Crescendo Academy of Music

🚨🚨 New class alert! 🚨🚨

Basic Composition will start in September. Led by the prolific local composer Cameron Hachigian, in this composition class students will experience the joy of creating music. The course will cover basic music literacy concepts and an introduction to writing for one instrument.

We suggest students be at least 12 years old with a minimum of three years of private lesson study (or teacher recommendation).

September 14 – November 16
Mondays, 5:30 – 6:15
$150.00 per 10-week session; financial aid available

🎶Hello, Everybody!🎶

Registration is open for fall Music Together classes! Join us this fall for singing, dancing, instrument play, and musical fun featuring the Bongos collection (Mixed Ages) and Hippo collection (Rhythm Kids)!

We've added new class days and times to our schedule for both Mixed Ages (for kids 0-5) and Rhythm Kids (for kids 4-6) classes, so there are lots of options to join us.

Payment plans and need-based financial aid are available. Registration link ⬇⬇

Congrats to Justin on his 2026 Martin Scholarship! Justin is a student of violin teaching artist and Crescendo Executive Director Audrey Lipsey.

Local 228 is proud to continue introducing its 2026 Martin Scholarship recipients: Justin Liggins began playing the violin at the age of nine. As a high school senior, he was the assistant concertmaster for the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra, a member of the KJSO String Quartet, and a member the KJSO’s Youth Advisory Council. He also served as an intern for the KJSO Prep Strings for the last three years. Justin has been a part of number of other local ensembles, including Orchestra Jammbo’laya, Kalamazoo Kids in Tune, and the KJSO Prep Strings Orchestras. He noted that some highlights of his musical journey have included playing with the Piano Guys at Miller Auditorium and attending the Sphinx Performance Academy at the Juilliard School in New York City in the summer of 2025. Justin currently studies violin with Local 228’s Audrey Lipsey, and he plans to major in music at Western Michigan University’s Irving S. Gilmore School of Music this fall. He will also be a member of WMU’s Lee Honors College, continuing the tradition of academic excellence he demonstrated throughout high school. In his scholarship application, Justin wrote that “…music is my passion, and I aspire to become a professor in music”. The Martin Scholarship will help with college expenses as he works towards this goal. Bravo, Justin!

2026 Annual meeting performers and Executive Director Audrey Lipsey

Sending out a special "Thank You!" to all of the students and teaching artists who performed at Crescendo's 2026 annual meeting in June.

Teaching Artists: Mark Portolese (piano and violin), Megan Laine (voice), and Jesse Williams (clarinet and saxophone)

Students: Sadie (French horn, student of Margaret Hamilton); Grace (violin, student of Ann Cirvencic); Jaden (clarinet, student of Jesse Williams); Ryan (piano, student of Julian Avendaño); and Justin (violin, student of Audrey Lipsey).

Congrats to Colton, who currently studies at Crescendo with Teaching Artist Kip Hickman!

Local 228 is celebrating the five-year anniversary of its Martin Scholarships! Since 2022, these awards have supported summer study, tuition and fees, instrument upgrades, conference presentations, and more. Today we begin introductions of the seven (!!!) recipients of our 2026 scholarships:

Colton Colingsworth has just graduated from Gobles Public Schools, performing for years in multiple aspects of their music program. His resume reflects participation in many district and state Solo and Ensemble festivals, as well as MSBOA’s District VI Honors Band and Western Michigan University’s Spring Conference Honors Band. Colton has attended Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and has performed in the Lake Michigan Youth Orchestra and the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra, having just returned from the KJSO’s tour of the Balkans. He studies trombone with Local 228’s Edward (Kip) Hickman. This fall, Colton will attend WMU’s Irving S. Gilmore School of Music, where he will study performance and music education. His Martin Scholarship was awarded to help support the purchase of a new trombone. Bravo, Colton!

Have you made your plans for Saturday, July 11 yet? Crescendo will be at the Kindleberger Arts - Summer Festival & Concert Series from 10 am - 2 pm. Look for us in the children's area. We'll have Music Together music playing and some instruments you can try out. Hope to see you there!

Going to Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo's Art Hop this Friday night? Make plans to visit Crescendo at 5:30 pm for a special performance by BAM!, our Black American Music Ensemble.

Financial aid applications are OPEN for 2026-2027! Need-based aid is available for all Crescendo programs and for all ages. Financial aid is awarded based on household income eligibility.

To receive full consideration for the 26-27 school year, applications should be received by August 3rd. Link to apply below ⬇⬇