When you study organ at CIM, your curriculum will emphasize performance and practical training in aspects of church music, choral studies and teaching.

Church music internships are a key component of your program — they provide stipends, partial scholarship support and real-world experience. Each year, you’ll participate in master classes by organists of international standing.

You’ll practice and perform on a variety of instruments, including the recently renovated three-manual mechanical-action Holtkamp in CIM's Kulas Hall, practice organs by Ruggles and Holtkamp, and outstanding instruments in a number of other area churches.

Alumni Success

Meet Leslie Teardo

leslie teardo

Leslie Teardo is the associate organist at Saint Luke's Episcopal Church in Birmingham Alabama. She earned her bachelor's in both Organ Performance and Dalcroze Eurhythmics from CIM, studying with Todd Wilson and David Brown. She received her master's from Yale University. 

Notable CIM Organists

  • Joseph Rush
  • John Alexander
  • Kyle Ballantine
  • Scott Hayes
  • Hyunju Hwang
  • Kevin Kwan
  • Paula Maust
  • Patrick Parker
  • Abigail Rockwood
  • Marquis Ryan
  • Michael Schaner
  • Nicholas Steltzer
  • Leslie Teardo
  • David Uschold

Concerts and events

Apr 18 Thu
7:30 pm
Senior Recital: Natalie Brennecke, viola
Strings, Conservatory Student Recitals
Apr 18 Thu
7:30 pm
Guitar Studio Recital
Guitar, Studio/Department Recital, Conservatory Student Recitals, Concert Series
Apr 19 Fri
11:00 am
Second Master of Music Recital: Yusong Zhao, violin
Strings, Conservatory Student Recitals
Apr 20 Sat
4:30 pm
Second Master of Music Recital: Hadar Zaidel, violin
Strings, Conservatory Student Recitals
Apr 20 Sat
7:30 pm
Senior Recital: Theo Bockhorst, violin
Strings, Conservatory Student Recitals