SPRING 2026 REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW!
Some classes and lessons fill fast — don’t wait! Explore our spring offerings below and call 718-622-3300 to register.
What is the Community Music School?
The Community Music School at BKCM provides music instruction in a wide variety of instruments, genres and ensemble types. We offer private and group lessons as well as ensemble performance opportunities on a tuition-based model, and we strive to provide financial assistance when possible as part of our commitment to our mission. We invite you to explore our offerings and connect with us to register!
CMS Private Lessons, Classes & Ensembles
PRIVATE LESSONS
Ages 6 to Adult
Private lessons provide personalized and focused instruction tailored to the unique goals and needs of each student. With highly skilled and dedicated instructors, these one-on-one sessions offer a supportive environment for students to deepen their musical proficiency and express their creativity with individualized guidance. Private lessons are open to all ages and abilities.
GROUP CLASSES
Ages 5 to Adult
The Community Music School offers a myriad of group classes that range from theory and composition to beginner instruction in a group setting on piano, guitar and voice. While not specifically designed for performance, our group classes all make room for participatory learning, often with hands-on instruction and opportunities for performing on an instrument, singing or composing for an ensemble.
ENSEMBLES
Ages 9 to Adult
We offer a wide range of ensembles at the Community Music School that are designed to be taken alongside private lessons or on their own. Students join a community of other players interested in a particular genre, with options for all ages, instruments and experience levels. Many of our ensembles include a placement audition to make sure we have the best possible fit for the students’ level and experience.
EARLY CHILDHOOD
Ages 6 months to 6 Years
BKCM’s Early Childhood offerings are designed to set every young learner on a lifelong musical journey. Our teachers are committed to best practices in early childhood music and development. From caregiver and child classes to students’ first experience with instrumental instruction, our early childhood program is comprehensive and sequential.
New This Year
BKCM offers over 35 group classes and ensembles for all ages, experience levels and instruments. Explore all the options for Fall 2025 at the link below!
CMS Registration & Tuition
BKCM’s Community Music School offers annual registration on a 32-week calendar year for private lessons in all major instruments. BKCM also offers a variety of group classes and ensembles, with open registration periods beginning in June and December. Adult private lesson students (18 and over) have the option to register in two 16-week semesters.
Our Registration team is here at the front desk at 58 7th Ave and available by phone at 718-622-3300 from 9 AM-9 PM, seven days a week, to field inquiries and answer any questions you may have about our course and lesson offerings and help you find the right fit for every student!
1. Click here to create a Registration account (for new students).
2. Click here to fill out the Student & Family Survey.
3. For private lessons and most classes/ensembles, call 718-622-3300 to complete registration. For the following classes and lessons, registration can be completed fully online:
Trial Lessons
Students who want to be sure that private lessons are the right fit or just want to try out a specific teacher, have the option to enroll and pay for a single trial lesson before committing to the full term. Trial lessons are scheduled for the next available lesson day for the cost of a single lesson. After the trial lesson, students have 24 hours to contact our Registration team to enroll for the full term. If Registration is not confirmed within 24 hours, the lesson time will be released. Registrars will work with you to set a trial lesson time that works for your regular schedule. Payment is required to complete registration.
Once a trial lesson is booked, it can be rescheduled or refunded with 24 hours notice prior to the trial lesson occurring. Same day cancellations or missed trial lessons are non refundable. Students may take as many trial lessons as they would like, however, you may only book one trial lesson per teacher.
*There are no trials for group classes or ensembles.
**We do not offer trial lessons during the summer semester
At this time, in the middle of the 2025-26 school year, BKCM has minimal financial aid left for spring 2026 Community Music School classes and lessons. To be considered for financial aid should additional funds become available, kindly submit the financial aid application. Please note: submitting an application does not guarantee that financial aid will eventually be awarded.
If you have any questions before applying, contact kris.mandapat@bkcm.org. Please allow 7 business days for Kris to review your application and respond.
Private Lesson Tuition
Term Length:
- 32 Weeks (Annual)
- 16 Weeks (Semester)
Duration: 30 min, 45 min, 60 min
Price*
- 30-Minute Lesson: $3,392 Annual (32 Weeks) | $1,696 Semester (16 Weeks)
- 45-Minute Lesson: $3,840 Annual (32 Weeks) | $1,920 Semester (16 Weeks)
- 60-Minute Lesson: $4,416 Annual (32 Weeks) | $2,208 Semester (16 Weeks)
Contact: 718.622.3300 or info@bkcm.org
*Semester based options are only available to Adults 18 years of age and up.
Private Lesson students of all ages are also eligible for free or reduced tuition for many of our Group Classes and Ensembles. Click here to browse our full class offerings.
Group Classes & Ensemble Tuition
Group classes and ensembles differ from class to class. Students who are enrolled in private lessons receive a substantial discount on group classes and ensembles.
BKCM Fees: July 2025-June 2026*
$50 Registration Fee
The registration fee is an administrative fee charged once per family per school year upon registration.
$50 Payment Plan Fee
Students who choose to enroll using one of our automatic payment plan options must provide a valid credit card for all scheduled installment payments. The Payment Plan Fee is charged once per school year, per family. There are no payment plan options for summer camp.*
$50 Missed Payment Fee/Returned Check Fee
Installment payments not made on or before the scheduled due date are subject to a Missed Payment Fee. The Missed Payment Fee is only charged once per missed payment date, per family unit. If a check provided for payment is deposited by BKCM then returned by the bank for non-payment, the payer will be charged a Returned Check Fee.
* For Summer 2025 registration fees, click here.
Payment Plan Options
Payment Plan Policies
Your first installment is due at the time of registration. Monthly payments are prorated based on when you register. `
Annual Half and Half
50% at time of registration and 50% on January 16th
Fall Semester Monthly Installment Plan
First payment due at the time of the registration and the final payment is charged on November 16th
Annual and Spring Monthly Installment Plan
First payment due at the time of the registration and the final payment is charged on April 16th
Community Music School Core Values
COMMUNITY
We strive to be a welcoming, inclusive and safe environment rooted in mutual respect, collaboration and mentorship.
JOY
Our students are excited, curious and open to new experiences.
CREATIVITY
Our faculty and students are encouraged to experiment, take risks, and develop independence through musical enrichment. Students cultivate personal expression and are empowered to find their individual voice.
QUALITY
We support both students and faculty in their goals for musical development and artistic achievement. We embrace new challenges and develop tools to reflect and assess their progress.
PERSEVERANCE
Students, faculty and caregivers model supportive behavior, resilience and patience.