Community Voices

At Settlement Music School, we work together to accomplish our goals. Here, people build relationships of all kinds with friends, staff, and most importantly, with their wonderful, caring, and accomplished instructors who offer mentorship and guidance for their students.

“My daughter loves her teachers.” -Matthew Courtin

“I study at Settlement because it provided me the opportunity to play in a chamber group where everyone is so motivated and passionate about making music together.” -Anna, age 16

“I might be young, but I am still a part of this. I love being here. My teacher is amazing and the people that sing are so nice and talented, even though some of them are a little younger than me.  I know I am just a small kid but I want everyone to know that I have not just learned here, I have lived and grown here.  This is where I can belong.  This is me.  I am only 35% doing this for the candy. This is also for my friends, Mrs. Maza and, of course, Mrs. Anderson.  PS Huge chocolate fan.” -Celeste, age 11

“I study at Settlement so I can play in the Weinstein Chamber Group.” -Jeffrey, age 16

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Settlement Music School is more than a physical location, it is a community that welcomes all kinds of people, drawn together by their shared love of the arts!

“Settlement is great to me.” -Ricellia, age 9

“Settlement means a lifesaving place and a community, caring, program that helps my child.” -Kamilya Blackwell

“Settlement means a friendly place to learn music.” -Spiros Mancoridis, age 53

“Settlement means tradition, community, appreciation of culture, and art.” -Wendy Roth

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Since the school was founded to serve immigrants over a century ago, Settlement has welcomed a diverse community of learners. Our community spans a wide variety of ages, we speak multiple languages, have different cultural backgrounds, hail from different locations and come from a range of financial circumstances.  We also experience the arts in a multitude of ways, through our preschool program, individual instruction, group learning, choir, voice, dance, and creative arts therapy!

“Settlement means fun with instruments such as the marimba, the xylophone, and the drums. Settlement gives me the opportunity to explore all diverse types of music.” -Aurora, age 6

“Settlement is a place where people of all ages can learn about and support music.” -Ian, age 14

“The arts bring joy, discipline, and open the world to more possibilities” -Stephanie

“I can sing Hebrew now from Sheru. I think kids should come here more to sing.” -Selene, age 11

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Settlement Music School is most often identified by the community as a place where they come to learn!  Students in our community get an amazing education, with many of our graduates going on to careers in the arts, and some even coming back as teachers for the next generation.

“Settlement is a place where they teach me.” -Alice, age 9

“The arts help me learn new things, they help me think more.” -Vlada, age 12

“I study at Settlement because it provides great music instruction.” -Gavin

“We study at Settlement because my daughter enjoys music and I want to help her cultivate that appreciation and hobby.” -Jake Wemkes

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Many of us express ourselves through the arts or find refuge within them. Settlement offers a safe space with opportunities for all kinds of expression, including chances to perform for an audience, share art with your teachers and peers, or simply feel emotion in your personal lessons and classes. We also offer creative arts therapy which uses the senses to open new channels of communication and expression. At Settlement Music School, expression is celebrated, valued, and listened to.

“Settlement means like a lot to me – every time when I walk in the sweet sounds of music just surround me!” -Zack, age 7

“The arts make me feel more calm.” -Kolton, age 8

“Settlement Music helped my child deal with life trauma.” -Kamilya Blackwell

“Settlement means my son can have a talent and something he can always come to if he is feeling overwhelmed.” -Ellen Zhuravlev

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Settlement Music School is a great place to grow!  Students learn new skills, the value of practice, and gain the satisfaction that comes from improving over time. We offer learning opportunities for students at all skill levels, and a chance to progress by joining with others to play in ensembles or even with our advanced study or scholarship programs.

“Settlement is a place where I can get better.” -Logan, age 7

“Settlement means learning something new every class. The arts make me a better dancer and a better person.” -Nathari, age 12

“To me, Settlement is a place of personal and musical growth and opportunity.” -Sebastian, age 17

“Before studying here, I had very little formal training in composition. Settlement has helped me connect my natural talent to a more meaningful level of musical thought.” -Dermott, age 17

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Since its founding in 1908, Settlement Music School has had a rich and long-standing history of meeting the creative needs of the communities they serve. Generations of families have attended Settlement and we continue to maintain our well-earned reputation of being a welcoming, affordable, and safe place to learn and grow.

“When I think of Settlement, it comes to my mind as the best music school in the world.” -Goran, age 10

“Settlement had a great reputation and we’ve continued to study here because we have found it to be true.” -Stephanie

“I studied at Settlement as a child and restarted as an adult. I would not have improved without teacher Adam Berenstein.” -Joseph Court

“I attended the Mary Louise Curtis Branch from age 5 to 17, so the arts defined my focus in later life. I am watching that same impact on my daughter!” -Erika Loperbey

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People choose to come to Settlement Music School because it brings them JOY!  While many of our community members face challenges in life, Settlement lessons, classes, and ensembles continue to build happiness, confidence, and increased self-worth.  We are proud to be a place where people want to be, and a school that offers the community such joyful memories.

“I study at Settlement because I love it so SO much.” -Cyrine, age 6

“The arts make me feel good, like when I play piano.” -Luna, age 6

“Settlement means kindness and love, and it makes me happy.” -Fa’him, age 12

“Honestly, listening to and playing music is what makes life worth living.” -Bedley Reid, age 35

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At Settlement Music School, people of all ages are afforded the opportunity to learn and grow, regardless of their background or financial circumstances. There is a large variety of classes, lessons, ensembles, creative arts therapy, summer camps, and community partnerships that our community can take part in as they grow with their music education.

“Settlement offers, an opportunity, as parents, to provide a musical education to our children.” -Zahira

“The arts allow me to make music for my video games.” -Conor, age 10

“The arts have given me opportunities that I would not get otherwise.” -Bela, age 13

“I study chamber music at Settlement – a fun and extremely helpful location, which provides performance, audition and learning opportunities.” -Samuel, age 13

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Settlement is a safe community, a home to many, and a place where families feel good sending their children.

“Settlement means everything.” -Christian, age 10

“Settlement means a lot, it feels like home.” -Yassmin, age 11

“Settlement is where I can trust to send my child to. I know my child will be in a safe environment and learn things.” -Shelly Shen

“Settlement means a family and a safe place for me to relax with music, dance, and singing!” -Settlement Student

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