Kara Arsenault Photo
Lawrence Zukof, who has enthusiastically run the Neighborhood Music School (NMS) on Audubon Street since the last century (1996, to be exact), is retiring.
Well, not quite yet. But he’s entering the finale verse of a three-decade performance as director of music schools in New Haven and, before that, Brookline, Mass. He plans to stay on the job through next June 30 as NMS seeks his replacement.
NMS announced his pending retirement in a press release Wednesday afternoon.
Zukof (pictured), who is 61, built up NMS considerably over his tenure, as it became a magnet for kids and adults of all skill levels who love to play music and an anchor of the thriving Audubon Street arts district.
He said in a conversation Wednesday that he is proudest of three accomplishments:
• Boosting NMS financial aid from $20,000 to around $200,000 a year. “That has increased diversity. We’re much more diverse. It can grow more in that area, but we’ve done a lot.”
• Greatly expanding the kinds of courses and other programs offered at NMS, including more jazz, world music, and dance. Enrollment doubled during Zukof’s tenure.
• Physically expanding the institution. He raised $6 million to expand NMS and tripled its annual budget, to $4.5 million.
He has also, it should be said, maintained good humor and imparted a love of music in his dealings with the public.
Zukof “has made the school the inspiring institution it is today – a place where students, families, faculty, staff and innumerable friends, guests and visitors from all over the state and, sometimes, the entire world, flourish in an environment where music and dance are made and truly loved. This has been the Zukof era for NMS, and Larry’s achievements have left their mark on all of us,” board Chairman Marc Rubenstein is quoted as saying in an NMS press release issued Tuesday.
Zukof said he plans to take a break after retiring next summer, devoting more time to his own music (he plays the recorder) and possibly doing some consulting or other part-time work.
Larry Don't Leave us!. Wow ! This is one inspirational and motivational guy. The New Haven Arts Community is losing a great man here. He is on to greener pastures for sure. NMS is the place where dreams are made. Kids and Adults alike are better for the programs that this man great institution have brought to New Haven. His replacement has some big shoes to fill. Miss you already Big guy..JH!