COMMON MAPS
Map version new-york activity top-down
Main site Contact
Menu
↑ parent activity group ·
research dossier

ROCKLAND CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
PEARL RIVER, NY · EIN 131893177 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE A6E0 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Small ($100K-$1M) · rcmny.org
revenue
$662K
expenses
$771K
net assets
$-24K
employees
51
volunteers
30
program ratio
86%
mission · from form 990

MUSIC SCHOOL

profile · synthesized from sources

Music school in Pearl River, NY, offering individual and group music instruction for all ages, from early childhood through adulthood. Provides private lessons, ensemble programs, and performance opportunities. Offers tuition assistance to ensure access regardless of financial ability. Founded in 1956 as the Community Music School of Spring Valley and renamed Rockland Conservatory of Music in 1989.

named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

Early Childhood Programs
Music classes for children ages 3 months to 7 years, including Burr Bear Music, Happy Piano, Suzuki Program, and Discovering Instruments.
Group Lessons & Ensembles
Classes including String Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Chamber Ensemble, and Main Street Singers for seniors, fostering collaboration and performance skills.
Music Therapy Program
Serves mentally and physically challenged adults from ARC of Rockland and Venture through therapeutic music activities.
One-on-One Lessons
Private music instruction in various instruments and voice, tailored to individual goals, offered in 30, 45, and 60-minute sessions year-round.
Overtures Concert Series
Brings professional musicians to perform in genres ranging from classical to jazz, providing cultural enrichment to the community.
Royal Conservatory Music Development Program
Level-based certificate program preparing students for assessment by external examiners in performance, theory, and musicianship.
activities · 8 groups

What they do

  • Music Education and Training Programs 3 activities
    • Administer music development and certification programs
      Operates as a founding U.S. school of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Music Development Program, preparing students for level-based assessments conducted by external examiners, offering a structured, international certificate curriculum.
    • Offer group music classes and ensembles
      Provides a range of group music programs including String Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, chamber ensembles, choral groups, and small-group classes such as Happy Piano and Discovering Instruments. Programs are offered for various age groups and skill levels, from toddlers to seniors, and include performance opportunities.
    • Provide individual music lessons
      Offers one-on-one music instruction in over 30 instruments and voice, with lesson durations of 30, 45, and 60 minutes, available year-round including an 8-week summer session. Lessons are provided to students of all ages and skill levels through both standard enrollment and the Suzuki method for violin and guitar.
  • Live Music Performances for Seniors and Isolated Populations 1 activity
    • Deliver creative aging and senior-focused music programs
      Offers music programming for older adults, including a weekly singing program for active seniors in collaboration with the Learning Collaborative, and expanded initiatives such as songwriting classes for lifelong learners, culminating in public concerts.
  • Early Childhood Music Education 1 activity
    • Deliver early childhood music education
      Offers specialized music programs for young children from 3 months to age 7, including Burr Bear Music, parent-child classes, and developmental curricula focused on perceptual motor skills, socialization, and creative awareness through singing, games, and play.
  • Music Therapy for Ill and Vulnerable Populations 1 activity
    • Deliver music therapy services
      Runs a music therapy program serving mentally and physically challenged adults from partner organizations including ARC of Rockland and Venture, using music for therapeutic engagement and support.
  • Classical and Chamber Music Performances 1 activity
    • Host public concerts and student performances
      Produces the Overtures Concert Series featuring world-class musicians, hosts annual events such as the 70th Anniversary Concert and 'Cold Chocolate,' and organizes regular student recitals and performance showcases including monthly recitals and ensemble concerts.
  • Arts Education Scholarships 1 activity
    • Offer tuition assistance and scholarship programs
      Provides financial aid and scholarships to ensure access to music education regardless of financial ability, including $45,000 in tuition assistance to 70 students and administering state-funded scholarships for students of color through New York State Council on the Arts grants.
  • Youth Theater Arts Education 1 activity
    • Provide youth theater and acting workshops
      Offers an eight-week acting workshop for youth ages 13 to 19 led by professional artists, culminating in a Monologue Slam Showcase, fostering performance skills and creative expression.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Maintain operational infrastructure for music education
      Purchased and renovated a permanent facility at 45 South Main Street in Pearl River, NY, and transitioned to virtual instruction during the pandemic to ensure continuity of educational services.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$662K
Contributions & grants$213K32%
Program service revenue$439K66%
Investment income$9K1%
Other revenue$1K
expenses
Total expenses$771K
Program expenses86%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$471K
Grants paid out$22K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$840K
Cash$84K
Investments$86K
Liabilities$863K
Net assets$-24K
Liquid reserves2.6 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -12.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MARIGENE KETTLER BEHRENS Executive Direc 40 $101K
board members · 10
  • BRIAN FONTANA — Treasurer
  • GAIR MORRIS — Director
  • IRA LIPSON — Director
  • JOHN E FUNK — Director
  • JUDITH GORMAN — Secretary
  • KEMI OLATEJU — Director
  • MIMI CALHOUN — Vice President
  • ROBERT L FELLOWS — Director
  • SETH PORTER — Director
  • SHANTELLE E WILLIAMS — President
relationships · 7

Who they work with

  • ARC of Rockland Partner — Collaborates on the Music Therapy program serving mentally and physically challenged adults.
  • Burr Johnson Partner — Teaches "Burr Bear Music" classes for infants and toddlers at the conservatory.
  • Learning Collaborative Partner — Collaborates with Rockland Conservatory of Music to offer the Main Street Singers program for active seniors.
  • National Guild of Community Arts Education Network — Full member since 1974, affirming institutional quality and regional cultural leadership.
  • New York State Council on the Arts Funder — Primary funder of scholarship grants for students of color, consistently awarded at the highest level through 2020.
  • Royal Conservatory of Music Network — RCM is a founding U.S. school of the Royal Conservatory's Music Development Program.
  • Venture Partner — Collaborates on the Music Therapy program serving mentally and physically challenged adults.
strategies · 5

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.

  • Individualized Instruction with Ensemble Integration
    methodology: individualized_and_ensemble_learning
    By combining one-on-one music instruction tailored to personal goals and learning needs with ensemble participation, the conservatory supports holistic musical development and sustained engagement, because personalized pacing builds confidence while group performance fosters collaboration and motivation.
  • Lifelong Access and Community-Based Engagement
    methodology: lifelong_arts_engagement
    By offering music education across all age groups and partnering with adult lifelong learning organizations, the conservatory sustains long-term community arts engagement, because inclusive access and intergenerational programming reinforce music as a lifelong source of meaning and connection.
  • Performance-Integrated Music Education
    methodology: performer_teacher_mentorship
    By preparing students for public performances through workshops that build mental readiness, stage presence, and collaborative skills with accompanists, the conservatory transforms technical practice into expressive artistry, because structured performance experiences increase confidence and deepen learning.
  • Suzuki Method for Early Musical Development
    methodology: suzuki_method
    By teaching young children through listening, imitation, and parental involvement—mirroring natural language acquisition—the conservatory enables early mastery of instruments like violin and guitar, because this developmental approach aligns with how children naturally learn complex auditory and motor skills.
  • Universal Access Model
    methodology: universal_access
    By removing barriers related to age, skill level, and financial ability, the conservatory increases equity in music education, because open access policies expand participation among underrepresented and marginalized learners.