Our Mission

The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music aims to transform lives and build community through the expressive, educational and therapeutic powers of music.

Our Vision

We envision a world where every New Yorker, regardless of age, income or level of ability, has access to high-quality music instruction and music therapy. We believe that neighborhoods traditionally under-served by New York City cultural institutions need and deserve hands-on musical experiences, and that by creating these opportunities we are building a more vibrant, interconnected city.

Our Story

The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music is a 126-year-old non-profit community music school. Founded by German immigrants in the 1890s, the Conservatory continues to make an indelible mark on the people of NYC to this day. The central location of the Conservatory is 58 7th Avenue, a historic Victorian brownstone located in Park Slope, where hundreds of musicians — ages 2 to 82 — gather each day to study, rehearse and collaborate. Within the historic building and beyond, the Conservatory also produces more than 200 low-cost musical events each year and partner with some of New York’s most vital institutions, from art museums to refugee resettlement agencies to retirement communities.

Throughout NYC, BKCM provides music education, music therapy services and opportunities for musical engagement at more than 70 sites across all five boroughs. BKCM’s programs serve more than 10,000 New Yorkers from all walks of life. In 2022, the Conservatory opened a satellite in the Cypress Hills/East New York community in partnership with the CHLDC. The Community Music Center has shown to be a promising new model for ensuring high-quality music education is accessible to all in our community.

Have a BKCM story of your own? Please email mystory@bkcm.org to share your story!

Our Programs

Child at BKCM exploring the drums.

COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL

Our Park Slope home is filled with the sounds of private lessons, group classes, ensembles and workshops for music-makers ages 2 to 83 every day of the week.  We teach almost every instrument imaginable and are home to several ensembles and fellowship programs.  Our students and faculty are guided by CMS’s core values: joy, community, perseverance, quality and creativity.

Suzuki violin students performing.

SUZUKI

Since 2006, BKCM has offered families the chance to train in the Suzuki method: a nurturing pedagogy based on the concept that all children have the ability to master the language of music.  We offer the study of violin, cello, bass, guitar, flute and piano. Suzuki parents are uniquely involved in their children’s musical growth, as they learn alongside their children in initial classes. 

Music therapy student performing at our annual outdoor music festival and fundraiser, Open Stages.

MUSIC THERAPY

BKCM is proud to serve as an esteemed provider of music therapy, a psychotherapeutic practice in which clinically trained professionals use music as a tool to promote the developmental and social-emotional growth of clients of all abilities. We currently work with clients at our Park Slope home and 44 community outreach sites citywide through private and group sessions.

Music Partners drum students performing at Open Stages.

MUSIC PARTNERS

With over 30 outreach sites in public schools, senior centers, childcare centers, and other community settings, Music Partners serves more than 3,500 students across NYC. Programs are tailored to suit each partner site’s needs, with offerings including bucket drumming, early childhood music and movement, band and more.

Students performing at the Community Music Center at Chestnut Commons.

COMMUNITY MUSIC CENTERS

The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music is delighted to announce our first BKCM Community Music Center located in the Cypress Hills/East NY Community Center at Chestnut Commons, which offers top-quality music education programming at locations convenient and accessible to families across New York City.

Photo of our BKCM home stage at Open Stages 2023.

EVENTS

The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music hosts more than 200 events each year, from intimate concerts to lively dance parties. Our events are designed to inspire, entertain, connect and broaden our community. Music is a natural way to build community by enabling New York City residents to connect with our organization, and with each other.