The Americana Music Academy in Lawrence is releasing an album to help listeners weather the winter season and an open house celebration that will benefit their scholarship fund.
The academy is a nonprofit that reaches almost 250 students annually. Their upcoming album, “WELCOME WiNTER,” is a collaboration from Lawrence-area musicians, such as Kahlil Sanz-Sapp and Small Birds of Sound.
After they cover the physical costs of production, all album proceeds will benefit Americana’s scholarship fund, which funds $24,000 of student lessons annually.
Folks will be able to buy a USB-C cassette or custom 3D-printed record ornament with a digital download, each for $15.
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“Music education is so important because it allows us to share this magic with anyone who wants to learn about it,” Sanz-Sapp, an Americana instructor, said in a news release. “Even outside the subject itself, a good teacher is important to anyone — at any point in their life — because there is always more to learn.”
The academy will also host a free album release celebration from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at Americana, 1419 Massachusetts St.
Attendees can make snowflakes out of sheet music, enjoy a hot cocoa and cider bar, write postcards, contribute to a winter sounds recording booth and more. There will be optional purchases, like raffle tickets and a cookie bar, which support Americana.
At 7:30 p.m., the academy will host a concert featuring “WELCOME WiNTER” artists for a suggested $15 donation.
Learn more on the event page.
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Wulfe Wulfemeyer (they/them), reporter and news editor, has worked with The Lawrence Times since May 2025. They can be reached at [email protected].
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