A century-old building in the Italian Market has been transformed into a house of music.
Mister John’s Music School, a boutique music school serving hundreds of families through musical education programs for newborns through adults, will expand its reach at a new location at 761 S. 8th St. on Oct. 29.
To celebrate the official opening, an all-ages Halloween Party will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the new location. Festivities will include a costume parade, open mic for adults and kids, and a Drag Story time with Philadelphia’s well-known drag queen, Miss Maria TopCatt.
“Diversity is important to me, and I look forward to providing a safe, fully inclusive, joyful home for people of all ages and genders to connect through the magic of music,” said John Francisco, founder of Mister John’s Music. “I’m incredibly proud of our staff and grateful to our above-and-beyond supportive community.”
Founded in 2015, Mister John’s Music is an all-ages music school that addresses social-emotional goals with lessons in kindness, compassion, self-esteem, respect, diversity and sharing, according to its website. The school encourages adults and children to use music as a language to express themselves and connect with others.
Its early childhood music classes have been providing positive social-emotional dynamics and shared experience for over a thousand kids and adults.
In 2016, Mister John’s Music School began instrument instruction and currently the classes reach over 500 early childhood participants, 225 school-aged kids and 125 adults on a weekly basis in Philadelphia with group classes and individual lessons designed to engage the whole family.
“We like to play a huge variety of popular music so that babies, parents and nannies are all active participants in the Mister John’s Music experience,” said Francisco. “Through music, rhythm and movement, infants and toddlers learn about self-expression, teamwork, sharing and empathy.”
Mister John’s Music School’s main location is also located in the Italian Market, at 904 S. 9th St., and it has an annex at 909 Christian St.
The new Italian Market location will have three full-sized classrooms, three private lesson rooms and a small classroom for ensembles of four to six players.
The additional space is expected to offer additional early childhood education classes, after-school and summer camp options for kids, specialty adult classes and a space for birthday party rentals.
