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

Oct 9 Mon
2:00 pm
Junior Recital: Kai Bryngelson, violin
Strings, Conservatory Student Recitals
Oct 11 Wed
4:00 pm
Masterclass and Recital: Micah Howard, double bass
Masterclasses & Symposiums, Kulas Visiting Artists, Concert Series
Oct 13 Fri
7:00 pm
Second Artist Diploma Recital: Yumiko Yumiba, violin
Strings, Conservatory Student Recitals
Oct 14 Sat
5:00 pm
Junior Recital: Yuwa Roten, violin
Strings, Conservatory Student Recitals
Oct 26 Thu
7:30 pm
Junior Recital: Noelle Naito, violin
Strings, Conservatory Student Recitals