Originally an idea of MusicMakers' director/owner, Paula Penna, MusicMakers started as a dream. After earning Master's and Bachelor's degrees in music education, she taught privately and in public schools, and administered teacher-training and outreach programs at the great university conservatory, Manhattan School of Music. Penna sought the opportunity to create her vision of a community music school which would be free to create interesting new approaches to teaching music.
Knowing the scarcity of time in a two-income household, she decided to start MusicMakers Lessons At Home with the special service of bringing the educator to the home of the student, working around the students' schedules.
Since 1997, MusicMakers Lessons At Home grew from a few teachers and students to over a dozen teachers and over 100 students! MusicMakers Lessons at Home then added recitals, masterclasses, and other interactive and performing opportunities to the MusicMakers semesters.
In May, 2000 the MusicMakers had grown so much that the school expanded into their own learning and recital space...the MusicMakers Academy. Located at 485 Hartford Road, Manchester, CT the first MusicMakers Academy space was made up of over 1500 square feet of studio, classroom, and performance space. The Academy then added an office manager to the administration staff to help run the organization's day to day operations.
The expansion also included a big move: MusicMakers became MusicMakers, LLC, which is the umbrella company for both the MusicMakers Lessons At Home program and the MusicMakers Academy.
517 Hartford Road
In January, 2008, the Academy moved into a larger space, a beautiful old Victorian home at 517 Hartford Road. With our new 3000sf space, we are now able to offer more classes, workshops, and special performances. Our classes include programs in applied music, academic music, music for families, and music wellness.
