Conservatory Facts
519
undergraduate students
300+
concerts and performances
62
full-time faculty
166
graduate students
30+
performing groups
53
part-time faculty
We are what’s next
Virginia’s premier location for collaborative performing arts education
Shenandoah Conservatory is
- Your home for high-level, individualized instruction in top-ranked programs from more than 100 master artist-educators
- Known for its unique bachelor’s, master’s, artist diploma, and doctoral programs in music, theatre, dance, and performing arts leadership
- Saturated with immersive arts experiences, including more than 300 performance opportunities produced yearly
- Igniting curiosity as a leading hub for wide-ranging research opportunities with faculty scholars
- An inclusive community of creatives pursuing artistic excellence and innovative collaborations
- Surrounded by the Shenandoah Valley’s natural beauty with convenient access to the major metropolitan areas of the East Coast
- At the center of a vital alumni network engaged in creative work on Broadway, with elite musical ensembles, in top recording studios and film and television, and as educators, music therapists, voice scientists, dancers, business owners, and so much more.
Why Shenandoah Conservatory?
Daniel Shores, '99
Daniel mixed "Songs of Orpheus," winner of Best Classical Solo Vocal Album at the 2019 Grammy Awards. He's a five-time Grammy nominee and the albums he has recorded have earned 20 Grammy nominations and 1 Latin Grammy win.
“I always strive to make great music — anything that happens after that is just icing on the cake. I’d rather make an album that sounds amazing than ever be concerned about an award.”
Music Production & Recording Technology
Why Shenandoah Conservatory?
Roman Banks, '21
Roman is the first African-American to play Evan Hansen, the title role in the Tony-winning Broadway smash “Dear Evan Hansen!” He first performed the role on December 12, 2018.
"I’ve received endless amounts of messages from people of color, both young and old, telling me how much it means to them that I’m playing the role. This opportunity is, in every essence of the phrase, a dream come true.”
Musical Theatre
Why Shenandoah Conservatory?
Thomas Wilkins, '74
In 2019, Thomas conducted the National Symphony Orchestra in a performance featuring Jennifer Hudson. He is the conductor of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
"I've wanted to be a conductor since I was 8 years old. I had never heard an orchestra before, and I knew at that moment that this was what I wanted to do with my life. When a person who looks like me, sees me and thinks 'that is a possibility for me life' — I'm excited about that."
Conducting
Why Shenandoah Conservatory?
Aubrey Lawrence, '15
Aubrey is now thrilling audiences with the innovative dance company, Diavolo: Architecture in Motion. She tours extensively and has been featured with Diavolo on “America’s Got Talent.”
"I was drawn to Shenandoah's program because of the versatility — You didn't have to choose an emphasis, like ballet or just jazz or just modern. It's a triple emphasis! I have a million reasons that answer the question 'Why Shenandoah?'"
Dance
Why Shenandoah Conservatory?
Emily Menhorn, ’15
Emily is changing the lives of patients at Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City!
“He’ll lie in bed sick all day long and not speak to his doctors, nurses, or us, and Miss Emily comes in and he jumps out of bed and starts playing the drums,” said the mother of one of Emily’s patients, Carson. In a place with so much fear, uncertainty, and pain, Emily is a light that pierces darkness. “Is it easier to be here when she’s around?" asks Carson's nurse. “Yeah.” says Carson. “Why is that?” Carson replies, “Because she gives us hope.”
Music Therapy
Admission to Shenandoah Conservatory is highly competitive.
Not only must students be academically admissible, they must also complete and pass the mandatory audition/portfolio review and interview process. Audition dates are limited and may fill and close well in advance of the audition date.
Conservatory News
Celebrating 50 Years of Music Therapy at Shenandoah Conservatory
This year, Shenandoah Conservatory students, faculty and alumni join together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the music therapy program, which ... Continue Reading Celebrating 50 Years of Music…
Mustakimov ’26 Wins First Prize at Johannes Brahms International Piano Competition
Pianist Timur Mustakimov ’26 (Artist Diploma) was awarded first prize at the International Johannes Brahms Competition in Austria. Along with a ... Continue Reading Mustakimov ’26 Wins First Prize…
Payne ’79 Honored as 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient
Jerilynn Payne ’79 (Bachelor of Music Therapy) was announced as one of Shenandoah University’s 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients in the ... Continue Reading Payne ’79 Honored as 2024…
Conservatory Faculty
Caring and Accomplished
Shenandoah Conservatory’s prestigious faculty is dynamic, creative, caring, compassionate, wise and passionately committed to the highest levels of artistic and professional excellence.
Here, you’ll study with, and perform for, award-winning composers, theatre directors and designers, and choreographers; Metropolitan Opera singers; Broadway veterans; Grammy Award-winning faculty and international competition winners.
You’ll gain a vibrant, holistic performing arts education as you learn from leading scholars in music, theatre and dance and collaborate with classmates to create meaningful artistic experiences.
Conservatory Alumni
Hardwick ’21, ’22 to Conduct Munich Radio Orchestra in Landmark ‘Let’s Play’ Video Game Concert
Acclaimed American conductor J. Aaron Hardwick ’21, ’22 (Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting, Graduate Certificate in Esports Management) is set to lead the Münchner Rundfunkorchester (Munich Radio ... Continue Reading Hardwick ’21, ’22 to Conduct…
Payne ’79 Honored as 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient
Jerilynn Payne ’79 (Bachelor of Music Therapy) was announced as one of Shenandoah University’s 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients in the category of Service to the Community. She joins ... Continue Reading Payne ’79 Honored as 2024…
Elhamalawy ’21 Cast in New York Theatre Workshop’s ‘We Live in Cairo’
Drew Elhamalawy ’21 (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre) was cast in the role of Hassan for New York Theatre Workshop’s Off-Broadway production of “We Live in Cairo” with performances running ... Continue Reading Elhamalawy ’21 Cast in New…
ShenCoLAB
Shenandoah Conservatory turns over the programming and facilities to its students for a week of unbridled exploration, collaboration and creativity.
ShenCoLAB is the only such week of its magnitude and scope offered by a university performing arts program in the United States.
The week culminates in an extraordinary event: the Festival of Arts, Ideas & Exploration, which featured 27 performances and five presentations in the inaugural year!
Take a Virtual Tour of Shenandoah Conservatory
Shenandoah Conservatory is an exciting hub of collaboration and innovation. Here's a chance to take a quick look at all the spaces in which our students engage in rich and rewarding creative experiences in music, theatre, and dance.
We're an All-Steinway School
Great music stirs the heart and inspires the soul, and Steinway pianos are celebrated as the instruments used by renowned artists to cultivate their talent and produce great music. Similarly, uncompromising excellence in performing arts education sparks the imagination and inspires the future.