named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Instrument Loan Program
Provides free access to keyboards, string instruments, and classical guitars through an in-house rental library to support students who cannot afford their own instruments
Musicianship Skills Classes
Free weekly group classes in music theory, ear training, and rhythm for all enrolled students; features a proprietary three-year curriculum developed by the Conservatory
Performance Opportunities
Includes biannual semester recitals in formal performance halls and weekly Lunch Rush Recitals; provides students with regular public performance experience
Private Lessons
One-on-one instruction in piano, violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar, and voice; lessons tailored to individual skill level and learning style, offered in 30- or 60-minute sessions
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Music Education and Training Programs 5 activities
- Capacity building in music educationEmploys a multilingual faculty from ten countries and has hired administrative staff to support the expansion and operations of music education programs.
- Free group musicianship skills classesOffers free weekly small-group Musicianship Skills classes to students enrolled in private lessons, featuring a copyrighted three-year curriculum covering music theory, ear training, rhythm, and music reading and writing for students aged 7 and up. Level placement is determined by assessment at the start of the semester.
- Music recitals and performance opportunitiesOrganizes two major end-of-semester recitals and weekly performance opportunities through the Lunch Rush Recital Series, allowing students to showcase their progress and develop performance skills.
- Partnership-based program deliveryDelivers music education programs through a partnership with Access Bronx Charter School, offering instruction on specific days of the week during scheduled terms.
- Private music instructionProvides one-on-one private music lessons in piano, guitar, voice, violin, viola, cello, double bass, and other instruments to children and adults in the Bronx, tailored to individual skill levels and learning styles. Instruction is delivered by faculty with undergraduate and graduate degrees from leading conservatories.
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Community Music Performances & Education 1 activity
- Community concertsOrganizes free and low-priced concerts featuring faculty and guest artists for communities in the Bronx, increasing access to high-quality musical performances.
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Music Education Support 1 activity
- Instrument rental libraryProvides free loan of keyboards, string instruments, and guitars to students through an instrument rental library, expanded by donations to support students who cannot afford their own instruments.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$412K
Contributions & grants$145K35%
Program service revenue$223K54%
Investment income$44K11%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$449K
Program expenses72%
Admin / overhead28%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$314K
Grants paid out$10K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$904K
Cash$49K
Investments$813K
Liabilities$12K
Net assets$892K
Liquid reserves23.0 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +31.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHELE SLIFKA | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $24K |
board members · 3
- BRENDA VINCENT — SECRETARY
- DAVID NUSSENBAUM — TREASURER
- DOUGLAS W MEYER — PRESIDENT
relationships · 21
Who they work with
- Access Bronx Charter Elementary School Partner — Hosts Bronx Conservatory of Music at its facility located at 388 Willis Ave.
- Access Bronx Charter School Partner — Hosts the conservatory at its facility on 388 Willis Avenue.
- Access Bronx Charter School Partner — Partner organization hosting Bronx Conservatory of Music programs at its elementary school location.
- Access Bronx Charter School Partner — Partner organization hosting Bronx Conservatory of Music's second location for music lessons.
- Bronx Community College Partner — Hosts Bronx Conservatory of Music at its facility located at 200 Hall of Fame Terrace.
- Bronx Community College Partner — Hosts the conservatory at its campus and provides performance space at the Gould Memorial Auditorium.
- Bronx Community College of CUNY Partner — Major donor supporting the operations of the Bronx Conservatory of Music.
- Bronx Community College of the City University of New York Partner — Provides enduring support for the Conservatory's program and mission.
- Juilliard School Network — Faculty hold degrees from the Juilliard School, indicating affiliation through alumni presence.
- Manhattan School of Music Network — Faculty hold degrees from the Manhattan School of Music, indicating affiliation through alumni presence.
- Mannes School of Music Network — Faculty hold degrees from Mannes School of Music, indicating affiliation through alumni presence.
- NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Government funder supporting the work of the Bronx Conservatory of Music.
- New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Provides financial support that has enabled expansion of programs to reach more students in the Bronx.
- New York Institute for Special Education Partner — Long-term institutional affiliation where Elizabeth Thode Hoard served as Director of Music.
- New York Times Partner — Featured in a New York Times article highlighting the organization's work.
- New York Times Partner — Featured the Bronx Conservatory of Music in an article highlighting its programs and community.
- PayPal Partner — Uses PayPal for processing electronic donations.
- Peabody Conservatory Network — Faculty hold degrees from Peabody Conservatory, indicating affiliation through alumni presence.
- Stephen Hiltner Partner — Authored a New York Times article about the Bronx Conservatory of Music.
- The Juilliard School Network — Alumni and training institution through the Institute of Musical Arts.
- WQXR Partner — Provided a generous gift of instruments to help establish the Conservatory's first instrument library, enabling instrument loans for students.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Equity-Driven Access Modelmethodology: sliding_scale_accessBy offering high-quality private music instruction at low or below-market tuition rates through scholarships and sliding-scale pricing, the organization increases access for underserved communities, because financial barriers are a primary constraint to elite music education in the Bronx.
- Holistic Music Education for Youth Developmentmethodology: holistic_youth_developmentBy integrating music education with personal growth, social-emotional development, and performance skills, the organization supports broader youth development outcomes, because studying classical music cultivates confidence, attentiveness, and compassion that extend beyond musical skill.
- Integrated Instructional Modelmethodology: integrated_instructionBy combining one-on-one instruction with small-group musicianship classes and a structured three-year curriculum, the organization supports mastery across skill levels, because blended private and group learning reinforces technical proficiency and collaborative engagement.
- Student-Centered Personalized Instructionmethodology: student_centered_learningBy customizing music instruction to individual student needs and allowing student-driven instrument selection, the organization fosters motivation and effective learning, because personalized engagement increases retention and developmental outcomes in music education.