Founded in 1916 by violin and piano duo David Mannes and Clara Damrosch Mannes, what started out as a community music school named The David Mannes School of Music has grown into a world-class conservatory of music.

Today Mannes College of Music trains and nurtures classical musicians of all ages. The College attracts superb students from around the world to study at the highest level in the international capital of classical music, New York City. Mannes cultivates an intimate and supportive atmosphere allowing close and constructive relationships among students, faculty, and administrators.

The College Division, the institutional core of Mannes, trains aspiring young classical musicians to become first-rate, professional artists.

Founder David Mannes believed that music education should be open to all who have a desire to learn. Mannes College of Music remains committed to this mission through its Extension and Preparatory Divisions which serve a diverse population of students from children and adult beginners to young virtuosi and working professionals.