachers opportunities to explore western instruments set to music of the African diaspora.

Named for the melting pot of cuisines represented by jambalaya, the word for hello in Kiswahili, the word for peace in Wolof, and joyous music making (jamming), Ojamm aspires to ensure diversity and representation, foster understanding, and encourage exploration of the world through music. 🎶 🪘 🎻

Learn more and enroll your student at Ojamm.org 🌱

Officially singing, playing, *practicing* our way into spring 🌸🌻 🌱

Individual and group lessons will pause from March 30 - April 5 and resume April 6 🎻

Please contact your instructor directly with any questions. See you soon! 🌞

Congratulations to Charlotte, Rosie and all of our phenomenal Suzuki students at ’s Keys Fest!

Students were tasked with preparing a piece for performance and 1:1 master class coaching with clinicians from Interlochen Arts Academy, NMU, MSU, Michigan Music Teacher’s Association and our very own Suzuki Academy (Michael Zutis!) ✍️ 🌟

For more info, visit https://www.thegilmore.org/education/keysfest/.

Did you know that that February 2026 - February 2027, the year of the Fire Horse, centers the balance between ambitious, hot, pattern breaking energy with temperance and foresight?

This particular combination of Horse (one of the 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac) and Fire (one of 5 elements affecting the Chinese zodiac) only occurs once every 60 years, and always occurs in a year ending in 6 or 7 🌟 💫

However you celebrate, a very happy Lunar New Year to yours 🧧 🔴 🌖 🌙 🔥

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This week’s on: Orchestra Rouh!

Did you know the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra offers two after school programs for young musicians: Kalamazoo Kids in Tune and Orchestra Rouh?!

Begun in 2017 as a safe space for the children of Syrian refugee families and other Arabic-speaking immigrants new to Kalamazoo, Orchestra Rouh partners with the Suzuki Academy of Kalamazoo to celebrate a combined pedagogy of Suzuki-based and Middle Eastern musical traditions.

Rouh means “soul” in Arabic: beyond teaching violin, 🎻 cello and percussion 🥁 in an ensemble setting, the program invests deeply in community to nurture hope, spirit and friendship among local kids and their families.

Program founder and director Ahmed Tofiq put it best:
“We believe giving the children a role in which they in turn are giving something special to the community is really important”.

Learn more at kalamazoosymphony.com/education/orchestra-rouh/.


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OUTSTANDING work to our SAK ensemble students, families and community, seen here at our February 7th ensemble recital @ St. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish! 🎻 🎻 🎼 🎶

Which song is your favorite? 🥰

Stay tuned for upcoming posts centering our friends @ Orchestra Rouh!

Register now for the Gilmore’s KEYSFEST: a day long masterclass series packed with immersive learning and professional feedback for your young pianist 🎹 🖤 🎼

WHEN: Saturday, February 21st, 9am - 6pm

WHERE: The Epic Center, Downtown Kalamazoo

WHO: Piano students grade 1-12

HOW TO APPLY: Visit www.thegilmore.org/education/keysfest

Bonus: Our very own SAK instructor Michael Zutis will be serving as a clinician!👨‍⚖️ 📝 🎶

Questions? Comments? Reach out to Education and Community Engagement Manager Leslie Boughton at [email protected].

SAK will be CLOSED due to inclement weather today, Monday, January 19th. Please contact your instructor to devise makeups for lessons originally scheduled for today.



Wishing everyone a warm beverage and safety on the roads ✨


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Happy Holidays and a bright New Year from SAK ✨

Pictured: the string studio at our December recital, held @ St. Thomas Moore Catholic Student Parish in Kalamazoo ⛪️ 🎻 💕


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