Pathway to Performance
Pathway to Performance is a scholarship program offered by the NBSO that provides free, high-quality private music lessons to New Bedford students who may not otherwise have access to such opportunities. Designed to nurture the next generation of musicians, the program pairs each student with a professional teacher, creating a personalized and supportive environment that fosters growth, confidence, and artistic excellence.
This initiative is more than just a lesson program—it is a long-term investment in equity, creativity, and community. Access to private instruction is one of the most significant barriers for young musicians seeking to advance their skills and explore performance opportunities. By removing financial obstacles and providing sustained mentorship, Pathway to Performance helps ensure that talent, not circumstance, determines a student’s ability to pursue music at the highest levels. Through this program, we aim to create a more inclusive and representative future for classical music.
Kids Conduct is an exciting initiative of the NBSO that invites young people to step onto the podium and experience the joy of leading live musicians. Designed especially for students in our Pathway to Performance scholarship program, Kids Conduct offers immersive opportunities to conduct members of our professional orchestra in both rehearsal and performance settings—fostering leadership, active listening, and musical interpretation from a young age.
In addition to these focused learning experiences, Kids Conduct also comes to life as an interactive pre-concert activity for young concertgoers. Before select performances, children are invited to the lobby to take the baton and conduct a small ensemble of musicians, engaging directly with the music and gaining a hands-on understanding of how sound and gesture come together in real time.
By putting students at the center of the musical experience, Kids Conduct helps demystify the role of the conductor, encourages expressive communication, and builds confidence in a fun, welcoming environment. It’s one more way we are inspiring the next generation of music-makers—and music-lovers—through access, creativity, and joyful participation.