Brooklyn Conservatory of Music

Specialties

The Brooklyn Conservatory promotes individual and community growth through music, and is committed to making music accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels.

The Conservatory offers classes, ensembles and choral opportunities, and individual instrumental and vocal lessons to students from 18 months to adults. The Conservatory has a large music therapy division, jazz, classical and a Suzuki division. We also have a highly acclaimed concert series that frequently presents the best of what jazz, classical and world music has to offer.

The Conservatory is open well into the evening and on the weekends, to accommodate even the busiest schedule. Lessons and classes are moderately priced, allowing access to people of all financial means. Need-​based scholarships are also available.

History

Established in 1897.

The Brooklyn Conservatory was founded in 1897 by Adolph Whitelaw and Mme. M. Forster-​Deyo, with a teaching force of three instructors and an enrollment of 38 students. The school offered music instruction as well as concerts for the community. The students often performed at such venues as the Brooklyn Museum of Art and the main public library in Grand Army Plaza. The conservatory hosted opera performances in Prospect Park and students entertained the ladies at the home for the elderly on Lincoln Place at Christmas time. The school operated as a private school under Mr. Whitelaw’s direction until his death in 1944. After Mr. Whitelaw’s death the conservatory became a non profit educational institution.

The school is housed in a «Victorian Gothic» Landmark building, originally designed by architect S. F .Evelette as a private home. A total renovation in 1999 restored the buildings exterior and interiors and made the building completely accessible to people with disabilities.