The BMS has been a revelation for my daughter, who had previously spent 3-4 years playing violin when we decided to switch her over to cello, assuming the skills would carry over. Well, thanks to both her private instructor at BMS as well as her orchestral group her development has accelerated faster than even we expected. She's since participated in a recital trip to Paris and had the most amazing group learning experience. The teachers and faculty are becoming like family and this is probably the biggest factor in our daughter's learning process. She looks forward to attending lessons, and that right there is the gamechanger. Of course none of this would matter if the instructors weren't top tier musicians themselves, but they are, so I am comfortable knowing that their skills and talent are rubbing off on our 9 year-old girl. I personally cannot wait for my five year-old piano playing son to begin attending the school and unlocking his full potential. If you have a child that you want to introduce to the musical arts, I can't think of a better home for music than the Brooklyn Music School. read more

The teachers are great. The administration seems a bit disorganized. I love my voice and guitar teachers. They are both amazing and I've been studying with excellent teachers when I lived in SF but these folks are next level read more

Decided to try professional coaching for voice lesson, and it was a very uncomfortable experience. Submitted an inquiry online, and received an email reaching out to me with rates for private lessons. I signed up for a 45 minute session, and my instructor, Mimi Hilarie cancelled on me the morning off. When I rescheduled, I walked into the school with the lights off behind the glass for check in and instead was surrounded by kids and teenagers running the place. With all respect to the teenagers and students holding down the fort, the experience is stressful and awful for a new student not knowing where to go. I was late to my lesson despite being there early because no room was listed in the confirmation email and there was no way of checking when you get there. I had to flag one of the student that was buzzing people in to help. read more

I signed up my daughter for ballet class here (her first in person dance class since March 2020 so I knew she was a bit nervous because it had been so long...) and it's been really great! The instructor seems wonderful - patient, enthusiastic, and encouraging. My daughter is always super excited for class and still dancing when I pick her up... read more

Where to begin: - Weak ED, who can't take any accountability for his actions and if you bring up an issue he'll gaslight the heck out of you and make you seem like the issue - Inconsistent pay. For 3 months a hundred employees were either not paid, paid very little (instances of being paid $27!), or overpaid by thousands of dollars. It was really like playing the lotto. Please keep in mind these are PART-TIME MUSICIANS that rely on PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK. If someone tried to report it, the ED would try to find out WHO which is ILLEGAL because what they were doing was not in the laws of the Labor Department. Eventually they would pay you correctly, but the responsibility was on YOU to find out (also not right) - BAD Finance Director who should have been fired years ago who constantly make pay mistakes. They've now switched to a new payroll system ONE MONTH before the semester ends that makes the teachers do MORE work versus the Finance Director just doing his job. - Constant turnover in staff, constant instability -- high performers having to do more and more and more which leads to burnout and things falling between the cracks -- angry parents -- upset teachers -- TOXIC WORK ENVIRONMENT. - DILAPIDATED BUILDING which has had RAT INFESTATION, BLACK MOLD, BROKEN BOILER leading to freezing winters, dangerous steps, etc. etc. - RISING LESSON COSTS when the school is supposed to be for AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE music education - NO SUPPORT for the teachers or staff - NO benefits whatsoever - TERRIBLE pay ($40/hour for teachers that won't go up until 5 years?? When all they've done is jacked up lesson costs for students) - Entitled parents that can ACTUALLY pay for lessons that don't because they've been grandfathered in and it's reflected in the attitudes of their children Advice to Management Get rid of the ED and get a better ED that can make tough decisions and isn't such a gaslighter. Maybe an ED that doesn't unfollow you on Instagram if you quit or if he gets upset at you (how petty!) read more

Brooklyn Music School is awesome for the whole family!! My little one loves the Early Ed classes and goes during the weekday and on the weekend he loves it so much. And my older one studies private lessons and is growing so much. The vibe here is absolutely special. A true gem in the heart of Brooklyn! read more

I'm finishing my first year of vocal instruction BMS, and am starting year two next week. The place has an 'old school' New York Theater/School feel--- old wood, echoing hallways, classic fixtures, etc... The staff and crew are all pleasant, gracious and accommodating. With that said, I have to sing (no pun intended!) praises for my instructor Dakota Macleod. Dakota was not my first choice as her online biography was pretty humble. As the stars and fate would have it...we ended up together. I knew the moment I entered her rehearsal room that I was among greatness. Dakota not only talks the talk...she walks the walk. I could talk about her all day, but to get my point across, I'll keep it short. Dakota is an acclaimed songwriter, composer, performer, arranger, etc...but it's her voice and teaching style that blew me away. It takes a lot to awe or impress me. Dakota did just that. She has taken my voice places that I never dreamed it could go. She is patient...and persistent. Funny...yet firm. Dakota is also very intuitive. Whether you are sick, have something going on and just don't 'feel like being there', she will sense it. Suddenly, I get a motivational and inspirational talk about the stresses or challenge that I'm facing, and all is well. To this day I don't know how she reads me as effortlessly as she reads music notes on a page. Long story short- classes at Brooklyn Music School are amazing. If voice is your thing, no matter if you're a beginner or already at the top of the charts, Dakota is the one to see. Outstanding professionalism, high expectations, and unparalleled dedication to her students. read more

My daughter has been at BMS for the past two years. She did after school there and loved it! She's now doing private violin lessons and also participating in the orchestra. The whole community is just awesome! read more

Love this place!!!! Both kids take class here and love it.african drum and dance. Singing. Violin. Guitar. Theater. Amazing kids and staff read more

Brooklyn Music School - Performing Arts Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

My daughter has flourished at Brooklyn Music School. She studies classical piano, jazz and rock guitar and vocal. Over the years she has cultivated amazing friendships, travelled to Belgium and Paris, performed at Pianos, The Sidewalk Cafe, New York City Marathon... In addition to taking formal lessons, she mentors after school at BMS, is in a rock band and enjoys her instructors. This music school is a wonderful community of talented artists. read more

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I registered my 7 year old daughter for summer session guitar lessons. The registration process was ok. I did have to follow up a few times but once I called the office I was able to get everything finalized. The instructor was great. Very patient and clearly knew how to work with kids on an introductory level. However, while on my way to one of the lessons, the instructor emailed me 45 min before the lesson to say class was canceled due to a Covid case. I never received a call or email prior to this notice. Glad I checked my email before we got there. When I emailed BMS to relay my concerns, I wasn't called back but received another email thanking ME for reaching out. No details on contact tracing especially since they mentioned it was my daughter's instructor who had potentially been exposed. I think better contingency planning on communication with parents is essential right now for Covid cases. Outside of this (major) issue, lessons went well but we won't be returning. read more

My son has had the pleasure and honor of attending BMS for quite some tim and has truly been enriched. The unique and diverse student body is exemplary as it reflects the beauty of Brooklyn. From his infancy to his transition into teenage years , we have seen a phenomenal growth in terms of his personal and mental growth as a young man. We would highly recommend the school and it's programs to any pat seeking to engage their child ( children ) in programs of the arts that enrich , excicte and engage them in ways they could only dream... read more

Price: NA Highlight: Intimate, old school feel Watching a folk singers performance here reminded me of an old school high school auditorium, built on levels and sloping upward and seats about 300 seats. It is complete with red curtain, wings, pit for a musician/musicians and fold out creaky wooden chairs which may be uncomfortable for long performances. Also, very conveniently located near the Atlantic Ave train station. read more

At 110 years old the Brooklyn School of Music feels as young and vital as ever! It really is the best of Brooklyn. Tucked in (suitably it seems!) behind the Brooklyn Academy of Music you can wonder like Alice through the labyrinthine - and slightly creaky - halls of BMS and hear behind various doors the melancholy strains of Beethoven or the urban buzz of Miles Davis. Tiny 2nd graders bump past you with oversized violin cases hanging from their shoulders. Debbie Harry wannabes grace the top floor Rock Band rooms - this place is cool. Chill, pedagogically rigorous and with LOTS of opportunities to actually perform BMS has it all. Forget your Park Slope boutique warehouse rock summer camp - this affordable Brooklyn gem has all of that and moreover - it has HEART. read more

Yes! if you're looking to be a school, then yes this place is good for you. I felt like I was in a high school auditorium. The seats were very uncomfortable. There was peeling paint everywhere. The bathroom was small, tiles was missing, paint peeling, the door would not close. To top off the whole evening, we were harassed by the attendant. She had no customer service skills. She was very rude and unprofessional. I will never go back there again. The play was excellent, the performance was amazing, the actor Wendell Piece was awesome but I hope The Billy Holiday Theater never ever use this space again!! read more

After looking all around the city for a strong viola teacher and program we decided to enroll my daughter in the Brooklyn Music School strings program with Michael Vannoni. This decision was a no brainer for us, because of Michael's expertise and experience in how to teach the viola. We really like the way he teaches. He is very thorough, patient, encouraging, has high standards, and is very nurturing. Last year my daughter played the viola in Paris, France with the Brooklyn Music School. My daughter now goes to LaGuardia HS, a top performing arts school, because of Michael and her time at BMS. The Brooklyn Music School has flexible times and the fees are very very very reasonable. As long as a we live in Brooklyn, my daughter will always be a student at the Brooklyn Music School. read more

great talent displayed here tonight! my nephew has advanced in his guitar skills and performed amazingly! all the other kids were good too. the receptionist was helpful and friendly. read more

The place where many children in Clinton Hill and Fort Greene began their dancing or music careers. The Music School seems to cater to children but do offer adult classes as well. Bring your child or you come along to develop a skill you never knew you had or one that you may seek to sharpen. read more

Amazing music school! Both of my kids love the after school program. Can really feel the heart and love for music amidst the staff.

Here at the Brooklyn Music School for the Seasons of Love show! Great voices!!! Can't wait to see more! Good music choices and affordable show. Great way to spend an afternoon! read more

I LOVE Brooklyn Music School. My daughter has been part of their afterschool program, and takes lessons there, and it has been a wonderful corner of Fort Greene to be a part of. There's something very neighborhoody about it -- this pretty ramshackle building, with all sorts of music wafting out of it. The kids have been exposed to working musicians of all genres, and get patient instruction that, in these introductory levels, is meant to encourage experimentation and a love of music, while being grounded in fundamentals. They also emphasize performance, and the kids get many chances to perform in this crazily old school theater. It can be pretty disorganized at times, but they are committed to keeping prices affordable so as not just to be part of the gentrification process, so they can't hire a lot of administrative staff. That said, they really are committed to working with their students and communities and makings things all work out somehow. I am so grateful to have them here in my communtiy! read more

I had my child enrolled in after-school classes here, but pulled out because of rampant unprofessionalism. First of all, the building is filthy. The downstairs bathrooms stink and there is toilet paper available about half the time. My child said they couldn't use some of the bathrooms upstairs because there was poop and pee on the toilets. I heard this multiple times! Picking up my child in the afternoon, I saw the same crunched-up pretzel on the staircase for an entire week, and cobwebs and balls of hair and filth all the way up the staircase. The employees stand right outside the front door and smoke cigarettes!!!! There is a very loud man at the front desk who prefers to joke around with fellow employees rather than helping customers, and who has the world's biggest chip on his shoulder (when he does finally turn his attention to you). This is a nurturing environment for children? No thank you. read more