What happens when your 5-year-old daughter, who was enamored of classical music, suddenly puts down the violin she has played for a year and exclaims, “Momma, don’t you know I was born to the blues?” The Blues Society of Omaha has an answer to that question. Its BluesEd program, a youth artists’ development program, has consistently promoted the live performance of blues to younger generations, ensuring that this precious art form will live on long into the future. Begun in 2001, the BluesEd program has grown steadily over the last 16 years. Today there are seven established bands in two cities, with more than 50 students. The bands, which regularly perform at Blues Society of Omaha events, numerous well-known local venues, and many events organized by local charities, are in high demand and enjoy state and regional recognition. In 2016, BluesEd bands offered more than 80 performances during their five-month season (April to August). In 2017, the number of performances increased to 104. BluesEd now has nearly 200 alumni, with many actively involved in the blues music scene on both the local and national levels.
