Walk through the door of Neighborhood Music School and you’ll sense something special. You can’t help but feel the unique energy that’s generated when people come together to share artistic experiences. Our integrative teaching philosophy allows for rich interactions among students of all ages, from toddlers to seniors nearing age 100. Our diverse community thrives on informal jam sessions, multi-genre play-ins, a wide range of workshops, mixed skill-level recitals, and hallway discussions between students, family members, faculty, and staff. At Neighborhood Music School, we know an arts education improves the quality and enjoyment of life. But we also live and breathe it every day.

Neighborhood Music School (NMS) is the largest non-profit community arts organization in Connecticut and one of the ten largest in the country. Founded in 1911 as part of the settlement house movement serving new immigrants to New Haven, we now serve more than 2,400 students from 80+ cities and towns annually. Students of all ages receive individual and group instruction in music, dance, drama, and film, and participate in over 100 weekly ensembles. In addition, we house an arts-integrated preschool and an independent, theatre-based middle school. We provide close to $500,000 in financial aid and tuition support to more than 500 students each year.
   
We warmly invite you to join the NMS community. Our accomplished, caring faculty will encourage, support, and inspire you. Within our walls, you will find a welcoming environment where your entire family can gather, learn, and grow.