Brooklyn Youth Chorus

What Brooklyn Youth Chorus does

Brooklyn Youth Chorus is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit youth choral education organization founded in 1992 by Dianne Berkun Menaker, who continues to serve as Founder & Artistic Director 34 seasons later. The organization delivers structured, age-graded choral training to approximately seven divisions of young singers spanning ages 5 through 18 — Pre-Preparatory (5-6), Preparatory (7-9), Pre-Teen (10-12), Teen (13-18), and three performing ensembles (Junior, Bass, Concert). Its core instructional technology is the proprietary, registered Cross-Choral Training® (CCT) methodology — a science-backed, holistic vocal pedagogy covering breath management, laryngeal registration, vowel resonance, sequential music literacy, and sight-singing in group settings.

The business model combines three revenue streams: (1) annual tuition for program participation (with flexible monthly or upfront payment options, and 100% of families receiving subsidized tuition plus 35% receiving additional need-based financial aid); (2) private lessons and elective classes (voice, piano, audition prep, musicianship skills) sold in 30/45/60-minute increments; and (3) donations, foundation grants, planned giving, and special campaigns. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the website with placement auditions for ages 7+ and audition-free Pre-Prep enrollment for ages 5-6, augmented by in-school partnership programs serving NYC public school grades 2-8. Operations span four Brooklyn rehearsal venues, with the headquarters at 179 Pacific Street housing offices, rehearsal rooms, and private lesson spaces.

The organization's commercial and reputational leverage comes from its performance partnerships and commissioning program. It has collaborated with the New York Philharmonic (winning a 2005 Grammy Award for its recording of John Adams's On the Transmigration of Souls), the Los Angeles Philharmonic under Gustavo Dudamel, Carnegie Hall, Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Philip Glass Ensemble, and pop/rock artists including Joe Hisaishi/Studio Ghibli, The National, and Beyoncé and Jay-Z (OTR II World Tour). The organization maintains an active commissioning pipeline with over 120-140 original works and world premieres from leading contemporary composers, formalized under the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Youth and Contemporary Music Initiative. A College and Career Readiness program serves high school choristers receiving financial aid, and the Cross-Choral Training® pedagogy is additionally offered as professional development to external choral educators.

Name

Brooklyn Youth Chorus

Legal name

Brooklyn Youth Chorus

Website

https://brooklynyouthchorus.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Brooklyn Youth Chorus is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit founded in 1992 that provides age-graded choral training and performing ensemble opportunities for young singers ages 5-18 using its proprietary Cross-Choral Training® methodology, supplemented by donations, private lessons, and public school partnership programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Music Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Musical Groups and Artists (711130)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Music Instruction (Instrumental & Vocal) (EDAMAAAE), Music Schools & Conservatory Prep (Pre-College) (EDAMANAE)

Keywords

• Youth choral education
• Vocal pedagogy training
• Music education services
• Children performing arts
• Choral training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Registration Fees: Annual tuition charged for program participation. Payment options include one upfront payment or monthly installments. Need-based financial aid provided to families.
2. Private Lessons and Electives: Additional revenue from optional private vocal/instrument lessons and group classes including audition prep, musicianship skills, and summer programs. Offered in 30, 45, and 60-minute increments across various package lengths.
3. Donations and Fundraising: Individual contributions from donors supporting financial aid and program operations. Special campaigns, galas, and planned giving programs mentioned.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Brooklyn Youth Chorus provides structured, age-based choral music education for singers ages 5-18 through weekly rehearsals organized into Training Divisions (Pre-Preparatory, Preparatory, Pre-Teen, Teen) and Performing Ensembles (Junior, Bass, Concert). The organization delivers instruction using its proprietary Cross-Choral Training® methodology, offering vocal technique, musicianship, sight-singing, and high-profile performance opportunities at major venues including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.

Product overview

Brooklyn Youth Chorus is a nonprofit youth choral organization offering a structured, age-based program spanning Training Divisions (Pre-Preparatory through Teen, ages 5-18) and Performing Ensembles (Junior, Bass, and Concert, ages 11-18). The core offering centers on weekly choral rehearsals using the proprietary Cross-Choral Training methodology, supplemented by optional Private Lessons, Elective Classes, and College/Career Readiness support. The organization distinguishes itself through Original Productions including Port(al), Silent Voices, and Black Mountain Songs—ambitious commissioned works premiering at major venues. Financial Aid ensures universal accessibility, with all families receiving subsidized tuition.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Diamonstein-Spielvogel Youth and Contemporary Music Initiative: An initiative that expands emphasis on contemporary music, including commissioning, collaborating with living composers, and exploring different musical genres.
• Cross-Choral Training

Products and services

• Training Divisions (Pre-Preparatory, Preparatory, Pre-Teen, Teen)
• Performing Ensembles (Junior, Bass, Concert)
• College and Career Readiness Program
• Cross-Choral Training (CCT) Vocal Pedagogy Workshop
• Public School Programs
• Private Lessons and Elective Classes
• Original Productions
• Financial Aid Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of families receive subsidized tuition
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Salt Marsh OperaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 June 2026Brooklyn Youth Chorus performed at Salt Marsh Opera's George Kent Hall in Westerly, RI, joined by Chorus of Westerly.
• New York PhilharmoniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing collaboration with multiple performances annually. Brooklyn Youth Chorus regularly performs with the NY Philharmonic including John Adams's On the Transmigration of Souls, Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Orff's Carmina Burana. The chorus won a Grammy for their debut recording together in 2005.
• Los Angeles PhilharmonicmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall for Bernstein's Symphony No.3 'Kaddish'. Premier relationship in the classical music world.
• Carnegie HallmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerformed three times in one season at Carnegie Hall, collaborating with Gustavo Dudamel, Aoife O'Donovan & The Knights, and for various recording projects.
• Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBAM Next Wave Festival presenter for original productions including Black Mountain Songs and ongoing artistic partnerships. Also premiered Everything Rises with Jennifer Koh.
• Bang on a CanmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in the Bang on a Can LONG PLAY Festival at BRIC Stoop, performing with Concert Ensemble as part of this contemporary music festival.
• PS21 Center for Contemporary PerformanceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReturn performance of Port(al) at PS21 Center for Contemporary Performance in Chatham, NY.
• Chorus of WesterlyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative performance with Brooklyn Youth Chorus at Salt Marsh Opera, with Full Choristers joining.
• Philip GlassmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with composer Philip Glass on multiple works and performances including Philip Glass Ensemble concerts at Town Hall.
• Caroline ShawmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPulitzer Prize-winning composer who has created commissioned works for the chorus.
• Joe HisaishimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerformed Music from Studio Ghibli Films at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and Tokyo Dome.
• The NationalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on the concept album I Am Easy to Find and ongoing artistic projects.
• Beyoncé and Jay-ZmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerformed on the OTR II World Tour.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Young People's Chorus of New York City: Premier NYC youth choral organization serving ages 5–18 with progressive training divisions, performing ensembles, and high-profile collaborations. Directly comparable in mission, age range, and tiered ensemble structure to BYC.
• National Children's Chorus: Multi-city youth choral program with satellite ensembles, rigorous audition-based training, and high-profile performance opportunities. Comparable in tiered division structure, professional performance focus, and touring ensembles.
• Los Angeles Children's Chorus: One of the foremost youth choral training programs in the U.S., serving children and teens through graded levels with frequent collaborations with major orchestras. Comparable in mission, training intensity, and elite performance tier.
• Boston Children's Chorus: Urban youth chorus with social-impact mission, in-school outreach, and multi-level ensemble structure. Comparable to BYC's access-driven financial aid model and public-school partnership channel.
• Levine Music: DC-based community music school offering graded instruction, ensembles, and financial aid for youth and adults. Comparable in nonprofit music education mission, tiered instruction, and access-driven pricing.
• New England Conservatory Preparatory School: Pre-college music program affiliated with a major conservatory offering private lessons, ensembles, and choral training for school-aged musicians. Comparable in pre-college vocal training depth and ensemble performance opportunities.
• Third Street Music School Settlement: NYC community music school founded in 1894 offering affordable lessons and ensembles to children. Comparable in NYC location, nonprofit mission, financial aid model, and tiered youth music education.
• Turtle Bay Music School: NYC-based community music school offering private lessons and group classes for children, including choral programs. Comparable in NYC geography, youth music education mission, and private-lesson + ensemble product mix.

Emerging players

• Pacific Boychoir Academy: Independent boychoir school offering pre-college vocal training with ensemble performances. Comparable in serving school-aged boys through graded levels with strong ensemble performance focus, though narrower in demographic.

Broad incumbents

• Interlochen Center for the Arts: Major pre-college arts institution offering intensive choral and broader arts training programs with summer camp and academy formats. Comparable in pre-college vocal/choral training for youth and ensemble performance opportunities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/bychorus
• Instagraminstagram.com/bychorus
• Xx.com/bychorus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Brooklyn Youth Chorus