Celebrating 35 Years.

Established in 1989.

Officially established in 1989, Music Center actually began years prior when Janice Gockel placed an ad in the University of Washington extension newspaper. The ad invited adults to pull their violins out of their closets where they had been gathering dust, and start playing together. This initial group of participants, led by Janice, formally founded Music Center on March 20, 1989.
Growing the Community.

What began with one group, spread to private lessons for a wide variety of instruments and ages. Other groups were added, ranging from classes for infants and toddlers to ensembles for retirees. The desire to create a space to learn and share music blossomed into a thriving community.
“Music Center has grown from a vision supported by a handful of friends…”
- Janice Gockel, 1999
Where We Are Today.

Music Center of the Northwest is Seattle’s oldest non-profit community music school. Our permanent home in north Seattle sees hundreds of students and participants through our doors each week. The support of donors and community members ensure scholarships allow everyone to participate and outreach programs spread the music farther than ever.

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Janice & Larry Gockel, Night in the City Gala 2007

Celebrating the Impact.

“It’s amazing. Folks who recognize me at concerts or other events come up and say, “Thank you for starting Music Center!” Sometimes it’s a senior whose life has been enriched by their musical experiences. Once it was the parent who participated with their infant in our Music Together Babies class. And then there was the mom at the Greenwood Concert Band concert that pointed out her son in the band who got his start at Music Center.

To the dreamers and to the music makers: here’s to the next 35 years and beyond!”

- Janice Gockel, Director Emeritus

Suzuki Violin Group, 2005

Suzuki Violin Group, Halloween 2023

Seeing the growth.

Over the decades, the growth of our community has been incredible. The total number of students, ensemble members, and concert goers over the years is immeasurable. Programs for various ages, instruments, experience, styles, and backgrounds have been added, many of which still continue today.

Changing Lives.

The Light of Music.

"The Music Center scholarship provided a unique opportunity for my son to start learning music. Without that awesome opportunity, he couldn't see the music light on in his life. When I was a child, I liked to play guitar, but I never had a chance to learn and play guitar, but I am very glad this scholarship helped my son see the trough of life with music."
- Ali, Father of Amir, guitar student and scholarship recipient.
Another Friend.

“Music is my everything. Through music, I can release my emotions, meet new friends, and feel better about myself. It boosts my self-confidence and helps me get through the tough times in life. Music is just like another friend I can go to when I feel alone and I don't know where I would be without it.”
- Angelina, violin student and scholarship recipient.
A Safe Enviornment.

“Violin has been a large part of my life for a long time but it is not the only reason I have continued lessons at MCNW. The Music Center has always provided a safe community environment and shown the ways music can bring people together. “
- Bao-An, alumni violin student and previous scholarship recipient.

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Entry construction, 2001

Recital Hall stage construction, 2021

Making a Home.

Since 1995, we’ve been located at our home in North Seattle. In the beginning, we were renting the space from Oak Lake Baptist Church. Throughout the years, we made changes and improvements to the building to suit our needs as the programs grew. In 2021, we purchase the building from Oak Lake Baptist Church and renovated many aspects of the building from adding solar panels and turning the old furnace room into a new studio to redesigning the stage and recital hall to project sound out to the audience.

Haydn & Beyond led by Dell Wade, 1992

Haydn & Beyond led by Dell Wade, 2021

A Legacy of Music.

“Thirty-five years later, Janice Gockel’s vision continues. Many share in the legacy of creating a place that provides musical opportunities for students of all ages.”

-Michele Genthon, Past President (2005-2008)

“Thirty-five years is quite a milestone and that longevity can be attributed to many people; each doing what they can to help the organization grow and prosper. That is one of the true beauties of Music Center, it belongs to all of us.”

-Brian Paulen, Past President (2009-2013)

Share your Music Center story! Tag us on social media @musiccenterofthenorthwest
and use the #MCNW35th to celebrate our anniversary!