Search Interviews

A running theme throughout Old Town School history is people finding deep connections and community, forging lifelong collaborations, friendships, and often falling in love. Jim DeWan and Elaine Moore are one such example. Married now for years, the two longtime...

Interview with Dolores Sheehy regarding her family and life growing up in Chicago.

Childhood, styx, space program, and right to life we covered it all

In this Interview, Zayra Marquez interviews her co-worker, Wanda. They both work at Dunkin Donuts. They talk about Wanda’s kids and work.

River McNeely-Wiersema (6) talks with his great-grandmother Rina Pullia (85) about her childhood in Carbonara di Bari, Italy, immigrating to the US, spring in Vermont and Chicago, climbing trees, and their favorite fruits. 2020-04-26

In this interview, conducted in November 2017 in Chicago, Illinois, Tajanae Allison (17) Interviews her mother Shereena Allison (42) about her past and the ups and downs she went through when she was young

This is about Chicago. The things people see and go through throughout the city.

I interviewed my 89 year old grandmother, Winoma Wagner about her choice to never marry and to come to America from Belize.

Interview in Chicago Illinois, November 24,2017. Interviewee: Noreen McDermott, lived in Chicago her whole life, 79 years old, interviewed by her great-niece, Elizabeth. Points discussed: Nor’s family, important points in her life, memories of her childhood

A conversation between friends and bandmates Sandy Bykowski & Ray Ariaz. Sandy has been volunteering at the Old Town School for many years, while Ray's roots at the school go back to the folk chorus in the 1970s. This conversation...

Remote Interview with Adele Szczeblowski.

A conversation between Marge Weber & Lara Weber. This conversation was recorded at the school on May 8th, 2017. Go to www.oldtownschool.org/StoryCorps to hear selected excerpts from interviews collected as part of the StoryCorps-Old Town School partnership.

An interview of one of the grandparents at the San Pasaual Academy in San Pasqual Valley conducted by Justice Moore, a student at San Pasqual Union Elementary and Middle School. The interviewee is Jeffrey Wheat. This interview is conducted unprofessionally...

A conversation between Peggy Browning and Maura Lally. This conversation was recorded at the school on May 20, 2017. Go to www.oldtownschool.org/StoryCorps to hear selected excerpts from interviews collected as part of the StoryCorps-Old Town School partnership.

Gloria sits down with a member of EZRA's Social Action Team to discuss Chicago's South Side and Uptown neighborhoods, being white passing, and systemic racism.

Training for the 2024 Ventura Marathon marathon made me more curious about my Dad’s stories about running the very 1st Chicago marathon back in 1977 wearing construction boots! This interview is about what he remembers from those early marathons!

Musician and musicologist Bau Graves was Executive Director of the Old Town School of Folk Music from 2007 to 2018, during which he was known for his humor, and as the director of the Mandolin Ensemble. IT director and instructor...

A conversation between Robbie Fulks & Steve Dawson. This conversation was recorded at the school on June 5th, 2017. Go to www.oldtownschool.org/StoryCorps to hear selected excerpts from interviews collected as part of the StoryCorps-Old Town School partnership.

A conversation between Mateo Mulcahy and Karima Daoudi. Mateo, the current director of Old Town School's World Music Wednesday series, remembers how his involvement with the Old Town School started when he was a 14 year old punk rocker who...

Adele, a long-time client of EZRA's, discusses her experience with Uptown's political arena and emphasizes the need for widespread, community education.

In this interview, conducted in November 2018 in Chicago, Illinois, Alicia Lopez (16) interviews her aunt Veronica Martinez (50) about their family. Ms. Martinez shares stories about her childhood and what it was like growing up as the oldest of...

my mother and I talking about immigration.

A conversation between Katie Lahiff, founder of the school's popular early childhood program Wiggleworms, and Erin Flynn, Old Town School Children's Program Manager. The two talk about their beginnings at the school, the joy of sharing music and movement with...

The story of my dad with fowl.

My father’s story about coming into the US, and life in America.