named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Adult Programming
Group piano, music production, songwriting, and ensemble opportunities for adult learners of all levels
Early Childhood Classes
Music and movement programs for toddlers and preschoolers including Music Explorers, Mini Maestros, and World Percussion Ensemble
Music Therapy
Clinical music therapy and adaptive instruction services provided by board-certified therapists for individuals of all ages and abilities
Youth Classes and Ensembles
Group music, dance, and theater classes for children and teens including piano, musical theater, rock band, jazz, and string ensembles
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Music Education and Training Programs 4 activities
- Adult music education and ensemble programsProvides group piano classes at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, music production and songwriting courses, and a variety of ensembles including jazz band, rock band, funk fusion, vocal jazz, and chamber ensembles for adult learners.
- Group and ensemble music instruction for youthOffers ensemble-based programs including drum ensembles, classical ensembles (Youth Choir, String Orchestras, Woodwind ensembles), rock bands, and jazz ensembles for middle and high school students, often culminating in public performances.
- Music and performance education access initiativesProvides trial lessons and classes to broaden access to music and performance education for individuals of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds, including new Americans, with financial aid and non-discrimination policies in place.
- Private music instruction across diverse instruments and traditionsOffers private music lessons in piano, guitar, drums, strings, voice, wind instruments, and other instruments, with recommendations for children starting at age 5 and adaptive instruction available for individuals with specific needs.
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After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- After-school and summer arts programs for childrenOffers after-school music, theater, and dance classes for children ages 5 to 11, along with summer camp programs in partnership with Mark Morris Dance Studio, with school pick-up options and financial aid available to support access.
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Arts Education Access Programs 1 activity
- Customized arts education programming for partner organizationsDevelops and delivers tailored music and dance education programs in collaboration with public, charter, and private schools, after-school programs, and community centers to promote performing arts literacy.
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Early Childhood Music Education 1 activity
- Early childhood music and movement educationProvides age-specific music classes for children from 10 months to 4.11 years, including music and movement for toddlers (1.6–2.6 years), music exploration for preschoolers (2.6–4.11 years), and World Percussion Ensemble for children aged 3.0–4.11 years, supporting early development and school readiness.
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Performing Arts Venue Rental 1 activity
- Facility and instrument access supportOwns and operates a historic building with twenty-four classrooms, three dance studios, and a 266-seat professional theatre, and offers instrument rental and sales services to support student access to music education.
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Music Therapy for Ill and Vulnerable Populations 1 activity
- Music therapy servicesProvides private clinical music therapy using board-certified therapists and licensed creative arts therapists, as well as adaptive music instruction, to address individual client goals, with preliminary consultations available.
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Live Music Performances & Concerts 1 activity
- Public performances and recitalsHosts end-of-semester performances, recitals, and public shows including the Fall Musical Theatre Workshop and BMS Jazz Orchestra performances, held in the 266-seat BMS Playhouse.
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financials · form 990 · fy2021
revenue
Total revenue$3.62M
Contributions & grants$1.54M43%
Program service revenue$1.82M50%
Investment income$2K0%
Other revenue$261K
expenses
Total expenses$3.05M
Program expenses73%
Admin / overhead20%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$2.27M
Grants paid out$35K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.81M
Cash$248K
Investments$177K
Liabilities$429K
Net assets$1.38M
Liquid reserves1.7 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue +36.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piruz Partow | E.D. thru 7/21 | 40 | $88K |
| Brian Adamczyk | Executive Dir. | 40 | $77K |
board members · 17
- Angela Howard — Trustee
- Brian Pope — Vice Chair
- Chuck Swartz — Trustee
- Dr Mark Braithwaite — Exec. Director
- Drew Bernstein — Treasurer
- Elizabeth Schmidt — Trustee
- Francois Leninger — Trustee
- Hadas Shahar — Trustee
- John Flores — Trustee
- Jordan Tamagni — Secretary
- Maria Pham — Trustee
- Peter Bordes — Vice Chair
- Phil Rutherford — Trustee
- Sasha Lazard — Trustee
- Shelby Green — Chair
- Windy Lawrence — Trustee
- Zach Kouwe — Trustee
relationships · 17
Who they work with
- Atlantic Terminal/Barclays Center Partner — Proximity to public transit hub for accessibility via multiple subway lines.
- BAM Partner — Outreach partner collaborating with Brooklyn Music School on educational programming in music and dance.
- BRIC Partner — Outreach partner collaborating with Brooklyn Music School on educational programming in music and dance.
- Brooklyn Public Library Partner — Outreach partner collaborating with Brooklyn Music School on educational programming in music and dance.
- Dr. Sherrine Mostin Partner — Director of Programming and Curriculum at Brooklyn Music School, point of contact for group classes and ensembles.
- Dubose Heyward Foundation Funder — Institutional supporter providing financial backing to Brooklyn Music School.
- Howard Gilman Foundation Funder — Institutional supporter providing financial backing to Brooklyn Music School.
- Hyde and Watson Funder — Institutional supporter providing financial backing to Brooklyn Music School.
- ISSUE PROJECT ROOM Partner — Outreach partner collaborating with Brooklyn Music School on educational programming in music and dance.
- Lenni Lenape Government — Recognizes that Brooklyn Music School and the Playhouse Theater occupy Lenni Lenape Land.
- Mark Morris Dance Group Partner — Outreach partner collaborating with Brooklyn Music School on educational programming in music and dance.
- Mark Morris Dance Studio Partner — Collaborates on early childhood music classes and summer camp programs.
- National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts Network — Long-standing member of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts.
- Queens Public Library Partner — Outreach partner collaborating with Brooklyn Music School on educational programming in music and dance.
- Simons Foundation Funder — Institutional supporter providing financial backing to Brooklyn Music School.
- The Pinkerton Foundation Funder — Institutional supporter providing financial backing to Brooklyn Music School.
- Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center Partner — Nir Sadovnik, Music Therapy Department Chair at BMS, serves as a Creative Arts Therapy supervisor at this organization.
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.
- Community-Based Arts Education for Inclusive Cultural Enrichmentmethodology: community_cultural_enrichmentBy integrating music performance and appreciation into community life, the organization builds inclusive, culturally enriched environments where individuals feel seen and valued, because shared artistic experiences strengthen community identity and belonging.
- Equity-Centered Access to the Arts as a Rightmethodology: equity-centered_accessBy embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into programming and institutional practices, the organization increases access to arts education for underserved populations, because equitable access enables artistic and intellectual development for all, regardless of socioeconomic background.
- Experiential Exploration to Guide Artistic Engagementmethodology: tasting_menuBy offering a 'tasting menu' of art forms and age-appropriate pathways, the organization helps children discover their interests and build sustained engagement, because early exposure and choice increase the likelihood of long-term artistic participation.
- Music Education as a Tool for Holistic Youth Developmentmethodology: music-education-for-youth-developmentBy providing music education, the organization fosters academic learning, discipline, confidence, and school readiness in children, because music supports cognitive, emotional, and social development from an early age.
- Therapeutic Music Engagement for Developmental Transfermethodology: therapeutic-music-transferBy using co-creative music therapy, the organization strengthens clients' emotional and cognitive abilities, because musical participation fosters personal growth and those gains can be transferred to other areas of life.