Fulton Music Conservatory Redefines Classical Training in Milwaukee and Beyond

Milwaukee, WI – April 24, 2025 — In a time when classical music education is under increasing scrutiny for its lack of adaptability, the Fulton Music Conservatory is setting a bold new standard—blending technical excellence with cultural fluency, emotional development, and career-readiness for the 21st century.

Founded by concert violinist Addison Teng, the Fulton Music Conservatory has had an in-person presence in Milwaukee since its inception and now operates a dedicated Milwaukee campus where students take private lessons, participate in ensembles, and work directly with faculty. This campus serves as a local hub for the Conservatory’s year-round programs and deepens its ties to the Milwaukee music community.

All of the Conservatory’s faculty—including Teng, violist Amy Hess, and violinist Paul Hauer, a member of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra—teach in both Milwaukee and Chicago, ensuring a high level of consistency and connection across the region.

In Milwaukee, students benefit from more than just private instruction: they participate in studio recitals and community performances, including a recent showcase at the Milwaukee Art Museum’s “MAM After Dark: March Masquerade” in March 2025. Notably, FCon students have included Ryan Tani, Assistant Conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and a violin student of Teng.

At the heart of the Conservatory’s mission is the Fulton Summer Music Academy, a four-week immersive program that draws a small, international cohort of students. The experience includes performances, chamber music, and hands-on workshops—from instrument repair to music business—and emphasizes personal development through daily journaling, peer reflection, and public speaking.

Students who show exceptional potential are invited to join Fulton In Residence, an international tour that transforms nontraditional spaces into concert venues—from orphanages in Korea to brewery lawns in Rhode Island. “Give me four walls, a ceiling, and a floor—and I’ll make it a concert hall,” says Teng.

During the pandemic, the Conservatory rapidly launched a fully virtual academy in just 12 weeks, proving that music education can thrive under pressure. “When institutions shut down, we asked, ‘What’s the plan?’ and no one had one. So we created our own.”

Fulton Music Conservatory isn’t just producing skilled performers—it’s shaping well-rounded artists who are prepared for complex, modern careers. “We teach students how to manage gigs, understand contracts, market themselves—even how to file taxes,” Teng explains. “Music is about discipline and precision, but it’s also about life.”

As the landscape of classical music shifts, the Fulton Music Conservatory is proving that Milwaukee is not just a participant—but a cornerstone—in a global, forward-thinking model of musical excellence.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.