About US

The Cape Cod Conservatory celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2006. Founded in 1956 by a committee of people interested in starting a conservatory on Cape Cod, Dr. Paul Giuliana, a member of the association of music teachers, was hired to investigate the possibility of starting such an institution. When Dr. Giuliana returned with a report that such a school was feasible, the group promptly elected him President.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts granted a charter to the Cape Cod Conservatory of Music and Arts on April 5, 1956. In 1960, the Conservatory moved from Hyannis to Barnstable. After the sudden death of Dr. Giuliana, a new administration saw the need for more support from the Cape Cod community. In 1971 Richard Casper was appointed director and ground was broken for the present 14-acre West Barnstable facility.

In the fall of 1958 the Cape Cod Conservatory established an extension in Falmouth J.K. Lilly III donated 26 acres of the Beebe estate for the Falmouth campus. Sarah Caldwell dedicated the center. Although a non-profit school from its first days, the Conservatory charged tuition to all except a limited number of scholarship students until 1964. At that time the Board voted unanimously to make the conservatory accessible for all and committed more funds to scholarships.

Who’s “On Board”

We are very proud of our Board of Governors. They generously volunteer their time and talents, providing priceless strategic leadership to the organization.

The Board includes:
Doreen Bilezikian, President
Kevin Howard, Vice President
Robert Neese, Clerk
Bill Janovitz, Treasurer

Elizabeth McNichols Dunning, esq., Douglas MacDonald, John Tropsa, Diane Boudreau, Avery Funkhouser Charles Ritch, Margaret G. Van Sciver, Elizabeth Doriss, Gary Logie, Lorraine Shepley, Dr. Allen White

We thank you all for your remarkable dedication and generous support.