My son started violin lessons here at age 5. Now he's 9, and he takes both piano and violin lessons…read morehere. He's also been part of chamber music groups at the New School. His teachers are amazing, dedicated people with top-notch credentials and a real commitment to teaching. They are incredibly generous with their time, and they have never failed to challenge and inspire my son. There is a real community here. Through the amazing faculty and nurturing environment at the New School, my son has excelled beyond what I even imagined possible, as a parent who has no musical ability whatsoever. He's been a soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra's community concert series and was the youngest violinist ever in New England Conservatory's Festival Youth Orchestra. He has been a soloist with his public school's all-city orchestra. He auditioned successfully as a member of the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra as well as New England Conservatory's Youth Orchestras, and all due to the support and coaching he received here. He has the confidence to help his public school's string teacher on the days when she comes to teach. He has developed stage presence, poise, and confidence, all thanks to the New School of Music and their dedicated faculty.
Beginning a musical education can be both daunting and expensive. Often, only children of the wealthy can afford a musical education, which can make for a homogeneous population of entitled, demanding parents and children alike. Educational environments such as these can make for an intimidating, sometimes unwelcoming reception for new parents and students, especially those coming from diverse backgrounds. But the New School of Music is an extremely special place. They welcome you. When I was shopping for a place to begin music lessons for my son, Longy and other local community schools felt icy in comparison to the New School. NSM is committed to granting financial aid to those who qualify, and it isn't something that is treated as an abnormality. The administration has been simply magnificent in this regard, especially. They make difficult logistical processes, such as applying for financial aid, setting up payment plans, and scheduling and rescheduling lessons easy. Communication with staff is always pleasant: the office may seem empty upon first glance, but there's always someone there to talk to in person, and they ALWAYS remember your family and your name. Quite simply, the New School is an educational environment that makes both students and parents feel comfortable and valued.
The administrators always go above and beyond: they have offered my son concert hall space to make audition recordings, helped me find correct editions of sheet music (the staff are musicians, as well, so they can really help out when you can't tell a treble from a bass clef), and made great suggestions for performances in local venues that they thought my son would like.
Basically, my son IS music--The New School gave him that part of himself, and it is something we could never have given him on our own. They have made us feel like family, and they have given my son a gift that he will have forever.
