Mission

The Louisville Academy of Music provides equitable music education that nurtures lifelong learners, not solely as musicians but also as creative, inspired people. 

Vision

Music education is a force to realize potential, achieve dreams, and build a more engaged and empathetic society. 

Core Values

GROW: Progress over perfection

CONNECT: Music brings us together

EXPLORE: Be curious, be creative, be innovative

PLAY YOUR PART:  Individual artistry strengthens our community

At the Louisville Academy of Music, we believe everyone - at any age or level - can access the joy and transformative power of music. We're Louisville's nonprofit community music school, and our core work centers around one-on-one lessons within an enriching learning environment. Real, individualized instruction that builds not just skill, but confidence and a lifelong love of making music. 

Last year, our 30 degreed faculty taught over 17,000 lessons to 1,000 students. And because we believe music shouldn't be a privilege, our scholarship program has grown from $12,000 in 2020 to $100,000 today -  10% of our operating budget. None of that happens without community support: 40% of our budget is contributed. If that resonates, I'd love to have you at a recital, or connect you with our ED for a tour or coffee.

Access our FY25 990 HERE. Annual Audit reports available upon request.

OUR HISTORY:

As part of our history, the Louisville Academy of Music acknowledges the indigenous peoples and nations, including Cherokee, Shawnee, Osage, Adena, Hopewell, and Myaamia Tribes who originally inhabited the land we gather on today. We acknowledge that they were removed unjustly, and that we in this community are the beneficiaries of that removal. We honor them as we perform, work, and study here at the Louisville Academy of Music.

The founding of the Louisville Academy of Music on February 15, 1954 was the result of a partnership between Robert French and Donald Murray. French assumed the administrative duties while providing income through copying symphonic scores and parts, and Murray taught piano and jazz workshops. A staff of eight gave vocal and instrumental lessons. The Academy Chorale, a twenty-member vocal ensemble, was soon formed by faculty member Richard Dales.

In 1956 the school moved from Bardstown Road to 1020 S. Fifth Street. A board of directors was formed and on March 25, 1957 the school was incorporated as a non-profit educational institution. In July of 1957 the Academy leased the Victorian home of James Breckinridge Speed at 505 W. Ormsby Avenue. With larger quarters the school was able to organize a piano technology department, headed by Russell Sturgeon. In addition, the Louisville Youth Orchestra was founded by Robert French in 1958.

In 1960 the Academy expanded and purchased the St. Matthews School of Music for use as a second location. Soon after, in 1961 Robert French married Ruth French and they began a dynamic leadership of the Academy. In 1971 the current location of 2740 Frankfort Avenue was purchased and proved to be the perfect place for Robert and Ruth to develop their vision.

In 2011 Robert passed away but Ruth continued as president while teaching violin full-time. Robert left behind his extensive music archive, accumulated from many years of research, and his collection of all things musical in Louisville. Those materials were donated to The Filson Club, the Speed Museum, and the University of Louisville School of Music. The Academy retained much of his library: an archive of thousands of books, records, and files on Kentucky musicians and organizations.

In June of 2018 Ruth retired after 62 years of dedicated teaching. She also stepped down from her service as president, a role she had held since 1999. She passed the leadership of the school to her former violin student Sara Louise Callaway. Sara is honored to continue the life long work of Robert and Ruth French and looks forward to continuing to serve the Louisville Community for many years to come.