The Cleveland Institute of Music is an independent, international music conservatory located in the University Circle district of Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is led by President Joel Smirnoff. The Institute was founded in 1920, with the composer Ernest Bloch as director. Since its founding in 1920, CIM has offered a world-class education to students from age 3 to 93. Located in University Circle, Cleveland's cultural hub, CIM is easily accessible to all music lovers - providing hundreds of concerts annually, most free of charge. CIM graduates play important musical roles in our world as composers producing meaningful new repertoire, as eminent instrumental and vocal soloists, as world-renowned chamber musicians and as members of premier orchestras around the globe.