
As a visionary and collaborative arts community, we educate motivated students in a supportive and inclusive environment and equip them for professional success.
Shenandoah Conservatory
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

Ruane ’27 Awarded 2025 William Averitt Prize for Excellence in Composition
Erik Ruane ’27 (Bachelor of Music in Composition) was awarded the 2025 William Averitt Prize for Excellence in Composition for his wind ensemble work, ... Continue Reading Ruane ’27 Awarded 2025 William…

Ben Howard Appointed Assistant Professor of Dance
Shenandoah Conservatory announces the appointment of Ben Howard, M.F.A., as assistant professor of dance (modern dance) beginning this August. He ... Continue Reading Ben Howard Appointed Assistant Professor…

Reid ’27 Makes Broadway Debut in Lead Role of ‘Hell’s Kitchen’
Amanda Reid ’27 (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre) will make her Broadway debut in the lead role of Ali in the award-winning musical “Hell’s ... Continue Reading Reid ’27 Makes Broadway Debut…
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

String Students Earn Spots in Distinguished Graduate and Summer Programs
Violinist Nicholas Whitley ’25 (Bachelor of Music in Performance) has been accepted as a teaching assistant at University of Miami's Frost School of Music. He will receive a stipend and free tuition ... Continue Reading String Students Earn Spots in…

Ilyes ’24 Appointed Visiting Assistant Professor of Violin at Longwood University
Emily Ilyes ’24 (Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance) was appointed visiting assistant professor of violin at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia. She will teach applied violin and viola, ... Continue Reading Ilyes ’24 Appointed Visiting Assistant…

Huckle ’13 Joins Asia Tour of ‘Sunset Boulevard’
Nigel Huckle ’13 (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre) has joined the Asia tour of “Sunset Boulevard” in the role of Artie Green. Huckle is an award-winning Australian-American actor based in New ... Continue Reading Huckle ’13 Joins Asia Tour…
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.
