A diversified creative company, built to grow.
The MusicSquared Group pairs a proven performing arts education engine with emerging media and commerce ventures — organized for clarity, governance, and a long-term growth horizon.
The reach of a modern media company, the craft of a top-tier arts institution.
We are building a company that combines the durability of arts education with the upside of media and consumer brands.
Performing arts education provides a stable, recurring foundation: committed students, established programs, and a trusted brand in NYPAA. On top of that foundation, the Group is developing media and digital ventures — a music label in MusicSquared Inc. and a vertical-drama platform in Vertiq℠ — plus a growing brand commerce business.
The result is a diversified portfolio where each division reinforces the others: talent developed in education can feed media; media and platforms extend the brand's reach; and commerce turns audience affinity into revenue. It's a creative company designed to compound.
The core business is growing — fast.
The Group's education engine is demonstrating strong, measurable momentum, giving newer media and commerce ventures a proven, cash-generating foundation to build on.
Gross payment volume growth
Year-over-year growth in gross payment volume processed across the Group in 2026 to date.
Financed enrollment growth
Year-over-year growth in installment-financed enrollments, reflecting rising demand for premium programs.
Choose to finance
Roughly three in four eligible families opt into financing — evidence of strong demand and expanded access.
Figures reflect payment-processing and financing activity, not audited financial statements. Detailed financials and a full data room are available to qualified parties on request under NDA.
Multiple engines, one Group.
Recurring education revenue
Tuition, conservatory, and summer programs provide a dependable revenue base.
Media & catalog upside
Recordings, masters, and artist development create long-tail value through MusicSquared Inc.
Platform potential
Vertiq targets the emerging vertical-drama category with a discovery-first platform.
Brand commerce
A unified store converts community and audience affinity into direct revenue.
Clean, investor-ready foundations.
The MusicSquared Group is organized as a New York for-profit C-corporation with clearly separated commercial and charitable activity. Commercial payments flow through the Group; charitable donations flow to the separate MusicSquared Foundation, Inc. 501(c)(3). This clean separation is intended to make the Group straightforward to evaluate and partner with as it grows.
Where growth capital goes.
The Group is building relationships with strategic partners and investors ahead of a planned growth round. Capital would be directed at scaling proven demand and standing up the next generation of ventures.
Scale the education engine
Expand enrollment capacity, programs, and instructional staff to meet demonstrated demand.
Build media & platform
Fund artist development through MusicSquared Inc. and the Vertiq platform buildout.
Commerce infrastructure
Invest in the unified store, fulfillment, and brand product lines across the Group.
Team & operations
Strengthen leadership, finance, and operational systems to support a scaling company.
Founder-led, artist-focused.
John Stepanian
Founder & Executive DirectorJohn founded The New York Performing Arts Academy and built it into a multi-program performing arts institution spanning the Academy, The Conservatory at NYPAA, and The NYPAA Experience. As architect of The MusicSquared Group, he now leads the company's strategy across education, media, entertainment, and commerce.
He pairs hands-on arts leadership with deep operational and technical fluency — payment systems, CRM, financing, and web infrastructure — the discipline required to turn creative programs into durable, scalable businesses.
For donors and philanthropic partners.
Not everyone who believes in this work is looking for a return — and charitable support has a home here too. The MusicSquared Foundation, Inc. is a separate New York 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN available on request). Tax-deductible gifts fund scholarships, financial aid, and access programs that open performing arts education to students regardless of means — legally and financially distinct from the Group's commercial activity.
Let's start a conversation.
We welcome conversations with strategic partners and prospective investors who share our vision for the future of performing arts, media, entertainment, and commerce.
This page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.