About Us
Founded by teachers, run by teachers, Play Music NYC has been creating a musical community in New York City (and beyond) since 2011.
At Play Music NYC we believe music should be a fulfilling, flexible, joyful part of life
Music and the arts can be an incredible, crucial part of life, even if it’s just one small piece. Everyone deserves access to the beautiful things music can bring: joy, release, creativity, community, dedication, challenges, and so much more.
Whatever age or skill level, whether looking to just have fun or be a professional, Play Music NYC is committed to helping our students find how music can fit into and stay in their lives.
Finding the right teacher is the most important step
Play Music NYC is made up of passionate, motivated teachers who believe in a personalized approach. We are committed to fostering our students’ love and relationship with music, whether it’s helping them grow musically, book a professional gig, or introducing them to an instrument for the first time.
Check out our TESTIMONIALS!
Why we charge LESS than most NYC music schools and pay our teachers MORE!
Play Music NYC was founded on transparency, fair pay for our teachers, and competitive pricing for students and families.
Our teachers are paid extremely well since 1) they are doing the important work! and 2) we want to work with the very best, and we want them to stay.
At many programs in NYC the teacher turnover is quick because they’re simply not paid enough. Instead, our focus is on building community for years to come. Some instructors have worked with us for over a decade! That means that, at times, we have teachers working with kids as they grow from age 4 to age 18. This kind of relationship is special, unique, and worth investing in!
In addition, we don’t believe in “registration fees”, “payment plan fees”, etc., nor do we have you pay for an entire semester or year up front. We’ve done the math, and in many cases our lessons save you well over $1000 each school year! At Play Music NYC you pay for exactly what you get: fun, inspiring lessons with the best teachers in NYC!
Elisa Winter
Founding Director
Elisa is a passionate teacher, eclectic performer, Broadway actress, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and recording artist with extensive training in voice, cello, piano, accordion, guitar, and ukulele. She produces musical fundraisers to support local non-profits, plays with multiple bands in NYC, is a pit musician for musical theater, and records and arranges music for other artists as well as for her own personal music projects.
In 2011 Elisa co-founded Play On! Studios along with Lena Moy-Borgen, where she was able to build an incredible team of like-minded instructors to help share her fresh perspective and energy with hundreds of students. After restructuring in 2017, Play Music NYC was created to take over all private music and acting lessons, group lessons, and Sing On! Children's Choir.
Elisa and the Play Music NYC team are firm in their belief that learning music should be fun, inspiring, and flexible. Elisa takes great pride in creating a program that embodies these ideals.
