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THE BROOKLYN QUEENS CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
BROOKLYN, NY · EIN 111532426 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE A6E0 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Large ($10M-$50M) · bkcm.org
revenue
$11.2M
expenses
$9.2M
net assets
$6.0M
employees
227
volunteers
23
program ratio
77%
mission · from form 990

THE BROOKLYN CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC TRANSFORMS AND ENRICHES THE LIVES OF UNDERSERVED NEW YORKERS. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS GOAL BY PROVIDING MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN SCHOOLS, AT COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AND THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. SKILLS THAT ARE DEVELOPED THROUGH UNDERSTANDING AND MAKING MUSIC ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS, AND TO THE GROWTH AND WELL BEING OF THE INDIVIDUAL. USING MUSIC AS A THERAPEUTIC TOOL, WE HELP PEOPLE WITH EMOTIONAL, DEVELOPMENTAL AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES IMPROVE THEIR LIVES. BKCM VALUES MUSIC AS A HUMAN RIGHT; SOMETHING THAT IS ESSENTIAL FOR HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES. WE BELIEVE THAT MUSIC HAS THE POWER TO BUILD COMMUNITY AND TRANSFORM LIVES.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Brooklyn Queens Conservatory of Music provides music education and clinical music therapy programs to underserved communities across New York City. It offers Suzuki method instruction for children, group classes, and private lessons, while its music therapy program serves individuals with emotional, cognitive, and physical challenges. The organization operates in Brooklyn, Queens, and beyond through its own facilities and partnerships with schools and social service organizations.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $976K
    BKCM IS BROOKLYN'S PREMIER DESTINATION FOR THE SUZUKI METHOD, A NURTURING PEDAGOGY BASED ON THE CONCEPT THAT ALL CHILDREN HAVE THE ABILITY TO MASTER THE LANGUAGE OF MUSIC, JUST AS THEY MASTER THEIR HOME LANGUAGE. THE CONSERVATORY TEACHES THE SUZUKI METHOD ON SEVEN INSTRUMENTS: PIANO, VIOLIN, VIOLA, BASS, CELLO, GUITAR AND FLUTE. OUR PROGRAM ENCOMPASSES PRIVATE LESSONS AS WELL AS GROUP CLASSES AND ENSEMBLES, AND MUSIC LITERACY (THEORY). PARENTS LEARN ALONGSIDE THEIR CHILDREN, PROVIDING ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THEIR MUSICAL JOURNEYS. STUDENTS CONTINUALLY REVISIT REPERTOIRE, REFINING THEIR SKILL BY ADDING LAYERS OF ARTISTRY, MASTERY AND MUSICIANSHIP.
  2. #2 $1.39M
    MUSIC THERAPY: BKCM'S MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM IS AN ESTABLISHED PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC PRACTICE IN WHICH CLINICALLY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS ADDRESS CLIENTS' EMOTIONAL, COGNITIVE, SOCIAL OR PHYSICAL NEEDS THROUGH THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT THAT CAN INCLUDE SINGING, PLAYING INSTRUMENTS AND MOVING TO MUSIC. A GROWING BODY OF RESEARCH HAS SHOWN MUSIC THERAPY TO FACILITATE SELF-EXPRESSION, REDUCE ANXIETY AND CHANNEL FRUSTRATION INTO CREATIVITY. FOUNDED IN 2003, BKCM'S MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM IS NOW THE LARGEST IN NYC SERVING MORE THAN 3,200 CLIENTS OUT OF BKCM'S PARK SLOPE HOME AND AT MORE THAN 50 SCHOOLS, SENIOR CENTERS, HOMELESS SHELTERS AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE FIVE BOROUGHS.
named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

Midsummer Nights
Annual free outdoor concert series featuring jazz and genre-blending artists, held outside BKCM's Park Slope location
Music Partners
Program placing teaching artists in 36 partner sites, including 26 Title I schools, to deliver weekly music education
Music Therapy Institute
Future national hub for workforce training, research, and advocacy in music therapy, to be housed at the new Prospect Park West campus
Music Therapy Program
Clinical music therapy services for clients with emotional, cognitive, social, or physical needs, delivered at BKCM and over 50 partner sites across NYC
Studio Collective
Program offering affordable rehearsal space to over 3,000 emerging and professional musicians
Suzuki Program
Music education program for children using the Suzuki method across seven instruments, including private lessons, group classes, music theory, and parent education components
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Music Therapy for Ill and Vulnerable Populations 2 activities
    • Facilitates professional development and community for music therapists
      Functions as a community hub and support center for music therapy practitioners, trainees, and families of individuals with disabilities, fostering professional collaboration and capacity building within the field.
    • Provides clinical music therapy services
      Offers clinical music therapy to over 3,000 clients annually across more than 50 partner sites in all five NYC boroughs, including at its dedicated BKCM Music Therapy Institute at Prospect Park West. Serves individuals with disabilities and other needs at BKCM facilities and community outreach locations, with services also provided to over 2,000 individuals at 40+ sites.
  • Classical and Chamber Music Performances 1 activity
    • Coordinates faculty-led performance tours and residencies
      Supports international and domestic performance opportunities for faculty and affiliated musicians, including jazz residencies such as at JZ Club in Hangzhou, China, and hosts events like Open Stages and House Party festivals featuring faculty performances.
  • Financial Aid and Scholarship Access Programs 1 activity
    • Distributes financial aid to students and clients
      Provided $705,000 in direct and indirect financial aid to students and clients during fiscal year 2025 to support access to music education and therapy programs.
  • Live Music Performances & Concerts 1 activity
    • Hosts public music events and festivals
      Produces over 300 annual low-cost or free musical events, including concerts, workshops, block parties, and festivals such as the Family Music Festival at Prospect Park and the Midsummer Nights outdoor concert series. Events feature performances, instrument sampling, mini-lessons (e.g., ukulele, bucket drumming), and community engagement activities for all ages.
  • Community Music Performances & Education 1 activity
    • Operates community music centers and outreach sites
      Runs the BKCM Community Music Center in Cypress Hills/East New York and expanded to a second location, BKCM Prospect Park West, launched in September 2026. These centers provide accessible music education, recitals, and cultural programming to local families, with over 70 families served at little or no cost at the Cypress Hills site.
  • Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
    • Provides citywide music education programs
      Delivers off-site music instruction to nearly 4,000 students annually at 35+ schools, youth centers, and senior centers across Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens, including through the Music Partners program. Offers Suzuki method instruction on seven instruments with private lessons, group classes, ensembles, and theory, plus Saturday Band Academy and summer camps at low or no cost.
  • Subsidized Rehearsal and Performance Space 1 activity
    • Supports musicians with affordable rehearsal space
      Operates 17 on-site, discounted rehearsal studios at its Park Slope campus and the new Prospect Park West location, booking nearly 8,500 hours annually for over 3,150 musicians. The spaces are equipped with Steinway instruments and available for recitals, recordings, and rehearsals.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$11.20M
Contributions & grants$5.28M47%
Program service revenue$5.71M51%
Investment income$61K1%
Other revenue$146K
expenses
Total expenses$9.16M
Program expenses77%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising9%
Salaries & benefits$6.54M
Grants paid out$227K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$10.64M
Cash$3.83M
Investments$0
Liabilities$4.65M
Net assets$5.99M
Liquid reserves5.0 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +35.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 5
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
CHAD COOPER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $192K
SHAMEEZA CHANDARPAL DIRECTOR OF FINANCE 40 $158K
ADAM JOHNSTON DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT 40 $145K
ROSE CRICHTON-WHITE DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS 40 $140K
BRIAN DRYE COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL DIRECTOR 40 $105K
board members · 20
  • ALEX LINES — TREASURER
  • BRIAN POLEN — TRUSTEE
  • DAWN BRADFORD-WATT — TRUSTEE
  • DEDE LEE-MOORE — TRUSTEE
  • ERIC FRIEDMAN — TRUSTEE
  • ERICA OQUENDO — SECRETARY
  • FREDERICK TANG — CHAIR
  • GABE RODRIGUEZ — TRUSTEE
  • JAMES WEISS — TRUSTEE
  • JILL JEFFERSON — TRUSTEE
  • JONAS NIE — TRUSTEE
  • KONRAD PAYNE — TRUSTEE
  • LAURA MICHENER — TRUSTEE
  • LAUREN BRESLER — TRUSTEE
  • MARGARET MEYERS — TRUSTEE
  • MARI MATOBA — VICE CHAIR
  • NAOMI NWOSU-STEWART — TRUSTEE
  • NEIL GUPTA — TRUSTEE
  • PIERRE VILAIN — TRUSTEE
  • PREETHA NOOYI — TRUSTEE
relationships · 18

Who they work with

  • ASAP Connected Partner — Platform used for registration and billing services.
  • BRIC Partner — Past partner in the Next-Gen Jazz event series
  • CHLDC Partner — Partnered with CHLDC to open the Community Music Center in Cypress Hills/East New York in 2022.
  • Center for Jazz Studies at Columbia University Partner — Past partner in the Next-Gen Jazz event series
  • Chestnut Commons Partner — Hosts the Community Music Center at Chestnut Commons, providing space for music education programs.
  • Chuck Schumer Government — Secured congressionally directed funding for BKCM’s expansion project.
  • Jazz Generations Initiative Partner — Past partner in the Next-Gen Jazz event series
  • Kirsten Gillibrand Government — Secured congressionally directed funding for BKCM’s expansion project.
  • NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS Government — Government supporter providing funding and resources for BKCM’s programs and expansion.
  • New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Government — Government supporter providing funding for BKCM’s programs and expansion.
  • One Prospect Park West Partner — BKCM occupies space on the lower level of this residential building, with a dedicated entrance at 963 President Street.
  • One Prospect Park West Partner — New expansion location serving as a second musical hub for BKCM programming.
  • Paper Anniversary Band Partner — Faculty-affiliated musical group that performs at BKCM's Open Stages and House Party festivals.
  • Park Slope Living Partner — Media sponsor for the Midsummer Nights 2026 concert series.
  • Park Slope home Partner — Primary site for delivering music therapy services and operating as a community hub.
  • Prospect Park Alliance Partner — Co-hosts the Family Music Festival at The LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park.
  • Red Baraat Partner — Collaborated with the musical ensemble Red Baraat for the House Party event.
  • The Joel Foundation Funder — Provided a $2 million gift to establish the BKCM Music Therapy Institute.
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.

  • Jazz as an Evolving Art Form
    methodology: jazz_as_evolution
    By supporting emerging artists as innovators, the organization ensures jazz remains a living, dynamic tradition because artistic evolution sustains cultural relevance and attracts new audiences.
  • Music as Psychotherapeutic Intervention
    methodology: music_therapy
    By applying clinical music therapy techniques, the organization addresses emotional, cognitive, social, and physical needs, because structured musical engagement can elicit measurable therapeutic responses in clients.
  • Music for Community and Personal Transformation
    methodology: music_for_community_building
    By using music as a shared, expressive practice in educational and therapeutic contexts, the organization fosters personal transformation and strengthens community bonds, because collective musical experiences build empathy, belonging, and mutual growth.
  • Suzuki Method as Music-Language Immersion
    methodology: suzuki_method
    By teaching music through immersive, supportive environments and active parental involvement, children acquire musical fluency analogously to native language acquisition, fostering deep engagement and mastery. This approach works because it leverages natural learning processes similar to first-language development.
  • Take Jazz to the Streets
    methodology: take_jazz_to_the_streets
    By bringing jazz performances into public spaces, the organization increases engagement with younger and broader audiences because accessible, informal settings reduce barriers to entry and foster organic connections with the art form.