OUR MISSION
The Cortlandt School of Performing Arts is dedicated to providing a dynamic environment to engage the youth and adults of the Hudson Valley in developing their musical talents. Our goal is to cultivate a love and knowledge of the performing arts at both the pre-professional and recreational levels. CSPA welcomes students of any race, color, gender , religion and national origin.
The Cortlandt School of Performing Arts utilizes the performing arts as a vehicle to nurture self-esteem, creativity, mental and physical health and to practice respect for the self and others, especially with our younger students. Age- appropriate songs and acting materials are used to train and develop the talents of our young performers. Adults can start from scratch or receive instruction at any level, and will find it gratifying to begin an instrument from scratch, or pick up where they left off.
Led by renowned, experienced music educators, the CSPA classes offer a safe, enriching and inspiring environment for all ages. Our staff is made up of professionals that not only enjoy teaching, but share musical knowledge on the instruments that they have played and performed on at a professional level. CSPA does not rotate teachers. We strongly believe that the learning process is stunted by that type of structure. You will receive instruction from one dedicated professional that has a personal interest in your growth as a musician.
We offer private lessons on piano, drums, voice, guitar /ukulele, woodwinds, brass and strings. Our teaching professionals are masters in their field, and have dynamic backgrounds in music education, instruction, recording, touring and performance arenas.
The support of our community, neighboring towns and local school districts is important to CSPA. We are members of the HVGCC (Hudson Valley Chamber of Commerce) we have hosted and have participated in many events to raise funds for important causes, including Gullotta House. We also participate in community events, offering our talents to enrich our community. (See "Our Affiliates")
Above all, the CSPA staff is committed to fully developing the natural talents of every student that comes through our doors.
OUR STORY - Ray and Carol Arrucci, Owners
We have been in the music business for over 70 years, combined! We live and breathe music, and believe in the positive power of music. Ray is a vocalist, stage and television actor and rock guitarist and Carol is a classically trained vocalist, pianist and conductor. Together we have toured, composed, directed/musical directed, and performed for audiences in the thousands.
We searched for a year and a half for a large, professional, conservatory space that had great parking, high ceilings and bright light, was easily accessible to all parts of the county and could easily expand. Our initial space was at 24 Old Albany Post Road in Croton and had all of the above plus a bakery, a pizzeria, Nail Salon, Dry Cleaners and an ice cream shop. Our customers love the full service mall, our modern building and convenient elevator. In 2016, we opened a second location in a cozy "home-like" building in Mohegan Lake, to fill a need in that area. After a year in that space, we moved into our 2nd location at 1950 East Main Street, Mohegan Lake. We have enjoyed the quick community interaction and new faces at that location, as well. Our 3rd location is on 29 Marble Avenue, Pleasantville and is a special addition, as Carol grew up there and the couple lived there for 10 years after they were married.
Carol is a certified music teacher with an award winning background in vocal music and as a musical conductor / director of over 200 shows, having directed at middle schools, high schools, colleges, community theater, Regional Theater and has even worked on Broadway. She is a church musician at The First Presbyterian Church in Ossining, directing the music in a weekly bi-lingual service. Ray's background was in retail business and a beloved tour guide, but now he is an Equity actor, a musical performer and is the business manager at CSPA. Together, our talents have combined to develop this unique and extraordinary musical training facility for all ages.
With the help of friends, family and local arts supporters, CSPA raised $10,000 on a Kickstarter campaign, in the fall of 2012. We immediately offered lessons on all instruments and voice and hired the highest quality certified music teachers in the area! In 2013, we added "The Music Depot", offering instruments for sale or for rent, and accessories are "in-stock". In the spring of 2014, Carol retired from the music classroom and works full-time at CSPA. We immediately began a popular Concert Series in our intimate venue and have produced music within our community at The Paramount Theater, local fairs and restaurants. CSPA quickly became the center of music instruction, rental and retail in Northern Westchester.