ACADEMY

The Community Music and Dance Academy complements the Conservatory’s degree programs by bridging the national reputation and excellence of the Conservatory with the local musical needs of the Kansas City community. The Academy currently offers private and group instruction to more than 2400 music and dance students using current Conservatory graduate students, alumni and professionals as instructional personnel. We are a non-credit preparatory school for children and adults. The Academy functions as a division within the Conservatory that caters to pre-Conservatory/Preparatory Music and Dance students. The Academy is also the Conservatory's office for music camps and festivals in the Kansas City area and provides continuing education training through workshops and in-services to area educators and therapists. Additionally, the Academy fosters several community outreach programs including ArtSounds, Composers in the Schools, Conservatory Connections at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Musical Bridges and Stringendo.

COMMUNITY

The Conservatory of Music and Dance receives valuable gift and volunteer support from the Kansas City community. In fact, when accounting for the work of these community support groups, their efforts in fundraising, volunteer time and as goodwill ambassadors can be valued for as much as 20 percent of the Conservatory's total resources. The Friends of the Conservatory (membership of nearly 200) produce an annual fundraising dinner and performance that results in more than $170,000 in scholarship money raised each year. This and other initiatives, including membership fees, result in contributions from the Friends exceeding $250,000 annually. The Conservatory Women's Committee (membership of approximately 130) raises more than $40,000 in scholarship support annually. The Alumni Board provides service and advocacy, including an annual "Careers Night" for local high school students.