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Music Instruction 
Award-winning music lessons, ensembles, and group classes for aspiring musicians of all ages and skill levels — children, teens, and adults.
Early Childhood 
Morning & Full-Day Preschool programs with a full, child-centered curriculum of creative specials like music, science, drama, social and emotional learning, and more!
Music Therapy 
Established in 1966, our pioneering Center for Music Therapy (CMT) uses guided music experiences to help individuals meet life's challenges.
BOP STOP 
BOP STOP at The Music Settlement is Cleveland's premier listening room: an intimate, acoustically pristine performance venue with sweeping views of Lake Erie.
Stories
A Safe Space for Making Music
by Chris Mahon
I am a student at the Music Settlement and am in several different ensembles here. I started out with music when I was young. I played the flute in elementary school and through junior high and high school. I also grew up in the Serbian Orthodox Church, where I learned some Tamburitza music, so I also played a mandolin. But after I left high school, although I still listened to music, I wasn’t actively playing music, or at least I wasn’t in any organized kinds of groups. I listened to all kinds of music and attended a lot of concerts.
About ten years ago, I attended a bluegrass concert in the Metro Parks, and The Music Settlement was there. I talked to someone there and told him I wanted to play the bass. I started taking bass lessons, and soon I joined the Settlement Singers. I’m also now in the adult orchestra and attend the Old Time Jam.
The Music Settlement provides so many opportunities to be involved in music. Music has always been a huge part of my life. And being at The Music Settlement, being in all these groups—there’s no stress now. It’s a safe space. I don’t have to make a living at this but can just enjoy playing music and making music with other people.
The community here is wonderful. The staff is wonderful. All the friends I’ve made and all of the ensembles are wonderful. I can’t imagine my life without music, and I can enjoy it on my own, and I enjoy it here. And it’s a huge part of my life and my family’s life, and I’m grateful for this opportunity here at The Music Settlement.
Music can help with so many emotions that you’re feeling. It does so many things for me. It soothes me. It energizes me. It comforts me. There are so many types of music. I continue to learn more about music, about different types of music. It exposes me to so many different things and helps make sense of a lot of things sometimes. It’s a huge part of my life, and I can’t imagine my life without it.
Share Your Music Story
We all need stories that move us. To help others recall their own stories and inspire them to share those stories. We need stories to invite others into our community of people transformed by the power of music. What is your music story? How has music changed you?
Share Your Music Story