INSPIRATION THROUGH MUSIC
GUITAR AT CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
About INSPIRATION THROUGH MUSIC
The Center for Arts-Inspired Learning (CAL), in partnership with Cleveland Public Library, is proud to offer free afterschool guitar classes for youth in grades 3–8 through our Inspiration Through Music program.
Now in Year 3 of this partnership, the program brings beginner to intermediate guitar instruction directly into Cleveland Public Library branches, creating accessible opportunities for youth to explore music, build skills, and express creativity.
Registration is required.
AT CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
A GLIMPSE INTO THE PROGRAM
PROGRAM DETAILS:
Cost: Free & instruments are provided.
Eligibility: Youth in grades 3-8
lessons offered in:
Guitar
CLASS LOCATIONS:
Mt. Pleasant Branch (Mondays)- Cleveland Public Library (14000 Kinsman Rd, Cleveland, OH 44120)
Class Dates: Jan. 26, Feb. 2, Feb. 9, Feb. 23, Mar. 2, Mar. 9, Mar. 16, Mar. 18.
No Class On: Jan. 19 & Feb. 16
Woodland Branch (Wednesdays) - Cleveland Public Library (5906 Woodland Ave, Cleveland, OH 44104)
Class Dates: Jan. 21, Jan. 28, Feb. 4, Feb. 11, Feb. 18, Feb. 25, Mar. 4, Mar. 11
WHAT YOUTH WILL GAIN:
Foundational skills in guitar
Music reading and rhythm fundamentals
Collaboration and listening skills through group instruction
Opportunities to build confidence and express creativity through music
For any questions about the program, please reach out to Julia Zaborszki, Community Programs Coordinator, via julia@arts-inspiredlearning.org or 216-561-5005 x21.
WINTER 2026
REGISTER HERE
Program Supported By
Meet the Teaching artist
Jamie Berland
Guitar
Teaching Artist Bio
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Jamie Berland is a multi-instrumentalist, performer, and artist of many mediums. As a classically trained violinist from the age of three, she has grown over the years to explore jazz, contemporary, punk and experimental genres which lead her to pursue a degree in violin performance from Berklee College of Music.
Jamie often performs her original music both as a solo act and along with ensembles all around the country. Having played alongside Styx, Kenny Loggins, Melissa Etheridge and others, Jamie is well versed in the rock genre of strings as well. As a passionate improviser, Jamie is especially respected within the jazz community both in Boston and in Cleveland. As both an artist and a teacher, Jamie feels it is her mission to embrace the authenticity and raw beauty that exists within this sort of explorative creative process of music making. Jamie has been a teaching artist with the Center for Arts Inspired Learning since summer of 2024 and has thoroughly enjoyed sharing her passion for music with the students of ITM. Teaching both violin and guitar across three of ITM’s program sites, she has supplemented several young artists on their creative journeys, aiming to help them to reach the magic and their full potential as musicians.
What Parents are Saying…
"Now when [my kids] listen to a song, we're not just listening to a song, they're listening for the beat, they're listening for the different parts of the drum. They'll say, 'Oh! That's the kick drum!' or, 'Oh! Do you hear the cymbal?!' So now they are listening more intently to the music."
"I have noticed positive changes in my children as far as structure. They've learned discipline."
"[Play It Forward! Cleveland] is good for me because [my kids] are excited about something. It's good to see them not excited always about their phones or about TV or their games or anything like that. They're actually excited about doing something that's productive."