Music | The Music and Dance Suite

Our premier early childhood program Rhythm Express

Rhythm Express provides the time and tools to help bring the power of music into your child’s life forever. By adding new concepts and challenges along the way, each age-appropriate program acts as a stepping stone to the next; paving the way to a musical journey that can last seven magnificent, musical years.

Each Rhythm Express class is a world of discovery and adventure. In every class, you’ll witness your child’s developmental evolution in language skills, literacy, listening, problem-solving, social skills, self-esteem, and musicality. And it happens within a nurturing environment-full of energy, imagination, music, dancing, and playful delight.

PRIVATE Music LESSONS

THE MUSIC AND DANCE SUITE OFFERS PRIVATE LESSONS IN: PIANO, GUITAR, BASS, UKULELE, VOICE, STRINGS (VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO), BRASS (TRUMPET, TROMBONE, BARITONE, FRENCH HORN), WOODWINDS (FLUTE, CLARINET, SAXOPHONE) AND DRUMS.

Individual attention: Private lessons focus on the individual’ s strengths and weaknesses. Instruments are multi-sensory, complex activities requiring learning by ear, eye, touch, and intellectual understanding. Each student combines these elements differently. Private lessons go at the student’s learning pace, stopping whenever necessary to review concepts, repeat material, or explore a topic the student shows an interest in.

Skills development: For more advanced students, private attention is needed to work on micro issues such as fingering, as well as finer points of expression and interpretation. Issues such as technique are also better dealt with privately.

SCHEDULING

With 30 instructors on staff, we do our best to schedule lessons at a convenient time for your family. Simultaneous lessons for multiple children in your family are possible.

The Suzuki Method.

Suzuki instruction is available on violin, viola, cello and piano. The Suzuki Method is based on the principle that all children possess ability and that this ability can be developed and enhanced through a nurturing environment. All children learn to speak their own language with relative ease and if the same natural learning process is applied in teaching other skills, these can be acquired as successfully. Suzuki is referred to the process as the Mother Tongue Method and to the whole system of pedagogy as Talent Education.

The important elements of the Suzuki approach to instrumental teaching include the following:

• An early start (aged 3-4 is normal in most countries) • The importance of listening to music • Learning to play before learning to read • The involvement of the parent • A nurturing and positive learning environment • A high standard of teaching by trained teachers • The importance of producing a good sound in a balanced and natural way • Core repertoire, used by Suzuki students across the world • Social interaction with other children: Suzuki students from all over the world can communicate through the language of music

The Suzuki Method has enabled many children to play music to a high standard. Substantial numbers of Suzuki trained students have indeed become highly acclaimed professional musicians. However, the training of professionals is not the main aim: the emphasis throughout is on the development of the whole child, on education through music. Dr. Suzuki himself always said that his wish was to foster the human qualities in the child. At every opportunity he called on politicians, teachers and parents to ensure that the full potential of every child is developed:

“I want – if I can – to get education changed from mere instruction to education in the real sense of the word – education that inculcates, brings out, develops the human potential, based on the growing life of the child. That is why I am devoting my efforts to furthering Talent Education: what a child becomes depends entirely on how he is educated. My prayer is that all children on this globe may become fine human beings, happy people of superior ability, and I am devoting all my energies to making this come about, for I am convinced that all children are born with this potential.”

Group lessons

Group lessons are a great way to learn!. Learning music through observation is proven to enhance learning. Students who are able to observe other students learning have an opportunity to process the information and they find they learn more easily.

Groups provide positive peer pressure. A group becomes a comfortable place to be and students like to keep up with their group. They tend to motivate each other.

Students in groups regularly play music in front of others which reduces the fear of playing in public. The vast majority of our students enjoy playing with and for other people. We also provide opportunities for our students to play with other musicians for musical development and pleasure. Our groups are enjoyable. We have a great time with our students and everyone looks forward to their lessons.

GROUP LESSONS ARE OFFERED AS:

Group Lessons are available on piano, guitar, drums and ukulele.

Semi-Private lessons: two students (either siblings or friends) similar in age and ability, playing the same type of instrument.
Small group lessons: everyone is playing near the same level and are close in age.
Rock Band: is an option in addition to other private or group lessons. We meet as a group an hour a week and have a great time learning ensemble skills. We have two concerts a year in a local establishment.