Creating Community through Joyful Music

It all began with a sunflower.

Walk up JOMP's path in the summer and you'll be welcomed by an abundance of sunflowers. They weren't always there. JOMP's founder Wendy Webster Ardizzone discovered a stray seed germinating near the door of JOMP shortly after moving to their new space on 1 Gorham Street. She protected and nurtured that little plant until it grew strong, tall, and eventually was joined by others. The same is true of her care for JOMP, which she founded in 1986, and the thousands of students of all ages that have made JOMP their musical home.

Wendy's vision was to create a musical community reflective of the rich diversity of the greater Worcester area. Today, with its core of outstanding faculty of more than 40 musician educators, JOMP draws students, faculty, staff, volunteers, and donors together in a joyful community united by high quality music education and performance. Access informs all of JOMP’s programming. With a beautiful facility (a former nursing home) that houses the Shapiro Concert Hall as well as 22 fully equipped music teaching studios, JOMP has created a fully accessible music space for all.

Additionally, JOMP believes everyone deserves access to a quality music education. Tuition assistance for any person with demonstrated need has been, is, and always will be at the heart of JOMP’s mission. JOMP on in. We can’t wait to welcome you.