Hopes for Our Children in the Performing Arts
By Shawn Lent, Manager of Dance Education
It is a beautiful thing to have hopes and dreams for our children, especially when they align with their own evolving goals. When it comes to the performing arts, what are your hopes for your children? Unlike most dance studios and music or theater schools in the area, Music House offers a vast range of opportunities–across dance, theater, and music–all in one school!
If you take a moment to reflect about your hopes and dreams for children in the arts, such as those listed below, you will find programs at Music House to fit that journey.
Admission to a High School or University’s Performing Arts Program
Private Lessons are great for helping young artists build their skill sets and portfolio materials tailored to specific admission requirements. Music House can also help with recording audition videos or holding mock auditions. Our students have successfully gotten into arts programs at ChiArts High School, University of Illinois, and DePaul University, among others.
Gain a Multicultural, Positive Peer Group and Build Collaborative Skills
Group classes and ensembles are great for self–development in the context of others. There are many incredible benefits of learning together that cannot be achieved through private lessons alone. From stage formations to matching tempos, from peer motivation to harmonies, students in group classes and ensembles learn about collaboration and teamwork in a multicultural setting. Music House’s inclusion practices bring together students from dozens of different public schools, private schools and academies, and homeschooling, young artists here build friendships with peers they wouldn’t necessarily have the chance to otherwise. Additionally, participating in one of Music House’s ensemble programs offers multiple opportunities to perform together in the community such as at community centers and street fests. Music House offers the following ensemble programs:
Get a Dream Part in Their School Musical
Students hoping to land a role in their school productions are encouraged to take a combination of private Voice lessons and at least one group dance class such as Theater Dance, Tap, or Jazz. In addition, joining one of Music House’s musical theater productions can add important experience, confidence, and familiarity with the form.
Land Professional Gigs Such as TV Shows and Equity Productions
Private Lessons at Music House are wonderful for those moving toward professional work in the performing arts. These lessons can be tailored to specific needs and goals, including professional opportunities. Music House offers the following private lessons:
Voice
Acting
Instrumental: Piano, Violin, Cello, Viola, Ukulele, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Saxophone, Trumpet, Flute, or Clarinet
Dance: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, or Theater Dance (other forms such as Bollywood, Bharatanatyam, Dabke, West African, Latin Social Dances, Ballroom, and Integrative Dance for students with disabilities are available by request)
Foreign Language
Fulfill the Dream of Dancing en Pointe
Does your child dream of dancing en pointe? Consider signing your child up for two ballet classes at Music House. When the dancer is 11+ years old, it is important to add Pre-Pointe class to prepare for the Pointe Readiness Assessment. This year, the assessment will be held May 15.
Shine During a Quinceañera, Sweet 16, Bat/Bar Mitzvah, or Wedding
Music House faculty are available to help you or your child and their friends prepare shining performances for special occasions. From choreographed routines to surprise musical numbers, the performing arts make these events that much more memorable.
Gain Confidence Through More Onstage Experience
Performance is a critical part of the learning journey in the arts. When a student performer is applauded by their family and community, it makes a world of difference in their confidence onstage and off. Music House offers children the opportunity to shine in full-scale musical theater productions, dance productions, and music concerts. In addition, recitals showcase individual students and classes. We encourage students to participate in a minimum of two performances per year.
Improve Body Positivity, Stamina, Strength, Flexibility, and/or Coordination
The recently revised Music House Dance Program Curriculum provides detailed development goals and dance teachers have specialized resources to help your child in these areas. It is recommended that children ages 8+ take at least two dance classes per week.
Follow Their Passion and Commit to Something
Students wanting to take their training to the next level are encouraged to engage in a combination of learning settings. The one-on-one relationship of private lessons provides a customized and focused setting for the development of your child’s talent. With private lessons, they learn at their own pace, focus on technique, and receive instant feedback. Group classes can help boost training through peer motivation. All of Music House’s programs have structured curriculum that can be tailored to each student. In music, we offer Suzuki Method classes. In dance, we now offer a track of classes based on the official AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® National Training Curriculum.
Explore the Arts While Keeping Active During School Breaks
Music House’s Artist Playhouse Summer Camp is all about having fun while inspiring young artists to create and enjoy their summer break! Campers spend each week making friends while learning to play a musical instrument, forming a rock band, drawing, painting, crafting, dancing, and deriving theater scenes for an on stage performance that they put on for their family and friends every Friday. Music House’s Performing Arts Day Off Camp is available on most CPS days off. Campers spend the day switching between instrumental music, dance, theater, and visual art classes with breaks to socialize in between. Campers have a place to voice their creative visions and ideas in an encouraging, safe, and inspirational camp environment.
Gain an Early Love for the Performing Arts
In Music Together® at Music House, infants, toddlers, and their caregivers sing, dance, and explore musical instruments in a 45 minute structured class These classes aim to foster familial bonding, while developing an early love of the performing arts. Music Together classes also help children develop in other areas, such as literacy, self-expression, and aural and motor skills.
Become a Leader for the Next Generation
The American and international business community needs creative leaders. Your children are on track! And the need for creative leadership for the next generation goes far beyond business. Continuing any type of journey at Music House helps students gain relevant, transferable skills.
