The Cortlandt School of Performing Arts

- 1950 E Main St Ste. 202, Mohegan Lake, NY 10547

Introduction / Overview

For New York families in the Westchester and Hudson Valley regions, securing reliable and high-quality after school care is essential. The Cortlandt School of Performing Arts (CSPA), located right in Mohegan Lake, goes far beyond traditional child care by offering a highly enriching and secure After School Program. Recognizing the need for a safe and nurturing environment once the school day ends, CSPA functions as a specialized child care agency and Music School, focusing on creative and academic development for the youth of the community.

CSPA’s mission is deeply rooted in utilizing the performing arts as a vehicle to cultivate a love and knowledge of music, nurture self-esteem, foster creativity, and practice respect for the self and others. Founded by Carol Arrucci, an award-winning music teacher with over 30 years of experience, the school opened its Mohegan Lake location in 2017 with the goal of providing a dynamic environment for both youth and adults to develop their musical talents. The programs are led by experienced music educators and professional musicians, offering instruction at both recreational and pre-professional levels.

As a key component of their offering, the After School Program provides a structured setting that combines necessary child care and supervision with enriching, specialized instruction. This setup allows working parents throughout Cortlandt Manor, Peekskill, and the surrounding towns to know their children are not just supervised but are actively engaged in positive, educational, and creative activities during the critical after-school hours. The professional faculty, many of whom have professional performance experience, are dedicated to providing consistent, personalized attention to foster each student's growth.

Location and Accessibility

The Cortlandt School of Performing Arts is ideally situated to serve New York families in the northern Westchester County area. The facility is located at 1950 E Main St Ste. 202, Mohegan Lake, NY 10547, USA. Its convenient positioning near major local routes makes it a straightforward destination for parents traveling from work or making a quick pickup after school.

Located in the heart of the community, accessibility is a priority to ensure all children and parents can comfortably utilize the services. The location provides the following key accessibility features, which are highly valued by New York residents:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring smooth entry into the facility.
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot, offering convenient and compliant parking options directly near the building entrance.

This commitment to physical accessibility ensures that the enriching arts and after school programs are open to the entire Hudson Valley community. The school’s presence in Mohegan Lake solidifies its role as a local educational and creative hub.

Services Offered

As a leading Music School and After School Program in the Mohegan Lake area, The Cortlandt School of Performing Arts offers a diverse range of services designed for comprehensive child development and artistic growth. Their core offerings include:

• After School Program (Child Care Agency Function): Provides a safe, positive, and structured environment during the critical after-school hours. This program is a foundational element, ensuring students are cared for while engaging in supportive and enriching activities.
• Music Program: A comprehensive music education offering private music lessons and group classes for all ages and experience levels. Instruction covers a variety of instruments and musical styles, including classical, jazz, and contemporary.
• Voice Lessons: Specialized instruction in Voice Lessons is available, focusing on developing vocal technique, repertoire, and performance skills, suitable for aspiring singers in a contemporary or musical theatre setting.
• Chorus Sessions: Group music enrichment focused on dynamic chorus sessions taught by K-12 certified music teachers, emphasizing ensemble playing and culminating in short performances.
• Instrumental Instruction: Classes and lessons in various instruments such as guitar, keyboard, flute, trumpet, drums/percussion, cello, and violin. Keyboard and some other instruments are provided for group classes.
• Creative Arts Instruction: Weekly creative arts instruction that offers students opportunities for self-expression through the exploration of various artistic mediums, fostering creativity and developing artistic skills.
• Chess Program: Regular chess instruction designed to cultivate and enhance strategic thinking, problem-solving, and critical analysis skills through engaging lessons and practice games.
• Academic Support: After-school offerings often include assistance with homework and supportive learning activities, linking arts enrichment with academic reinforcement in areas like English Language Arts and STEAM.
• Adult and Teen Classes: The mission extends beyond youth to adults, offering instruction for those looking to start an instrument from scratch or resume previous studies, providing options like Digital Music, Ensembles, and advanced-level instruction.

Features / Highlights

The Cortlandt School of Performing Arts distinguishes itself as a premier child care and enrichment option for New York families through several key features that highlight its dedication to quality and student success:

• Professional, Dedicated Faculty: The instructors are professional musicians, performers, and experienced music educators who maintain a personal interest in each student's growth. The school adheres to a policy of non-rotating teachers to ensure consistency and a dedicated student-teacher relationship, which is critical for long-term development.
• Comprehensive Performing Arts Focus: The CSPA approach leverages the performing arts to nurture vital non-musical skills, including self-esteem, creativity, mental and physical health, and respect for others. This holistic model prepares students for success both on and off the stage.
• Age and Level-Appropriate Curriculum: All songs, repertoire, and instruction are meticulously chosen to be age-appropriate and level-appropriate, ensuring young performers are trained and developed effectively and safely. The curriculum covers everything from music theory to performance techniques.
• Unique Enrichment Offerings: Beyond music, the inclusion of programs like the Chess Program, Sports Program (focused on agility/fitness), and Fashion & Design, provides a diverse set of creative and intellectual outlets, making the after school hours engaging for a wider range of student interests.
• Support for Budding Musicians: For more serious students, the school offers artist development, which includes advanced songwriting, recording opportunities, marketing strategies, and performance techniques, offering a glimpse into professional music production.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: The Mohegan Lake location is part of a growing network of facilities across Upper Westchester that are designed to meet the diverse needs of students, offering a nurturing and inspiring environment where talent can flourish.

Contact Information

Families in the New York area seeking a high-quality after school program, music education, or specialized child care enrichment are encouraged to contact The Cortlandt School of Performing Arts for more information:

Address: 1950 E Main St Ste. 202, Mohegan Lake, NY 10547, USA

Phone: (914) 402-4250

What is Worth Choosing

The Cortlandt School of Performing Arts represents the ideal after school solution for parents in Westchester County who prioritize enrichment over mere supervision. What makes CSPA worth choosing is its dual function as a reliable child care agency and a high-caliber music and performing arts school. Instead of shuffling children between multiple activities and tutors, CSPA provides a singular, safe, and professional destination where academic support and artistic instruction are seamlessly integrated.

The deep experience of the staff, many of whom are actively performing professionals, guarantees instruction of the highest quality. This means that New York students are not just taking a recreational class; they are being taught by masters of their craft in a supportive, non-rotating teacher model that promotes deep, lasting learning and development. By fostering a child’s creativity, self-esteem, and physical health through the arts, CSPA ensures that the hours spent after school are productive, enriching, and joyful. For parents who want to give their children an edge in confidence, creativity, and discipline, CSPA in Mohegan Lake is the premier choice in the Hudson Valley.

The Cortlandt School of Performing Arts

1950 E Main St Ste. 202, Mohegan Lake, NY 10547, USA