Experience the noble art of music making by signing up for our education program. Lessons and classes are taught by the Academy Players — the core instrumental musicians of the Academy of Sacred Drama.
Instruments Offered
Our Faculty: the Academy Players
Jeremy Rhizor
violin & primary class instructor
Jeremy Rhizor is the founder and artistic director of the Academy of Sacred Drama. He was a guest lecturer for Teatro Nuovo at SUNY Purchase, guest taught the instrumental Collegium Musicum class at the Eastman School of Music, and taught a music history class for homeschoolers.
| in-person lessons in Westchester and Putnam Counties |
| online lessons in New York City |
Arnie Tanimoto
cello & viola da gamba
Gold medalist of the 7th International Bach-Abel Competition, Arnie Tanimoto was the first-ever viola da gamba major at The Juilliard School, where he soloed on both baroque cello and viola da gamba. He is on the faculty of Mountainside Baroque Summer Academy.
| in-person lessons in Roosevelt Island and Manhattan |
| online lessons in Westchester and Putnam Counties |
Adam Cockerham
lute, theorbo, & class instructor
Adam Cockerham specializes in theorbo, lute, and baroque guitar. He received his doctorate from The Juilliard School. He was an adjunct faculty member at Fordham and UC Irvine, tutored music theory and ear training, and lectured in music history at Juilliard.
| in-person lessons in South Orange, NJ, Jersey City, NJ, and Manhattan |
| online lessons in Westchester and Putnam Counties |
Marc Bellassai
harpsichord & class instructor
Marc Bellassai performs early keyboard music with ensembles from Baltimore to New York and was a Fulbright scholar. He currently teaches harpsichord, art history, and directs the Early Music Ensemble at Towson University. He is interested in the music and literature of the Italian sixth and seventh centuries.
| online lessons in New York City, Westchester County, and Putnam County |
The Lesson and Class Experience
We offer a stand-alone baroque music history and theory class along with a combined lesson and class experience.
Learning a baroque instrument is both a personal journey and an opportunity for social music making. Our first and second semesters run for five months each. During a semester, you will receive lessons three times a month from an expert teacher in your instrument. An interactive online course taught by the faculty will help introduce you to the world of baroque music and expose you to various musical styles and concepts.
Getting started is easy. We will work with you to help you get an instrument that fits your needs and budget. If you’re interested in trying out an instrument before committing to it in the long term, rentals are sometimes available. We will get to know you through an online questionnaire and a phone or in-person conversation before inviting you to commit to a semester of instruction.
The first semester runs from September 2021 through January 2022, and the second semester runs from February 2022 through June 2022. Hour lessons are generally offered on the first three weeks of the month, and 1.5 hour classes are offered on the first two weeks of the month. Each semester culminates in a weekend workshop and performance. Instructors offer both online and in-person instruction depending on your location. Online instructors will arrange to meet with you in person quarterly.
Tuition Rates and Discounts
Each household of one to four students must purchase a yearly membership as a prerequisite to taking lessons (starting at $200). As this is a new program drawing together a faculty of experienced teachers, we are working to finalize tuition rates for the first and second semesters. Discounts will be available for seniors 65+ and additional family members in a household.
Semester fees will be due three weeks before the start of the semester (August 16, 2021 and January 10, 2022). There is also an option for quarterly payments on August 16, 2021, October 25, 2021, January 10, 2022, and March 21, 2022.