This vision for CAM became a tangible reality in 2003 through the generosity of Charles Fox of Fox Music House, with the kind donation of work space and instruments. The academy also came under the support and guidance of Enrique Graf, professor of piano and Artist in Residence at the College of Charleston, as well as the Founder and Artistic Director of the International Piano Series at the College of Charleston.
Since 2003, CAM has developed a variety of programs to meet the needs of both students and parents. Our Satellite Program is designed to give students the opportunity to take private music lessons with CAM faculty members on their own school campuses. In the spring of 2006, two more programs were added to the academy’s ever growing institution: the Honors Program and Music Café. The Honors Program was created for those select young talents whose financial needs were evident. They undergo a live audition and must properly qualify to receive a scholarship to study at the academy. Music Café is a unique opportunity for adult students and parents to come together and partake in each other’s music, accomplishments, and good company.
Through development of the Honors Program, our outreach project, which we re-named the Community Engagement Program, began in the fall of 2007. The Honors Program students perform regularly in local public schools and churches whose access to classical music is limited. Since 2006, we have also been partnering with the nationally-recognized after school program “Wings for Kids” at Memminger Elementary School, where our voice and piano faculty are able to reach out to eager and vibrant students.
Throughout the year, the Honors and Community Engagement Programs have received generous support from the South Carolina Arts Commission, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Coastal Community Foundation, the Joanna Foundation, the Zucker Family Endowment, the Bakker Family Fund, the Blackbaud Endowment, the ACMP Foundation, and SC Budget and Control Board Competitive Grant. Most recently, we were thrilled to receive further support from the National Endowment for the Arts for the development of the Honors Outreach Project in working with inner city children.
In the summer of 2008, the Charleston Academy of Music will relocate itself to the second floor at 191 Rutledge Avenue in downtown Charleston to better accommodate the increasing enrollment for the upcoming fall.
* Charleston Academy of Music admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.