COLUMBUS MUSIC AND ART ACADEMY

What COLUMBUS MUSIC AND ART ACADEMY does

Columbus Music and Art Academy is a privately held, founder-led arts education organization founded in 2003 by Tatiana Kats in Columbus, Ohio. The academy provides choir, art, and music theory instruction to children in grades K-12 across Central Ohio, operating Saturday classes from August through May at Bethel International United Methodist Church (1220 Bethel Road, Columbus, OH). Its flagship offering is the Columbus International Children's Choir (CICC), a multi-tiered choral program with ensembles segmented by age and ability (Creative Notes ages 5-7, Rainbow of Voices ages 7-10, Cantiamo ages 10-14, Vocalise ages 12+, Viva Voce ages 14+, Cardinals boys choir ages 10+, Melodia music-and-movement programs, and the advanced Concordia ensemble). Supporting offerings include drawing and painting art classes and music theory instruction aligned with the Royal Conservatory Certificate Program and AP Music Theory exam preparation. The academy also owns and operates the annual Central Ohio Singing Competition, founded in 2011.

The business model is direct-to-consumer recurring tuition billed annually, with prorated mid-year enrollment. Pricing ranges from $495 to $795 per school year for choir programs, $600 for music theory, and $650 for art, plus a $20 one-time registration fee per new student and competition entry fees of $35-$70. Discounts include referral credits ($25), sibling discounts (10-50%), combined-class discounts, financial-need scholarships (20%), and merit scholarships. Revenue is supplemented by grants/support from the Columbus Foundation, Greater Columbus Arts Council, and Dublin Arts Council, suggesting a hybrid tuition-plus-grant funding structure.

The CICC has accumulated significant international recognition, including three gold medals at the World Choir Games (Riga 2014, Tshwane 2018, Auckland 2024), a #92 global ranking from Interkultur as of July 2025, and performances at Carnegie Hall, the White House (2015), and St. Peter's Basilica. The academy is led by Founder/Director/Conductor Tatiana Kats alongside a faculty of approximately nine named instructors, several of whom hold advanced credentials including a PhD in music theory, an MFA in art, and degrees from international conservatories. Going-to-market is concentrated on the academy's website, Facebook and YouTube channels, community concerts, and the annual competition, with parent referrals driving bottom-of-funnel enrollment.

Name

COLUMBUS MUSIC AND ART ACADEMY

Legal name

Columbus Music and Art Academy

Website

https://cmaacademy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Columbus Music and Art Academy is a Columbus, Ohio-based arts education organization founded in 2003 that offers choir, art, and music theory classes to K-12 children in Central Ohio on Saturdays during the school year, anchored by its internationally recognized Columbus International Children's Choir.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts Education Services for Children

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Schools & Conservatory Prep (Pre-College) (EDAMANAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Music Exam Prep & Certification (ABRSM, Trinity, RCM, AP Music Theory) (EDAMANAJ), Arts Education Instruction (Visual/Performing) (EDAJAFAK)

Keywords

• Children's choir education
• Music theory instruction
• Youth art classes
• Performing arts education
• Saturday arts academy

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition - Art Classes: Annual tuition for drawing and painting art classes for children in grades K-12, prorated throughout the year.
2. Tuition - Music Theory Classes: Annual tuition for music theory, harmony, ear training, and sight singing classes, with students preparing for Royal Conservatory Certificate Program and AP Music Theory exams.
3. Tuition - Choir Programs: Annual tuition for various choir programs including Creative Notes, Rainbow of Voices, Cantiamo, Vocalise, Viva Voce, Cardinals, and Melodia choirs, with fees ranging from $495-$795 per year depending on program.
4. Registration Fees: One-time $20 registration fee for new students. Additional fees may apply for choir uniforms, tours, and special events.
5. Competition Fees: Registration fees for Central Ohio Singing Competition ranging from $35-$70 per participant depending on division.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Columbus Music and Art Academy is a Saturday-based arts education academy for children in grades K-12 in Central Ohio, offering choral training through the Columbus International Children's Choir (CICC), drawing and painting art classes, and music theory courses aligned with the Royal Conservatory Certificate Program and AP Music Theory exams. The academy also organizes the annual Central Ohio Singing Competition for young singers.

Product overview

Columbus Music and Art Academy is an arts education organization offering a portfolio of programs for children in grades K-12, centered around three core offerings: the Columbus International Children's Choir (CICC) system with multiple ensembles (Creative Notes, Rainbow of Voices, Cantiamo, Vocalise, Cardinals, Viva Voce, Melodia, and Concordia) for different age groups and skill levels; art classes in drawing and painting for various age groups; and music theory classes with Royal Conservatory exam preparation. The academy also organizes the annual Central Ohio Singing Competition. Programs operate on Saturdays from August to May, with performances at prestigious venues and participation in World Choir Games competitions. Enrollment is open year-round with prorated tuition.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Columbus International Children's Choir (CICC): The flagship choir program offering ensembles for children ages 5-18, including Creative Notes, Rainbow of Voices, Cantiamo, Vocalise, Cardinals, and Viva Voce choirs.
• Central Ohio Singing Competition

Products and services

• Columbus International Children's Choir (CICC) A gold medal-winning children's choir program ranked #92 in the world by Interkultur, offering choral education for children ages 5-18 with performances at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, the White House, and St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.
• Creative Notes Choir Entry-level choir for ages 5-7 where children learn basics of choral singing, breathing techniques, proper posture, and gain confidence in singing with others.
• Rainbow of Voices Choir Advanced beginner choir for ages 7-10 that builds music-reading skills, develops healthy singing habits, and focuses on part-singing in multiple languages.
• Cantiamo Choir Intermediate choir for ages 10-14 where singers develop comfortable vocal techniques, sight-reading skills, musicianship, and may participate in yearly tours.
• Vocalise Choir Advanced choir for ages 12 and up performing the most challenging repertoire with outstanding musical abilities; travels on yearly national and international concert tours.
• Cardinals Choir Boys choir for ages 10 and up featuring various singing styles where boys learn to blend voices ranging from bass to soprano.
• Viva Voce Choir Four-part high school choir for ages 14 and up featuring student conductors who learn to conduct, choose repertoire, and teach songs to singers.
• Concordia Choir Advanced ensemble within the CICC program, performed at prestigious venues and included in touring ensembles.
• Melodia Choir Program Choir program with multiple levels (Melodia 1 for ages 3-6, Melodia 2 for ages 7-10, Melodia 3 for advanced) designed to pair with other choirs for progressive skill development.
• Art Classes Drawing and painting art classes for children in grades K-12, held on Saturdays from August to May, with curriculum covering various techniques and mediums for ages 4-7, 7-12, and 12+.
• Music Theory Classes Comprehensive music theory education including courses in Music Theory, Harmony and Ear Training, and Sight Singing, with students participating in Royal Conservatory Certificate Program and AP Music Theory exam preparation.
• Central Ohio Singing Competition Annual singing competition for children grades K-12, founded in 2011, featuring multiple divisions (Elementary, Intermediate, Senior Classical, Senior Non-Classical, Small Ensemble) with winners recognized at awards ceremony.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students perform 20% better than national average on Royal Conservatory Certificate Program exams
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bethel International United Methodist ChurchcoreOthersPrimary class location for Saturday programs. The academy holds classes and concerts at the church facility.
• Dublin Community ChurchcoreOthersConcert venue used for spring concerts and competition events.
• Royal Conservatory Certificate ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic theory curriculum aligned with RCM certification. Students prepare for and take RCM theory exams with results 20% above national average.
• New Albany Symphony OrchestraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCICC performed Carmina Burana with the New Albany Symphony Orchestra in October 2025.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• School of Rock: Large franchised music education provider offering instrument instruction, performance programs, and camps — broader in scope than CMA but competes for the same parent-spend discretionary category.
• Levine Music: Multi-instrument community music school with private lessons, ensembles, and theory instruction — comparable to CMA in combining multiple fine-arts disciplines under one tuition umbrella, but with broader instrumental scope.

Regional players

• Pacific Youth Choir: Oregon-based youth choir with multi-level ensembles and international touring — comparable in ensemble structure and competition participation though serving a different metro.
• Cincinnati Children's Choir: Ohio-based children's choir with a long history and GRAMMY recognition — comparable mission and Midwestern U.S. market, operating just over an hour from Columbus.
• Mainstreet Dance & Music Academy: Community-based performing arts academy in the Midwest offering choir, dance, and visual arts — adjacent competitive set for parents seeking a single multi-discipline arts provider in suburb-sized markets.
• Pittsburgh Youth Chorus: Pennsylvania-based youth choral organization serving children across age groups with performance and competition focus — similar ensemble and community education model.

Direct peers

• National Children's Chorus: Multi-city children's chorus with satellite ensembles across the U.S., combining voice training and music theory — comparable curriculum breadth (choir + theory) and similar competition/performance prestige goals.
• Indianapolis Children's Choir: Premier children's choir program in the Midwest with multiple GRAMMY awards and international touring — directly comparable to CICC in mission, age range, and competition profile.
• Young People's Chorus of New York City: Internationally acclaimed youth choir offering multi-level ensembles from early childhood through young adulthood — closely aligned with CICC's tiered age-group structure and touring ethos.
• San Francisco Girls Chorus: GRAMMY-winning girls' choir and music education program providing multi-level vocal training and performance opportunities — mirrors CICC's structured ensemble ladder and international performance calendar.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/cmaacademy
• Facebookfacebook.com/cicchoir

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 COLUMBUS MUSIC AND ART ACADEMY