The Conservatory of Annie Moses·Age tier

Foundation Studio

The entry tier of the Conservatory. For students aged six through eleven, Foundation Studio establishes the technical foundation, the performance habit, and the early language of music. Two levels within Foundation reflect the genuine developmental difference between early elementary and middle elementary work — different lesson lengths, different course depth, different repertoire — taught with the conviction that the early years of training are not preparation for the real work but the real work itself.

Why Foundation

The early years are the real years.

The most consequential decisions in a young musician's training happen in the early years. How an instrument is held, how rhythm is internalized, how the ear is trained to recognize pitch and interval, how a child first experiences performance — these foundations shape every year that follows. A student who learns the right habits at seven does not need to unlearn the wrong ones at twelve.

Foundation Studio is built on the conviction that early training deserves the same seriousness as collegiate work. Classes are structured, taught by working artists, and held to real standards. Young students are not condescended to with watered-down material; they are invited into the language of music as full participants.

The two levels

Foundation Level One and Level Two.

The Foundation tier spans six years of development. Because the difference between a six-year-old and an eleven-year-old is substantial, the tier is structured in two levels with distinct curricula and tuition.

Level One

Foundation Studio One

Ages 6–8

$1,100

per semester · Core Curriculum

Included in Core

Fundamental Musicality: theory and ear training
StageCoach: drama
30-minute Private Lesson on the discipline of the student's choice

Level One is the introduction. Students begin private study, learn the language of music through Fundamental Musicality, and develop performance comfort through StageCoach. The weekly rhythm is structured but unhurried; the goal is to build real habits without overloading the early-elementary student.

Level Two

Foundation Studio Two

Ages 9–11

$1,600

per semester · Core Curriculum

Included in Core

Fundamental Musicality: theory and ear training
StageCraft: drama
Masterclass and Vocal Harmonization
45-minute Private Lesson on the discipline of the student's choice
Optional: Rhythm Ensemble Lab (additional $250)

Level Two deepens the work. Private lessons extend to 45 minutes. StageCraft replaces StageCoach with more substantive dramatic work. Masterclass joins the weekly rhythm and gives every Level Two student a regular public performance setting. Vocal Harmonization develops the ear and the voice in parallel.

The week

A typical Foundation rhythm.

Foundation students attend the Conservatory weekly during the fifteen-week fall and spring semesters. A typical week includes the private lesson, the relevant Core classes (Fundamental Musicality, StageCoach or StageCraft, Masterclass at Level Two), and any electives the student has added.

Most Foundation students attend Saturday or one weekday afternoon. The full schedule varies by enrollment; families coordinate with the Conservatory office to find the configuration that fits.

Beyond Core

What Foundation students can add.

Foundation students may add electives at standard rates. The most common Foundation electives include:

Rhythm Ensemble Lab (Level Two)$250 / semester special rate
Children's Vocal Ensemble (ages 6–8)$200 / semester special rate
Song & Dance Class (ages 4–7)$275 / semester special rate
Dance Division coursespriced separately
Additional private lessons beyond the Core allotmentsee Tuition

Some Foundation families add one elective in addition to Core; others stay with Core alone. The Conservatory office can advise on what configuration serves a given student best.

See Tuition for the full pricing structure →

The three disciplines

Music, dance, and drama at Foundation.

Foundation Core includes music (private lesson, Fundamental Musicality) and drama (StageCoach or StageCraft) for every student. Dance is offered separately as the Dance Division, with its own classes and tuition.

Music

Music at Foundation. The private lesson is the center of the week; Fundamental Musicality builds the ear and the language; performance habit develops through Masterclass at Level Two.

Dance

Song & Dance Class (ages 4–7) and Ballet I are the typical entry points for younger students. The full curriculum spans ballet, jazz, and integrated musical movement at every age.

Drama

StageCoach at Level One, StageCraft and Masterclass at Level Two. Stanislavsky-tradition pedagogy joined with the eurhythmics-and-music base, in partnership with Packard Playhouse.

Admissions

How to begin.

Foundation admissions are conversational rather than audition-based. The Conservatory accepts students at Foundation Level One and Level Two on the basis of an introductory conversation between the family and the Conservatory office, plus a meeting with the prospective private lesson instructor to confirm the student's instrument and level.

Most Foundation enrollment happens in the spring and summer for the fall semester. Mid-year enrollment is sometimes possible depending on faculty availability.

Schedule a visit How to apply See tuition

Faculty

Who teaches Foundation.

A subset of the Conservatory faculty teaches at the Foundation tier — the private lesson instructors, Fundamental Musicality faculty, and the StageCoach and StageCraft directors. Full faculty page in development.