Our Mission The Dedham School of Music provides an environment for people of all ages, abilities, and means to learn, play, and enjoy music.
Our History The Dedham School of Music (DSM) is a non-profit organization initially formed in 2008 for the purpose of providing affordable after-school music instruction after budget cuts eliminated instrumental music from its public elementary schools. DSM continues to collaborate with schools in both Dedham and Boston to provide musical education opportunities.
Now in our second decade, DSM has become part of the fabric of our community, offering private lessons for a variety of instruments, and classes and ensembles designed to embrace multiple ages, skill levels, and interests. We also partner with local programs such as Horizons, a summer camp that provides academic and enrichment opportunities to low-income youth in the Boston area.
Approximately seventy percent of the Dedham School of Music’s revenue is derived from services provided to our students. The remaining thirty percent is earned through grants, fundraising events, donations, and the support of our community. Over eighty percent of our expenses each year go directly toward program services, which include providing financial aid to qualifying families, employing highly accomplished and compassionate instructors, and building new and exciting classes and activities for all ages and abilities.
The Dedham School of Music seeks to be a musical pillar for its residents, and will continue to find and create ways to deliver on this goal.
The Dedham School of Music does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.