Our Mission
New Music School pioneers the new standard in music education.
Music fused with Drama, Art, Theatre, Dance, and Media defines the NMS experience. New Music School provides the finest private music instruction through our stellar faculty, cutting edge curriculum, and by collaborating with fine art organizations.
The Vision of New Music School
Interview with Executive Director Francisco Ybarra
So Francisco, there is clearly a buzz about New Music School. What is it and how does it differ from other schools?
Too often music is forced in a box. Students normally learn music through their band or orchestra but unfortunately, never explore how it relates to other art forms beyond those walls. At NMS, we aim to bridge the divide between music and other fine arts. We stand in partnership with leading art instituitions in Chicago. NMS students are not only exposed to these organizations through concerts, but most importantly, through intensive workshops with other performers in the visual arts, theatre, dance, and media.
These exposures and classes will not only benefit students to become well rounded musicians but well rounded individuals. Whether or not students go into the music professsion the training they receive allows them to excel in any profession. Students gain self confidence, public speaking skills, leadership abilities, and most importantly learn how to communicate well.
But what about the name?
Well, some may think I came up with the name New Music School because the school is young, or the idea was new. Both are true to an extent, but mainly I use the word "new" because of my passion for contemporary music. This new music, in my eyes, is music that is happening and being composed now. But also, we must remember that all music was new, and perhaps revolutionary at a time. For example, take the Baroque or Renaissance era. These two time periods are completely ignored in most schools and are considered, stale, or academic, or "nice." But once students dive into them, they realize their depth - their fire. These classics become a foundation and are used as the platform to launch new compositions and work with living composers. I think its important to continue the history of keeping music new.
Tell me about the other parts of the curriculum?
Well, most importantly, at NMS, we want our students to have fun making music. We want them to feel safe and supported in discovering new ideas, to experiment with these ideas freely, to find and mature their individuality, their creativity, and to hone their other interests through art. Our curriculum is about the experience of the whole musician. When involved in private lessons, creative workshops, masterclasses, and by being exposed to the culture around them our students gain the intrinsic value of music. Our curriculum was formed to not only shape the musician but to shape and guide the young adult.
Tell me about who makes up New Music School; the faculty, the oversight team?
When I started thinking about how to give life to a school I immediately thought of the function of the body. The idea of a skeleton came to mind. The body needs backbone to give it structure, we need muscles, blood, and breath to give us life. The bones of our school are our advisory board who are made up by the Chicago Symphony and renowned musicians in the Chicago area. Our advisory board are our master teachers that give guidance and oversight to all parts of the body. The muscles are the teachers. Our teachers are recommended to us by our esteemed advisors and work directly with our bones. Lastly, the blood and the breath that gives the body life is our students. Without our students we are not alive. This organism functions as one body that is interconnected. When thinking of the faculty and our team for New Music School it was most important for students to feel directly connected with amazing artists. This structure allows a young child to grow up and not only admire our teachers and advisors but feel directly connected. A young clarinetist not only gets inspired by attending concerts at the Chicago Symphony and watching Assistant Principal, John Yeh, but this child has direct contact in masterclasses with their teacher and John Yeh. There are personal connections made that last a lifetime.
Executive Board
Francisco Ybarra
Francisco Ybarra's forward-thinking and keen leadership provides New Music School with the necessary guidance for the institution to grow strong and sound. His vision and discerning judgement has been highly praised by colleagues. His ability to connect and inspire has created a cohesive environment that empowers and influences the next generation of artists and educators. Through founding New Music School, Francisco Ybarra has begun to cultivate his vision for a future interdisiplinary and internationally regognized performing arts school that defines new thinking defying aged conventions.
Francisco.Ybarra@newmusicschool.com
Dylan Chmura-Moore
Bold and forward thinking, Dylan Thomas Chmura-Moore advances New Music School artistic endeavors with adventurous and robust programming. In this challenging artistic climate, Dylan takes the reigns of institution building with vigor and resolute vision. Ligeti, Xenakis, and Cage are a few of his Old Masters and he understands no longer do we live in a world of antiquated romanticism or Classical bureaucracy. With that said, overseeing NMS reperatory, Dylan does not ignore composers like Mozart or Beethoven and warmly recognizes some of the finest art ever written was accomplished by these true futurists. However, as we live in this 21st century, it is time music, art, dance, theatre, media, and the education of these fine arts are stripped and built anew.
Dylan.Chmura.Moore@newmusicschool.com
Sharon Tenhundfeld
Sharon Tenhundfeld's refreshing breath of life and imaginative ideas form the cornerstone of the New Music School experience, nmsCREATIVE. Through her direction, this training builds inventive artists and informed musicians. Sharon leads by example, hands-on, and provides learners with the needed integrity to fully express themselves. As a musician who has collaborated with actors, dancers and visual artists, Sharon sees her craft as theatrical, gestural and with a palette of color. As Creative Director, she imparts this expertise and stimulates young artists to become inspired by creative collaboration.