Eastman School of Music — Local services in City of Rochester

Do not come here, they do not treat their undergraduate students right. During finals week their dining center is closed and is only open from 10am to 6pm, only serving takeout food that is available only for students on the declining meal plan. If you don't have declining dollars, that means that ESM dining will not give you food, the only things you can buy during finals week is bananas, oranges, and drinks. Of course you can go to the river campus to eat food there on unlimited but its a hassle to go there for the sake of eating food. I think it is unfair, and I believe they should have told me beforehand. But they don't because they need the students. I believe that they do this because of their lack of concern for the students wellbeing and more of a concern on profit. Yes, there are less students now so it doesn't make any monetary sense to keep the grill and rotation station open, but the lack of moral principle and care for students is truly appalling. Also keep in mind that finals run until the 22nd, ESM dining closed their main services on the 18th. All ESM has to do is keep the ship running for four more days. I calculate that it would probably only cost an additional $8000 (at MOST). But of course that money has to go to the Dean's fat paycheck instead. The only reason I am complaining about this is because I do not have a choice that my finals are on the 20th or 22nd. If I stayed here for winter break, sure ESM should close their dining centers because I CHOSE to stay. I do not have a choice of staying because I have to complete my finals. While I am forced to stay, ESM is obliged to be able to provide me food adequate to the cost of my $6000 yearly meal plan. It is honestly a blatant breach of a contract. Also consider that on finals week, students need to be well fed to be able to study and do well on their exams. Closing the ESM dining only encourages students to skip meals and lose out on important nutrients to remain healthy and mentally well. Lastly, I would like to point out the lack of communication from those running the dining facility. (Not the hardworking cafeteria workers, who for the 99% of them are incredible people that I am extremely grateful for). There were no emails about the schedule and what was going on. Why? I deserve to be told about schedule changes do I not? All it takes is a simple email, to at least SHOW that you care about your students. But I think the real reason they don't email you is because they know that closing the dining center during finals week is a terrible thing to do. I know this sounds like I'm being a brat but the problem is that when the dining plan is $6000 a year, you expect a little better than this. As of writing this I have had one meal today because I did not know where to eat. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to things I have to say about this school...

More info on the ESM dining facility hours during finals...

Teachers don't understand children and are flakey. I do not recommend ECMS to anyone and here is why:

My son has taken lessons at ECMS for over a year and attended the Eastman at Keuka camp for the past two years, in addition to other summer camps. He plays multiple instruments and takes many classes so he has come into contact with many teachers.

Eastman instructors, with the exception of one who is also a teacher at SOTA, are very skilled musicians but lack social skills, teaching skills, and general understand of children and families. They don't communicate effectively to either students or parents. Sometimes they don't communicate at all. I've dropped my son off for lessons multiple times only to have my son scramble to find a phone to call and ask me to pick him up because his instructor didn't show up. The woman who directs the Eastman at Keuka camp has been incredibly rude to me on multiple occasions.

The private lesson instructors (we've had 8 because my son plays so many instruments [5]) cancel lessons at their whim, last minute, and sometimes for reasons that I find unacceptable (one told me she had her period and needed to cancel, others include going out of town to visit family, or just needing a day off). The grad students give the impression that they don't take teaching seriously as a job. They act like, "well, I wanted to go to the beach Saturday so is it okay to reschedule?" As a parent, this upsets me because I make my son commit to practicing and attending and I make plans according to the date and time we've agreed on.

When I've contacted the main office about this I get told, "yeah, we know this. some are very talented musicians but lack soft skills…" as if that's an acceptable trade off. I strongly discourage anyone from taking lessons at ECMS. My son, who used to love music and really gave it his all this year and last is growing to hate music because he has had poor...

My daughter has classes here but this isn't why I gave only 1 ⭐ .my issue is when I enter here regardless of how I'm dressed I always get profile and question as to why or what I'm doing here by the front entrance uniformed person . Every Saturday I bring my wife and daughter to the front door then I go find a Parking spot . Once my daughter is in class my wife will come to wait fore to come inside . We have a pass card to swipe to enter mind you only 1 swipe card so as I approach the dresk my wife always asks the same question. DID YOU FIND A SPOT TO PARK . AND I TRY TO DRESS IN A MANNER THAT WONT MAKE ME LOOK SUSPICIOUS . So as my wife is leaning towards the card reader I make eye contact with the uniformed person. He puts up his hand to hault me and says is he with you as my wife is handling me my daughter's violin and music bookbag Every Saturday we come at the same time I get questions as I or my wife swipes the card . It is super annoying also frustrating as I watch other people walk in without swiping a pass the uniformed person says hello without hesitation but not me. My daughter has attended classes here at this music school for well over 4yrs . Please don't give me the-OH THE FRONT DESK SECURITY SEES HUNDREDS OF DIFFERENT FACES EVERY DAY. Well we are a mixed couple my wife is Chinese and we definitely stand out here at Eastman school of music. It'd be nice just once to walk in the gibs st entrance and be greeted with a good morning sr👍🏾 instead of if you don't have a badge you can not enter 🤦🏽‍♂️.the person at the desk literally said IS HE WITH YOU to my wife as she's handing me the violin along with swiping the one pass we have 🤷🏾‍♂️. getting Profiled sucks this is why I prefer at...