Music Instruction Music Instruction

Award-winning music lessons, ensembles, and group classes for aspiring musicians of all ages and skill levels — children, teens, and adults.

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Early Childhood 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!

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Music Therapy Music Therapy

Established in 1966, our pioneering Center for Music Therapy (CMT) uses guided music experiences to help individuals meet life's challenges.

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BOP STOP 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.

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Stories

Music Gives Me Hope

Music Gives Me Hope

by Maureen Mbu

I’m from West Africa, Cameroon, and I’ve been in America since 2004, so over 20 years. I have been taking voice lessons with The Music Settlement for about four years, and having music in my life has been very important for my mental well-being. I have a scholarship to take voice lessons, and this has meant a lot to me.

I had been suffering from mental illness for a very long time. But music has helped me stay focused, to have hope that I’m able to do something. Before The Music Settlement, I was not able to do anything. I just sat at home crying. But now I have hope. I’m up. I’m able. I have confidence that I’m able to sing. I think that’s a beautiful thing.

When I was suffering from depression, I thought, I need something to help me cope with my mental illness, something that can give me hope, something I can focus on. I needed to find a way to help myself mentally. And it was music. It relaxed my brain and helped me stay focused.

When I am singing, I feel so good. I feel the music. I feel like, Oh, I got it. Just let it go. Singing helps me feel really happy, and it keeps me going every day. I’m very grateful that I have this opportunity to take music lessons with The Music Settlement.

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