October 1, 2025 — El Sistema USA® (ESUSA) and Manhattan School of Music (MSM) are proud to announce a new collaboration establishing the El Sistema USA® Scholarship at Manhattan School of Music. This groundbreaking initiative will provide an up-to-full tuition Bachelor’s scholarship for students from ESUSA member programs in the United States and Canada, beginning with the 2026–27 academic year.
This new scholarship underscores the shared commitment of ESUSA and MSM to expand access to world-class music education and to invest in the next generation of young musicians who use their artistry to transform their communities.
“We are thrilled to work with Manhattan School of Music to create this meaningful opportunity for students in El Sistema USA programs,” said Elizabeth Moulthrop, Executive Director of El Sistema USA. “When connected with the right resources and opportunities, our students can do anything. This scholarship opens the doors to professional music training at the highest level, ensuring that talented students from our member programs can pursue their dreams.”
Founded in 1918, MSM is one of the world’s preeminent conservatories, serving more than 1,000 on-campus college students from more than 50 countries across the globe and dedicated to shaping generations of performing artists through innovative education, distinguished faculty, and global artistic collaboration.
“A core part of our mission at MSM is to identify students who can be inspired and empowered to realize their full potential and prepare them to be effective contributors to the arts and society,” said James Gandre, President of Manhattan School of Music. “This scholarship will remove a financial barrier, making access to a premiere, international conservatory possible for successful applicants. We look forward to welcoming the first ESUSA Scholarship recipient to campus and supporting them in finding their success.”
Applications are open now with a December 1st priority deadline. To review important MSM College Application dates, please click here.
For more information on the admission process, please email admission@msmnyc.edu.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must be active participants in ESUSA full member organizations in good standing. This does not include participation in short-term programs hosted by a member organization, individual members, or affiliate members. The student must be an active participant in an ESUSA member organization for at least one full year prior to applying.
The scholarship recipient will be selected through MSM’s regular admission and audition process, with consideration given to musical excellence, academic achievement, community engagement, and demonstrated financial need.
The award will cover up to full tuition, renewable annually for students and equal to the cost of tuition each year the students remain enrolled in good standing at MSM. At least one student from an ESUSA member program who successfully completes the MSM admission process and meets the eligibility requirements will receive the scholarship each year.
How to Apply:
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- Apply through the main Manhattan School of Music Application.
- Students can identify yourself as an El Sistema USA student under the “Details” section of the application in order to be considered for the scholarship.
- Find the “Details” section of the application and scroll down to the section called “Precollege and Youth Ensembles”.
- Applicants must answer YES to “Have you participated in any youth music or community ensembles such as youth orchestras, pathway programs, El Sistema programs, community bands, honors choirs, etc.?”
- Applicants must select “El Sistema USA Member Organization” under the dropdown menu that says “Please select from the list below of ensembles in the US.”
- MSM and ESUSA will verify the student participation in a member organization.
About El Sistema USA®
El Sistema USA® (ESUSA) works to ensure every child has access to high-quality music education that celebrates their voice and potential by building a national network of member organizations and educators. With over 140 member programs, 6,000 teaching artists, and 25,000 students, we support our network with staff development and training, research and data, student leadership programs, and advocacy for the field. ESUSA is committed to equity and excellence in music education. We envision a world in which every child—regardless of income, geography, or identity—has access to a high-quality music education program that builds community, opportunity, and personal growth. Our model emphasizes programs with free or low-cost tuition, frequent instruction (5-10+ hours per week), and ensemble-based learning.
About Manhattan School of Music
Founded as a community music school by Janet Daniels Schenck in 1918, today Manhattan School of Music (MSM) is recognized for its more than 1,025 superbly talented undergraduate and graduate students who come from more than 50 countries and nearly all 50 states; its innovative curricula and world-renowned artist-teacher faculty that includes musicians from the New York Philharmonic, the Met Orchestra, and the top ranks of the jazz and Broadway communities; and a distinguished community of accomplished, award-winning alumni working at the highest levels of the musical, educational, cultural, and professional worlds.
The School is dedicated to the personal, artistic, and intellectual development of aspiring musicians, from its Precollege students through those pursuing doctoral studies. Offering classical, jazz, and musical theatre training, MSM grants a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees. True to MSM’s origins as a music school for children, the Precollege Division is a professionally oriented Saturday music program dedicated to the musical and personal growth of talented young musicians ages 8 to 18. The School also serves some 2,000 New York City schoolchildren through its Arts-in-Education Program, and another 2,000 students through its critically acclaimed Distance Learning Program.
Media Contact:
- Carmen Delgado, Communications Manager, El Sistema USA®, carmen@elsistemausa.org.
- Jeff Breithaupt, Vice President for Marketing, Communications, and Alumni Affairs, Manhattan School of Music, jbreithaupt@msmnyc.edu.