The Diller-Quaile School of Music

The Diller-Quaile School of Music was founded more than a century ago by pianists Angela Diller and Elizabeth Quaile. Since the School’s founders believed that the capacity for understanding and creating music exists in everyone, it was essential that their music school provide a dynamic and well-rounded experience not just for select students, but for all. The mission of The Diller-Quaile School of Music is to develop the innate musicality in each individual, inspiring participation for a lifetime. In furtherance of this mission, our programs seek to provide meaningful and beautiful artistic experiences for musicians of any age, and for those of any level of musical expertise.

Today, Diller-Quaile is a thriving community music school on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, comprised of the following departments: Early Childhood, Instrumental and Vocal, Adult, Teacher Training, and Community Programs. Our mission is at the core of the innovative and comprehensive educational programs that we offer at the School, and through our Community Programs and initiatives that bring the joy of music to individuals throughout New York City. This year, Diller-Quaile will welcome more than 600 children and adults of all ages for classes, lessons, concerts, and musical events, and will serve more than 3,000 children, youth, and seniors through our community-based programs.

Diller-Quaile’s Adult Chamber Music Workshops provide opportunities for amateur instrumentalists of all levels to explore chamber music repertoire within a musically dynamic and supportive environment. The programs’ goals are to: provide artistically beautiful collaborative ensemble playing experiences; deepen knowledge of and facility with chamber music repertoire that is diverse in genre, era, instrumentation, and style, and; develop the innate musicality of each participant within a connective ensemble experience. Repertoire is chosen to be both technically challenging for each player at his or her experience level, while also setting realistic goals for preparation and performance. Chamber groups are formed with experience levels and individual participant goals in mind, and dedicated coaches work closely with each ensemble to make constructive suggestions for individual and ensemble technique, to facilitate collaboration and discussion within the ensemble, and to pursue customized musical objectives.

The Diller-Quaile School of Music is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Precollegiate Arts Schools and is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music. In addition, Diller-Quaile is a member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education and is an approved provider of Continuing Teacher and Leader Education by the New York State Education Department.