Our Purpose
HCD is accredited by the following organizations:
National Association of Schools of Dance
National Association of Schools of Music
The mission of the Hartt School Community Division (HCD) is to provide a learning environment that engages, enriches, and transforms all aspiring artists, PreK through adult.
Vision
The Hartt Community Division is Committed to Community and seeks to deliver high quality opportunities in the performing arts for all.
Values
We believe in an education that:
- Celebrates the transformative power of the performing arts
- Incorporates inclusive excellence that fosters learning and encourages the personal growth of students, faculty, and staff
- Is rich in performance opportunities within the Hartt Community Division, community-at-large, and beyond
- Reflects all of its members and celebrates their contributions as we work to strengthen our community.
I absolutely fell in love with the Community Division through a summer program and began taking lessons through high school and was in the first HPA class. I am so grateful for all my experiences with HCD. Is has helped me grow as a musician and find my passion as a music educator.
Our Story
In 1920, master teacher and musician Julius Hartt opened the doors of The Hartt School of Music at 222 Collins Street in Hartford. Mr. Hartt, with his colleague Moshe Paranov and an association of teachers and students, designed the school as a cooperative. Their goal was to give 100 students broader educational opportunities than were available at the time.
The Hartt School was granted college accreditation and developed into a conservatory. In 1938, the school founded the Community Division’s current ensemble program, and Rubin Segal created The Hartt School Training Orchestra. From that one youth orchestra, The Hartt Community Division has developed more than 13 large ensembles and 25 chamber groups.
The Hartt School, along with the Community Division, merged with the University of Hartford in 1959. The Community Division offered only music programs until 2005, when the School of Dance Connecticut (formerly the School of the Hartford Ballet) was absorbed by the Community Division. The Hartt School Community Division continues to provide expert instruction in music and dance to the Greater Hartford area.
Outcomes
Recent HCD graduates go on to colleges and universities such as: Boston University, Carnegie Mellon University, Curtis School of Music, Eastman School of Music, McGill University, National Ballet of Canada, New England Conservatory, Northeastern, The Hartt School, Tufts University, Tulane, University of Connecticut, University of Michigan, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Worcester Polytech, and others.
Studying music and/or dance at HCD can spark one's drive to pursue a wide-ranged list of studies and career growth. Career tracks include: Biology – Pre-Med, Business, Education, Civil Engineering, Communications, Dance – Ballet Emphasis, Dance Pedagogy, IT, Mechanical Engineering, Media Studies. Molecular Biology, Music Composition, Music Education. Music Performance, Musical Theater. Nursing, Public Health, and more!
Our Locations & Venues
The University of Hartford’s Hartt School
Alfred C. Fuller Music Center
200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117
Phone: 860.768.4451
Fax: 860.768.4777
E-mail: harttcomm@hartford.edu
Monday–Thursday: 2–7 p.m.
Friday: 2–6 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Mort and Irma Handel Performing Arts Center (HPAC)
35 Westbourne Parkway
(corner of Albany Avenue and Westbourne Parkway)
Hartford, CT 06112
Phone: 860.768.6000
Fax (dance): 860.768.2496
E-mail (dance): dancedesk@hartford.edu
Monday–Friday: 3–9 p.m.
Saturday: 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Suzuki at the Unitarian Universalist Church (UUC)
433 Fern Street
West Hartford, CT 06107
There are no HCD administrative offices at the UUC. Please contact the main campus with any questions.
Phone: 860.768.4451
Fax: 860.768.4777
E-mail: harttcomm@hartford.edu
Contact Us
We are here to help!
Want more information about our programs? You can fill out this form, here. Or, you can reach us below more more specific information to your requests!
For general inquiries, please call the main office at 860.768.4451 or e-mail us at harttcomm@hartford.edu.
For questions regarding your bill, please e-mail hcdbills@hartford.edu.
For questions regarding private lessons, please e-mail hcdlesson@hartford.edu.
For questions regarding large ensembles, chamber music, or community engagement, please e-mail hcdaud@hartford.edu.