At School
Curriculum
About our After and Before School Curriculum
Arts research says that children who study music and dance education are proven to be more disciplined, goal-oriented, and focused in their everyday lives. Our Before and After School Group Classes focus on building skills needed to create a cohesive ensemble and team- through the pillars of discipline, goal-orientation, and focus. By building teamwork and ensemble skills, students will be able to have an improved sense of awareness of others, appreciation of talent development and hard work through repetition, goal setting for ensemble-based performances, heightened observational skills through listening and aural learning, and social experiences through learning performing arts. Our teachers are passionate about making students experience positive and rewarding, and this translates in every one of our classrooms!
About our Teachers
Our teachers are carefully selected based on their experience, passion for the arts, love of working with children, and desire to learn and continue to improve as teachers. Each teacher is trained with several weeks of Classroom Management Training, Pedagogy in their discipline, and continues to receive Professional Development throughout the school year to continue to refine their skills and fill their “teacher toolbox”. Some of our teachers have received advanced training in Music Education Approaches such as Suzuki, Orff, Kodaly, Music Together, and more. All teachers are background checked every couple of years. Teachers prioritize the safety of each student.
Extra Help Lessons
Learning an instrument can be challenging in a group setting. With the support of parents and teachers, we believe any goal can be reached. Please let us know if you would like a free 30-minute consultation or extra help lesson to help your student meet their goals. We are committed to the success of each and every student.
Violin
Our Violin program curriculum is based on a Suzuki approach, which involves learning by ear in the beginning stages, parent involvement and help at home to reinforce concepts, and daily listening. The Suzuki Method is based on the idea that we learn violin in the same way we learn to speak a language- through repetition, immersion, parent help, small steps, and lots of positive reinforcement! Our goal is to help your child to become fluent in the language of violin, participate in many performance opportunities, love their instrument, and begin to figure out songs on their own through participation in our program.
Pre-Violin Classes (Foam Violins) begin at age 3 (for schools that have preschool, or for private lessons in-studio). Students in this class begin with Foam Violins so young children can learn how to take care of their instruments, how to hold their instruments, and our basic foundational rhythms before receiving their very own violin. Before receiving their own violin each child demonstrates respect to their instrument and before they know it, they've all received their own violin! Students in Pre-Violin can expect to learn violin and bow positions, care for instrument, foundational rhythms through clapping and singing, and when they earn their instrument, they will learn to apply the rhythms to the E and A string.
Beginning Violin starts in Kindergarten! By the end of the year you can expect that your child will know at least 10 songs on his/her violin: The Flower Song, The Monkey Song, Five Variations of Twinkle and Theme, Lightly Row, and maybe even Song of The Wind (if you practice at home!) Your child will learn how to hold their instrument properly, will be able to identify all of the strings, develop their ear to be able to identify specific pitches and rhythms, and be able to perform as an ensemble at least twice during the year.
Intermediate and Advanced Violin focuses on continuing positive and healthy habits while also introducing new concepts and styles such as note reading, simple orchestral pieces, fiddle and folk, jazz, rock, and pop repertoire. Your child will be able to play in harmony with his/ her peers, learn new scales, be able to note read, and may even dabble in song composition!
Ukulele
Our Ukulele program begins at Kindergarten. Students are introduced to the instrument through a Suzuki approach which involves daily listening to assigned recordings, developing a musical ear and fluency, and learning a rest-stroke playing style that is often used in Classical Guitar and Electric Bass. We see the importance of giving our students skills to develop musically beyond chords and strumming, by helping them to thoroughly understand their instrument- the notes that make up each of the frets, scales, note reading, and more!
Beginning Ukulele: Students will be introduced to their instrument, positions when holding their instrument, how to care for their instrument, names of strings, and simple pieces in the key of C from the Suzuki Repertoire. Students will learn the basics of strumming and will learn at least one song while strumming and singing. Teachers break concepts down into small digestible steps so that all students will be able to play by ear, play with proper positioning, and learn at least 10 pieces by the end of the year!
Intermediate Ukulele: Students who have completed Beginning Ukulele, or comparable experience, are invited to join Intermediate Ukulele. Students will be introduced to more key signatures, and begin to learn the basics of strumming and changing chords while singing. Students will continue to refine their ear training skills, playing with rest stroke, and continue through the Suzukulele Books. Students will learn at least 10 pieces by the end of the year and perform at least 2 in performances!
Advanced Ukulele: Students who are able to play at least two scales and the following chords C, D, Dm, G, G7 F, A, Am are invited to join Advanced Ukulele. Advanced Ukulele students will be able to learn more chords, more complex chord progressions, begin note reading, continue their ear training, and play more advanced repertoire with rest stroke. Students will learn at least 10 pieces by the end of the year and perform at least 2 in performances!
Rock Band
Rock Band program begins in 3rd grade. Your child can expect to be part of their first band with their choice of keyboard, guitar, bass, or drums. Vocalists that join the band will be asked to learn an instrument, too! Our teachers ensure that all students are able to play as a band from the very beginning with activities that focus on feeling and hearing the beat, showmanship and stage presence, listening to a recording and identifying their own part, playing basic chord progressions and riffs, and even naming their own band! By the end of the first year in a rock band, you can expect your child will own the stage and have at least 6 rock songs in their repertoire!
Beginning Rock Bands will typically learn songs like Blitzkrieg Bop (The Ramones), Hit Me With Your Best Shot (Pat Benetar), Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes), and more based on student’s interest! Students will typically learn 1-2 note chords, keep basic drum beats.
Intermediate Rock Bands will typically learn songs like Where Is My Mind (The Pixies), Zombie (The Cranberries), and other songs by artists that students enjoy listening to! Students will begin to learn how to solo with pentatonic scales, drum fills, learn triads and slightly more advanced chord shapes.
Advanced Rock Bands will typically play songs by Metallica, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and other songs that show off more advanced guitar and drum techniques! Students are able to pick songs based on their interest, but we also like to challenge students to shred on their instrument!
Dance
Hip Hop class offers young dancers an introduction of the technique and rhythm of hip hop training. Dancers will begin each class with a guided warm up to help strengthen their bodies and increase flexibility. Hip Hop guides students through a series of foundational skills that set dancers up for more advanced learning in the future. Young dancers will learn foundational Hip Hop moves based in Chicago Footwork, Freestyle, Breaking...and much more. By the end of the year, students will be able to recognize the beat of a song and be able to slide, bounce, pop and lock, and roll to choreography, developing an understanding of musical timing and dynamics in their body. Hip Hop Dancers can expect to perform at least twice during the school year.
Pre-Ballet classes begin at age 3 (for schools that have preschool). These classes focus on games and activities designed to get 3-5 year olds moving in a creative way, learn the structure of a dance class, age appropriate stretching, games to remember positions, and moving to music in an expressive way while working on coordination and ensemble-based choreography. Your child will be able to perform at least twice by the end of the year!
Ballet begins at age 6 and is designed to provide young dancers an introductory class in the French terms and movements of a ballet dance. Students will learn the distinct positions of the feet and movement of the arms based upon traditional ballet technique, while also learning choreography for performances twice a year. Posture and balance teach young dancers the build blocks of ballet while providing a fun challenge for new learners
Latin Partner Dance begins at age 3. Students will be able to identify and dance in several styles of Latin Music, including Salsa, Mambo, Merengue, Rumba, Cha-Cha, Bachata, and Samba. Students will learn partner skills necessary to dance as a team and partner.
Tap Dance is like learning a musical instrument- but for your feet! Students in Tap will focus heavily on ensemble skills like listening, observational awareness, tempo, rhythm, and feeling the beat, so that our feet can sound like “one big shoe!”
Beginning Tap Dance: Students will be able to learn the foundations of tap dance, coordination, rhythm, and beat. Students will learn at least ten steps and combos, including flap, shuffle, Dig, paradiddle, ball change, hop, and more! Students will perform twice per year.
Int/Adv Tap Dance: Students will be able to continue to create combinations based on steps learned in their beginning year, while adding more advanced steps like the cramp roll, time step, buffalo, and more! Students will perform twice per year.
Piano
Pre-Piano
Our pre-piano program begins at age 3. Students in the 3-5 age group will be introduced through piano through the curriculum Music for Little Mozarts. This curriculum weaves movement, singing, and piano-games and activities within each lesson. Students will be able to use small keyboards in the beginning stages and learn how to care for their instrument, finger numbers, finger coordination and how to orient their fingers to the instrument based on 3 black keys versus 2 black keys. Students will learn simple songs on C, D, and E, and also utilize all of the black keys to play simple and familiar songs.
Beginning Piano
Students ages 6+ are welcome to join Beginning Piano. Students will be able to identify finger numbers, piano keys in the C major scale, and by the end of the year will be able to play a C Major Scale, and several simple pieces in the key of C. Students will work from Faber Book Repertoire, while learning pieces by ear to be able to focus on proper positioning of the hands and ensemble skills needed to play in unison. Students will begin to learn to note read in Intermediate/Advanced Piano.
Intermediate/Advanced Piano
Students ages 7+ and previous experience are encouraged to join Intermediate Piano. Students will be able to expand on their foundation of aural training in the key of C major, and expand to note reading, new key signatures and scales, chords, and ensemble playing. Students will be able to play pieces from Faber Book Repertoire, Pop Arrangements, Holiday Pieces, and more!
Classical Guitar
Our Classical Guitar** program starts in 2nd grade. We use a Suzuki approach- which involves culturing the ear to nuances of the guitar so that students can develop independence quickly with their instrument, focus on technique and positioning, emphasis with playing melodies using a rest stroke hand position with bass note accompaniments, and using all fingers in the right hand to create beautiful chords and melodies! Students will be able to learn Classical pieces, but also be able to apply Classical technique to pop repertoire as well. We recommend all guitar students receive a classical guitar background so that students can have a more well-rounded understanding of their instrument, develop healthy habits with positioning and hand technique, and overall develop a solid foundation!
**What is the difference between Acoustic and Classical Guitar? Acoustic guitar uses steel strings, which can be harsh on a young person's fingers! A Classical Guitar has nylon strings, which are more gentle, and produce a more mellow and sweet tone. Our Classical Guitar classes use Classical Guitars that are sized perfectly for your child, which we rent to our students. We want our students to be comfortable with the ability to create a great tone!
Beginning Guitar Classes focus on set-up and technique, applying rest-stroke picking style, and learning songs in G Major. Students in beginning classes will typically only use the top three strings ( E, B, G) and gain a solid understanding of all the notes within the G Major Scale. Students will learn at least 10 songs in their first year, and begin to translate melodies directly from what they hear to their own instrument!
Intermediate Guitar Classes will be able to begin to incorporate songs in D Major, and A Major with the goal of graduating Suzuki Book 1. Students in this class typically are at the Perpetual Motion level.
Advanced Guitar Classes begin to utilize their thumb to create 2-3 note chords and bass accompaniment creating a fuller and more robust tone. Students will be able to continue into Suzuki Book 2 and beyond, learn more contemporary and pop pieces with a classical arrangement, and learn chords to accompany students on melody.
Visual Art
Students will be able to explore and experiment with new materials, techniques, and approaches throughout the school year, while also creating a variety of short term and long-term projects. Students will be able to explore with techniques such as clay and hand-building, paint and paintbrush techniques, collage and mixed media, sculptural construction and papier mache, drawing and techniques with pencils, crayons, markers, and more.
Musical Theater
Students in Musical Theater will be able to learn popular repertoire from Broadway in song and dance form! Students will learn choreography, vocal exercises, the foundations of stage presence, how to solo, leadership and ensemble skills, acting exercises and games, and put together a short performance for parents at the end of the year!
Concert Band
Beginning Concert Band
The Beginning Band program begins in 4th grade. Students grades 4th-8th grade are invited to enroll in this class.
Students will be able to choose an instrument after a demonstration and try an instrument before making a decision. Students will be able to change instruments once after “counseling” if that instrument isn’t working out for them.
Concert Band instruments include: Flute, Bb Clarinet, Eb Alto Saxophone, Bb Trumpet, Trombone, Snare Drum/Bells & Miscellaneous Percussion Instruments. Other instruments are possible but not recommended include Oboe and Tenor Saxophone.
Students will be able to play simple songs and scales while learning to read music in the Essential Elements Band Method book (provided). Snare drummers will begin to learn drum rudiments including the flam, paradiddle, and open roll.
Percussion students will be able to play bells (xylophone) when available* Please note: many rental outfits are equipped with a snare drum, stand, bell kit and bell stand in a “roller backpack”.
The Beginning Concert Band will be able to play and perform songs and arrangements in a variety of styles in the key of Bb Major Concert *.
* A note about “Concert Keys” and transposing instruments. When a Flute, Trombone, or a Piano plays a C note, it sounds like a C. These instruments play in the “Concert Key”. When a Bb Clarinet or Bb Trumpet plays a C, it sounds like a Bb. When an Eb Alto Saxophone plays a C, it sounds like an Eb. As a result, when Bb instruments play in the key of C and Alto Saxophones play in the key of G, all instruments in the band will be playing in the same key of Bb “Concert”.
Intermediate Concert Band
2nd year students will continue to build skills in music making using the Essential Elements Band Method Book 1 and additional band arrangements. Students will be able to play songs and pieces in the keys of Eb and F concert major as well as relative minor keys C minor and D minor. More band arrangements will be played that align with lessons in the Essential Elements book. Students will continue to increase range and skills. Students will be able to play songs and pieces in a variety of Major and Minor keys. Chosen music is a combination of familiar, traditional marches, multi-cultural, and pop songs.
Advanced Concert Band
3rd year students will continue to build skills in music making using the Essential Elements Band Method Book 1 and Book 2 as well additional challenging band arrangements. Students will continue to increase range and skills. Students will be able to play songs and pieces in a variety of Major and Minor keys. Chosen music is a combination of familiar, traditional marches, multi-cultural, and pop songs.