The Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, founded in 1866, is the second conservatory in Russia after the St. Petersburg Conservatory, formerly known as the Moscow Conservatory, and is a world-renowned center of music education in Russia. It was founded on September 1, 1866 by Nikolay Rubinstein, a distinguished pianist, conductor and music promoter. Tchaikovsky taught here at the beginning of its foundation. Students at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory receive a professional education in both the classical tradition and the current fashions. Students receive a humanistic education similar to the one at the university, which helps them in their musical activity. There are various professional and creative competitions in the School of Music.