The New York Conservatory of Music, New York

On a tree-lined street on the Upper East Side, instructors at the New York Conservatory of Music teach adults and children the fine art of music performance. During individual lessons in instruments such as violin, piano, guitar, flute, and oboe, they encourage students of all levels to develop their innate potential at their own pace. Regular recitals let students show off their skills in venues such as Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, building self-esteem and confidence.

The school's founders—concert pianist Dr. Jerzy Stryjniak and his wife Joanna, a musicologist—strive to develop not only their students' performance skills, but their love and knowledge of music. Lectures and conferences on music theory, history, and appreciation enhance the curriculum, and regular adult evenings bring older students together to socialize and perform.