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MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC

NEW YORK, NY · EIN 131656667 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE A250 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Very Large (>$50M) · msmnyc.edu
revenue
$89.9M
expenses
$82.7M
net assets
$96.9M
employees
1,506
volunteers
20
program ratio
89%
mission · from form 990

MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC IS A COLLEGE CONSERVATORY PROVIDING EDUCATION TO APPROXIMATELY 1,050 COLLEGE STUDENTS AND 535 PRECOLLEGE STUDENTS.

profile · synthesized from sources

Manhattan School of Music is a college conservatory providing higher education and precollege training in music to approximately 1,050 college and 535 precollege students. It offers rigorous, pre-professional programs in classical and jazz performance, composition, and music theater, with a focus on personal and artistic development. The school is located in New York City and serves students regionally, nationally, and internationally.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $4.03M
    PRECOLLEGE PROGRAM - A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE AND PRE-PROFESSIONAL SATURDAY MUSIC PROGRAM DEDICATED TO THE MUSICAL AND PERSONAL GROWTH OF TALENTED YOUNG MUSICIANS AGES 5-18. THE PRECOLLEGE ENROLLS STUDENTS FROM AROUND THE TRI-STATE AREA AND BEYOND. A TYPICAL PROGRAM OF STUDY INCLUDES A 60-MINUTE PRIVATE LESSON, CLASSES IN THEORY AND EAR TRAINING, PERFORMANCE CLASSES INCLUDING LARGE AND SMALL ENSEMBLES, AND VARIOUS ELECTIVE CLASSES. THE PRECOLLEGE PROGRAM HAS SEVERAL LARGE ENSEMBLES, INCLUDING ORCHESTRAS, CHORUSES MUSICAL THEATRE, AND JAZZ ENSEMBLES, IN ADDITION TO SMALLER GROUPS SUCH AS CHAMBER ENSEMBLES AND JAZZ COMBOS.
  2. #2 $1.16M
    SUMMER PROGRAMS - MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC OFFERS STUDENTS SUMMER MUSIC PROGRAMS WHICH ARE UNIQUE IN NEW YORK CITY AND AT THE CONSERVATORY LEVEL NATIONWIDE. SUMMER ENGLISH STUDY (SES) - A SEVEN-WEEK IMMERSION PROGRAM ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR STUDENTS ENTERING MSM IN THE FOLLOWING FALL SEMESTER. THROUGH INTENSIVE STUDY AND INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER STUDENTS WHO ARE FLUENT IN ENGLISH, SES PARTICIPANTS PREPARE FOR MUSIC-SPECIFIC COURSEWORK AS THEY ACCLIMATE MORE GENERALLY TO AMERICAN CULTURE AND TO LIFE IN NEW YORK CITY. MSM SUMMER - SET ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS IN THE HEART OF NEW YORK CITY - IS A MONTH-LONG DAY PROGRAM IN JULY THAT PROVIDES INTENSIVE MUSICAL INSTRUCTION IN MUSICAL THEATER, COMPOSITION, AND INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC FOR STUDENTS (AGES 8-17). STUDENTS WILL DEVELOP THEIR MUSICAL SKILLS AND JOIN A COMMUNITY OF YOUNG MUSICIANS THROUGH A WIDE VARIETY OF MUSICAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES.
named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

MSM Summer
Month-long day program in July for students ages 8-17, providing intensive musical instruction in musical theater, composition, and instrumental music, along with social and community-building activities.
Precollege Program
Highly competitive Saturday music program for talented young musicians ages 5-18, offering private lessons, theory and ear training, ensembles, and electives. Includes orchestras, choirs, jazz ensembles, and chamber music groups.
Summer English Study (SES)
Seven-week immersion program designed for international students entering MSM in the fall, focusing on English language acquisition and acclimation to American culture and life in New York City.
Summer Programs
Includes Summer English Study for incoming international students and MSM Summer, a month-long day program in July offering intensive instruction in musical theater, composition, and instrumental music for ages 8-17.
activities · 8 groups

What they do

  • Higher Education Degree Programs 2 activities
    • Higher education degree programs in music
      Offers Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, Doctor of Musical Arts, Jazz, Orchestral Performance, Contemporary Performance, and Musical Theatre degrees. The institution is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and authorized by the New York State Board of Regents.
    • Online degree program for working professionals
      Offers a fully online Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts designed for working professionals seeking flexible, accessible music education.
  • Music Education and Training Programs 2 activities
    • Precollege music training for young musicians
      Offers a pre-college program for students ages 5–18 that includes private lessons, theory and ear training classes, performance ensembles, and electives. Admission requires an entrance audition and placement testing in theory and ear training, with annual ensemble placement auditions.
    • Summer music programs for youth
      Provides summer programs for students ages 8–17, including instruction in musical theater, composition, instrumental music, string ensemble, symphony orchestra, chamber music recital, and jazz ensembles in a conservatory setting focused on talent development and community engagement.
  • Community Space Provision 1 activity
    • Campus facility rentals
      Makes campus facilities available for rental for events, supporting external use of institutional spaces.
  • Student Career Readiness and Internship Placement 1 activity
    • Career and entrepreneurship support for music students
      Provides career and job placement services, training, and development through the Center for Music Entrepreneurship, which supports students in innovating as artists and entrepreneurs and preparing for professional careers in music.
  • Organizational DEI Capacity Building 1 activity
    • Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
      Implements institutional diversity, equity, and inclusion practices through the Cultural Inclusion Initiative launched in 2019, including audits of current practices and regular discussion forums for students, faculty, and staff to foster equal access and belonging.
  • Live Music Performances & Concerts 1 activity
    • Public performances and community engagement
      Produces public performances during the academic season, hosts jazz performances on campus plazas, and organizes an annual International Student Concert featuring music from students’ home countries, contributing to cultural enrichment of the broader community.
  • Financial Aid and Scholarship Access Programs 1 activity
    • Student scholarships for Precollege Division
      Funds need-based and merit-driven scholarships for eligible applicants to the Precollege Division, excluding new senior-year students.
  • Admissions and Enrollment Support Services 1 activity
    • Support services for international students
      Offers comprehensive support for international students including orientation sessions, immigration advising, workshops on Curricular and Post-Completion Optional Practical Training, tax filing assistance, help with banking and driver’s license acquisition, and SEVIS transfer processing.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$89.94M
Contributions & grants$5.56M6%
Program service revenue$78.92M88%
Investment income$4.40M5%
Other revenue$1.07M
expenses
Total expenses$82.65M
Program expenses89%
Admin / overhead10%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$36.41M
Grants paid out$25.20M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$118.19M
Cash$9.25M
Investments$41.63M
Liabilities$21.26M
Net assets$96.93M
Liquid reserves7.4 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +10.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 15
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
JAMES GANDRE TRUSTEE, EX-OFFICIO, SCHOOL PRESIDENT (REFER TO SCHEDULE J) 45 $856K
NATHAN J MORTIMER SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CFO (REFER TO SCHEDULE J) 45 $370K
JOYCE L GRIGGS EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND PROVOST (REFER TO SCHEDULE J) 45 $370K
SUSAN A MADDEN VICE PRESIDENT FOR PHILANTHROPY (REFER TO SCHEDULE J) 35 $352K
MELISSA COCCO-FERNANDEZ VICE PRESIDENT FOR ENROLLMENT SERVICES (REFER TO SCHEDULE J) 35 $328K
JEFFREY BREITHAUPT VICE PRESIDENT FOR MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS (REFER TO SCHEDULE J) 35 $249K
CAROL MATOS VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADMINISTRATION AND HUMAN RELATIONS (REFER TO SCHEDULE J) 35 $241K
REIKO FUETING DEAN OF ACADEMIC CORE AND HEAD OF COMPOSITION (REFER TO SCHEDULE J) 35 $235K
CARLEEN R GRAHAM DEAN OF VOCAL ARTS (REFER TO SCHEDULE J) 35 $230K
MADELINE K LUCAS DEAN OF PERFORMANCE AND PRODUCTION OPERATIONS (REFER TO SCHEDULE J) 35 $226K
JONATHAN T KANE DEAN OF INSTRUMENTAL STUDIES AND ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCE (REFER TO SCHEDULE J) 35 $209K
RUBEN MULLODZHANOV ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT AND CONTROLLER (REFER TO SCHEDULE J) 35 $204K
ALEXANDRE MOUTOUZKINE TRUSTEE, FACULTY (REFER TO SCHEDULE J) 35 $179K
NICHOLAS D MANN TRUSTEE, FACULTY (TERM. 6/25) 35 $132K
LEONARD SLATKIN TRUSTEE 1 $20K
board members · 10
  • ANGEL SOSA — TRUSTEE
  • ANTHONY NAPOLI — TRUSTEE
  • ANTHONY ROTH COSTANZO — TRUSTEE
  • BEBE NEUWIRTH — TRUSTEE
  • BERNIE WILLIAMS — TRUSTEE
  • DAVID G KNOTT — TRUSTEE, VICE CHAIR
  • EDWARD LOWENTHAL — TRUSTEE
  • GINA MALIN — TRUSTEE
  • HAN JO KIM — TRUSTEE
  • KISHORE BALLAL — TRUSTEE
relationships · 21

Who they work with

  • Bebe Neuwirth Partner — MSM Trustee and Artistic Advisory Council member who hosted the 2026 Annual Gala.
  • Black Student Union Partner — Student organization that participates in joint meetings with school leadership as part of the Cultural Inclusion Initiative.
  • Bureau for Veterans Education Government — Certifies Manhattan School of Music for veterans education benefits.
  • George Schick Partner — Metropolitan Opera conductor who served as the School’s third president, guiding academic and artistic growth.
  • Harold Bauer Partner — Artist auxiliary board member at the Neighborhood Music School, supporting the school's founding mission.
  • Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Partner — MSM alumnus Ambrose Akinmusire serves as Artistic Director, indicating a professional affiliation.
  • Internal Revenue Service Government — Assists students with tax form submissions to the IRS.
  • John Brownlee Partner — Baritone and former faculty member who served as president, leading expansion efforts including relocation planning.
  • John O. Crosby Partner — Founder and general director of the Santa Fe Opera who became president of MSM in 1976, bringing opera leadership expertise.
  • Lenape Partner — Recognizes that the school is located on the traditional land of the Lenape people.
  • Manhattan School of Music alumni Partner — Alumni of the Manhattan School of Music serve as faculty in the MSM Summer program.
  • Marta Casals Istomin Partner — Former director of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts who served as president of MSM starting in 1992.
  • McKinsey & Company Partner — Provided pro bono strategic planning facilitation services for the development of MSM's 2024–29 Strategic Plan
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education Partner — Accredits Manhattan School of Music.
  • New York State Board of Regents Government — Authorizes Manhattan School of Music to operate.
  • Pablo Casals Partner — Artist auxiliary board member at the Neighborhood Music School, contributing to early institutional development.
  • Queensland Symphony Orchestra Partner — Alumni from Manhattan School of Music hold leadership positions such as Music Director at the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
  • Queer People for the Betterment of Society Partner — Student organization that participates in joint meetings with school leadership as part of the Cultural Inclusion Initiative.
  • Teachers College Partner — Collaborative dual-admissions pathway program serves as a model for new joint educational initiatives
  • Wappinger Partner — Recognizes that the school is located on the traditional land of the Wappinger people.
  • precollege@msmnyc.edu Partner — Contact point for international student audition inquiries and admissions support
strategies · 3

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.

  • Career-Integrated Music Education
    methodology: career-integrated-music-education
    By integrating entrepreneurship, career preparation, and real-world training into conservatory education, students achieve sustainable professional careers because they graduate with both artistic mastery and practical skills for navigating the modern music industry.
  • Diversity as Artistic Enrichment
    methodology: cultural-diversity-in-artistic-training
    By cultivating a diverse community of musicians from global cultural backgrounds, the school produces rare and innovative artistic outputs because cross-cultural collaboration deepens creative expression and expands repertoire.
  • Urban Immersion as Artistic Incubation
    methodology: urban-immersion_education
    By embedding music education within New York City's cultural ecosystem, the school enhances artistic and professional development because proximity to world-class institutions and practitioners provides irreplaceable real-world learning and networking opportunities.