The History of the State Street Academy of Music

The State Street Academy of Music officially opened its doors to students in the spring of 2006, but the process started three years earlier.

In 2003, community members, businesses, religious affiliations and other organizations in the Harrisburg area joined together to create what would become the SSA. The goal of the new academy was to provide high-quality music instruction and activities primarily to the children and youth of Harrisburg who have shown talent and promise in the field of classical music, regardless of ability to pay. 

In August 2003, the academy took a large step toward that goal when it opened a two-week, all-day summer program titled State Street Klassical Kids. This successful program was attended by more than 40 children in grades 2 through 8 in the Harrisburg area and introduced them to many music-making activities. The program was housed in the St. Lawrence Chapel on State Street in Harrisburg, which was then largely unused due to the discontinuance of regular religious services at the site.

The Foundation for the Preservation of Historic St. Lawrence Chapel was formed to receive tax deductible donations of cash and in-kind services for use in renovating and maintaining the St. Lawrence Chapel, including the conversion of the Chapel's basement into space for music education and practice.

In Fall 2004 the Academy launched the Sundays on State Street concert series at St. Lawrence Chapel.

A year later, in Fall 2005, the SSA took the next step by offering its first opportunities for students: piano lessons and a children’s choir.

With construction of the Ortenzio Music Suite completed, the school celebrated a grand opening in April 2006. By this time, voice lessons had been added to the curriculum and SSA had enrolled 30 students.

After more than 20 years at the St. Lawrence Chapel, State Street Academy moved to a brand-new location during the Summer of 2025!  State Street Academy of Music, is now located at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on the corner of Seneca and Susquehanna Streets. This move gives us more space, better parking, and an even more inspiring environment for our students to learn and grow musically. St. Paul’s is a most welcoming congregation and their church has been a generous host for our Summer Music Camp for several years. The immediate area is residential, located a short distance from both the Nativity and STEAM schools where we provide group and private music instruction.

Today, SSA has over 150 students taking applied music lessons on a variety of instruments and participating in performance class and a variety of ensembles. To date, approximately 450 students have participated in the program. Most are from the following school districts: Central Dauphin, Cumberland Valley, East Pennsboro, Halifax, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Northern York, Camp Hill, Perry, Steelton/Highspire, and West Shore. In addition, SSA has students who attend public schools, public charter schools, private schools, and homeschool. Plus, SSA also provides group and private instruction at several schools around Harrisburg, including Pennsylvania Steam Academy, The Nativity School of Harrisburg, St. Stephen's Episcopal School, and The Samuel School.

SSA music events include student recitals, held twice a year, as well as a spring Honors Recital. An annual week long Classical Children’s Summer Camp, which ends with a participant recital. Students and faculty also participate in fundraising performances throughout the year.