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!

All Early Childhood Classes for the Fall Term begin the week of September 8, 2008, and run for 14-week session.

 

Length: 45 minutes/14-week session

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.

Music and Me II: On My Own!
Ages: 2.5 - 3.5 years
Instructor: Laura Levine
Class Times:

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
Instructors: Stephanie Ratte, Natalie Rice, Linda Sidore
Class Times:

Length: 90 minutes/14-week session

Tuition: $362

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.

Creative Kindergarteners
Instructor: Debi Keefe

Ages: 5 - 6 years

Class Time:

Length: 60 minutes/14-week session
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.

 

**NEW** Peter and the Wolf
Instructor: Debi Keefe

Ages: 5 - 7 years

Class Time: Thursday 3:30 pm

Length: 60 minutes/14-week session
Tuition: $305

This fun, classical oriented class will take children on a magical journey through the world of Peter and the Wolf.  Children will enjoy movement and games using the parachute and balls while playing with the themes of Peter, Grandfather, Bird, Cat, and Duck.  Voice development will be explored with various activities based on each theme. While learning about Prokofiev, students will discover the story of the orchestra and meet and greet all of its different players. 

Movin' and Groovin'
Instructor:  Debi Keefe

Ages: 6-8 years
Class Time: Tuesdays, 3:30 p.m.

Length: 60 minutes/14-week session
Tuition: $305

Children will explore songs, stories, rhythm games and music from around the world. A great opportunity for children to gain skills to further their growth in music and the creative arts.

**NEW** Read, Write and Record
Instructor: Debi Keefe

Ages: 6-8 years

Class Time: Tuesday  4:30 p.m.

Length: 45 minutes/14-week session
Tuition: $252

Children will celebrate learning to play their first instrument in a recorder band while learning about the fundamentals of music.  They will enjoy playing imitative games while learning to read music and enter the technology world while writing their own tunes.  Record and play back each student's composition and the recorder band performance at the end of the session. 

Piano Explorations
Ages: Kindergarten to Grade 4

Class Times: Monday and Wednesday

                                            2:30 - 3:30 pm

                                            3:30 - 4:30 pm

                                            4:30 - 5:30 pm

                         Tuesday   3:15 - 4:15 pm

                         Thursday  5:30 - 6:30 pm

Length: 60 minutes/14 week session

REDUCED Tuition: $320 (includes study book)

In a small class setting with a maximum of four children grouped by grade level, students are introduced to the fundamentals of music through movement, singing, games, piano improvisation, ear training, and reading notes. A piano or keyboard is required at home.

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
Length: Full year program (Sept - May)
Tuition: $1273 for full year; tuition is pro-rated based on the start date; payment plans available

Another stop on the Music Track! 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”, 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 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 learn to follow a conductor. We have successful Suzuki students ranging in age from 3 to 87 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.