Central Music Academy moves to Transylvania campus

Central Music Academy moves to Transylvania campus
Central Music Academy moves to Transylvania campus | Courtesy of Shutterstock
Transylvania University announced last week that the nonprofit music education program, the Central Music Academy (CMA), will move to a house on the university campus.

“The house will be the perfect spot for CMA, and we are so grateful to the Transylvania University faculty, staff, students and community for allowing us to use the space,” Program Director Erin Bliss said.

CMA provides free weekly lessons to low-income students who qualify for free or reduced lunches. The half-hour private lessons are available on any instrument, skill level or music genre.

Students from the program have successfully auditioned for a number of Kentucky orchestras and schools, including the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras and Lexington's School for the Performing Arts.

The program has provided more than 30,000 lessons to more than 900 students since 2004. CMA builds discipline and self-esteem as it teaches children musical skills.

The house on the campus will provide a safe and centralized location for students' music lessons. In addition to the CMA space, Transylvania works with the Lexington community on a variety of projects, including the "Unlearn Fear + Hate" art project and the Pioneer Pathways program.

As part of the Pioneer Pathways program, the university provides workshops on college and career readiness, in addition to mentors, for the students.