Frank Mustari
Frank Mustari, the very first principal of The Academy, holds a special place in the heart of our school.
Frank Mustari pictured with Essee Kupcinet, the first Vice Chairman of The Academy’s Board of Trustees.
He vividly remembers the weeks leading up to the start of school at the original building on Adams Street, clearing the inches of dust that had settled on desks untouched since it served as a parish school. Frank recalls the memories of that first day on September 9th, 1981 when he shared the church basement with eager students, nervous parents, and enthusiastic staff, marking the beginning of The Academy’s journey.
For 21 years, Frank poured his unwavering commitment and boundless enthusiasm into The Academy, embracing the titles of counselor, principal, and headmaster (the latter making him chuckle whenever he was addressed that way).
Frank vividly recalls the hot August afternoons he spent with the founders and friends of The Academy in 1981, making attempts at explaining what The Academy promised to be. He says that the “fire in their bellies” to make this school the best possible in the area of professional arts preparation was their motivation.
Upon his retirement from The Academy in 2002, Frank said in his farewell address:
“Most of all, I’ll always remember the sounds of this building at 1010 West Chicago at about 1:35pm each day. From every corner of this place – sounds of young people learning how to dance, to draw and paint, to sing, to play an instrument, to write and just grow in their craft. What a cacophony of sound! What music to my ears!”
Although more than two decades have passed since Frank's departure from The Academy, his influence and legacy continue to reverberate. Frank remains an integral part of our extended family, residing in Chicago, and generously gracing us with his presence at student shows whenever he can.
Frank Mustari works at his desk at The Academy.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to you, Frank, for being an unwavering pillar of strength and wisdom since the very inception of The Academy.