named programs · 11 · from sources
What they call their work
Beginner Piano Duet Camp
One-week summer camp for piano students with at least one year of experience, focusing on duets, ensemble playing, and music theory
Cello
Cello lessons offered to students of all ages and levels, from beginner through advanced
Community Choirs
Ensemble programs including St. Nicholas Choir (K–2), Junior Choir (3–6), Senior Choir (7–12), and Adult Mixed Choir; weekly rehearsals and monthly performances; directed by Wendra Trowbridge and Dr. MaryAnn Hamilton
Guitar & Ukulele
Lessons focusing on technique, musicianship, and ensemble playing with performance opportunities for students of various skill levels
Jammin' Through July – Beginning Youth Orchestra
Summer string orchestra program introducing foundational skills in posture, tuning, rhythm, and ensemble playing under the direction of Julie Gray
Piano
Private piano instruction for students of all ages and abilities, with goals centered on musical development and skill building
Strings Explorers
Introductory music program for young children ages 3–6, designed to develop early musical skills through play and group activities
Summer Camps & Workshops
Day camp experiences in music and dance for beginners to experienced students, including ensemble playing, theory, and performance; offered at low cost to encourage participation
The Ballet School
Classical ballet and dance training for students of all ages and skill levels
Violin
Suzuki-method violin and viola instruction for ages 3+; includes private lessons, parent involvement, group classes, and performance opportunities
Voice
Voice lessons for students ages 12+ and adults at all skill levels, emphasizing vocal development and performance
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Music Education and Training Programs 2 activities
- Deliver music and dance summer camps and workshopsHosts week-long summer camps in piano ensemble, jazz ensemble, and dance for students and adults, including beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, with culminating performances. Also offers seasonal workshops and a four-week string orchestral program.
- Provide private and group music lessons across multiple instrumentsOffers private and group instruction in piano, violin, viola, cello, guitar, ukulele, and voice for students of all ages and skill levels, using methods such as Suzuki and classical techniques, with weekly lessons and recitals. Programs include beginning classes like Little Mozarts for ages 3–6 and advanced instruction for experienced students.
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Music Education Support 1 activity
- Offer financial aid and access initiatives for arts educationProvides financial aid scholarships to increase access to music education for students in the 2026–27 academic year and Summer 2026, and offers one free week of camp or workshop participation to any new student.
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Community Choral Rehearsals & Performances 1 activity
- Operate community choir programs with regular performancesRuns weekly community choir rehearsals for adults and youth, offering monthly performance opportunities, annual concerts such as “Sounds of Christmas” and “Spring Sing,” and special events including Good Friday performances of major choral works. Organizes international performance tours every four years for the Senior Choir.
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Ballet and Dance Education Programs 1 activity
- Provide classical ballet and dance training for all agesOffers classical ballet instruction through The Ballet School for students of all ages and abilities, emphasizing proper technique, dance etiquette, and performance. Students are required to attend at least two classes per week and remain in each level for multiple years; annual recitals and additional performance opportunities are provided for advanced dancers.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$551K
Contributions & grants$241K44%
Program service revenue$305K55%
Investment income$4K1%
Other revenue$1K
expenses
Total expenses$621K
Program expenses77%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$400K
Grants paid out$41K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$220K
Cash$208K
Investments$0
Liabilities$73K
Net assets$147K
Liquid reserves4.0 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +10.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirsten Burrall | Managing Director | 40 | $62K |
board members · 15
- Brent Cooley — Clerk
- Brian Nault — Member
- Byungmoon Cho — Member
- Carrie Bleakley — Sr. Warden
- Dave Knitter — Member
- Gwen VanLaeken — Member
- Halle Stevens — Treasurer
- Inger Rothpearl — Member
- Janice Howard — Member
- Jason Haag — Member
- Jered Slusser — Jr. Warden
- Jim Trowbridge — Member
- Mervyn Whelan MD — Member
- Nathaniel Abbott — Member
- Sue Cooley — Member
relationships · 30
Who they work with
- Academie Musique Partner — Former institution where faculty member taught music.
- Alaina Olivieri Partner — Head of the Ballet School and primary contact for enrollment and program inquiries.
- Bernardo Marcondes Rodrigues Partner — Guitar and ukulele instructor and point of contact for lesson placement and scheduling
- Boston Byzantine Choir Partner — Member of a choir dedicated to preserving Byzantine Chant in English
- Eastman School of Music Partner — Collaborated with the Eastman School of Music’s community education program for piano lessons and further studies in piano and early childhood music.
- Episcopal Diocese of Rochester Funder — Provides financial support enabling the Academy to offer financial aid scholarships.
- Federation of Music Clubs Network — Member of the national organization.
- Fredrik Jernberg Partner — Guitar and ukulele instructor at the Arts Academy
- Hardin-Baylor University Partner — Former institution where faculty member taught music.
- Hobart and William Smith Colleges Partner — Part-time adjunct piano faculty member affiliated with the institution.
- Ithaca College Partner — Alumna with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Vocal Performance
- Joe Godfrey Partner — Faculty member leading the jazz ensemble camp for middle school students
- Joe Godfrey Partner — Guitar and ukulele instructor at the Arts Academy
- Julie Gray Partner — Director of Strings leading the introduction to String Orchestral Playing program
- Laura D’Amico Partner — Dance faculty member leading the adult dance workshop using improvisation techniques from European artistic practices
- Margaret Sawyer Partner — Instructor for the Little Mozarts: Piano Exploration class.
- Music Teachers National Association Network — Member of the national professional association for music teachers.
- National Guild of Piano Teachers Network — Member of the professional music education organization.
- New York State Federation of Music Clubs Network — Former President and active member of the organization.
- Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (RPYO) Partner — Participated in the Youth Orchestra (RPYO) as a viola player.
- St. Peter's Episcopal Church Partner — Hosts Adult Mixed Choir performances during worship services and annual concerts.
- Stringed Instrument Services Partner — Collaborates to provide affordable violin and viola rentals for students.
- Stringed Instrument Services Partner — Collaborative relationship for affordable cello rentals in appropriate sizes for students in Fairport, NY
- Suzuki Music School Partner — Former instructor at the Suzuki Music School in New Haven, Connecticut
- Temple College Partner — Former institution where faculty member taught music.
- The Dave and Brenda Rickey Foundation Funder — Provides financial support enabling the Academy to offer financial aid scholarships.
- Troy Slocum Partner — Head of Piano Program and instructor for piano lessons.
- Wendra Trowbridge Partner — Head of Choir and Voice Programs who provides placement and scheduling instructions for voice lessons.
- Wyckoff Family Foundation Funder — Provides financial support enabling the Academy to offer financial aid scholarships.
- Yale University Partner — Alumna with a Master of Music in Vocal Performance and former student of Phyllis Curtin and Richard Lalli at the Yale School of Music
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.
- Integrated and Blended Music Instruction Model 21 orgsmethodology: blended_private_group_instructionBy combining private lessons with group classes, ensemble participation, and play-based or movement-integrated learning, the organization deepens musical engagement because varied instructional formats support technical development, peer learning, and holistic skill acquisition across age and experience levels.shared approach: Student-Centered Creative Engagement →
- Suzuki-Based Music Pedagogy with Parent Partnership 8 orgsmethodology: parent_as_partnerBy using the Suzuki method—particularly its “mother tongue” approach—and requiring active parent involvement, the organization cultivates early musical development because children learn music analogously to language acquisition, supported by a nurturing environment and consistent home practice.shared approach: Suzuki-Inspired Music Pedagogy →
- Community-Embedded Arts Accessmethodology: community-embedded_arts_accessBy increasing access to the arts for all individuals, especially across generations and ability levels, the organization strengthens community cultural vitality and social cohesion because shared artistic experiences foster inclusive belonging and intergenerational connection.