Welcome to The Hartt School, a performing arts conservatory for music, dance, and theatre. At Hartt, we think the best way to learn and perfect your craft is by doing. That’s why we put on more than 400 performances, recitals, lectures, and master classes each year.
Because our faculty are performers, scholars, and creative artists themselves—at theatres and concert halls around the world—they teach from experience, just as you will learn from your experiences at Hartt.
Through diverse coursework and close mentoring relationships with faculty, you can make your passion your profession.
You can learn more about your journey with The Hartt School or explore our pre-college opportunities with the Hartt Community Division in the links below.
Learn more about becoming a part of the Hartt community. Apply today!
One of Connecticut's premier live music attractions, the Garmany Chamber Music Series is dedicated to bringing the widest possible range of chamber music performances to the UHart campus. Learn more about our 2024-25 season and purchase tickets here!
Hartt’s Music Division’s extensive degree offerings include programs in instrumental performance, composition, jazz, music education, and vocal performance. Faculty are working musicians who perform as soloists, with orchestras, and in chamber music ensembles. Degrees are also offered in music management, music production and technology, and performing arts management. Hartt students have the option to concentrate on classical music, jazz, commercial music, and a variety of other genres.
Hartt’s Dance Division offers professionally-focused conservatory training to students interested in pursuing careers as performing artists or dance educators. The program is based on rigorous technical studies in classical ballet and modern dance, combined with contemporary techniques to prepare graduates to be leaders in the field.
Hartt’s Theatre Division provides a rigorous training program that prepares students for successful professional careers. With majors in music theatre and actor training, and partnerships with the Tony Award-winning Hartford Stage Company, Goodspeed Musicals, our students have on-stage experiences across wide ranging theatrical repertoire.
Music Theatre
At a young age, Leslie Walker ’19 knew she wanted a career in the performing arts, as she dreamed of someday performing on Broadway. In the last year, Walker accomplished this goal, as she made her Broadway debut in the revival of Funny Girl as an original cast member, appeared with her cast on Good Morning America, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, and attended the 2023 Tony Awards. Her “bucket list” goal was also completed; Walker was featured on the show’s cast album.
Learn more about LeslieMusic Production and Technology
Bobbi Giel has been passionate about music since she was young, but it was during Giel’s time at The Hartt School that her passion for music production took off. Giel also cites the University of Hartford structure as crucial to her well-rounded education, as she took courses outside of her focus in music, including ones at the Barney School of Business (she received a minor in Business Administration) and at CETA. These connections forged at UHart were also important to Giel’s career trajectory. In 2022, she became the head mastering engineer at Welcome to 1979, a multifaceted, analog-centric studio that provides both digital and vinyl mastering services.
Learn more about BobbiA Hartt School dance alumna, Ane Arrieta ’20, recently debuted with the Martha Graham Dance Company at the exclusive Jacob's Pillow dance festival in Becket, Massachusetts. Arrieta performed a solo in Graham's iconic work, Cave of the Heart.
“Years and years of hard work and dedication prepared me for this dream-come-true moment,” says Arrieta, who graduated in 2020. “My four years at The Hartt School were pivotal in getting me to this point. The love and mentorship I received from my teachers and from all the tools and training from the program helped launch me directly into my professional career.”
Learn more about AneConducting
Bovell's musical achievements have extended beyond her education at Hartt. She has made notable appearances as a guest conductor with renowned orchestras, including the Cincinnati Symphony, the Oakland Symphony, and the Chicago Sinfonietta. Bovell has also conducted performances at prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center and the Royal Albert Hall in London for the BBC Prom, and was the first black woman to conduct an opera in Canada. In addition to the 2024 Sphinx Medal of Excellence, she has been the recipient of prestigious awards such the Taki Concordia Conducting Fellowship. These honors highlight her exceptional talent and the impact she has made on the classical music landscape.
Learn more about KalenaAt The Hartt School Community Division, we bring the arts to your community. We provide expert instruction in music and dance to the Greater Hartford area and serve over 2,800 students of all ages and backgrounds. Engaging with area students — regardless of age, background or skill level — reaffirms our belief in the transformative power of the arts.
There’s always something happening at Hartt. Keep track of it all on social media. Learn more about Student Life at Hartt.