Now the largest community school for the arts in Massachusetts, and among the top 20 in the country, South Shore Conservatory (SSC) incorporated in 1970 in Hingham after previously serving as a New England Conservatory satellite preparatory program. In 1980, a second campus was established in Duxbury, Massachusetts, and in 1996, SSC renovated and moved into its present home: the Ellison Center for the Arts. A former church, the Duxbury campus provides wonderful teaching and ensemble spaces, and a beautiful performance hall housed in the former sanctuary. Between the two campuses, SSC is able to serve students from 32 towns across the South Shore. Learn more about our locations.

Our Mission

SSC aims to provide access to exceptional arts education and performance for the South Shore community, fostering creativity, artistic growth, and well-being for individuals of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

With campuses in Hingham and Duxbury and community partnerships throughout the South Shore, SSC’s arts-based educational programs provide a creative path for a lifetime of accessible learning, from childhood through adulthood.

SSC is widely recognized as the best source for quality education in music in the region, and has been nationally celebrated for its innovative programming, exceptional faculty and student retention. SSC has over 100 exceptional artist/educators on faculty who are invited to join the faculty based on education, experience, a passion for teaching and a close alignment with SSC’s core values and belief in the mission. These artist/educators bring their talent and commitment to bear at both campuses and to the entire South Shore through SSC’s community partnerships.

Campuses