“Give your kids the gift of a lifetime and sign them up for lessons at Hoff-Barthelson. My three kids all love music in large part because of their lessons, fabulous teachers, and classes at Hoff-Barthelson. HB’s comprehensive musical education will help your kids play and enjoy music throughout their lives, while also allowing them to make new friends in a warm, supportive, and engaging community. My kids took individual lessons, theory, orchestra, chamber, jazz ensemble, etc., and they all continue to play and love music. And give yourself a gift and sign up for lessons as well. It’s never too late to revisit an old instrument or start a new one. I play piano in a trio and it’s one of my favorite activities. HB is a truly special place.”


“We have had a wonderful experience with our two children at HBMS. Our son is part of the Honors Program and along with our younger daughter has attended the Summer Arts Program for years. Whether it’s private instrument instruction, Musicianship classes or chamber music and orchestra, we have always had incredible teachers and a tremendously positive and supportive atmosphere. It is very inspiring to see such elite musicians show such kindness and patience to every child from the youngest beginners. HBMS is a truly special place!”


“Wonderful music school in Scarsdale, Westchester County, NY. Excellent teachers, very engaged administration and staff. Opportunities for music learning from beginner level through to honors program. My kids have learned violin, composition, musicianship, and played in all three of their orchestras including their top Festival orchestra. Kids and families create a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. A wonderful school for our community.”


“Hoff-Barthelson has teachers who are superb musicians and really devoted to kids, from the little ones who are tentatively playing for the first time to accomplished seniors. The school is devoted not just to education but also to performance and playing in groups, whether in one of three orchestras, an unlimited number of classical ensembles, and jazz and rock bands.

Students at HB are benefited in many ways . . . social connections, passion for music, and even college admissions. Our own kids have loved the school and benefited greatly.”


“Hoff-Barthelson is a true haven for anyone interested in music. My family has been involved with the School for over two decades. All three of my children studied there, taking private instrument lessons, music theory classes, and participating in multiple ensembles. I can honestly say that they wouldn’t be the people they are today without the caring attention of HB faculty. And now my husband, a complete music novice, is taking beginner adult piano lessons. Hoff is helping him fulfill a lifelong dream of playing music.”


“We love Hoff-Barthelson. My 9 year old has been attending private piano lessons and group voice lessons for 2 years here. We are thrilled with her progress. Teachers are kind and caring. Office staff is kind and get to know everyone. There are numerous performance opportunities for students to take advantage of at HB. Informal recitals helped my shy girl prepare and feel confident in her first piano performance. Her confidence has increased and I’m very impressed by how all students walk onto the stage.

HB also does a great job at bringing talented performers both inside and outside of the school to its students. Friday night faculty performances are a true joy. There is typically a guest performer invited to perform alongside the amazing talent of HB’s very own faculty. We look forward to participating in other opportunities in the future as there are many. This is truly an enriching experience for any musician. We are thrilled to be part of the HB family.”


“Since taking classical piano lessons at Hoff-Barthelson with Glen Kirchoff from elementary through high school, I had continued playing piano and keyboards as an active hobby. But 30 years later, I wanted a more structured way to keep this interest active and to improve.

Dean Christopher Kenniff listened to me describe my interests in jazz-influenced rock and improvisation, with a particular goal of learning works of jazz artists and styles that have influenced my favorite pianists and bands. He matched me with jazz piano teacher Jamie Reynolds, who has given me a rewarding new path to learning and engagement. My digital hybrid piano no longer sits idle for days at a time. I am practicing and playing most days per week every week and am excited about it.” ~ Russ Korins


“What a joy it was to hear the Festival Orchestra on June 4th.  The soloist, Spencer Myer, was terrific, but we were most impressed with the intonation and musicianship of the ensemble.  Fantastic!  The woodwinds were the best I have ever heard!  Congratulations to the winds and their teachers!!!  Bravo! Festival Orchestra has  been a wonderful outlet for Christine to play great music with other students who are committed to giving time and energy to their instruments.  Thank you!” ~ Barbara and Jim Cifelli


“We truly appreciate Maxine Neuman’s patience, persistence, and sensitivity that is inspired by a lifetime of teaching and music-making.” ~ The Chin/Wang Family


“Laura Barnet had an amazing ability to keep my six-year old engaged with violin lessons from across the Atlantic.”


“I wanted to make sure that Ms. Elaine received proper recognition for her near miracle work with my son with her lessons. She has taken a boy who lost almost all interest in flute and taken him to a level that he would otherwise not have reached, teaching him to love music in other aspects of his life as a result. She is a remarkable teacher, and we wanted to thank her for everything she’s done for him.”


“Mr. Robert Schwartz went above and beyond in encouraging and supporting our daughter, Eliana. We are so appreciative of his generosity of time and spirit, and his warmth and caring.” ~ The Zemel Family


“Fabulous school and well-run organization. My son has studied viola here for 5 years.”


“Hoff-Barthelson Music School’s Festival Orchestra is one of the finest high school orchestras in the United States.”


“Best music education one can imagine – 13 years for our son and now his mom is a student too! As he goes off to college, I’ll carry on the family tradition with piano lessons, theory classes and all of those wonderful concerts offered every year!”


“Hoff-Barthelson has teachers who are superb musicians and really devoted to kids, from the little ones who are tentatively playing for the first time to accomplished seniors. The school is devoted not just to education but also to performance and playing in groups, whether in one of three orchestras, an unlimited number of classical ensembles, and jazz and rock bands. Students at Hoff are benefited in many ways…social connections, passion for music, and even college admissions. Our own kids have loved the school and benefited greatly.”


“I was here as a kid, and now as an adult… I’ve seen so many talented kids go through this really awesome school over the years and really get inspired as well as a top-notch education…. It’s an exceptional school, not only with invested teachers, but also with a warm and integrated artistic community…. Great for kids, adults, new or well-seasoned musicians.”


“At the Summer Arts Program my kids grew as young musicians and as people. it was a great introduction to a new instrument.”


“The Summer Arts Program provides a warm and welcoming environment that is both familiar from summer to summer and manages to provide new challenges from year to year.”


“Hoff-Barthelson has really talented and committed students, and being in that environment is extremely beneficial to my daughter’s level of playing and confidence.”


“Our child’s needs and interests were assessed very well; as a result, he has always been placed in the right classes with very talented teachers who are the right fit.”


“The music theory classes are excellent, and the performance opportunities are abundant.”


“My children have been students for 20 years because of the quality of the education, strength of the leadership, and the breadth of offerings that create a sense of community.”


“We went to an Open House when our first child was 2 and never left. He was enthralled, and we noticed how comfortable and nurturing the environment was for the children and the parents.”


“We chose the school because of the talented and esteemed faculty, frequent performance opportunities, and broad range of course offerings. HBMS fully deserves its reputation as a premier music school.”


“My children are not great musicians, but I hoped that being in an environment where they are surrounded by people—students and teachers—who loved music would inspire them. It has.”


“Hoff-Barthelson provides an all-encompassing musical environment, not just isolated music lessons.”