ABOUT US
The No Repeats Project is a 501(c) (3) organization. No Repeats is a student led music mentor program for teens who are incarcerated. We recruit advanced high school musicians with a desire to share their love of music. Austin’s Violin Shop generously donates instruments for our lessons.
We envision that the musical exposure and experience will have positive effects on the teens and will help increase their self-esteem and self-confidence. We believe The No Repeats Project will help them educationally, socially, and psychologically. And by giving them the opportunity to experience the transformative power of music, we hope to minimize their chances of returning to the criminal justice system. Simultaneously, our musicians develop communication and leadership skills and gain an understanding of the lives of teens in the criminal justice system.
The No Repeats Project's mentors also love to perform for the center and arrange for the teens to attend musical events inside and outside the facility.
Due to recent changes to the Illinois Department of Correction policy that requires volunteers to be 18 years of age or older, The No Repeats Project is no longer able to provide mentoring to the facilities.
The No Repeats Project Team
“The No Repeats Project demonstrates music's transformative power. Every week I walk into the facility, I feel different, understood, powerful even. I know our mentors & students feel the same way.”
Nicholas Boettcher
Founder
NCTV17 Feature
William
Tan
Executive Director
An award winning cellist who's been a member of the No Repeats Project since 2018. He's passionate about music collaboration and outreach, authoring the Performance Project and directing the Hyde Park region's Back to Bach Project. William was a prizewinner of the 2022 Johansen and 2021 Klein International String Competitions.
Has been playing violin for 9 years & joined The No Repeats in 2019. " I love playing instruments and I feel blessed that I am able to share this with the teens."
Lillian D'Amico
Ainsley has been described as a dedicated musician and a responsible young adult. She is excited about No Repeats: “I’m a strong believer in music being something that can better everyone's life.”
Ainsley Gearhart
Cameron
Reynolds
"Music has always been a big part of my life and it brings me so much joy. I am so glad that I am able to share that joy with other teens."
"When Nicholas asked me to help him with The No Repeats, I was so excited to be able to be a part of this visionary project.”
Jack
Boettcher
Ryanne
Lee
Has been playing the flute for 7 years. She has been described as "confident and independent" and "works very hard." Like our other mentors, will be a great role model for our teens.
Sidney
Lee
Has been playing violin for 10 years and is using this passion for music to give back to the community with our program.
Alexandra
Reese
Music has been apart of my life for the longest time. Singing produces such an unexplainable joy and I cannot wait to give that joy back!”
Melissa Parkinson
The No Repeats Project would allow for me to build meaningful relationships with both the teens and the mentors, creating a community out of something we all love
In addition to playing the piano, cello, and trombone, Tommy also composes. " I hope to help inspire these students, as they have inspired me!:
Tommy Gilchrist
Get Involved
We are looking for motivated and dedicated musicians to share music's powerful influence with others. Unfortunately, the Illinois Department of Corrections has changed the qualifications for volunteering at their facilities. Due to liability concerns, you must be 18 years or older to volunteer. If you are interested in performing at one of the youth centers, we can help arrange the visit.
