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The International School of Music (ISM) in Bethesda, Maryland, is a community music school serving the residents of Montgomery County and the greater Washington DC Metropolitan areas.

ISM's original location is situated within walking distance from the Friendship Heights Metro Station. The International School of Music opened its second location near Montgomery Mall on August 30th 2009. The school currently instructs over 800 students ranging in age from 6 months to 85 years from many countries and nationalities, and houses over 90 faculty members.

Mission
The mission of ISM is to provide students of all ages with the skills they need to enjoy music for a lifetime. ISM strives to foster creative musical expression, promote personal enrichment, and encourage the love of music in a nurturing environment.

History
The International School of Music was founded in 2004 by Inja Stanic, when demands for private piano lessons grew beyond the constraints that a single piano studio in Bethesda, Maryland could offer. Starting a school off River Rd, in Bethesda allowed better outreach to all of the communities surrounding the Washington Metropolitan Area. The program expanded to include instruction in a wide variety of instruments for children and adults of all levels of musical backgrounds.

At the end of its first year of operation in the summer of 2005, the International School of Music had 132 students and employed 12 teachers. The following year, ISM more than doubled its space by adding 7 new teaching studios in the Westwood Center II. In 2007, a third suite was added in addition to a new administrative office. This expansion allowed ISM to expand beyond one-on-one instrumental lessons. The International School of Music now provides group classes for early childhood music, chamber music, music theory classes, summer camp programs, concerts, and annual community outreach activities, in addition to private music instruction.

Present Day
The school is still expanding, with the opening of their second location, ISM North. This new location is located next to the Montgomery Mall, and is reaching the communities of North Bethesda, Potomac, and Rockville. It includes 18 studios, with larger classrooms to accommodate bigger group classes. Combined with the 26 existing studios at ISM South, the school has 43 studios for private and group instruction. The International School of Music is also committed to philantropic endevors believing music education should be accessible for everyone. In 2007, The International School of Music has started the annual scholarship program and has offered scholarships to its existing and perspective students.

Students of the International School of Music participate and perform in over 30 recitals every year at the Montgomery College located in Rockville, Maryland.

Programs and Accreditation
ISM is also the National Piano Guild's Greater Bethesda MD location. The National Piano Guild is one of the most important divisions of the American College of Musicians. All piano students have a yearly opportunity to attain these goals through non-competitive adjudication in an annual auditions. The school also prepares students for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) examination which is based in the United Kingdom. ABRSM is internationally recognized and is a rigorous program in both practical (performance) and theory concentration from beginners through college diplomas. ISM also offers their own curriculum which includes the ISM Evaluation & Certificate Program and the ISM Young Performers Program. The Evaluation & Certificate Program was written by the faculty members and reflect an increasing breadth of knowledge and ability on behalf of the students. The Young Performers Program is designed to provide an intensive pre-professional training for a select group of students. These programs cover all instruments for all level of students.

The school also has faculty members who teach the Suzuki method and who are also members of the American String Teachers Association(ASTA) which is similar to the National Piano Guild Auditions and sets a national standard for willing string students. Lastly, the school is a member of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts.

Teaching Philosophy
The teaching philosophy of ISM is founded on the belief that good musical education comes not just form instilling strong musical and technical fundamental in students, but also from fostering a true appreciation for the arts. The faculty takes special care to tailor lessons to each student's individual needs and goals.All students are introduced to the traditions and styles that influenced different composers. They are then more able to merge these ideas with their personal interpretation so that they delve into the heart of the music they are playing. ISM's teaching style creates a positive atmosphere for learning, progress, and fun.

Private Instruction

 * Piano
 * Strings
 * Voice
 * Woodwinds
 * Brass
 * Guitar
 * Percussion

Special Programs

 * Early Childhood Music (ECM)
 * Suzuki method
 * Jazz & Improvisation
 * Music Theory & Composition
 * Adult Programs
 * Performances
 * Chamber music
 * Diploma & Certificates
 * Summer