Encore Music Academy

Encore Music Academy (EMA) was founded in 2005 and is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization. Encore welcomes all people, all ages, and all abilities to experience the life-changing power of music. Encore currently offers traditional and Suzuki private instruction, early childhood music classes through Music Together®, chamber ensembles, summer musicals and summer camps. EMA's outreach programming includes partnerships with local preschools, such as Head Start, and with Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association (NISRA) through EMA's Joyful Noise Choir for youth and young adults with special needs. EMA's comprehensive children’s choir program, the Encore Youth Choir, has four levels of choirs for students ages 1st through 12th grade, including a touring choir and is directed by Ann Tucker, Lena Burke and Carol Munn. Over the years, EMA has seen tremendous growth and in 2019 welcomed two well-established music organizations: McHenry County Youth Orchestra (MCYO), founded in 1980 by Dr. Marie Ann Vos, and Voices in Harmony, one of McHenry County’s premier adult community choirs located in Crystal Lake and founded in 1987 by Steven Szalaj. EMA Youth Orchestra (formerly MCYO) offers three levels of orchestra based on playing experience from 4th-12th grade conducted by Terry Foster, Keith Hulen and Jillian Forbes. Voices in Harmony (VIH) offers adults a chance to sing with an accomplished choir community and is directed by its founder, Steven Szalaj.