The vision for CAM became a tangible reality in 2003 by Eunjoo Yun through the generosity of Charles Fox of Fox Music House, with the kind donation of work space and instruments and the support and guidance of Enrique Graf, professor of piano & 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 lessons with CAM faculty members on their own school campuses. In Spring 2006, two more programs were added: the Honors Program and Music Café. The Honors Program was created for select young talented students who demonstrated financial needs. These students perform regularly in local public schools and churches where access to classical music is little to nonexistent.
Through development of the Honors Program, our Outreach Project began in 2007. In the fall of 2009, CAM will kick off yet another project: an orchestra program inspired by Venezuela’s “El Sistema,” considered by many to be the most successful music education project in the world (one of its alumnus is newly-appointed Los Angeles Philharmonic music director Gustavo Dudamel). This after school program will operate M-F and will be headed by violinist and program director Javier Orman, a College of Charleston graduate who earned his Master’s degree from the University of Michigan. The program’s goal is to reach those children who do not have the opportunity to come in contact with classical music and cannot afford quality private lessons. We wish to introduce children to playing an instrument in a fun and non-intimidating fashion. Our students are future ambassadors; they will keep our missions alive and create many more such orchestra programs throughout the world.
* The Charleston Academy of Music admits students of any gender, age, race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the academy.