The Hassadna Conservatory operates music programs in three schools throughout Jerusalem: a string instruments program at Adam School, where the conservatory is also housed; another string instruments program at Yehuda Halevi School, located just across the road; and a wind instruments program at Janusz Korczak School in the French Hill neighborhood. Each year, over 100 Jerusalem school students receive the highest level of music education within their school framework. Learn more about our diverse programs here!
Click on the different programs to discover more!
Adam School String Program
The music program at Adam was established in 2009 as a unique collaboration between Adam and Hassadna – two institutions that have shared the same roof for decades. The program was born from a shared vision to provide every student at Adam School – which operates according to Waldorf principles – with music lessons as an integral part of the educational curriculum.
We believe that exposure to the arts in general, and music in particular, makes a profound and meaningful contribution to a child’s development. Musical study encourages concentration, coordination, attention, and patience, while strengthening capacities for emotional expression, cognitive thinking, self-discipline, and inner work – tools that will accompany the child in every aspect of their life.
What does the program offer?
First year in the program: Introduction to string instruments
During second grade, every student at Adam School is introduced to playing a string instrument – violin or cello – and acquires important musical fundamentals. Students participate in weekly group and individual lessons throughout the year. The program’s teachers conduct lessons in a spirit of joy, curiosity, and enjoyment of music – a meaningful experience that accompanies the children throughout their journey.
Students who express interest and desire to continue their studies, and demonstrate commitment and openness to the musical process, are invited from the second half of the year to register at the conservatory and continue their studies through private lessons with conservatory teachers, like all Hassadna students.
Second year and beyond:
Students in their second year and beyond who continue with private lessons with a conservatory teacher are invited to receive the full range of opportunities that the conservatory offers: weekly theory classes, masterclasses, participation in young violin and cello ensembles, recitals and concerts at the conservatory, and more.
Playing together, growing together
Starting in the second or third years, string instrument students at Adam School join the Adam Students Orchestra, conducted by the conservatory staff. The orchestra serves as a space for partnership, creativity, and connection – enabling students to experience the joy of group music-making, develop musical and social skills, and take an active and meaningful part in the cultural life of both the school and the conservatory.
Watch the orchestra’s performance at the festive end-of-year concert of the String Department, YMCA, June 2025 🙂
Janusz Korczak School Wind Program
The wind instruments program at Janusz Korczak School in the French Hill was founded in 2005 as a unique collaboration between the Hassadna Conservatory and the “Havrutav” program at Janusz Korczak School. The program’s goal was to make music education an integral part of the school curriculum, and to provide students – many of whom would not otherwise have such an opportunity – with the tremendous gift that is music.
We believe that exposure to the arts in general, and music in particular, provides immense educational and emotional value, and contributes greatly to the overall level of learning in the school. Playing a musical instrument improves cognitive abilities, encourages concentration, emotional expression, self-discipline, coordination, attention, and patience. To realize this vision, each student in the program receives personal and close guidance from the team of Hassadna Conservatory teachers and Sagit Mazuz, Head of the Wind Instruments Department at the conservatory.
What does the program offer?
Grades 2-3 All students in grades 2-3 in the “Havrutav” program at Korczak School are introduced for the first time to the world of music through group lessons in one of the following areas: recorder playing, xylophone playing, or Hebrew singing. This initial encounter lays the foundation for an emotional and experiential connection with music.
Grades 4-6 Every student interested in learning a musical instrument is invited to a personal meeting with Hassadna team, where a customized program is built for them – including the selection of the most suitable instrument and teacher. Throughout the year, students participate in two main activities: private music lessons and weekly orchestra rehearsals conducted by a teacher from the conservatory staff.
Continuing Studies
Students who demonstrate commitment and perseverance are invited to continue and deepen their musical journey at the conservatory itself, and receive the full educational framework that the conservatory offers. As they progress, outstanding students join the advanced wind orchestras of the Hassadna Conservatory, conducted by Sagit Mazuz.
Festive Concerts
Festive Concerts Each year, a festive spring concert of Korczak School takes place on the beautiful YMCA stage in Jerusalem, where all the ensembles and orchestras from the “Havrutav” program have the opportunity to perform before a warm and supportive audience including teachers, families, and friends.
At the end of the year, an additional festive concert takes place – the end-of-year concert of the Wind Instruments Department at the Hassadna Conservatory, held in one of Jerusalem’s prestigious concert halls, where the program orchestra performs as a significant part of the event. Participation in this concert opens a door for the young students to a world of high aspirations and fills them with inspiration and motivation to continue and develop.
Program Gradauates
- Many program graduates choose to make music a central and meaningful part of their lives: they continue to leading music high schools, and today a growing number of them pursue advanced degree studies at music academies in Israel and even abroad.
- Program graduates are accepted to prestigious musical institutions in the country, such as the National Youth Wind Orchestra and the Young Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.
- Many program graduates serve in the IDF as outstanding musicians or as players in the IDF Orchestra.
- Each year, program graduates who began their journey in second grade and completed their studies with us in twelfth grade are added to the conservatory's graduating class. They conclude their musical journey with a music matriculation exam and the presentation of their own festive musical recital, reflecting the unique personal and musical journey they have experienced at the conservatory.
Graduate Stories - Ben Aharon Family
The three children of the Ben Aharon family studied in the Korczak program: Hadar, the eldest, on tuba, Maayan, the sister, on trombone, and Or, the youngest son, on percussion. All three underwent moving and profound musical journeys, both in the Korczak program and subsequently at the Hassadna Conservatory, and completed their studies with great distinction.
Today, Hadar and Maayan are graduates of the Jerusalem Academy of Music – Hadar serves as a tubist in the Haifa Symphony Orchestra, and Maayan performs as part of leading musical ensembles in Israel. Or is enlisting in the IDF Orchestra and continuing his higher studies at the Academy of Music.
The Ben Aharon family children are a living example of the impact and success of our music programs, which accompany students from the earliest stages to professional stages.
Yehuda Haelvi School String Program
The Yehuda Haelvy School String program was established in 2021 through a collaboration between Yehuda Halevi School and the Hassadna Conservatory. The program was founded on the belief in music’s power to open hearts, ignite imagination, and create profound change in children’s lives. Today, approximately 25 students from the school participate, learning to play violin or cello – starting from second grade and beyond.
This is not just a music program – it is an open door to an entire world of empowerment, experience, and personal expression. For many of the students, this represents their first and precious opportunity to encounter music in a deep and meaningful way – an experience that continues to accompany them for years to come.
What does the program offer?
Each student in the program receives personal and comprehensive support: two private music lessons each week, and participation in a vibrant school orchestra, where they learn to listen, create together, and feel part of something greater and meaningful.
The lessons initially take place within the school, and over the years – as they progress musically – students are invited to join the extensive activities of the Hassadna Conservatory: theory classes, masterclasses, chamber ensembles, recitals and concerts, orchestras and performances.
Playing together, growing together
TheYehuda Halevi string program orchestra meets weekly and performs several times a year at school events, with the highlight of the year being the orchestra’s performance at the festive end-of-year concert of the conservatory’s String Department at the beautiful YMCA Hall.
The orchestra promotes group music-making, self-discipline, and a sense of belonging, enabling students to express themselves through music, develop artistic skills, and engage in collaborative creation as part of their daily school life.
Watch the orchestra’s performance at the festive end-of-year concert of the String Department, YMCA, June 2025 🙂