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Footprints: A jazz giant’s dedication to music education at MacPhail
This year marks 31 years of teaching over 500 students at MacPhail for Greg Keel. Having played saxophone for over 20 years with the likes of Aretha Franklin and The...
What Students Say About MacPhail | 2026 Survey Results
Each year, MacPhail Center for Music asks students and families to tell us about their experience—what’s working, what matters most and where we can continue to improve.
MacPhail Center for Music Welcomes Chris Tomshine as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
MacPhail Center for Music has named Chris Tomshine as its new Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, bringing more than 25 years of nonprofit finance leadership and a passion for...
KARE 11: ‘Am I Doing Enough?’: Minneapolis teen’s original song heads to Broadway – August 5, 2026
James Pumphrey, a young artist, won the National Endowment for the Arts’ Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, earning a $2,500 scholarship and a trip to NYC.
FOX 9: Minneapolis teen’s song earns national honor and Broadway debut – August 2, 2026
Pumphrey submitted his song to the National Alliance for Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge and was named one of eight winners. As part of this honor, his song was professionally orchestrated...
A Prelude to Broadway
Music education at MacPhail prepared James Pumphrey for the national stage. Recent high school graduate and longtime MacPhail student James Pumphrey was one of eight winners of the National Endowment...
Staying Current
Flexible support for MacPhail’s Contemporary Music Program helps accelerate innovation. After learning about MacPhail’s emerging Contemporary Music Program, representatives of the Clouser and Keller families were eager to broaden their...
A home for musicians of every age and stage
At MacPhail, music education goes beyond lessons to build confidence, connection, and community. Serving 15,000 students annually, MacPhail is the nation’s largest nonprofit community music school—a unique identity that comes...
Celebrating 30 Years of Rock Week at 7th St Entry
For 30 summers, young musicians from MacPhail Center for Music have ended an unforgettable week by stepping onto one of Minnesota’s most iconic stages: First Avenue’s 7th St Entry.