For over 50 years, the Dorothy Delson Kuhn Music Institute has been sharing the love of music with Staten Islanders. We offer group and private lessons for children and adults.
For more information on our programs, contact Ela Seeley at eseeley@sijcc.com​ or 718.475.5263
Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DDKMusicInstitute

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About the Music Institute

Music instruction at the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island began in the late 1950s in affiliation with the Bronx House School of Music. In 1970, the Music Institute of the JCC was founded by its co-directors, Dorothy Delson Kuhn and Bertha R. Mandel, as an autonomous music school. The school received its current name, The Dorothy Delson Kuhn Music Institute, in 1994.

Mission

The mission of the Dorothy Delson Kuhn Music Institute is to provide, in a community music school setting at the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island, exceptionally fine instruction in the performance, understanding and appreciation of music, particularly but not exclusively, to schoolchildren. Students learn in a non-competitive atmosphere. The Music Institute is a non-profit and non-sectarian music school. It is the only member of the National Guild of Community Arts Education on Staten Island.
Frequent student-faculty recitals provide an incentive for progress and an opportunity for students to share their accomplishments with their families, friends and other students. At these recitals, students are able to hear their peers and teachers play.

Private LessonS

Private lessons may be 30, 45 or 60 minutes.  Enrollment is for 30 weekly lessons from September through May/June. Special provisions are made for late registrants. Lessons are offered at two locations: the Joan and Alan Bernikow JCC and Avis/South Shore JCC. 

Private lessons are available in:

• Bassoon
• Violin
• Cello
• Clarinet
• Flute
• French horn
• Guitar
• Oboe
• Percussion
• Piano
• Saxophone
• Trumpet
• Recorder
• Trombone
• Tuba
• Voice

Parent/Child Classes

• Harmony Road Keyboard Program

A unique parent/child musical program that focuses on the development of the whole child while stressing keyboard readiness. Each group course is designed specifically for the age group, reinforcing and building on their skills as they progress through the curriculum. Parent or caregiver must actively accompany the child in class. Book and CD are included for all classes. A free demonstration classes will be held one week prior to the starting date. 
Check out a video from our classes here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2272230362864709

• Music in Me – 3.5-4.5 years

Fee: $245 member/$290 non-member
45 minutes weekly, 15 weeks
A dynamic readiness program for young children with emphasis on the ear training, solfege singing, movement, pitch and rhythm awareness, keyboard geography and finger readiness.  Creativity is stressed.  Parent involvement in class and at home.
Tuesdays at 3:30pm
Bernikow JCC

• Harmony Road – 4.5-6 years

Fee: $290 member/$340 non-member
55 minutes weekly, 15 weeks
Carefully constructed for children to learn the basic building blocks of music.  Emphasis on ear training, solfege singing, keyboard playing, ensemble and rhythm activities, movement and music creativity.  Reading concepts are introduced gradually and basic composing activities encourage the development of the child’s musical vocabulary.  This exceptional course gives the student “inner hearing”, which makes transposing. Improvisation and composing easily accessible in their musical studies.  Parent involvement in class and at home.
Tuesdays at 4:45pm
Bernikow JCC

• The Young Musician – 6-7 years

Fee: $290 member/$340 non-member
The Young Musician course introduces beginning students to keyboard performance and note reading in a holistic program, including the organized development of pitch, rhytm, solfege singing, keyboard and movement activities.  Parent involvement in class and at home. 
Tuesdays at 6pm
Bernikow JCC

• Music Together of Staten Island @ the JCC – birth-5 years

Fee: $205 member/$215 non-member
45 minutes weekly, 9 sessions
Music Together is an internationally recognized early childhood music program for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and adults who love them.  The classes are based on the recognition that all children are musical.  All children can learn to sing in tune, keep a beat, and participate with confidence in the music of our culture, provided that heir early environment supports such learning.  Book and CD included in the price of the class. 
Tuesdays at 9:45am and/or Sundays at 10:45am
Bernikow JCC

• Therapeutic Music Experiences – 3-5 years

Fee: $225 member/$280 non-member
10 weeks
Enjoy music making with a certified Music Therapist able to engage children with emotional and cognitive needs. Parent participation required.
Mondays 2:30-3:30pm
Bernikow JCC, Ensemble room #1

Early Childhood ClasseS

• Hava Nagila: Hebrew Through Music – 4-5 years

Fee: $105 member/$160 non-member
10 sessions
Learn Hebrew through songs and rhymes
Wednesdays at 4:45pm
Bernikow JCC/ECE wing

• Music, Art & Movement – 4-5 years

Fee: $105 member/$160 non-member
1 hour, 10 weeks
Discover the magic of music through singing, dancing and playing along in this interactive, fun and educational music class.   
Class size is limited.
Bernikow JCC     Thursdays at 3:30 PM 
Avis/South Shore JCC      Mondays at 3:30 PM

• Introduction to Musical Theater – 7-12 years

Fee: $225 member/$280 non-member
10 sessions, 1 hour
If you love to sing songs from shows and musicals, then this class is for you!
Explore repertoire from musicals such as The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof or Annie.  Acquire basic skills for song presentation and acting. Gain confidence to perform on stage.  We will train your voice and ear.
Thursdays at 4:45pm
Bernikow JCC

PRE-TEEN & TEEN PROGRAMS

• Musicianship /Theory Classes

These classes provide enrichment through instruction in theory, ear training, musical forms, music history and general music appreciation.  Participation is highly recommended.  This class is included with private lesson tuition.  For those not enrolled in Music Institute private lessons, a special arrangement may be made and a fee will apply.
Date and time TBA
Bernikow JCC

• Individual Therapeutic Music Lessons

Ages 4-18
10 sessions packages available
Work one on one with a certified Music Therapist able to engage students with unique interest and abilities.
Youth Chamber Ensemble – 8-18 years
Fee: $105 member/$160 non-member, free for current students
1 hour  
Take the next step and expand your repertoire while playing in an intimate group.  Advance your skills to include balance, phrasing and intonation. Chamber music offers players the perfect balance between solo and orchestral performing.
Mondays 7:15pm
Bernikow JCC

• Digital Songwriting Workshops – 9-18 years

Fee: $120 member/$180 non-member
10 weekly sessions
Utilizing technology to create original compositions is the cornerstone of these sessions. Using applications found on the tablets and PCs, we will provide students with an experience unlike traditional means. Curriculum is focused on digital music with materials provided for the student. Workshops can be given focused around recording equipment as well as learning about maximizing use of technologies being used.
No prior experience writing songs or music needed.
Tuesdays at 4:45pm
Bernikow JCC

• Ukulele Ensemble – 9-12 years

Fee: $105 member/$160 non-member
1 hour
Wednesdays at 4:00, Bernikow JCC
Tuesday at 4:45pm, Avis/ South Shore JCC
Recorder Ensemble – 9-12 years
Fee: $105 member/$160 non-member
1 hour
Fridays at 4pm
Bernikow JCC

Programs for Adults

• Adult Chamber Group

Fee: $350 member/$380 non-member
90 minutes weekly, 15 weeks
Take the next step and expand your repertoire while playing in an intimate group.  Advance your skills to include balance, phrasing and intonation. Chamber music offers players the perfect balance between solo and orchestral performing.  Open to all levels, however, you must be able to read music.
Thursdays at 2:00 PM
Bernikow JCC

• Group Piano

Fee: $160 member/$210 non-member
1 hour weekly, 10 sessions
Tuesdays at 10:30am
Bernikow JCC

• Group Guitar

Fee: $160 member/$210 non-member
1 hour weekly, 10 sessions
Mondays at 1:00pm
Bernikow JCC
Recorder Ensemble
Fee: Free for members/$55 non-member
Musicians of all levels get together and enjoy playing multi-part music on an instrument that is easy to learn. Those who play compatible instruments or sing are also welcome. 
Fridays at 9:30am
Bernikow JCC

• Bossa Nova, Blues, and Jazz Workshops

Fee: $20 member/$30 non-member
1 hour, once a month
Learn new skills in a small group
Mondays at 10 am 
Bernikow JCC

Music FacultY

​Faculty members of the Dorothy Delson Kuhn Music Institute are active in the cultural life of the community. They teach in Staten Island schools and colleges and they are performers and conductors for ensembles and orchestras locally and throughout the New York City area.
Piano:
Tatyana Cherepinskaya
Yelena Khaymovich
Stella Rasporskaya
Aleksandra Sarest
Bo Wun Jeon
Guitar:
Fred Crisson
Robert Tarallo
Strings
Larissa Vollis
Woodwinds:
Nicole Auriti
Daniel Kelley
Jessica Sperato
Brass:
Alan Aurelia
Carolyn Clark
Voice:
Therese Panicali
Early Childhood Music:
Kelly Grant
Lisa Forst
Theory, Music Appreciation:
Yelena Khaymovich
Chamber Music:
Larisa Vollis
Percussion:
Thomas Baker