Classes for Young Children at Ascencion Music Academy

Small Fries, children ages 4 to 7, in music class.

Our music classes for children are given by teachers degreed in music, certified in early childhood music education. We guide the development of your child’s musicianship over time in quality music programs.  The earlier your child begins, the more abundantly the music flows! It is a wise and wonderful choice. Scroll down for detailed program description.

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MUSIC CLASSES FOR CHILDREN ARE OFFERED YEAR-ROUND.

  • General Music: Small Fries (ages 4-7), Early Birds (ages 3-5 years), Toddlers (15-36 months). Age-appropriate, holistic general music, non-sequential learning. Twelve classes per semester, offered throughout the year.
  • Group Piano, Group Strings: Ages 6-8, with the approval of the instructor. A step along the way between group general music and private lessons. A gentle introduction to sequential learning. Twelve classes per semester, offered throughout the year.
  • Class Format: Small groups of between three and nine children. Once-weekly. One instructor or two, 30 or 45 minutes, independent learning or parent-participation, sequential learning or non – these things vary with the class chosen.
  • Schedule: Rolling basis throughout the year.
  • Children’s Music Faculty: Fleck, Cathy Pescevich Kreplin
  • CLICK to ENROLL or join the waiting listtuition payment holds your spot!

Benefits of Music Education for Young Children

Put your child on an exciting path of lifelong music making, starting early in life. The benefits of music education are many. Music immerses the child in language, enhances brain functioning, and fosters physical coordination. Music improves overall development and decreases learning problems. Music has even been connected with resiliency—the ability to bounce back after a disturbing event. And, making music is just tons of fun.

Overview

GENERAL MUSIC Children of the age for Toddler Music (15 to 36 months) learn best through informal play; parents participate fully with their children. Those ready for Early Bird Music (ages three through five) learn with more emphasis on structure and specific instruments – piano, guitar and drums. Parents participate optionally at this stage. Students in Small Fries (ages four through seven) learn music-making skills independently of parents. Piano, guitar and drums are played in each class. For all of these classes, the learning is non-sequential. While there is a cumulative benefit to a child over time, each class offers unique learning opportunities, and the experience is not damaged if a child misses a class.

GROUP INSTRUMENT LESSONS Group Piano and Group Strings are independent learning at the next level. The learning is gently sequential, meaning, the learning builds from week-to-week, and a little bit of home reinforcement activity will be offered, without the formal expectations of private lessons. This is a greater level of commitment to the music-learning process. Parents should anticipate a child staying at this level of learning for six months to a year before they are ready for private lessons. Children will be admitted to these classes on the recommendation of the instructor.

Our Program in Detail

TODDLER MUSIC, for ages 15 – 36 months

Taught by a Musikgarten-certified teacher, with Musikgarten curriculum. Musikgarten is one of the leaders in early childhood music instruction, offering a carefully researched and sequenced curriculum designed to tap into inborn skills of every child – the ability to sing on pitch, imitate gesture, keep a steady beat. Teacher, students and parents wiggle and giggle together on a child-centered path of musical experience.

EARLY BIRDS, for children ages three to five years

Children playing guitar in music class

Children develop early musicianship skills through hands on piano, guitar and drums in each session.  Parental participation is optional at this state.  We encourage you to sometimes stay and play (space-permitting), sometimes stay and observe, and sometimes drop off!

SMALL FRIES, for ages four to seven years

Our group general music classes for children really ramp up those early musicianship skills. Piano, guitar and drums are our central instruments of instruction in the classroom.  These older pre-schoolers and early elementary schoolers study rhythmic movement, playing by ear, ensemble performance and improvisation.  Their musical skills are being readied for more formal music study. Classes are small in size; one lead teacher and one assistant “team-teach” for maximum quality of instruction. Parents drop the children off for independent learning.

GROUP PIANO, for children ages six to eight, with instructor recommendation

New in 2023, these classes take young musicians to the next level of music-learning, specifically on the piano. Three to six children in a class benefit from the mixture of attentive, personalized instruction and from peer learning. Commitment to the process is expected. Parents, anticipate keeping your young musicians in this class for up to a year, before stepping up to private lessons. This addition to our children’s music program eases the transition from the strictly play-oriented environment of group general music to the playful-but-formal expectations of private music study.

Group Piano is a 30-minute session that meets on Thursdays at 5:45 pm. The focus is on technique rudiments and musicianship basics. The fundamentals of music are also presented.

GROUP STRINGS, for children ages six to eight, with instructor recommendation

New in 2023, this class takes young musicians to the next level of music-learning, specifically on the ukulele. Three to six children in a class benefit from the mixture of attentive, personalized instruction and from peer learning. Commitment to the process is expected. Parents, anticipate keeping your young musicians in this class for up to a year before stepping up to private lessons. This addition to our children’s music program eases the transition from the strictly play-oriented environment of group general music to the playful-but-formal expectations of private music study.

Group Strings is a 30-minute session that meets on 4:00 pm on Thursdays. The focus is on finger-style string-playing skills for fretted stringed instruments, beginning with ukulele. The fundamentals of music are also presented.

CLICK TO ENROLL.

Call 252-955-0706 or email [email protected] for more information.