is a unique opportunity for world-class artists to educate and connect with the next generation of concert-goers through a series of musical performance - workshops, at partnering schools of New York City and online.
Photo: School trip with pianist and pedagogue Pavel Nersessian to our partner Klavierhaus NYC.
We Offer
Workshops that embody the essence of artistry at partnering schools and online. A fun & productive way to enrich your knowledge and find out more about music's history, compositional building blocks and emotive relevance. Meet amazing, international performers you can relate to, who love to share their talent with you. Learn about how they communicate through their instruments, hear about their favorite scores and understand how music can invigorate us, build mutual respect, and heal.
About us
GetClassical In School introduces an artist driven outreach in the US - bringing classical musicians directly into NYC classrooms.
We base our mission on music education benchmarks, such as National Arts Standard & NYC Blueprint, in order to identify the missing element that is crucial for classical music education at schools: Performing Artists. The idea of establishing a dialogue with the next generations of concert goers as a part of school’s curriculum has echoed in hundreds of artist’s hearts, resulting in a rapidly growing list of partnering schools.
Artists under the guidance of our advisory board continue to inspire hundreds of students by conducting immersive and interactive workshops across New York City’s diverse community of schools.
Advisory Board
Artistic/Pedagogical Leadership
Beau Kenyon
Composer and Founding Director, “The Oakley Collective for Arts + Culture"
“Ms. Oltuski has developed a uniquely personal and effective approach to engaging young audiences. Get Classical in School not only brings world class artistry into school communities, it supports musicians to meaningfully engage with students and collaborate with educators. I am thrilled to be supporting this program and love working with Ilona.”
Glenn Dicterow
Violinist, Former Concert Master of the New York Philharmonic
“Never before has it been more important to our society to reinstate music and art back into our primary educational system. GetClassical In School fills the void that our government has failed to offer our next generation. Music is as essential as the air we breathe: It is what makes us human.”
Gary Graffman
Pianist and Pedagogue. Former Director Curtis Institute of Music.
"It is my pleasure to endorse Ilona Oltuski 's important initiative GetClassical In School. During my many years as an educator of young talent, I have seen firsthand how terrific it is to inspire youth to build a lifetime with music. With best wishes for continued success for you and GetClassical In School."
Pierre Van Der Westhuizen
Director of the Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival and Awards
"I wholeheartedly support GetClassical In School's efforts as critical in our national drive to inspire the next generation of music lovers and enthusiasts. Childhood is an age of exploration and wonder, and I can't think of a better way to develop a child's curiosity than a hands-on approach such as this. Bravo, and I look forward to seeing this wonderful initiative develop!"
Rachel Shapiro
Chamber Musician, Educational Advocate for Arts Education NYC, Hallee Baldwin award senior teaching artist.
We are honored to welcome Rachel Shapiro to our Pedagogical Advisory Board! A big thank you to the esteemed educational advocate for the performing arts! Her interest in the future of classical music has encouraged her to develop her career in diverse directions.
Gerard Schwarz
Artistic and Music Director, Palm Beach Symphony Distinguished Professor Of Music
“Dear Ilona, I wish you great success with your new project GetClassical In School and I am very happy to be included as an artistic advisor.”
Jon Kimura Parker
Pianist, Artistic Director Honens International Piano Competition
“I love doing concerts for kids and to actively involve them in the artistic process. GetClassical In School hits the sweet spot, by connecting great artists with kids in the classroom. The well-envisioned concept that provides a direct liaison between educators and an impressive talent-pool of performers, is driven by an important mission: to inspire the next generation.
I am happy to support Ilona in this exciting endeavor and wish for a continuous growth with GetClassical In School reaching many kids, in schools all over."
Idith Zvi
Artistic Director Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Competition, Council Member Wolf Prize
"I think that one of the most important goals of our generation is to acquaint the young generation to the music, that was once upon a time part of everybody's routine life essence. Thank you for honoring me by inviting me to join the board of this wonderful organisation."
Artists' Liaison
Community building leadership
David Kaplan
Pianist, Co-Artistic Director Lyra Chamber Music Festival
"I am delighted to support GetClassical In School’s mission of inspiring school children through performance. As a member of Carnegie Hall’s affiliate ensemble, Decoda, I have performed music and taught in schools all over the world, and so I know firsthand how precious an opportunity we have to install wonder and curiosity when encountering a young audience, and how easy it is to squander that opportunity!
I am eager to witness the development of this exciting project!"
Spencer Myer
Pianist, Pedgaguge, Boston School of Music and Barde College
“As classical musicians, there is nothing more important than educating young people about this art we hold so near and dear to our hearts; to open their minds and hearts, to inspire them, and to build classical music’s future audiences. Ilona’s new initiative of “GetClassical In School” is a thrilling way to bring this great music to the next generation, and I’m so excited to see where it will go and what it will build.”
Philippe Quint
Violinist, Founder Philippe Quint Foundation for Classical Music
"It gives me a great pleasure to support GetClassical in School. More than ever the world needs programs dedicated to development of arts and music in schools. Arts education process is universally recognized as one of the most valuable to children of all ages.
I wish Ilona and GetClassical much success in this new and important endeavor."
Kathleen Tagg & David Krakauer
Piano & Clarinet Duo
"An amazing initiative ! Count us in."
Ching-Yun Hu
Pianist, Founder and Artistic Director PYPA, Philadelphia Young Pianists Academy and Festival
“Ilona’s GetClassical is a very special platform for music lovers and musicians. You can always find out the latest highlights on the NY music scenes through her excellent articles. Her new efforts with GetClassical In School are tremendous. I have worked so beautifully with Ilona and looking forward for more!”
Amit Peled
Cellist, Conductor, Pedagogue Peabody Institute
"I welcome Ilona’s initiative GetClassical In School and will be happy to partake when in New York. Everything for Kids!"
Sean Cheng
Pianist, Composer, Arranger, Millsap Artist in Residence University of Missouri - Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance.
"Bringing classical music and music education to schools has broad implications beyond just the immediate exposure to great music and great performers. It encourages thinking, empathy and creativity, and all of these great qualities are essential for anyone's development. GetClassical In School is at the forefront in filling this gap in our country's education. Thank you, Ilona, for enriching the culture of our next generations! I hope to be a part of the program in the future!"
Curriculum Advisors
Adrienne Danrich
Soprano, Composer, Educator
The voice of Midwest Emmy® winning Soprano Adrienne Danrich has been described as “fresh liquid-silver” and “meltingly tender in its high, floating vulnerability” by Opera News. An experienced teaching artist, she has given masterclasses and served as an artist in residence for various schools and universities, including: St. Ursula Academy-Cincinnati, The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Cincinnati College – Conservatory of Music, Indiana University – Pennsylvania, School for the Creative Performing Arts, Jackson State and many others, she has received a Bachelor’s in Music Education from the Eastman School of Music.
