The Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn is a place where people from around the region can come to appreciate art of all kinds. But through April, the museum will be a place where people can come and make art, themselves, through performance.

Starting today, the center will host the city's eighth annual music/performing arts series.

Members of the public are invited to participate with no charge in the weekly music series, which will be held on Thursday evenings.

The event is targeted at musicians or those interested in music who wish to explore different aspects of the art, including improvisation, songwriting and performance techniques. Local musician and music educator Bob Piorun organizes and leads the event, and will be joined by various professional musicians during each session.

Piorun said that, while the event is a two-month series, one evening does not build on the other. Each class will be a unique experience, he said.

“It is fairly informal,” Piorun said. “It is not just me standing up there and instructing. I like to kind of improvise as we go along.”

People who show up will be encouraged to participate, but will not have to. If you want to sit and watch the entire thing, you can. If you want to bring an instrument and play on a performance of your favorite rock tune, you can.

Piorun said that the goal is to give each session an atmosphere that falls somewhere between a classroom and a pickup jam session. There will be instruction and advice, and attendees will learn something about music through the experience. But there will also be a sense of spontaneity, he said.

“People get the chance to literally come up and play with professionals and talk to them at the end,” Piorun said.

Some of the pros include jazz pianist Noah Kellman, guitarist Loren Barrager and singer Nancy Kelly. The series will touch on a variety of music styles, including county music, jazz, heavy metal and classical.

Piorun said that the most important thing a person can bring is an open mind.

“I have people who come who hate any kind of heavy rock 'n' roll, and then I have kids who come and look at the older stuff and put that down,” Piorun said. “But if you listen to different types of music, you will see how much fun (music) is.”

Stephanie Schuster, assistant director of the Schweinfurth Art Center, said that the program always attracts an enthusiastic audience.

“People can engage in an atmosphere that is both kind of open and accessible, but at the same time, it is structured,” Schuster said.

For Piorun, the best part about the music series is watching some people develop their musical skills while others play with a group for the first time.

“This is a real hands-on approach (to music),” he said. “And unlike an open-mic night, you will have people there to say ‘Here is what you could have done better,' or you can hear someone else playing the same thing.”

Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net

If you go

What: Music/ Performing Arts Series with Bob Piorun

When: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays through April 10

Where: Schweinfurth Art Center, 205 Genesee St., Auburn

How much: Free

Info: www.schweinfurthartcenter.org