Seth Boustead, composer and cofounder of Access Contemporary Music
Reader Chicago / by Jamie Ludwig / August 14, 2025 Seth Boustead is a composer, pianist, and arts manager. Raised by a single mother in Missouri and Arizona, Boustead studied composition at the University of Missouri, then moved to Chicago in 1995. In 2004, he cofounded the nonprofit Access Contemporary Music (ACM), where he still serves as executive director. ACM works to foster a public understanding of classical music as a living tradition open to new players and diverse voices, not a relic that belongs
How Chicago’s ACM School of Music Unlocks Creativity Through Music
Chicago Parent / by Olivia Sims / August 8, 2025 At the ACM School of Music, learning music is not just about reading notes; it’s about unlocking creativity, building confidence and cultivating musical curiosity. Founded as part of the nonprofit Access Contemporary Music (ACM), the school aims to inspire musical creation at every level, from first-time learners to professional composers. With four locations across Chicago (Avondale, Ravenswood, Lakeview and Rogers Park), ACM School of Music stands out as
