Business Details
Your Premier Music School in Kalamazoo
Crescendo Academy of Music has been dedicated to fostering musical growth and community engagement since its founding. Our mission centers on providing accessible, individualized instruction for students of all ages and skill levels, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder access to quality music education. Through personalized lessons, group classes, and performance opportunities, we cultivate a supportive environment where students develop technical proficiency and artistic expression.Our faculty comprises professional teaching artists with advanced degrees and performance experience in prestigious regional ensembles. We maintain partnerships with local institutions to expand our community impact through outreach programs, instrument loans, and scholarship initiatives. By prioritizing both pedagogical excellence and inclusivity, we empower students to achieve their musical aspirations while strengthening the cultural fabric of southwest Michigan.
Services
Private Lessons
Group Classes
Music Together
Summer Programs
Outreach Programs
Ensembles
Performance Opportunities
Music Theory
Instrument Instruction
Highlights and features
- We offer personalized instruction tailored to individual learning goals and skill levels.
- Our faculty includes professional musicians with degrees from accredited music institutions.
- We provide financial aid and instrument loans to ensure accessible music education.
- Our students gain performance experience through frequent recitals and community events.
- We maintain partnerships with regional symphonies and cultural organizations for expanded opportunities.
Services
Private Music Lessons
Individualized instruction for all skill levels and instruments. Our professional teaching artists create customized lesson plans to develop technical proficiency and musical expression. Students gain performance experience through recitals and community events.
Music Together Classes
Interactive music education for young children and caregivers. These classes focus on rhythmic development, pitch exploration, and foundational music concepts through play-based learning activities led by certified instructors.
Community Ensembles
Chamber orchestras and vocal ensembles for students of varying skill levels. Participants rehearse under professional guidance and perform at local venues including cultural centers, libraries, and charity events throughout southwest Michigan.
Summer Music Programs
Intensive summer instruction combining technique development with collaborative performance opportunities. Programs include masterclasses, ensemble rehearsals, and recitals designed to maintain musical progress during school breaks.
Outreach Programs
Partnership initiatives bringing music education to underserved populations. Our teaching artists collaborate with schools and community centers to provide accessible instruction, instrument access, and performance opportunities for diverse participants.
People
Audrey Lipsey
Violin Instructor / Executive Director
Violinist and arts administrator with performance experience in multiple regional symphonies. Holds advanced music education degrees and specializes in string pedagogy for all skill levels.
Jesse Lemons
Trumpet Instructor
Professional jazz trumpeter leading the Black American Music Ensemble. Focuses on improvisation techniques, music history, and performance etiquette in both private and group instruction settings.
Zollie Schut
Percussion Instructor
Percussion specialist with expertise in drum set and world percussion. Teaches rhythmic theory, technique development, and ensemble coordination for students from beginner to advanced levels.
Mark Portolese
Violin Instructor
Violin educator with extensive performance experience in chamber ensembles and orchestral settings. Specializes in preparing students for recitals and advanced musical examinations.
Gabrielle Balanda
Music Together Instructor
Certified early childhood music educator specializing in developmental music activities for young children. Focuses on creating engaging, interactive learning experiences for preschool-aged students.
Questions
What music programs do you offer for children?
We provide Music Together classes for early childhood development, private lessons for specific instruments, and group ensembles for preschool through teenage students.
Are there performance opportunities for students?
Yes, we host regular recitals at our facility and partner venues, including churches, libraries, and cultural centers throughout southwest Michigan.
Do you offer financial assistance for lessons?
We provide scholarships covering over 10% of student enrollments and maintain an instrument loan program to ensure accessible music education.
What instruments can I learn at Crescendo?
Our faculty teaches piano, violin, voice, guitar, percussion, strings, woodwinds, brass, and more with specialized instruction from professional performers.
Can adults participate in music programs?
Yes, we offer private lessons, group classes, and ensemble opportunities for adult learners of all skill levels.
Reviews (4)
Chrissy Roethlisberger
Dec 28, 2018
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My son loves the Mandolin lessons with Mr. Jim and Mr. Doug! we will be doing the next session with them!
Jessica Voigts
Jan 28, 2018
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This is such a hidden treasure in Kalamazoo. There are world-class instructors, amazing classes, a wide range of musical options for lessons, and very friendly and interesting people. One of my favorite resources in town!
Janelle Randall
Dec 09, 2017
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For the past four years my daughters have taken lessons at Crescendo and we have nothing but positive things to say about this organization. Luke Cook, cello teacher, not only is exceptional at teaching but he also has a way with kids that makes them want to do their best. Joanna Steinhauser and Darren Chan are great on the violin too. They are patient, yet firm and encouraging.
Janelle Randall
Dec 15, 2015
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A great music school. The teachers are very qualified and relate well to kids. I have one daughter taking cello lessons and one taking violin, and have only rave reviews for our two years at Crescendo. The office staff are also very helpful, fair and knowledgeable.
