The Declassified is a cutting-edge chamber music society forging an integrated role for classical music in communities around the world. Based in New York City, Declassified maintains a flexible roster of a new type of musician: virtuoso, arts advocate and educator. They design residencies to reach audiences of broad scope, bringing creative concert experiences to schools, hospitals, prisons and bars, as well as major international concert halls.

The Declassified was founded in 2011 by alumni of The Academy – a program of Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School, and the Weill Music Institute. Upon leaving this prestigious fellowship, the musicians were inspired not only to keep playing together but also to create an entrepreneurial model for artists who want to meaningfully engage with society. As The Academy’s Ensemble ACJW, the musicians of The Declassified presented residencies in Spain, Mexico, Iceland, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Germany and Japan. Appearing at Carnegie Hall, their performances as Ensemble ACJW were called “dazzling” and “dynamic”; “categories be damned.” (New York Times).

In The Declassified's inaugural season, they designed acclaimed residencies in Iceland, South Carolina, Florida, and throughout New York City. Projects for the 2012-2013 season include several return engagements to Iceland and South Carolina and new residencies in Mexico and Hong Kong, at conservatories including The Colburn and Juilliard Schools, and concert series at SUNY Purchase, Princeton, and Bargemusic. Declassified maintains a close collaboration with Carnegie Hall, as resident artists on their Musical Connections program which supports their work this season in homeless shelters, hospitals and at Sing Sing prison, and as a partner in planning and conducting national and international residencies on an ongoing basis.

As of June 1, 2013 The Declassified will be known as Decoda.