The Hartt School Community Division (HCD), the community extension of The Hartt School, is a national model for community schools on university campuses.
Our innovative faculty provide a learning environment that engages, enriches, and transforms aspiring artists from pre-k to adult.
We work with more than 2,800 students every year in activities that include:
We believe in the transformative power of the performing arts. We look forward to welcoming you to our community.
HCD offers programs for students as young as age 0. Visit our early childhood page to learn more about how your child can begin their journey into the worlds of music and dance!
HCD has more than 150 music educators — specialists in their instruments and fields — who focus on the development of well-rounded musicians, from practice to performance.
HCD’s dance program offers a comprehensive curriculum of technical training, repertoire, and performance opportunities, designed to prepare students to pursue their individual goals, whether they be professional, collegiate, or life enrichment.
Several of HCD’s programs were specially designed with college-preparedness in mind. Our experienced faculty members are here to help each and every student get a head start on a collegiate-level education.
Suzuki Guitar
David Madsen founded what is now The Hartt School Community Division Suzuki Guitar Program in 1991 and is now the Suzuki Guitar Coordinator. Madsen graduated with a Bachelor of Music in performance from the University of Connecticut, studying with David McLellan and Ed Flower.
His teaching philosophy: "Every child can! This applies not only to music and other scholastic areas, but also to life in general. How to problem solve, how to communicate, how to be a team player are only a few of the life skills I try to develop."
View Faculty BioTuba and Euphonium
Katherine holds a Master's Degree in Music Performance and a Graduate Performance Diploma from The Hartt School and a Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance and a Diploma from the Arts Leadership Program from the Eastman School of Music.
Katherine is the principal tubist of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra. She has performed with the Chelsea Symphony, Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, Wallingford Symphony, and Classic Brass of Willimantic. She has performed in venues across the United States, including Carnegie Hall, Cornell University, the Elley-Long Music Center, Eastman Theater, The Bushnell, Faneuil Hall, and Woolsey Hall.
Jazz and Popular Music Institute
Luke Nelson is a music educator and musician. Nelson holds a Master of Music Education degree from Boston University, as well as a B.A. in music theory and composition from Central Connecticut State University.
Nelson has worked with many jazz greats including Brad Goode, Don Stiernberg, Johnny Frigo, and his dear friend and mentor, Jon Hendricks. His teaching philosophy: “Teach the student, not the curriculum.”
View Faculty BioDirector of the Connecticut Children's Chorus
Neumann has ten years of experience teaching middle school choirs throughout Connecticut. She is Choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford, conducting the Schola Cantorum and the Cathedral Youth Chorus.
In addition to her teaching and conducting appointments, Neumann is a member of Voce, Connecticut’s premier professional choral ensemble.
View Faculty BioArtistic and Education Director, Dance
A native of Armenia, Sarkis Kaltakhtchian studied at the Choreographic Institute of Yerevan, where he graduated with honors. Thereafter, he joined the Armenian National Ballet. In 1989, Kaltakhtchian was invited to join Ballets Classique de Montreal.
He also performed with Banff Festival of the Arts, Classical Ballet of Costa Rica, Ottowa Ballet, Hartford Ballet, Charlotte Ballet, and Tulsa Ballet Theatre.