NMS has a way of making a lasting impression on our students. I know this first hand, as the memories of my very first music class with Julia Blue-Raspe more than 40 years ago still swim around in my mind. It was here at NMS that I first marched to the beat of music and where music came alive. I was so excited to return nine years ago to help guide others on their own inspiring NMS journey. Today we highlight Emily and Kaitlin, two members of our community who have also been inspired to return. Noah Bloom Executive Director When we open our doors again on September 8, you’ll meet the newest ..read more

Each summer Audubon Arts brings a one-of-a-kind joy to Audubon Street for so many families. The program holds a special place in the summers of my family, too, as for almost fifteen years my own children, nieces and nephews, cousins, and children of close friends have attended. This year my youngest returns for his eighth summer. I am truly amazed at his evolution from the scared four-year-old who refused to enter the Recital Hall, to the confident child who willingly participates in multiple activities that feed his artistic soul, and which inspire him to be brave in the everyday world. For t ..read more

One of the most magical aspects of NMS is the number of students, faculty, and staff who have been part of the NMS community for decades. Today, we meet two long-time, cherished members of the NMS community: a student who first came to NMS in 1975, and a faculty member who first came to NMS when he was a child. We are delighted to introduce you to Linda Booz Klein, in her own words: I guess you can say that NMS has been a part of my life since 1975 when I joined the New Haven Community Chorus, which rehearsed in the NMS Recital Hall! I stopped singing some years later when my daughter, Abby K ..read more

Welcome Back We greatly look forward to the full return of in-person learning at Neighborhood Music School, beginning in September 2021. Joyful artistic experiences await us all. Over several months, we have carefully planned for the fall at NMS. We have worked from a foundation of listening to expert advice, collaborating with our community, and placing safety at the center of all of our plans. With input from medical professionals and government officials, we have developed science-based guidelines designed to keep our community safe. We are fortunate to have students ages 6 months to nearly ..read more

Young children have an innate love of music, and parents can encourage that love to blossom and grow. When music becomes a part of everyday life and is incorporated into the family, there is a sense of familiarity that a child grows attached to. It’s all about having fun together and creating memories centered around music. Here are five ways you can nurture your young child’s love of music: 1) Listen to Music Together Listening to music with your child is a great way to nurture a love of it, whether you’re at home, in the car, or visiting a relative. The shared experience of listening togethe ..read more

Excellence is demonstrated in many different ways at NMS, from Honors Recitals to the daily practice of connecting with your body, voice, and mind at ATLAS. In today’s Notable Neighbors, the breadth of excellence at NMS is on full display. Singer Emily Lathers is passionate about the arts, and she loves knowing that everyone at NMS feels the same way. “The sense of community at NMS is so great,” said Emily. “It is really a community of like-minded individuals, and such a great reminder that we all care deeply about the arts and arts education.” Emily, a dancer at the Educational Center f ..read more

Since March 2020, we have looked forward to the day when the NMS community can be together in person. It is finally possible to plan for that time. As we prepare for Fall 2021 at NMS, we’d like to provide you with an initial sense of our plans and what you can expect. We are excited to welcome all activities to our main Audubon Street building and our Guilford satellite location this fall, provided government guidelines allow us to do so. These activities include: Individual lessons Classes Ensembles ATLAS Middle School Preschool Given positive trends related to vaccination rates in Connecti ..read more

The NMS Ensemble program has an outstanding national reputation in the community arts world. Each week (pre-Covid) we ran 100+ different ensembles ranging from duos to large orchestras, steel pans to ragtime, from Bach to rock. Beginning musicians have opportunities to play music alongside professionals, while also sitting side-by-side with people from diverse backgrounds. As our own Grace Feldman says, “ensemble means together.” The NMS Premier Ensemble program offers students an opportunity to receive pre-professional training while being mentored by leaders in their field. Students may audi ..read more

I know we have all missed being in the hallways at NMS this year, hearing the different types of music pouring out of the studios as well as the invigorating hallway conversations that ensue! Being part of a community that embraces teaching all styles of music is important to me because each student has a unique set of interests and learning styles. We are fortunate to live in an age where we have access to all styles of music at our fingertips, and a skilled faculty with diverse experiences to deliver a student-centered experience based on each student’s interests. Here are some examples in a ..read more

Dear NMS Community, As I stepped out of my house the other day, and saw the buds on the tree in my front yard, I felt the promise of what was to come, but I knew more still needed to happen inside that tree before its full beauty was on display. During this very hard year of not knowing what’s coming next, we took a number of steps to help keep us moving forward: Preschool & ATLAS have been running on site since September; Our Orchestra and Premier Strings have been in person since late fall; We’ve had a number of Dance classes in our Recital Hall since early 2021; This summer, we will we ..read more