About Us

Our Story

Founded in 1975 by Prof. Kathleen Calderone. Offering a comprehensive quality education with a real curriculum, the school quickly took off. In 1997 the school opened a second location in Millburn, NJ.  A few years later the school outgrew the original location and had to relocate to a larger building, which is the current location in East Hanover, NJ.  Five years after opening the Millburn location the school again outgrew it's facilities and moved to its current location in Springfield, NJ.

We currently have two schools, one in East Hanover, NJ and the other in Springfield, NJ

What Sets us Apart?

Curriculum

Here at CSM we have a well-rounded and comprehensive curriculum. It's  designed on the Kodaly Music Philosophy with the Principles of the National Standards and the methodologies of Orff, Dalcroze, Suzuki Classical, jazz, Broadway, rock and roll, folk music, and popular music. It is adjusted to the individual student  based on their unique needs.

What We Offer

The school offers private music lessons to students of all ages and levels on every instrument: voice - popular & classical, strings - violin, viola, cello & bass, woodwinds - flute, clarinet - alto & bass clarinet, oboe, all saxophones, brass - trumpet, French horn, baritone horn, trombone & tuba, rock, jazz and classical percussion, piano, accordion, organ, keyboard, rock, jazz and classical guitar, ukelele, mandolin and bass guitar, sitar and Digital Audio Workshop.

There are many optional extracurricular programs and performances offered here at CSM that can enhance education even more. Every year we offer in house CSM exams and  preparation for outside evaluations such as Royal Conservatory Music Development Program, ABRSM, MEA, MTNA, ASTA, NATS, and more.

Perform in auditions and competitions; such as CSM Competition,  MEA, Golden Key Festival, MAMTG and others.

Formal annual recitals with awards and Ensembles.

Accolades and Achievements

A Founding School for Royal Conservatory Music Development Program testing.

State of New Jersey "Registered Professional Development Provider" approved by the Office of Academic and Professional Standards.

Graduates from the College Preparatory Division get accepted to notable music schools, colleges and universities and many have become professional musicians.

Our students consistently win awards in professional music associations such as American String Teachers Association, Suzuki Association of America, Music Educators Association of New Jersey, NJMEA, National Association for Music Education, and the Percussive Arts Society.

CSM students perform competition recitals at Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall In New York City and other prestigious venues in New York City and Europe.

CSM students have won prestigious competitions for performance debut with the North Jersey Symphony Orchestra, the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey, and many others.

Our Founder

Anyone whose known Professor Kathleen Calderone knows she has a life-long passion for music and the right way to teach it. With over 50 years teaching experience, Kodaly certification and countless awards and achievements Prof. Calderone has created a school unlike any other in the area. She has an unyielding drive that has propelled this institution to be the gold standard of music education. Kathleen Calderone received her BA in Music Education from Kean University, holds a Kodàly Graduate Certification in Music from Westminster Choir College, obtained her Masters of Arts for Teachers in Music at Rutgers University, a New Jersey Supervisor Certification, and is pursuing Ph.D. from Capella University. She is also an adjunct Professor at Kean University.