Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Home for Arts Education in New Haven
Neighborhood Music School has been a cornerstone of arts education since 1911, founded during the settlement house movement to serve New Haven's immigrant communities. As the largest non-profit community arts organization in Connecticut and one of the top ten nationally, we serve over 2,400 students annually from 80+ cities. Our integrative teaching philosophy fosters intergenerational learning through music, dance, drama, and film instruction, with programs ranging from toddler classes to senior ensembles. We maintain a strong commitment to accessibility, providing nearly $500,000 in annual financial aid to over 500 students. Our faculty combines professional expertise with compassionate teaching, creating a vibrant community where artistic growth and personal development intersect. The school houses both an arts-integrated preschool and an independent theatre-based middle school, offering comprehensive educational pathways.Through initiatives like the DELTA Program, Music in Schools Partnership, and Dance for PD, we extend our impact beyond traditional classroom settings. Our historic campus at 100 Audubon Street serves as a creative hub for the region, hosting over 100 weekly ensembles and community events. The school's leadership team brings decades of combined experience in arts education and social-emotional learning. Accreditation and recognition come through partnerships with institutions like the Steve and Carol Ross Fund for Arts Education. This enduring institution continues evolving while maintaining its founding mission: making high-quality arts education accessible to all.
Services
Music Lessons
Dance Classes
Preschool Programs
Middle School Curriculum
Financial Aid Programs
Community Ensembles
Summer Workshops
Performance Opportunities
Instrumental Classes
Voice Training
Details
- Year established: 1911
Highlights and features
- We offer the largest community arts education program in Connecticut with national recognition
- Our faculty combines professional expertise with compassionate, intergenerational teaching methods
- We provide nearly $500,000 in annual financial aid to ensure program accessibility
- We operate both an arts-integrated preschool and independent theatre-based middle school
- Our community programs reach beyond traditional education through initiatives like Dance for PD
Services
Music Lessons
Individualized music instruction available for all skill levels and ages. Our experienced faculty offers lessons in multiple genres and instruments, fostering technical proficiency and artistic expression. Students benefit from performance opportunities and ensemble participation.
Dance Classes
Comprehensive dance program covering various styles and techniques. Classes cater to children, teens, and adults with options for recreational and pre-professional training. Specialized programs include Dance for PD for Parkinson's patients and their caregivers.
Preschool Programs
Arts-integrated early childhood education focusing on creative development and foundational learning. Curriculum combines music, movement, and visual arts with traditional preschool academics in a nurturing environment.
Middle School
Theatre-based independent middle school combining rigorous academics with immersive arts education. Students participate in performance ensembles and creative projects while meeting state educational standards through an arts-integrated curriculum.
Community Programs
Specialized programs extending arts education beyond traditional classrooms. Includes DELTA Program partnerships, Teen Steel Band, Music in Schools collaborations, and intergenerational performance ensembles serving diverse community needs.
People
Noah Bloom
Executive Director
Noah Bloom leads Neighborhood Music School with a vision for inclusive arts education. With extensive experience in non-profit management and community engagement, he oversees the school's strategic direction and program development.
Maria Giarrizzo-Bartz
Co-Director
Maria Giarrizzo-Bartz co-directs ATLAS with expertise in experiential education and curriculum design. She holds a Masters in Education from Harvard and a BFA from the University of Montana, bringing 15+ years of arts education leadership.
Caroline Golschneider
Co-Director
Caroline Golschneider co-directs ATLAS as an arts educator and policy consultant. A Yale graduate with a Masters in Education from Harvard, she specializes in standards alignment and professional development for educators.
Kendall Driffin
Drama and SEL Instructor
Kendall Driffin teaches drama and social-emotional learning at ATLAS. A graduate of AMDA College of Performing Arts, she brings professional acting experience from Long Wharf Theatre and Netflix productions to her educational practice.
Ariel Thorne
Social-Emotional Coordinator
Ariel Thorne serves as Social-Emotional Coordinator with expertise in trauma-informed care. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she develops programs integrating mental health support with arts education for at-risk youth populations.
Questions
What types of programs does Neighborhood Music School offer?
We offer music lessons, dance classes, drama instruction, and film programs for all ages. Our educational offerings include preschool, middle school, and adult education with community outreach initiatives.
Is financial aid available for programs?
Yes, we provide close to $500,000 in annual financial aid and tuition support to over 500 students, ensuring accessibility for qualifying families across our programs.
What makes your middle school unique?
Our ATLAS middle school combines rigorous academics with theatre-based learning, featuring collaborative teaching, project-based curriculum, and social-emotional development integrated with arts education.
Do you offer programs for younger children?
Yes, we have an arts-integrated preschool and early childhood music classes for toddlers, focusing on creative development through music, movement, and visual arts activities.
Are there performance opportunities for students?
Students participate in over 100 weekly ensembles and performance opportunities including recitals, theatre productions, and community events throughout the academic year.
What community outreach programs do you provide?
Our community programs include DELTA Program partnerships, Music in Schools Initiative, Teen Steel Band, and Dance for PD, extending arts education to diverse populations across the region.
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