Our Story

Like every great organization, MCMA began with a dream, followed by the blood, sweat and tears that shaped its success. MCMA adds a special ingredient: our wonderful community that believes in our mission and story just as much as we do. In fact, the majority of support for our tuition assistance program has come from small individual gifts from over 200 donors, most of whom are members of our immediate community.

MCMA founder Tom Ulichny & his wife Anne Bardaglio on opening day at 279 Main Street, Rockland

  • The idea of Midcoast Music Academy was born on the back of a lobster boat in the fall of 2011.

    Founder and Director Tom Ulichny was living on Matinicus Island as a sternman with a big dream. He dreamt of founding a community music school that would provide music lessons to any committed student regardless of their financial constraints.

    He came home from a grueling day on the boat with the initial beginnings of plan: a name for the school, a clear mission, and an unshakable belief that this leap represented his life’s work and deepest calling.

    In January 2012, he rented a small room on Main Street, furnished the studio with one desk and his collection of world instruments, and welcomed the first students.

  • Now, years later, the studio has now grown into a full-fledged school with over 180 students, a robust tuition assistance program, and a faculty team of the highest caliber. All of our classes and programs combine the fundamentals of music – theory, notation, and ear training – with a contemporary approach to learning.

    Thanks to a $50,000 Community Development Block Grant MCMA was able to expand further: we offer instruction all students in a fun, relaxed, and creative environment. In addition, we have given awards totaling over $130,000 to committed Midcoast students.

  • The next phase of the school’s growth has been carefully mapped out by our committed board. We received our nonprofit 501(c)3 status and constantly expand our school and community-wide program offerings.

    In the fall of 2020, MCMA purchased its own home in Rockport, allowing us to expand our programming to children younger than 5 and to expand our faculty in order to better serve students of all ages.

    Through instruction, fundraising and the joy of sharing our work through performance, we hope to achieve our ultimate dream: every dedicated student served, and our own peformance space to boot!