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
Founded in 1897, the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music (BKCM) is a nonprofit community music school dedicated to transforming lives and building community through the expressive, educational and therapeutic powers of music.
Today, BKCM engages more than 15,000 individuals annually through music education, music therapy, artist services, performances and community programming. BKCM operates two campuses in the heart of Brooklyn: its historic home at 58 Seventh Avenue and its new campus at Prospect Park West (963 President Street), and brings programs into communities across New York City through approximately 90 partner sites in all five boroughs.
BKCM offers private lessons, group classes and ensembles for students of all ages and abilities, nationally recognized music therapy programs, community-based music education, artist development opportunities and free and low-cost performances and public programs. Through its Studio Collective, BKCM also provides affordable rehearsal space to thousands of emerging and professional musicians each year, helping sustain New York City’s vibrant community of working artists.
Across its campuses and throughout the city, BKCM creates spaces where students, artists, families and communities can learn, create, connect, and experience the power of music.
Our Park Slope Campus
Although BKCM’s programs take place citywide, they are rooted in our campus in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Since 1944, our central location has been a Victorian brownstone at 58 Seventh Avenue.
In September 2026, we are expanding our Park Slope Campus to include a second location in Park Slope: BKCM Prospect Park West. In addition to 13 new state-of-the-art music studios, a performance hall, and a spacious community room, BKCM Prospect Park West will be home to a national BKCM Music Therapy Institute.
To learn more about this exciting new chapter for BKCM and explore an interactive map of both locations, visit the page below.
Our Programs
COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL
Our Park Slope home is filled with the sounds of private lessons, group classes, ensembles and workshops for music-makers ages 0 to 95, every day of the week. We teach almost every instrument and are home to more than 30 ensembles and fellowship programs. Our students and faculty are guided by CMS’s core values: joy, community, perseverance, quality and creativity.
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 music like a native language. 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
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
With over 35 outreach sites in public schools, senior centers, childcare centers, and other community settings, Music Partners serves more than 4,000 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.
COMMUNITY MUSIC CENTER
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 to more than 70 families who live in the neighborhood, at little or no cost.
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.