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I am a parent at a local preschool. I've been working with the school to find a music teacher to teach a couple hours a week. I haven't had any luck. It seems local preschool music teachers are very booked up. Any recommendations? We need a yoga teacher too. Please email me if you have a suggestion. Stephanie
Can anyone recommend a music class for toddlers? I am particularly interested in African/Asian drumming as that is something we can practice at home but other instruments would be great too. My son is turning two. We've done Music Together but are interested in his playing instruments at this stage. Thank You. Kemmeo
I've looked in the archives, and the only places I've seen that offer family/infant music classes are Music Together and Nanci's (in Piedmont). They both sound great, but they're so expensive! It averages out to $20/class!! Good grief! I can take an hour/long adult class for half that amount. I know there are materials, too, but it just seems like so much money for a 1/2 hour class (esp when we might need to miss sometimes when his nap schedule is off, for example). Does anyone know of any less expensive places to expose my young toddler to music, rhythm & movement? Resources to use at home would be helpful, but I think it would be a lot more fun for us both to be in a situation with other children. My baby is pretty social. Would appreciate suggestions. Thanks! Shoshana
My husband and I are new to the bay area and looking for music classes for our 4 year old son. The music together courses seem geared towards younger children. We are looking for less circle time and more emphasis on actually playing instruments and learning basic music theory. Any recommendations would be appreciated, preferably in Oakland area, though we wouldn't mind communting to San Francisco for the right program. kid needs to groove
I have a young son ( 3 years old) who has done both East Bay Music Together and Jon's School of music. The Music Together was great and fun but we outgrew it. It teaches that one 'plays' music but there is not much true musical knowledge being imparted.
Jon teaches basic music reading and note recognition. He uses different teaching methods to reach different children's learning methods. For example, he writes songs to teach where specific notes are on the piano keyboard. 'D the dog' and so on. We rotate through playing real instruments. We also dance and of course have fun.
I am a musician and enjoy his classes. I think Jon is an excellent teacher.
Please make sure you give his classes a chance. He teaches in both North Berkeley and San Francisco. Edie
Hi and thanks in advance for any info/advice that I receive! My daughter is 21 months old and LOVES Music Together. It's the only class we have taken and it really suits her. However, I have recently had surgery and will not be able to keep up with the class as usual, so we have decided to skip a session until I am healed completely and ready to jump and rock, etc. I am looking for an alternative class once a week or so, and it would need to be a class where I can sort of hang back physically, or at least not have to physically do a lot of lifting, dancing or jumping. Maybe art? She is probably too young, though. Is there a physical class (for her) like tumbling, etc, that I would not have to participate in helping her tumble much? Somehow I doubt it. She is a spirited, energetic and very physical kid, and wonder if there is something that isn't as Mommy and me oriented, although I'd like to still be present and active as much as is tolerated. Looking for ideas for January! Thanks! Anne
Hi - my little girl (2.5y/o) loves music and singing. I'd like suggestions for where we could get together and sing with other little kids on a regular basis. Thanks!
We are looking for more interesting music and art classes for our nearly-3-year-old daughter. She's been doing music classes like Kindermusik and Music Together since she was wee, and it seems as though she is ready to start making music in addition to enjoying it. We need something else.
My 4 yr old seems to be showing a major interest in singing. She seems to learn words and tunes very easily and really enjoys performing for family and friends and will even sing in front of her class at daycare. I have been encouraging her at home and even though my family performs together quite often, we have no formal music training or experience. Any suggestions on classes (not too expensive) etc at this age will be really appreciated. anon
Sing Thing is a weekly family-oriented group for anyone who enjoys singing, and is a great opportunity to meet other families who enjoy making music. No musical experience is necessary. In Sing Thing, we learn rounds, part-singing, songs in a variety of languages from a variety of cultures, sea shanteys, work songs, and songs that are REALLY fun to sing. My family now has a repetoire of rich songs that we can sing together as a family, and my children have taken great leaps in both their musical interests and abilities.
Sing Thing has ended for the school year, but will resume again in October of this year. There are two nights of Sing Thing, one in Oakland on Tuesday 7:30-8:30PM, and one in Albany on Wednesday, 7:30-8:30PM. For more information, see www.sandimorey.com :-)
I am looking for a recommendation for a music class appropriate
for a 4 year old. I have checked the website and most
recommendations are a few years old and are for music together,
kindermusik etc.
We have taken the music together classes, but being almost 4
years old, I feel my son has outgrown those. Last semester most
of the other kids in his class could barely walk and I'm
looking for a class with kids his age. I know that Music
Together is just starting an older kids class at Danspace on
Sundays, but I am looking for a class on Fridays since I don't
work on Fridays.
I remember reading something somewhere about Jon's or Jona's
classes in Berkeley that include using instruments, but
couldn't find it on the website.
Andrea
My 4 year old loves music--singing, dancing, listening, playing (in his own
fashion) and we want to encourage him.
He seems to have outgrown music together, and we
wondered what else is out there. The other catch is that we can't take him to
anything during the workday, so we're looking for something on weekends or after
5:30 pm during the week. Movement classes or places where music and movement
are combined (not necessarily structured very much!) would be the best as he
has lots of happy energy. Though other things which would be good for someone
(maybe singing?) his age we'd love to hear about too, we're pretty ignorant. The
website postings are old and we'd love an update.
Thanks!
jcohn
Recommended:
Hi, I am looking for a music class to take my son to on Mondays or Fridays. We live in the East Bay. Thanks. Charlie
I'm looking for a general musicianship class for my 4-1/2 year
old son. He's too old for Music Together and not yet ready for
instrument lessons or music theory. I'd like to find something
that's fun (preferably movement oriented), emphasizes general
musicianship (rhythm, pitch, tones, etc.) and preferably lets
the children experiment with different instruments. I liked
Nancy Denz's ''Music for Children'' program very much, but she no
longer is offering it in the East Bay. I'd like to find
something near Montclair or Rockridge, if possible, but am open
to other suggestions. Thanks.
Wants music mom
Recommended:
I am looking for a music class for my 16.5 month son that starts in the fall, when he will be 18 months old. We take him to Gymboree on Saturdays, and actually are considering Golden Bear Gymanstics in the fall instead, so that leaves us evenings or Sundays for squeezing in a music class. Evenings being a 6 pm class. Does anybody have any recommendations or suggestions? Thanks! Kelly
Recommendations received:
East Bay Moms offers MUSIC-MADE-FUN 4 KIDS! classes taught by Ellen B. Freed in Montclair on Thursday mornings (10-11) as well as Wednesday afternoons (3:30-4:30). This fun, sing-along musical activity group is for children ages 9 months to 3.5 years with their parents or caregivers. Using a "circle time" format with musical accompaniment, the class incorporates traditional children's songs, finger-play, instruments and dance/movement as well as "grown-up" songs that appeal to children. Rather than trying to teach a musical curriculum, the goal is to instill an interest in and a love for all kinds of music and singing by making it accessible and fun for both parents and children. New six week sessions begin on Feburary 16th & 17th; the fee is $36/child for East Bay Moms members and $42/child for non-members. A registration form can be obtained from the East Bay Moms website at www.eastbaymoms.com
My 6 year old daughter very much wants to learn an instrument, and is not interested in a general little kid's music class without instruments anymore (she is very musical, has a good singing voice and a good ear, but no training as of yet with instruments). She is open about which instrument, although she is taken with both the cello and recorder (and flute, but I understand 6 is to young to be successful at the flute). The orff method has been recommended, and I looked into the Crowden school, but the group classes for her age group also require private lessons (which gets expensive with the group class fees) , and the ones that don't do not allow 6 year olds. Can anyone recommend an orff method teacher for small group or private lessons, or a good group class somewhere based on this method that offers instrument training for a 6 year old? I am open to other methods as well as long as they are fun and low-pressure. Thanks for the input! Lyla
Regarding music options: Music Time is supposed to be excellent. It is the most expensive (about $15/class). Call 415-750-1166. Kindermusik didn't impress me much at the Albany location 1-800-615-5415. The teacher couldn't sing in tune. Kids In Tune offers classes through Park and Rec departments. Call 887-1304. Pacific Redwoods Music Together classes are offered in Berkeley at St. Johns Church in the morning (Julie Tannenbaum) 843-8641and afternoon (Nancy Hughes 597-9861). Neighborhood Moms also offers a $4/session class on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 I think in Berkeley lead by volunteers.
After checking out most of these music programs, I've opted to hire a private teacher with several other moms on an every other week basis. I've found this the best quality for the best price.
This is perhaps tangential, but Albany Pool has a swimming class for toddlers in which most of the half hour each week is spent singing various songs together in the pool. As each child must be held by a parent, there is unfortunately not much opportunity for interaction between the children nor for unconstrained expression. Nevertheless, it can be a lot of fun for the toddlers. The class meets on Saturday mornings at 10:30, and I believe that it runs year-round, although it's much more popular in the summer. The park next to the pool has two nice playgrounds, one of which is tailored to toddlers.
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