Ellis Marsalis Center for Music

Located in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music uses music as the focal point of a holistic strategy to build a healthy community and to deliver a range of services to underserved children, youth, and musicians from areas battling poverty and social injustice. The Center is a safe environment where children and youth develop musically, academically, and socially; where local musicians perform, record, and develop professionally; and where the community gathers.

After Hurricane Katrina devastated the Ninth Ward in 2005, New Orleans natives Branford Marsalis and Harry Connick, Jr. sought to protect the city's musical heritage. Partnering with New Orleans Habitat for Humanity, they created Musicians' Village-an affordable housing community for artists. In 2012, its centerpiece, the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, opened, offering a 17,000-square-foot facility with a performance hall, recording studio, technology center, library, dance studio, and world-class teaching spaces.

Today, the Center continues to evolve, providing youth with comprehensive music education in piano, vocals, strings, percussion, and wind instruments. We also support adult musicians through professional development, performance opportunities, and access to state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring New Orleans' musical legacy thrives for generations to come.

Testimonials

"Many use the phrase "life-changing" casually, but the Ellis Marsalis Center's program, instructors, and employees have literally been a life-changing experience for our family! Instructors and directors have shown a personal interest in our daughter's musical development over 7 years. Forever grateful." - The Boyd Family

"Your program is helping my child's positive growth. Thank you!"