Registration Fees and Tuition

Bloomingdale offers registration for private lessons in all major instruments as well as a variety of group classes and ensembles throughout the year for students of all ages and abilities. Enrollment is based on three main semesters as outlined below. For a copy of the current semester’s academic calendar, please visit bsmny.org/about-us/school-calendar/

Registration Fees (non refundable, per enrolled individual)

• Fall Semester – $20
• Spring Semester – $20
• Summer Semester – $10

Tuition for private instruction, group classes, and ensembles is listed with each course offering and varies by offering and scheduling options. Tuition does not cover the cost of music books and/or other study materials. Private lesson students must supply their own instruments; however Bloomingdale has a limited supply of rental instruments with availability on a first-come, first-served basis for enrolled students.

Private lessons enroll on a rolling basis throughout the semester and can begin at any point within the year. Deadlines, auditions, and previous requirements may apply for some classes and ensembles and select cumulative-based classes may not accept enrollments after the first few weeks of the semester. When registering after the first week of the semester, tuition prices will be prorated based on the week of enrollment. 

Discounts

Students are eligible to receive tuition discounts in the case of any of the following:

• Sibling Discount: Siblings of enrolled students are eligible for a 10% discount off the lower priced offering
• Second Class Discount: Students enrolled in a second private lesson are eligible for a 10% discount 
• Transition Discount: Students who are transitioning from a group class to weekly private lessons are eligible for a one-time 10% discount on their first semester of private lessons 
• Partnership Discount: Students affiliated with any of Bloomingdale’s School or Community Partners are eligible for a one-time 20% discount on their first semester of lessons or classes at BSM

In addition to these year-round discounts, promotional discounts are offered during priority registration periods. Please note that discounts are not automatically added to invoices and families who would like to take advantage of special discounts should contact the Registration office PRIOR to paying the invoice in full. Once an invoice has been paid in full, discounts may not be added and will not be retroactively applied to tuition. Please note: Tuition discounts are not combinable with Financial Aid 

Financial Aid

Project Bridge and MAP

Students applying to Project Bridge and MAP (Music Access Project) can learn more about each program and their application process by visiting our website. Both advanced track programs offer financial aid up to 100% of tuition, depending on need. Interested candidates should fill out an online application form and submit it electronically with their income verification documents and an audition video by the application deadline. Students selected to continue the process will attend an interview with their parents or guardian. All students are required to resubmit forms annually.

For more information on MAP and PB programs and application process, please visit 

• https://www.bsmny.org/music-programs/project-bridge/
• https://www.bsmny.org/music-programs/music-access-project/

General Financial Aid

Bloomingdale offers need-based financial aid to students of any age and ability level, from early childhood to adult learners. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, however awards are not guaranteed and generally do not exceed 70% of the total tuition.

To apply for general financial aid, parents or adult students are required to review financial aid guidelines and complete and submit an application form. Applications must be received prior to the deadline of the desired semester by submitting an online application. Every application is reviewed on its own merits and awards are granted at the discretion of the Financial Aid Committee through a confidential review process. 

Application Deadlines

• August 15 — Fall semester
• January 15 — Spring semester
• June 15 — Summer semester

For more information on Financial Aid guidelines and application process, please visit https://www.bsmny.org/music-programs/financial-aid/

Payment Information

Paying Your Tuition: 

• Payment in full or enrollment in a payment plan is due before a student is admitted to a lesson, class, or ensemble
• Payments may be made by cash, check, or credit card. 
  • Invoices and payment receipts will be sent via email
  • There is a $35 charge for any check returned by the bank
  • Accepted credit cards include Visa, Discover, and Mastercard.
  • No American Express card payments will be accepted as of July 1st, 2022.
• Accounts that are not paid in full by the first week of classes will be automatically enrolled in a payment plan and are responsible for any fees incurred
• Late payments will result in a $20 fee

Payment Plan: 

Students have the option to elect a payment plan, which allows them to make payments in monthly installments during the semester. Students opting for the payment plan are responsible for the $20 registration fee as well as a payment plan fee of $20 per semester. For enrollments received before the start of the semester, tuition and fees will be divided into four even monthly payments within the semester. For enrollments received during the semester, the number of monthly payments will be reduced based on enrollment date. 

Delinquent Accounts

Bloomingdale reserves the right to suspend or terminate instruction for students who miss tuition deadlines and are delinquent in fulfilling their financial obligation at any time during a semester.  Students with delinquent accounts may not register for the next semester or summer programs until the account is paid in full.

Missed Classes, Makeups, and Tardiness

Consistent weekly lessons and classes are important for the development and progress of musical learning. As such, Bloomingdale School of Music expects both students and faculty to work together to ensure weekly attendance is met.

Group Classes, including Early Childhood, Ensembles, Music Theory, and Lecture Classes

Make-ups for group classes will be offered only in the event of teacher cancellation or emergency school closing, including inclement weather closings. Unless specified otherwise, makeup classes for group classes will be held during the scheduled Make-Up Week at the end of the semester. Due to the nature of group instruction, individual student absences will not be eligible for a class makeup.

Private Lessons

By registering for private lessons, students commit to a consistent schedule with their instructor. Subsequently, students are expected to attend all scheduled lessons and to give as much notice as possible when a cancellation is necessary. 

• Excused Absences
  • All students are entitled to one excused absence (requiring 24 hour notice) per semester to be made up by the instructor. Students looking to cancel a lesson and have it count as excused should call the school at 212–663–6021, or email registrar@bsmmy.org 24 hours prior to their lesson time. A private lesson that is canceled on the same day as the scheduled lesson will be excused only in the case of student illness, so long as notice to the office is given by 11am on the day of the lesson for weekday lessons, or 9am for weekend lessons; OR in the event of a verified emergency. A planned absence in observance of a religious holiday must be planned at least 7 days in advance by emailing registrar@bsmny.org and will be counted as an excused absence.
• Unexcused Absences
  • Aside from the one excused absence per semester, any additional lessons missed by the student will not be made up. All lessons canceled with less than 24 hours notice will be considered unexcused and will not be eligible to be made up. 
• Makeup Lessons
  • Bloomingdale designates a Make-Up Week at the end of the semester for the use of making up lessons due to excused absences, as well as creating other opportunities during scheduled days off to suit a variety of scheduling needs. 
  • Students should schedule a time for a make-up lesson directly with the instructor. Student cancellation of an agreed upon make-up lesson will not be made up or credited. 
  • Best efforts must be made by both students and faculty to have all lessons made up before the end of the semester. Should any lesson not be completed before the end of the term, the cash equivalent of up to one (1) lesson may be credited to the student’s account. Any other lesson(s) will be considered forfeited. 

Tardiness

If a student arrives late, instructors are only obligated to teach until the lesson’s scheduled endpoint. Missed lesson time due to student tardiness will not be made up. If 15 minutes of the lesson has passed the teacher is not obligated to stay for the remainder of the time. If an instructor is late by 10 minutes or more, they will be obligated to make up the lesson at a later date. Missed lesson time due to faculty tardiness will be made up at a mutually convenient time. 

Technical Difficulties (Remote Lessons/Classes Only)

If a technical difficulty prevents a remote lesson, group class, or ensemble rehearsal from being given, the lesson/class will be made up at a mutually convenient time during the school year or during the scheduled Make-Up Week at the end of the semester.

Program Cancellations and Modifications

Bloomingdale reserves the right to cancel or postpone classes due to low enrollment. In most cases, we require at least three students to run a course. In the event a course is canceled, families will be notified and given the opportunity to transfer to another class, space permitting. Students not able to join another class will be offered a credit towards another offering in the future or a refund for the canceled class. 

In some cases Bloomingdale School of Music may shorten a group class to 45 or 30 minutes if it does not meet the minimum enrollment. In this case the class length will change, but tuition will not be adjusted as the class is now considered semi-private and students will benefit from more individualized instruction.

In cases of extenuating circumstances, BSM reserves the right to modify the delivery of course content including, but not limited to, a change in teacher, room assignation, curriculum, or medium of delivery (e.g. in-person, technology-enabled remote teaching, etc.

Withdrawal and Tuition Refund

• Group Class Withdrawal 

Students who wish to withdraw must fill out a withdrawal request form. Students enrolled in semester-long classes have 24 hours prior to the 3rd class to submit a withdrawal request. Requests for withdrawal may take up to 30 days to process. Students withdrawing from group classes will be credited or refunded the remaining tuition for classes that have not yet transpired from the date the withdrawal request form is filled out. Credits for group classes are active for one year from the date the credit is issued. Payment plan, registration, and late payment fees are non-refundable. No credits or refunds for group class withdrawals will be considered after the scheduled 3rd week of the class schedule. 

• Private Lesson Withdrawal 

Students who wish to withdraw must fill out a withdrawal request form. Students may withdraw at any time during the semester for a credit or refund, with 24 hours notice given before the next scheduled lesson. Our staff will contact you within 10 business days of your request. Every withdrawal situation is different, and Bloomingdale will work to find an adequate and rapid solution to each case. The withdrawal approval may take up to 30 days to process.

• Credits

Credits for private lessons are active for one year from the date the credit is issued. From the point at which your withdrawal is approved it may take up to 10 business days to receive a credit. Payment plan, registration, and late payment fees are non-refundable.

• Refunds

Upon approval of withdrawal, students may choose to be issued a refund for the remaining balance. Bloomingdale will withhold the cost of lessons that have already transpired (including student absences). For refunds, BSM will withhold a penalty of the cost of 2 additional lessons from the date that withdrawal is confirmed. There is no penalty for credit withdrawals. 

• Medical Withdrawals

Bloomingdale School of Music offers medical withdrawals with refunds or credits on a case by case basis with a doctor’s note. Basis for withdrawals include injuries or illnesses that genuinely impede a student’s abilities to successfully participate in their musical instruction or instrument learning. To request a medical withdrawal, please complete a withdrawal request form.

Our staff will contact you within 10 business days of your request. The withdrawal approval may take up to 30 days to process.

School Closures

Social Distancing due to Pandemic Risk

If the school closes for more than one consecutive week in order to comply with social distancing protocols and/or recommendations, remote lessons and classes/ensembles will be offered and school policies regarding make-ups, student absences, and teacher cancellations remain in effect. Credits/refunds will not be issued if students choose to not take advantage of remote lessons while the school is closed for social distancing.

Weather or Emergency

At times, emergencies such as severe weather, and/or other acts of God, fires, power failures, can disrupt School operations.  In extreme cases, these circumstances may require the closing of the school facility. In case of inclement weather or emergencies, BSM makes its own determination as to holding school. Generally, BSM will follow the decisions made by the New York City Department of Education in determining the School’s closings. Notice of school closing will be communicated by email and listed on BSM website and social media platforms. Families may also call the school’s main telephone number (212-663-6021, ext. 0) to hear a recorded message regarding closings. 

Photo, Audio, and Video Permission

By participating in BSM programs, you consent to the taking of photographs, audio recordings, video recordings, and/or other digital images or recordings during rehearsals, performances, and/or at other events by staff, volunteers, or outside media. Bloomingdale may use, edit, alter, copy, publish, and/or distribute those photos and recordings in any and all of its publications, including social media and web-based publications, and/or for any other lawful purpose, without payment, compensation, royalties, or other consideration. BSM bears no responsibility for any unauthorized use of images or recordings by a third party.

If you do not wish to have your or your child’s photo used for marketing purposes, you must submit a request in writing to dgrayber@bsmny.org. Families who submit this request are responsible for notifying the camera operator at time of events. 

Please Note: If the student is a member of a performing ensemble, it may not be possible to honor this request.

Privacy Policy

Bloomingdale School of Music takes family privacy seriously and will take all measures to protect personal information. Any personal information received will only be used to process your registration. Bloomingdale will not sell or redistribute family information to anyone.

Nondiscrimination Policy

Bloomingdale School of Music welcomes children, families, and employees of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, sex, marital or relationship status, or disability in administration of our educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid programs, or other school administered programs.