In every class, students will work to develop one of the most essential skills of music making: keeping a steady beat! We also have multiple opportunities to explore rhythm, musical form, pitch, dynamics, tempo, and more! Children will engage in songs, pitch matching, and vocal exploration exercises to help them develop a tuneful singing voice. Movement, guided improvisation, and listening activities allow students to respond creatively to music and discover its cultural and artistic qualities. Students in all classes will explore and make music in developmentally-appropriate ways, and older children will begin to learn and use music theory terminology. Children will also practice everyday skills such as cooperation and collaboration with their peers,  gross and fine motor skills, patterns and counting, and taking (safe) risks in a positive and nurturing environment. Most importantly, children will learn that making music together is JOYFUL!

Music Explorers classes are always planned and taught by Ms. Lauren, a degreed and licensed music teacher with years of experience in the field of early childhood music education. Each lesson is adapted for the specific needs, interests, and abilities of the children enrolled- no two classes are exactly alike and nothing is scripted! Ms. Lauren draws her material from a variety of sources backed by research to ensure that each class is developmentally-appropriate and supports the way children learn naturally through experience and play! 

The easiest way to choose a class is by age group and the location/time that is most convenient for you. For younger children who might be overwhelmed by a lot of activity and older children, consider registering for a babies/toddlers or 0-2s class. Mixed age classes are great for scheduling flexibility or when you're bringing siblings of different ages. Developmentally-appropriate modifications are available in every class if a child falls slightly outside the recommended age range.

While it's not required, adult participation is highly encouraged, especially for children under 4. Your participation helps your child acclimate more quickly and feel more confident about trying something new! Making music together is a wonderful way to bond with your child. You will always receive suggestions for ways you can help your child engage and get the most out of their class!

No! Any adult can attend with your child. We often have grandparents, nannies, and aunts and uncles in our classes!

We've heard and seen it all! What if my child cries in class? What if she can't sit still? What if he isn't participating? It's all okay! Children learn and respond in their own ways, and sometimes new experiences are overwhelming.  It can take a few classes for your child to feel comfortable participating in all of the activities. If your child needs a break during class, feel free to step out for a few moments and join in again when they're ready. If they don't look like they're participating the way you think they should, rest assured that they are absorbing everything we do- you'll probably see or hear evidence of this later on at home when they're in a more familiar environment!

No, all materials and instruments are provided by the teacher! We use high-quality instruments designed for classroom use to ensure that they are durable, safe for young children, and provide the tone quality essential for developing musicality. You are welcome to bring a water bottle if you'd like, and some families feel more comfortable sitting on a small towel or blanket- but we will be up and moving a lot, too!

Life with children can be full of surprises, and we know that sometimes you may have a conflict. Keeping your sick child at home is appreciated so we can keep our classmates and their families healthy! If you are enrolled in a multi-week series of classes, you may make up a missed class before the end of the currently enrolled series if there is another class time and location that fits your schedule. Make-up classes are not guaranteed and cannot be carried over to another term; please contact the teacher to make arrangements. Policies for individual pop-up classes and classes hosted in partnership with other organizations may vary, so please reach out if you need clarification.