60 Years of Music and Impact at Bloomingdale School of Music

Celebrating 60 Years of Music and Impact at Bloomingdale School of Music

Click the video above to watch a message from our Executive Director, Erika Atkins

Celebrating 60 Years of Music and Community Impact

This month, Bloomingdale School of Music is turning 60, and as the current Executive Director, I’m feeling both humbled and inspired by this incredible legacy that surrounds me every day. Our story began in 1964 in the basement of West End Presbyterian Church, when David Greer had a bold vision to make high-quality music education accessible to everyone, no matter their financial background. In just six short years, we outgrew that basement and moved to our current home on West 108th Street. Through the changes and challenges in our city, country, and world, Bloomingdale has remained a constant, committed to keeping our doors open and our community strong. Over the past six decades, we’ve become more than just a music school; Bloomingdale is a beloved part of the Upper West Side, where generations have come to discover their passion and find connection through music.

A Beloved Part of the Upper West Side

Over the past six decades, Bloomingdale has become so much more than just a music school. It’s a beloved part of our Upper West Side, where generations have come to discover their passion together. It’s amazing to witness how Bloomingdale connects with people, building lasting relationships through shared experiences.

Stories from Our Community

One of my favorite parts of being Executive Director is hearing all the amazing stories from our community, both past and present. There’s something magical about the way people’s eyes light up when they talk about their Bloomingdale memories. Sometimes it’s something unexpected, like a friend who grew up in the neighborhood realizing that not only did she take violin lessons here, but her dad did, too. Other times, colleagues in the arts share that they were students 30 or 40 years ago—or that their own kids have gone through Bloomingdale’s programs.

And then there’s the joy of watching my team members bring their children here and seeing those kids grow up surrounded by music. It really feels like the embodiment, the special sauce, of what makes Bloomingdale, Bloomingdale. It’s a daily reminder that what we do here has deep, long-lasting roots.

A Special Moment: George to the Rescue

I’ll never forget the first time I saw the 2019 George to the Rescue episode featuring Bloomingdale. It was one of my first introductions to the school and it got me excited to get involved. That episode captured the essence of who we are: a place that brings people together breaks down barriers, and creates life-changing connections through music. And now, I get to see this impact every day. I hear music from my office and in the hallways —students having flute lessons, early childhood classes making joyful sounds in the concert hall, or a faculty member rehearsing for their Friday night concert—and I feel so proud of our work.

Our Faculty and Staff: The Heart of Bloomingdale

Our faculty is the heart of our school, bringing our programming to life, while our dedicated staff is the backbone that keeps our mission moving forward. We offer everything from early childhood classes to advanced training for aspiring musicians. We design our programs are designed to create opportunities and open doors for everyone to learn and discover themselves through the joy of music. Over the last five years alone, Bloomingdale has provided more than $1.3 million in financial aid, and I can promise you we work tirelessly to create a school where students are kept from being turned away due to financial need.

Looking Toward the Future

We’re not done yet. Looking forward, we’re more excited than ever. With our strategic plan, ROADMAP 2027, we’ve already begun to expand and adapt our programs to meet the needs of our community and include even more diverse voices in the work we do every day. We’re committed to serving more students, building deeper connections, and making sure that Bloomingdale continues to be a place where music transforms lives.

Turning the Page to Chapter 60

As we celebrate this incredible milestone, I invite you to turn the page with us to Chapter 60. Visit our website to learn more about our plans for the future. Here’s to 60 more years of music, connection, and impact. Thank you for being a part of our story!

Discover More About Chapter 60

Erika Atkins

Executive Director, Bloomingdale School of Music