OUR MISSION
The Annapolis Symphony Academy is changing lives by providing a high-level musical education to students of all cultural and economic backgrounds, while addressing the lack of diversity in the classical music field.
Our model for diversity:
Half of the Annapolis Symphony Academy student body is comprised of under-represented musicians (in today's US orchestras) in a model that emphasizes interaction and mutual respect. Regardless of a student's cultural background, and through the incredible generosity of our donors, the Academy awards up to fifty percent of its annual tuition revenue in need-based scholarships. We believe this model provides a truly diverse student body, as it merges two overlapping, yet nonidentical, concepts of equality onto one program. Students are selected for the program strictly based on merit as well as their drive to learn and become better musicians.
Netanel Draiblate
Founder and Director
Music has the power to change lives. It is soulful, invigorating, challenging, emotionally charged, and immensely rewarding. It affects us all every day in virtually any situation we find ourselves in.
Numerous scientific studies have proven the benefits of musical education from an early age. These studies have pointed out benefits such as improved cognitive function, healthy socio-emotional development, and academic success as well as lower risk for certain illnesses. It is no coincidence that some of the world’s greatest minds such as Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham-Bell, and Neil Armstrong (just to name a few) were musically educated.
The benefits of music education are obvious, the impact is clear, yet the question arises: how do we train ourselves to be musically proficient? That is where we come in! The Annapolis Symphony Academy was created to fill the need for high-level musical education in Anne Arundel County. Our vision is to nurture and develop every individual’s unique artistry and creativity. What better way to do so than with classical music! We have created an accessible program that promotes talent, equality, free thinking, and embraces diversity while exposing youth in our community to classical music. Our incredible faculty represent the best in music education and performance. We strive to provide the highest level musical instruction through individual lessons, ensemble training, and various workshops to the diverse talent we seek to promote.
While classical music embraces all, it is not always accessible to everyone. It is a published fact that only a staggering 4% of orchestral players come from a minority background in the United States*. The Academy is structured in a unique way that promotes accessibility to classical music to all who seek it in any demographic, cultural, or social sphere.
It is my pleasure to invite you to join us. Allow us to introduce you to the wonders of music and in return, introduce us to something unique about yourself. We can create a family together, a musical roof over a shared vision that our lives can be changed for the better with the power of music.
* Data provided by the League of American Orchestras