ABOUT us
The Community Music School of Northern New York Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to making high-quality music education and performance opportunities accessible to people of all ages, abilities, backgrounds, and financial circumstances. Based in Watertown, New York, CMS of NNY offers private instruction, group classes, ensembles, workshops, and community programs designed to help students develop confidence, creativity, technical skills, and a lifelong appreciation for music.
Our mission is to provide high-quality music education and performance opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds, abilities, and resources. Through caring instruction, meaningful relationships, and a comfortable, inclusive learning environment, we help students find joy, confidence, and personal growth through musical expression.
We are committed to making music instruction approachable and affordable, using individualized and complementary learning strategies to support a wide range of needs, learning styles, and abilities, including students with developmental, learning, or other challenges.
Guided by the belief that everyone can learn to play, we seek to build a better community through music.
The original studio in Webster, NY
Our Story
Community Music School of Northern New York, Inc. was formed as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2025 to carry forward and expand the work of its predecessor, Music Education Centers of Watertown. The Watertown studio was established in January 2020 as an extension of Music Education Centers, which was originally founded by Christian Schenk in Rochester in 2004 as Music Education Centers at Uncle Andy’s Place.
What began in a spare bedroom of his Rochester home grew into multiple commercial locations, most recently operating at The Piano Works in East Rochester until that location closed in July 2023. The Community Music School of NNY continues the original mission of making music education accessible beyond traditional school programs while expanding its role as a community resource for students, families, instructors, and local partners.