In 1956, more  than 600 African-American families, including businesses and  institutions living in the Rondo neighborhood of Saint Paul,  lost their  homes to the construction of the new I-94 highway cutting across the  United States. Rondo's disaggregation was part of a national movement  that upended thousands of black, immigrant, and poor communities to make  room for more seamless coast-to-coast automobile transportation. Home  to such artists as Gordon Parks, August Wilson, Roberta Davies, and  Bobby Lyles, the Rondo neighborhood produced and inspired artists and  musicians who would go on to national fame. The Rondo Community Music  Series, presented by Walker West Music Academy, showcases a current  generation of artists who continue to be inspired by Rondo's history,  cultural expression, and resilience. The Rondo Community Music Series  presents a variety of musicians and artists from September through April  2024. Join us for all of the hour-long concerts and be inspired by the  power of music to convey and shape communities. All shows are FREE, but  you must register!

Jack Breen has deep roots within the Walker|West community. A student  of Walker|West since 2004, Jack started lessons with Felix James and  has been a member of our Teaching and Performing faculty since 2019. In  2018 Jack graduated Lawrence University Conservatory with a dual degree  in Saxophone performance and Music Education, and was an intern at the  New York Jazz Academy in Manhattan.

During Jack’s playing career  he’s performed with a multitude of artists both local and nationally,  including Bill Carrothers, Mike Stern, Jose Encarnancion, and  Walker|West’s own instructors -Kevin Washington, Kavyesh Kaviraj, and  Charlie Lincoln.