Sarasota Music Conservatory was founded by Sean O'Neil and Lena Cambis, husband and wife violinists with the Sarasota Orchestra, wishing to offer their private students a broader musical development.
Following a European Music Conservatory format, they founded the
Sarasota Music Academy in 2008.​
In 2012 when the organization met its non-profit status, they decided to change the name to their original vision as Sarasota Music Conservatory. 

Sarasota Music Conservatory is located downtown Sarasota and distinguishes itself from other private music schools in the area by its thourough curriculum and the professional level of its faculty.  
Each member of the faculty is a professional performing artist and has diplomas and awards from the most prestigious schools in the world. (Faculty bios here)
 
With a faculty team always growing, SMC now offers private lessons for most instruments and styles, and offers Adult Programs as well as Early Childhood music classes. SMC's students come from all over the Suncoast and most have won local and national competitions, sit first chairs in their local youth or school orchestra programs, and are regular recipients of local scholarship competitions.

SMC is a non-profit 501-(c)3 organization and gladly accepts financial and in-kind contributions. The organization relies on public support to keep its music programs running and to offer scholarships.
​​