If you’ve ever thought about taking adult classes for singing and playing an instrument, you may have noticed the high-profile places where these classes are taught. You might want to check out Greenwich House or the Julliard School of Music, and you can even buy digital sheet music for them! However, you might be interested in more casual classes or those that don’t offer as much instruction.
Julliard
Juilliard’s continuing education program is known as Juilliard Extension, and it began in 1905. The program was renamed the Evening Division in 1989 and has grown steadily since then. Its courses are now oversubscribed, and students range from octogenarians to teenagers. Whether you’re looking to improve your skills or want to expand your performance opportunities, Juilliard Extension is the perfect place to go.
The music division is the largest division, and offers bachelor’s, master’s, graduate, and artist diploma programs. Majors include collaborative piano, brass, and historical performance, and at the graduate level, orchestral conducting. Juilliard also has a vocal arts department, which includes the former Juilliard Opera Center. All of the faculty members at Juilliard perform with major ensembles in New York City, including the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.
Julliard School of Music
If you’re an adult interested in taking singing lessons and/or learning to play an instrument, consider enrolling in Julliard School of Music adult classes. These courses are available for both a variety of instruments, including guitar, bass, piano, saxophone, and more. The school has a stellar faculty of professional musicians. Former students of the school include jazz trumpet legend Yo-Yo Ma, world-renowned violinist Sarah Chang, and contemporary composer Philip Glass. The faculty includes world-renowned conductors James Levine, Henry Mancini, Gerard Schwarz, and John Williams. Adults interested in learning to play an instrument or take singing lessons at Juilliard should note that the school only accepts a limited number of applicants each year.
Juilliard Extension is the school’s flagship continuing education program. Since 1905, the school has offered classes to the general public. Since 1989, Juilliard’s Evening Division has continued to expand and evolve. The school’s courses are oversubscribed, and students range in age from teenagers to octogenarians. The curriculum focuses on musical expression, rather than theory.
Greenwich House
The Greenwich House Music School has provided New Yorkers with a comprehensive arts education since 1905. Through group lessons, voice and instrumental instruction, and music theory, students experience programs through expert guidance and private lessons. Students may enroll in individual lessons or join group classes for a variety of skill levels. Registration is ongoing and COVID-19 policies apply. For more information, visit greenwichhousemusic.org.
In addition to offering music lessons for children of all ages, adults can take lessons to learn how to play any instrument. Many instruments require certain physical attributes before students can take lessons, and group classes are a great choice for learning theory. Private lessons, however, allow students to advance at their own pace and focus on their particular strengths and weaknesses. There are two types of adult classes: group classes for learning how to play an instrument and singing lessons at Greenwich House.