City Music Center of Duquesne University

City Music Center of Duquesne University offers private lessons, group classes, workshops, ensemble and recital opportunities, overnight summer camps, weekly music theory tutoring sessions, jury evaluations, seating auditions with a youth orchestra, full-day workshops, guest artist masterclasses, and multi-week music courses. The program operates year-round with Fall, Spring, and Summer segments and offers lesson packages in a variety of durations and quantities for a flexible and customizable lesson experience. Full-semester package students receive a lower base rate for lessons, weekly music theory tutoring sessions, additional scholarship support from City Music Center to cover any faculty surcharges, and the opportunity to earn performance honors and financial awards through the jury process.

• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Full-semester package of 14 Saturday lessons during the Fall semester (August 15–December 12, 2026) and Spring semester (January 9–May 15, 2027); most programs run during the school year (September–May)

Founded in 1989, City Music Center of Duquesne University has served as the Pittsburgh area's premier provider of musical instruction and describes itself as the premier community music school in the Pittsburgh area. As the community outreach division of the Mary Pappert School of Music, its stated mission is to educate all who are interested, regardless of musical ability or financial situation, based on the belief that music is for everyone. Its faculty are described as award-winning, and its award-winning faculty and community connections are cited as reasons City Music Center is a top destination for many musicians. City Music Center of Duquesne University and the Mary Pappert School of Music host youth music organizations from the Pittsburgh community, including Pittsburgh Youth Chorus, Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras, and Youth Chamber Connection, and provide these groups with access to music school facilities, staff, and instructors. Degree-seeking applicants to the Mary Pappert School of Music qualify for a free lesson through City Music Center’s offerings, and the Summer Music Series includes camps, workshops, and intensives focusing on specialized activities for high school musicians and professional development for school music directors and ensemble leaders.

A testimonial from alumna Michelle Kenyon (B.S. Music Education, 2022; M.M. Performance, 2024) states that her time at City Music Center taught her how powerful community is in music and that being immersed in a group of people who were as passionate as she was was one of the main reasons she chose to pursue her musical studies at Duquesne University.

Last updated July 15, 2026.