About MacPhail

MacPhail Center for Music transforms lives and strengthens communities through the power of music. As the nation’s largest community music school, MacPhail annually serves more than 15,000 students of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities through diverse music learning experiences. Our extraordinary faculty offer individual lessons and group classes on more than 35 instruments and in voice, composition, electronic music, and the recording arts. We offer instruction in four locations, online, and through dozens of community and school partnerships.

Community Programs

Leadership & Staff

Board of Directors

Financials

MacPhail Duet Awards

Employment

Annual Reports

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Accessibility

Our Vision

To transform lives and strengthen communities through the power of music.

Our Mission

MacPhail Center for Music provides access to diverse and relevant music learning experiences, delivered by extraordinary faculty.

Our Distinction

We’re committed to sharing our expertise in all we do. From our outstanding faculty and highly credible programs to our iconic building and performance halls, developing creative and inspired lifelong music learners is our passion. Implementing new ideas and technology in music learning, MacPhail Center for Music is home to world-class teaching artists who bring their rich professional backgrounds into the studio.

Our Story: Early MacPhail

William S. MacPhail, an original member of the Minnesota Orchestra, founded the MacPhail School of Violin in 1907. It didn’t take long before community interest drove expansion. The newly named MacPhail School of Music and Dramatic Art moved to a four-story facility at 1128 LaSalle Avenue in Minneapolis. Soon, the school expanded again, now offering college degrees.

    Our Story: MacPhail at the University of Minnesota

    Not long after the death of William MacPhail, the family gifted the MacPhail College of Music, now with 100 faculty members and 3,000 students, to the University of Minnesota. A new name change created the MacPhail Center for the Performing Arts.

       

        Our Story: National Leader in Early Childhood Music and Suzuki Talent Education

        In the late 1960’s, program directors designed revolutionary curricula for young children creating the Early Childhood Arts program and one of the nation’s first Suzuki Talent Education programs. It would take more than a decade for similar programs to begin across the rest of the country.

             

              Our Story: Famous Alumni

              Prince
              Prince took lessons at MacPhail to learn vocal techniques to stay healthy during the rigors of touring.

              Lawrence Welk
              Among the graduates of MacPhail’s class of 1927 was a young man with a musical dream that soon became part of American culture—Lawrence Welk.

                     

                      Our Story: Famous Alumni

                      Gretchen Carlson
                      Spending her early years acing competitions at MacPhail, Gretchen Carlson’s performance of Pablo de Sarasate’s “Zigeunerweisen” helped win her the 1989 Miss America crown.

                      Pete Docter
                      Former MacPhail student, Pete Docter, the self-proclaimed “geeky kid from Minnesota who likes to draw cartoons” is best known for directing Monsters, Inc., Up, Inside Out, and Soul. Pete is the chief creative officer of Pixar.

                        Our Story: MacPhail Today

                        In 1994, after developing a board of directors and internal administration, MacPhail became an independent, non-profit organization. The name was changed to MacPhail Center for Music in 2003 reflecting a dedication to the mission of William S. MacPhail—to promote lifelong learning through music. (former MacPhail sites)

                            At MacPhail Center for Music, we value:

                            CREATIVITY. We embrace expansive thinking, imaginative problem solving, and innovation — fundamental components of transformative teaching and learning.

                            COLLABORATION. We work together to create an environment of mutual support and trust, actively welcoming the exchange of knowledge and new ideas.

                            RESPONSIVE LISTENING. We listen and respond to our community to fulfill our mission to be a relevant center for music learning.

                            ACCESS AND INCLUSION. We believe that every person is welcome and every person belongs at MacPhail, regardless of background or experience.

                            ACCOUNTABILITY. We are honest and transparent, following through on our commitments and holding ourselves to high standards.

                            The Power of Music

                            Day in and day out, students and MacPhail teaching artists join to create an innovative model of music instruction that combines the best of classical music tradition with evolving world music. MacPhail believes that when all students are included, performance quality transforms. Students of all ages and backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged to embrace lifelong learning.

                            MacPhail Center for Music Fact Sheet (pdf)

                            Teaching Artists

                            Instruments & Voice

                            Students Enrolled

                            %

                            of all students come from diverse backgrounds

                            Community Partners

                            %

                            of students are under 8 years old

                            %

                            of students are 55+ years old

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