Arts Alive Whidbey is stepping up as a beacon of hope for families who wish to provide their children with music education but are held back by financial constraints. This initiative isn’t just about music lessons; it’s about opening doors and opportunities for children to explore their passions and talents.

With Jana Szabo as the founder Jana offers a personal touch infused with decades of experience in music education. Her dedication shines through as she leads the charge, ensuring that no child misses out on the magic of music just because of costs.

Jana is excited to announce that WIAC has taken “Arts Alive” as one of their nonprofit projects.  Whidbey Island Arts Council’s backing is a huge strength for this vision. They aren’t just providing support, they are acting as the 501C3 commission for Arts Alive. Having such a committed umbrella organization will drive ‘Arts Alive Whidbey’ forward.

The focus initially lands on voice and piano lessons for children. These two fundamental areas serve as a solid foundation for young musicians to build upon. We will launch”Arts Alive Whidbey” with a choir held at RTL (Readiness to Learn) with Joann Quintana and Jana Szabo in Partnership with creating an inspiring group of young people who are interested in Singing, Songwriting, and Performing!

This is set to ripple through the community in meaningful ways. When children are allowed to learn, grow, and express themselves through music, this will and does break down barriers which can foster a more inclusive environment.

Stay tuned for upcoming fundraising musical events on Whidbey Island designed to support this ideal, where every child has the chance to let their talents soar.

Creating Melodies of Change: The Power of Accessible Arts Education

For years, the narrative around arts education has been a bit of a downer, with funding drying up and programs disappearing. It can feel like music education is slipping away from public schools, leaving many families without access to these valuable experiences for their children. But here’s the thing—change is possible, and it often starts with individuals stepping up where the system falls short.

Jana Szabo found her calling in breaking through these barriers. Throughout her career, she’s met many who’ve been blocked from the arts due to lack of support at home—not always about the money, sometimes it’s about emotional backing, or just having someone who believes in you. Recognizing this, Jana’s work has and still does, aim to catalyze those willing to leap into their artistic passions, with families that will be able to provide for their children.  Jana Szabo’s experience working in alternative educational systems and programs that were either supported by the public school systems, or privately owned schools were supportive of such children and families and many of these programs have dwindled because of the lack of public funding..  Jana is excited to continue sharing her gifts in this way, with the creatively driven children in our community, with families that will be able to support them.

There’s something deeply personal in check here. The concept of ‘being spoonfed the arts’ reflects a privilege many don’t realize they have. For Jana, and others in similar shoes, these experiences shaped how they communicated and interacted with the world.

Taking matters into her own hands, Jana adopts a proactive approach: ‘Becoming the system’ empowers her and those within the community to architect a new reality for arts education accessibility. It’s about reshaping how the community supports itself from within, making sustainable change a collective effort.

Events planned to raise funds mean more than just gathering cash. They create community bonds and a culture where art is celebrated and valued. By supporting these events, you’re not just a spectator—you can be an active participant in nurturing Whidbey’s artistic future for the next generations.

Whidbey Island is a wonderful place as it is a small enough community where we all do have the chance to create change and feel the effect of it.  Welcome to “Arts Alive Whidbey” partnered with WIAC!

 Join us and see how small actions contribute to a larger, harmonious melody of community change.  

For more information please connect with Jana Szabo at ArtsAlive@ArtsAliveWhidbey.com