We are Hampton Roads' only independent non-profit community music school that is accredited by the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts. Our mission is to provide quality instruction to the residents of Hampton Roads, regardless of their ability to pay. Founded in 1991, The Academy of Music offers private and group instruction for most instruments and voice. Our instructors are highly trained professionals and include members of the Virginia Symphony and other leading ensembles.The Academy provides funding for students enrolled in private study who could not otherwise afford music lessons. This year, some 250 students will receive music instruction at little or no cost to themselves through partial or full scholarships or thanks to grant-supported outreach programs and presentations. In 2000, The Academy of Music was fully certified by the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts after meeting its rigorous evaluation criteria.
The Guild provides leadership and advocacy for some 300 schools of the arts across the country, sets quality standards and promotes public awareness of the value of arts education. The Academy is one of only two fully certified schools in Virginia.
Highlights and features
- Harp, Strings, Horn, Bass, Cello, Music Theory, Viola, Clarinet, Violin, Drums, Organ, Voice, Fiddle, Flute, Piano, Guitar, Saxophone
People
Rachel Ruth Crumbly
Piano
Mrs. Crumbly's teachers include Daniel Paul Horn, Louis Nagel, Joanne Smith, and Kelley Benson. While a student, she was awarded the William Phemister prize in piano and the Joanne A. Smith prize in Piano Pedagogy. Mrs. Crumbly was a full-time lecturer in the pedagogy department at the University of Michigan, where she began her teaching career. She has performed extensively as both soloist and collaborator, and has worked locally with other soloists and groups such as the Virginia Chorale and Virginia Symphony Chorus.
Carol Thomas Downing
Violin, Fiddle, Recorder
Ms. Downing is an experienced violinist, singer, children's choral director and an avid Celtic & Old-time fiddler. She has trained young musicians from preschool through the university level. She specializes in teaching ages 5 - adult, Suzuki Violin Books 1 - 7, and beginning through advanced fiddling. Her teachers include Berl Senofsky (violin) and Ruth Drucker (voice). Ms. Downing is former faculty member and chairperson of the Musicianship Department at the Peabody Preparatory of the Johns Hopkins University, where she taught violin, musicianship and chorus.
Rebecca Gilmore
Cello
Her teachers include Janos Starker, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, Norman Fischer and Desmond Hoebig. Ms. Gilmore is currently a faculty member with The Academy of Music and Virginia Wesleyan College. She is an orchestral and chamber musician, and is currently Acting Assistant Principal Cello with The Virginia Symphony.
Reviews (3) Lynette Gilmour Crouch
Dec 06, 2019
Vedette Keplar
Jun 04, 2016
We have been with the AOM for three years and we absolutely love it. The pre twinkle program offers a loving environment for the little ones. All of the teachers are incredible. When our family had a financial hiccup, they gave our son a scholarship which enabled him to start the program. I cannot thank the academy enough for supporting our son and entire family with patience, kindness and stellar instruction. We especially love they continue to keep the experiences fresh with workshops and summer camps. We are much better off for the experiences!
Marc Hoecker
Dec 02, 2015
The best way hands down to get music education for students regardless of your financial means. Music education facilitates the development of long term life skills that should not be denied to anyone who wants to pursue them. AOM makes this happened with a great roster of faculty for every instrument imaginable including voice.
