From the Executive Director, September 2024
As we embark on a new school year at Brooklyn Music School(BMS), I'd like to first reflect upon the last few months within the organization. After arriving at a truly critical financial moment last spring, I am overjoyed to say that the outpouring of support from the community and beyond allowed BMS to continue offering our wide variety of programs through the summer months uninterrupted. On behalf of our staff, faculty and Board of Trustees, we want to sincerely thank each and every person that donated to our June fundraising campaign. With new administrative structures, approaches, and upcoming fundraising, we anticipate a much more stabilized year ahead. I would also like to congratulate all of the Summer Institute and Intensive students for their incredible work and performances throughout July and August.
In entering the Fall semester and beyond, we are excited to bring all of our historic programmatic offerings back once again to our students. I'd like to encourage the community to enjoy as many of our annual events at BMS as possible, some of which include the Halloween Fall Celebration, New York City Marathon outdoor concert, MLK Celebration concert, and many more. We also plan to usher in new happenings, performance opportunities, and special events in our Playhouse space and throughout the city. It is our honor and pleasure to serve such a beautiful community through the joy of the performing arts.
With gratitude,
Brian Adamczyk
Executive Director
From The Executive Director
As we forge into the spring, the Brooklyn Music School is taking calculated steps to better understand the populations we serve…
“As we forge into the spring, the Brooklyn Music School is taking calculated steps to better understand the populations we serve, areas that we hope to impact in the future, and how we can build an even more diverse team of administrative staff and teaching artist faculty.”
The Brooklyn Music School 2023-24 has already been filled with exciting new offerings within our Programming Department, while still featuring staples such as our MLK Celebration concert, monthly recitals, and Holiday Spectacular. We have seen incredible growth and increased impact with Adult Programming in particular, as well as Early Childhood and Musical Theater.
As we forge into the spring, the Brooklyn Music School is taking calculated steps to better understand the populations we serve, areas that we hope to impact in the future, and how we can build an even more diverse team of administrative staff and teaching artist faculty. Our organization has also recently completed some major upgrades to the facility, including more than 25 new classroom door replacements, ceiling improvements in the basement, and a better imagined layout of classroom configurations. BMS has also officially embarked on a major renovation of the Playhouse exterior through the support of the Department of Design and Construction. This critical repair to the roof and upper areas of the Playhouse is now slated to be completed in the coming years. We believe these upgrades will continue the advancement of how we can better improve the overall experience of delivering dozens upon dozens of performing arts programs to the broader community.
As always, BMS will be exploring several fundraising events between now and through the summer months, which will range in size, atmosphere and features. In order to uphold our core mission of providing affordable and accessible, quality programming, we hope to raise critical funds through upcoming events and artistic experiences for the community to support these efforts.
Spring Gala 2023
This season we will have many exciting happenings starting this month! With Women's History Month, BMS will celebrate many of the women who made profound contributions to the arts over the decades. Our annual Middle School Jazz Fest, Shredfest Rock Department concert, and Spring Spectacular are just some of the major performance opportunities on the horizon. We also hope your children will join us in one or more of our summer offerings, from Summer Institute and Summer Intensives, to private lessons, ensembles, and more.
On behalf of my esteemed colleagues and staff at the Brooklyn Music School, we proudly serve the community to continue providing as many artistic experiences to the public as we can. Have a wonderful and safe spring season, and we'll see you at the Brooklyn Music School soon!
Private Lessons For All
Private lessons are perfect for working at your own pace!
Self Discovery
Private lessons are perfect for working at your own pace!
Enrolling in private music lessons offers so many benefits to a growing child, a developing teenager and a mature adult. BMS provides everything from string instruments to piano and anything in between. And signing up for a private lesson is a way to discover or rediscover a passion or a professional pursuit!
Three Benefits of Private Lessons:
1. Bespoke Lessons - BMS faculty understand that each student learns differently. Some understand music at their core and learn very quickly and some work best from reading the music which helps them to better understand the melody and rhythm. A private instructor will adapt their process to better serve the student, which means the student will learn at their own pace.
2. Perfecting Skills - Group and ensemble classes are for sure fun, but taking private lessons are also fun! Working one-on-one allows the student to master the skills needed to perfect their art, and this can only happen with a private instructor. Working with a private instructor also allows the student to learn important elements which inlcude: correct instrument handling, learning special (maybe more challenging) works, and tweaking their solo recital.
3. Personalized Feedback - Feedback is essential for learning. It allows students to develop good habits and fine-tune their skills. When students take private lessons they receive immediate feedback from a professional, and this allows the student to develop the skills that they hope to achieve.
Read more about the private lessons we offer here.
And click the button below to sign up for a private lesson, today!
Brooklyn Music School has been uniting people in harmony for over a century. As it was over 100 years ago, today children and adults meet at 126 St. Felix Street to experience harmony and unity through music and performing arts education and community events.
From The Executive Director
We have so many exciting things on the horizon for 2024, and it continues to be our honor to deliver unique, creative, and wide-ranging experiences to the community.
““We have so many exciting things on the horizon for 2024, and it continues to be our honor to deliver unique, creative, and wide-ranging experiences to the community. ”
”
The fall semester at Brooklyn Music School started with energized and robust offerings in September, ranging from special guest artist events, to historical and new programming opportunities. It is still our complete and dedicated focus to provide affordable, accessible instruction to all those that wish to receive it. As we find ourselves moving quickly through the school year, I'd like to highlight some of the most notable efforts our organization has delivered to the community.
While our core programmatic divisions continue to consist of Music, Dance, Musical Theater, and Music Therapy, new efforts have been put in place to foster growth in quality and variety within each curricula. We have generated a newly imagined Early Childhood class approach and welcomed Emma Simpson as Department Chair. We believe this more focused path will ensure students move more seamlessly through programming throughout the years.
Adult programming is on the rise, and our beloved Community Choir returned once again this year, presented as a free offering to participating students. We also made a calculated decision to cease any full time tenants during the daytime, allowing for the re-imagining of our historic facility to optimize BMS programming once again.
There are many ambitious projects that have either been realized this fall, or are in place for 2024. In October, we welcomed Grammy winner, and highly sought after pianist Robert Glasper to the BMS Playhouse for an unforgettable performance for the community. Additionally, we welcomed the premiere of a new composition entitled Moving Voices, written by BMS faculty member Alon Nechushtan on November 8th. The ensemble that toured the piece consisted of award winning vocalist Sara Serpa, as well as two prominent French musicians, Louis and Francois Moutin. The final performance culminated at the prestigious Le Baiser Salé jazz club in Paris. This was designed to compliment a budding partnership with a music school in France, as well as cultivating the facilitation of new music for our audiences.
Robert Glasper at BMS
Moving Voices (from top left to right bottom): Alon Nechustan, Francois Moutin, Sara Serpa, Louis Moutin
We have so many exciting things on the horizon for 2024, and it continues to be our honor to deliver unique, creative, and wide-ranging experiences to the community. I want to thank my incredible staff, faculty and Board of Trustees for their ongoing work and dedication to the mission statement. It is our pleasure to serve each and every person that walks through our doors, or experiences our offerings remotely. On behalf of the Brooklyn Music School, I'd like to wish everyone a happy, healthy and joyful holiday season.
Honoring Lucia Luminate
In the heart of Brooklyn, among a vibrant blend of cultures, we take great pride in honoring Lucia, our incredible Sound Therapist, during Hispanic Heritage Month.
In the heart of Brooklyn, among a vibrant blend of cultures, we take great pride in honoring Lucia, our incredible Sound Therapist, during Hispanic Heritage Month. Lucia is a first-generation Mexican American Brooklynite who uses the scientific and spiritual properties of sound, adaptive leadership practices, and human-centered design to assist leaders and change-makers in healing from trauma, transforming limiting beliefs, and gaining mental clarity.
Lucia, who graduated from NYU's Music Education and Voice program, began her professional career working in social enterprise and nonprofits. She has worked for organizations such as Teach For America, FreeWill and DonorsChoose.org. In 2019, Lucia enrolled at the Maha Rose Sound School Levels 1 & 2 where she rediscovered the therapeutic benefits of sound, science, and music. These tools provided her with the opportunity to delve deeper into her true self and values. She is now sharing these tools with our sound bath participants.
““I started to use singing bowls and tuning forks in my daily morning meditations, giving sound baths to friends, and taking time to intentionally rewire old subconscious thoughts and habits while connecting deeper with God, and to my delight, it worked, really well.””
As a Sound Therapist and Leadership Coach, Lucia seamlessly blends the scientific and spiritual properties of sound. Her mission is to foster systemic change by developing adaptive leaders who want to change the world.Her philosophy is clear: to change the world, one needs to first undergo inner transformation.
Lucia is one of BMS's many sound bath practitioners, where participants can immerse themselves in sound and meditation. Participants are treated to relaxing sounds from resonant instruments as well as meditation to help them align their bodies and minds. At BMS, we believe that a healthy arts community improves the borough's overall mental and physical well-being while also fostering strong community connections. With these sound baths, our intention is to ensure that our actions and programming reflect our beliefs.
This Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor Lucia for her work in sound healing. Thank you for sharing your story and contributing to our community!
Jon Batiste Visits BMS
Last month, the Brooklyn Music School welcomed a special guest who made a huge impact on students, faculty, and the entire community. Jon Batiste, the acclaimed artist with multiple Grammy and Oscar wins, brought his magic to the BMS Playhouse, creating a day that was all about musical inspiration and connecting with one another.
BMS Backstage
BMS Backstage is a series that takes our community behind the scenes and on a journey through BMS, the history, the community and by celebrating historical and contemporary aspects of music and the performing arts . Anika Rahman our brilliant marketing intern explores contemporary and historical subjects through the lens of the building, programming, events and our local and global community connections.
“With so many ways to communicate at our disposal, we must not forget the transformative power of a live music experience and genuine human exchange.”
Last month, the Brooklyn Music School welcomed a special guest who made a huge impact on students, faculty, and the entire community. Jon Batiste, the acclaimed artist with multiple Grammy and Oscar wins, brought his magic to the BMS Playhouse, creating a day that was all about musical inspiration and connecting with one another.
This event was a testament to the school's mission of using music to connect, inspire, and uplift. Thanks to a collaboration with the Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra and Verve Records, our students came together to be part of an unforgettable musical experience.
As a surprise to the students, Jon invited BMS Summer Institute 7-8 year old groups to accompany him on his own original songs, as well as, a range of instrumentalists from BMS Jazz programming and Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra. The day culminated with a free public performance down Saint Felix Street, where everyone got to hear the songs rehearsed during the workshop.
Jon's genuine connection with the students was a highlight of the day. His words of encouragement and the moments he shared with the students were heartwarming and inspiring. It's moments like these that truly show the impact of music and the joy it can bring.
But the party only continued, thanks to CBS Mornings, who featured Jon Batiste and BMS student Chris Lee in a segment about the surprise event. Their discussion sheds light on how music enriches lives and shapes experiences, highlighting the importance of music education.
This surprise event exemplified the Brooklyn Music School's commitment to nurturing connections within the artistic community and providing enriching experiences for all, regardless of background or resources.
Jon Batiste's visit to the Brooklyn Music School was a true celebration of music's ability to transcend barriers and inspire hearts. The event echoed the school's mission of using music as a universal language to inspire and connect. As memories of Jon Batiste's visit linger, the Brooklyn Music School continues its mission, striving to host more events that foster creativity, community, and inclusivity.
From The Executive Director
As summer draws to a close, I would like to reflect on some of the incredible experiences that the Brooklyn Music School recently offered to the community.
““As summer draws to a close, I would like to reflect on some of the incredible experiences that the Brooklyn Music School recently offered to the community. ”
”
As summer draws to a close, I would like to reflect on some of the incredible experiences that the Brooklyn Music School recently offered to the community.
Our Summer Music and Dance Institute returned once again, allowing hundreds of children the opportunity to receive programming in music, dance, and musical theater. Field trips, culminating performances, and new friendships filled the 6 weeks of programming. A major highlight was welcoming multi-Grammy award winner Jon Batiste to the Playhouse for an afternoon of workshops with various BMS students of all ages. He ended the day by inviting those very students to sit in with him during a free concert for the community from the BMS Playhouse, a day none of us will ever forget.
Brooklyn Music School has also embarked on many new initiatives to improve, reorganize, and enhance our ability to deliver the best quality programming while keeping tuition rates well below market rate. Looking on to the 2023-24 school year, the community can expect all of the same historic BMS programmatic offerings such as lessons, ensembles, group classes, and robust performance experiences. In some more exciting news, BMS will also continue expanding its Music Therapy division after recently becoming an accredited institution.
This past school year also allowed me the pleasure of further developing our relationship with the acclaimed Ecole d'Art Musical in Paris, France. We are making strides to launch a student cultural exchange in the near future, an unprecedented opportunity for the students.
With so many new and creative initiatives in our upcoming planning, we are sure this will be the most exciting year at the Brooklyn Music School yet. We can't wait to see you here!
Love is Love
June is an important month historically for the LBGTQ+ community!
““We should indeed keep calm in the face of difference, and live our lives in a state of inclusion and wonder at the diversity of humanity.” ”
June is an important month historically for the LBGTQ+ community. The 1960s were trying times in America, during this time same sex relationships were considered illegal. Members of the LGBT community found safe havens within gay bars and clubs because they were able to express their love openly. That is until gay bars and clubs were targeted by the NY State Liquor Authority who had the power to shut down the establishments.
June 28, 1969, is the day that the police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club located in Greenwich Village. It was reported that police aggressively removed employees and patrons from Stonewall Inn. The raid incited six days of protest outside of the Stonewall Inn and in surrounding neighborhoods. Historically the Stonewall Riots served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement.
This month we honor the history, stand in solidarity, and celebrate the LBGTQ+ community with another 365 series that features organizations whose mission, causes, and vision advocate for, represent and support the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender + Queer (and Questioning) community. Make sure to follow #BMSBrooklyn365 to see how we celebrate the heritage months year-round. And in this month’s Backstage: Celebrating Queer Icons Anika highlights historical icons from the 1900s.
At Brooklyn Music School we believe in the ideal of America, that all people are created equal and in turn should be celebrated and honored year-round. We hope that one day contributions made by cultures who have been pushed out of the margins will be celebrated as part of America’s rich and beautifully diverse, rainbow history, until that time we hope you join us as we celebrate Pride not only this month, but 365!
You can read more about the Stonewall Riots and Gay Right here.
From The Executive Director
Spring is upon us at the Brooklyn Music School, and we are so excited to be offering the community so many experiences between now and the end of the school year.
From The Desk Of…
“We are here to serve, enrich and support the public through the performing arts.”
Hello Brooklyn Music School families, friends, and community!
Spring is upon us at the Brooklyn Music School, and we are so excited to be offering the community so many experiences between now and the end of the school year. Our Spring semester of programming and instruction is in full swing.
I would like to highlight two new performance opportunities created with the community in mind. Our first ever rock band event, Shred Fest 2023, took place on April 1st in the BMS Playhouse. The evening featured BMS Rock Bands of all ages and abilities. We also hosted a total of 19 bands, some of which were from outside organizations and our friends at Kids Rock for Kids. Also, the BMS Jazz Department will host our first dedicated jazz celebration event in May in the Playhouse (stay tuned for more info). All jazz ensembles, jazz faculty and a community jam session at the end will celebrate the wonderful offerings in this communal experience.
See More at #BMSRockFest
Looking ahead, please secure your spot in one or more of our 6 weeks of Summer Institute camp experiences, as well as any of the one week Intensives. We look forward to returning to our historic camp format that will include exciting field trips, performance opportunities and walks to Fort Greene Park. Programming ranges from Strings, Jazz, Musical Theater, Dance and Music Production. Private Lessons and group classes will also run all of July and August.
Follow #BMSSummerHeartBeats
The 2023 BMS Fundraising Gala will occur on May 23rd at Rule of Thirds, an incredible venue in the heart of Greenpoint. All ticket sales, donations and sponsorships will provide crucial revenue for BMS as a nonprofit. These funds will make it possible for BMS to continue offering the affordable, and at times, free, programming and scholarships to the community. Thank you in advance for your continued support, we couldn't do it without you!
Lastly, BMS is undoubtedly opening up a new chapter. Between new programmatic offerings, growth in enrollment, and fresh BMS administrative leadership, we have so many unique and meaningful experiences to offer the public. Stay tuned for many upcoming events, collaborations and experiences for summer and fall, to be announced in the coming newsletters.
Thank you for being part of the Brooklyn Music School community. We are here to serve, enrich and support the public through the performing arts. Our programs will always be available to any and all that wish to receive them, regardless of economic standing or resources. This year officially marks the 114th year of existence for BMS, and we can't wait to show you what's up next. Onward!
HerStory
We hope you joins us as we celebrate Women not only this month but 365!
Celebrating Herstory 365
“Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th.”
From a month of love and excellence, to a month of herstory!
The first celebration that inspired Women’s History Month, was from a week-long event recognizing the cultural and historical contributions made by women and was organized by the Sonoma, CA school district in 1978. Several schools and hundreds of students participated in an essay contest titled “Real Woman”. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter proclaimed the week of March 8th as Women’s History Week and 6 years after, the National Women’s History Project petitioned Congress to expand the week to the Month of March. International Women’s Day which is global movement is also celebrated this month and originally took place on March 8, 1911.
This month’s Backstage spotlights a select group of pioneer women within the music industry. The women selected were true trailblazers and we believe their contributions deserve to be celebrated 365. And make sure to connect with us on on twitter and instagram throughout the month we will highlight beautiful words of wisdom from various women in music, performing arts and wellness industries .
At Brooklyn Music School we believe in the ideal of America, that all people are created equal and in turn should be celebrated and honored year-round. We hope that one day contributions made by cultures who have been pushed outside of the margins will be celebrated as a part of America’s rich and beautifully diverse Herstory, until that time we hope you joins us as we celebrate Women not only this month but 365!
You can read more about Women’s History here.
Love and Excellence
We believe in the ideal of America, that all people are created equal and in turn should be celebrated and honored year-round, please join us this month as we kick off - Celebrate 365!
Love & Excellence
“History has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own.”
Black History Month is an annual celebration that honors Black people’s contribution to American History. Also, referred to as African American History Month, the month was inspired by American historian Carter G. Woodson. Woodson was a scholar who opened the field of Black studies throughout colleges across the US. In 1926 he established what we refer to today as Black History Month – he is often referred to as the father of Black History you can read more about Carter G. Woodson here. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976 to acknowledge all of the contributions that Black people made to building and contributing to American culture and history.
#muiscmonday moodboard
At Brooklyn Music School we believe in the ideal of America, that all people are created equal and in turn should be celebrated and honored year-round, and we practice this ideal through our programming, events, fundraisers and partnerships. This month please join us as we celebrate love and excellence. We kick off the month on Monday, February 6th with a 4 part Music Monday series, that highlights 4 amazing musicians and how they express love through music. As we highlight specific lyrics, we also hope that this small series also inspires a more mindful approach to listening to music.
Saturday February 18th is the Annual Songs from the Heart Concert. Please join us for this historical event featuring our faculty and students as they perform a playlist of songs that express the complexities and layers of love.
We hope that one day contributions made by cultures who have been pushed outside of the margins will be celebrated as a part of America’s rich and beautifully diverse history, until that time we hope you joins us as we celebrate love and excellence not only this month but 365!
You can read more about Black History’s History here.
From the Executive Director
This summer was action packed with both returning and new programmatic efforts! Summer Music and Dance Institute ran from July through August, and ended with student performances. BMS also premiered the new community fundraiser, Beer & Beats that showcased adult students, faculty, and staff throughout local breweries. I also travelled to Paris to visit Ecole D’Art Musical, a music school with a similar feel to BMS. It is my intention to facilitate a cultural exchange program.
From the Desk of…
“ At BMS Brooklyn, the focus is providing quality, accessible performing arts programming to all those that wish to receive it and we believe that cultivating a healthy overall lifestyle is also paramount. ”
Running the streets of Paris!
This summer was action packed with both returning and new programmatic efforts! Summer Music and Dance Institute ran from July through August, and ended with student performances. BMS also premiered the new community fundraiser, Beer & Beats that showcased adult students, faculty, and staff throughout local breweries. I also travelled to Paris to visit Ecole D’Art Musical, a music school with a similar feel to BMS. It is my intention to facilitate a student exchange program.
Summer Institute 2022
Teaching in Paris.
We are excited about fall at BMS Brooklyn! With a new Curriculum Developer joining the staff in September the programming will evolve into effective and developmentally appropriate classes that align with our core values and state standards.
The BMS Artist in Residence program is hosting the second guest BMS’ own teaching artist, Emily Tepe, professionally known as IVA. BMS AIR allows our students a unique opportunity to experience a professional artist’s creative process and invites the community to make meaningful connections.
IVA: Summer 2021
Partnering with local organizations such as: Barclays Center, Bloomingdale School of Music, and Mark Morris Dance Group remains a priority. And renovations to this historic property are in always happening behind the scenes.
At BMS Brooklyn, are focus is providing quality, accessible performing arts programming to all those that wish to receive it and we believe that cultivating a healthy overall lifestyle is also paramount.
