Early Childhood Programs

Experiencing music at an early age is a wonderful way to enhance your child’s development. Your child can move progressively through the classes below, each designed to be developmentally appropriate for the corresponding age. From Music and Me to Triple Treat to Suzuki Violin, a solid foundation in music will be built. Give your child the gift of learning and growing through music!

 

Tuition: $279

Infants, toddlers, and pre-schoolers experience music together with a parent/care giver, led by a pre-school music specialist. Music is explored through songs, rhythms, chants, and percussion instruments. This class offers parents a wonderful opportunity to introduce their child to the magical world of music in an environment that encourages social interaction. Class size is limited.

Ages: 2.5 - 3.5 years
Class Times: Wednesdays, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. with Ms. Aimee

Thursdays, 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. with Ms. Laura

Length: 45 minutes/14-week session

Tuition: $309

This class serves as a transition between the Music and Me class with an adult and the Triple Treat class. Children will experience the joy of artistic self-expression through activities including music, movement, storytelling, puppetry, and cooperative games. The goal of this class is independent participation, although this may be achieved gradually in some cases.

 

Triple Treat
Ages: 3 - 5 years
Class Times:

Length: 90 minutes/14-week session

Tuition: $362

Instructors: Ms. Stephanie, Ms. Linda, and Ms. Laura

Early exposure to the arts helps to increase students' levels in all academic and artistic areas. This popular, multi-faceted program introduces pre-schoolers to music, art, and movement. Students spend 30 minutes in each arts discipline, each with its own specialized instructor. The children are grouped by age and together discover the joys of artistic expression. The music session of this class helps children develop a sense of rhythm and intonation, while the movement session explores natural body movements. The instructors use music as well as rhythm instruments and other teaching aids. The art session begins with a story, which is transformed into an art project. Self-expression is strongly encouraged. This class always fills early.

Triple Play!
Ages: 3 - 5 years
Class Time: Fridays 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Length:60 minutes/14-week session

Tuition: $305

Instructor: Ms. Aimee

Early exposure to the arts helps to increase students' levels in all academic and artistic areas. This popular, multi-faceted program introduces pre-schoolers to music, art, and movement. In this 60-minute class, children will discover the joys of artistic expression. Self-expression is strongly encouraged.

Ages: 5 - 6 years

Class Time: Fridays, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Length: 60 minutes/14 week session

Instructor: Ms. Aimee

Tuition: $305

 

Children will have a great time engaging in music, songs, movement, yoga, and lots of innovative games perfect for your kindergartener! The program is designed to be exciting and fun, and we can almost guarantee that your child will be totally turned on by the magic of music. This is a good introductory course for children who show an early interest in music.

 

 

 

Suzuki
Ages: 3 years through Adult
Program Coordinator: Deborah Markow
Suzuki Violin and Viola Instructors: Deborah Markow and Chris Cavanaugh

Suzuki Double Bass Instructor: Helen Stevenson

Suzuki Piano Instructor: Piper-Runnion-Bareford
Length: 34 week session

Tuition: 30 minute lessons $1324

45 minute lessons $1826

60 minute lessons $2436

The Suzuki Method of music education began in the middle of the 20th century by Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki. Dr. Suzuki believed that the best and most effective way to learn music is to be exposed to it from a very early age. He calls this the “mother tongue” method - young children learn to play an instrument in the same way that they learn their own language: by listening, absorbing, and copying. The parent attends the lesson as an integral part of the learning process. When the child begins learning, it is by ear - music reading is taught later. In general, the age at which a child is taught to read music is the same as when he or she is learning to read books in his or her own language. Dr. Suzuki’s philosophy is one of “Talent Education”; he does not believe that only certain people are born with “a gift”, or “talent”, but rather that each child has infinite potential. He believes that in teaching the child music, a medium for the emotional and spiritual growth of the child is being created.

 

This course is designed for children or adults to learn to play the violin or viola in a positive and nurturing environment. Each student will have a private lesson once a week for 30 minutes and will also participate in a monthly group lesson. Students are taught the elements of string playing through musical games and individual and group instruction. We include concentration and listening skills, memorization, posture, rhythms, tone production, and instrument care. Each child must be accompanied by a parent/guardian during classes. Because parental participation is essential to the success of the student's progress, this class is open only to the student and designated parent/guardian. For young students, additional workshops will be available to improve listening skills in an ensemble and to learn to follow a conductor. We have successful Suzuki students ranging in age from 3 to 89 years old. We welcome all ages!

 

The recent development of miniature double basses (in graduated sizes similar to Suzuki violins and cellos) now enables children as young as five or six to begin studying this important orchestral instrument without losing years of potential study because of the instrument’s size. Previous musical experience is helpful, but not necessary. Parental support, however, is essential, with attendance at all lessons and guiding the daily home practice sessions required.

 

The Suzuki piano program is based on the belief that every child and every person can learn to express himself or herself through music. Children learn how to play the piano as they progress through the pieces taken from the Suzuki Piano School books. Lessons are once a week, with the child and parent together. There are two group performances and sharing times in the course of the year, and every child is taught and encouraged to share their music! As an integral part of the lesson, music reading and notation are introduced, building the skills for smooth reading as the child gains the level of understanding necessary. Further opportunities to share their music and participate in the wider Suzuki community are provided throughout the year.