Playing Piano and So Much More
Keyboard Kids offers a continuous curriculum from age 4 to adult. Beginning students learn basic musicianship such as ear training, rhythm, note reading, piano keyboard skills and ensemble playing. Advance students move into jazz and improvisational studies in alternating private and group lessons.
Sparking an Ear for Music
At Keyboard Kids, children develop a remarkable ear for music. In a supportive group environment, students explore a broad range of enriching musical experiences with a focus on ear training.
- Using "Solfege" techniques, children don't just hear and play musical notes, they sing them with a classic 'Do, Re, Mi' vocalization. This strengthens the association between the sounds and the notes, ensuring a lifetime of intrinsic musical understanding.
- Children learn to identify the essential elements of music such as rhythm, intervals and chords through fun and engaging games and activities.
- Students participate in ensemble playing, leaning to listen to multiple parts while playing their own individual parts simultaneously.
A Supportive Group Setting
Beginning classes for 4 to 9 year olds are taught in a supportive group setting with active parent participation. Students are grouped according to age and ability with each student receiving a customized curriculum based on their skill level and interest.
- Each child works at their own keyboard alongside their parent.
- Working in a group provides a pressure free environment where kids support each other without the intense scrutiny often found in private lessons. Kids develop an understanding of pulse, rhythm and note reading from the teacher and from listening and observing each other.
- Group lessons are also longer than typical private lessons (60 minutes versus 30 minutes) providing ample time to explore a broad range of musical instruction.
- Keyboard Kids uses the highly regarded Harmony Road Music Course.
Parent Participation
Research has shown that children learn much more effectively when parents are actively involved in their education. Practice has shown that children excel at Keyboard Kids through parent participation in class and at home.
- Parent participation enriches children's learning experience.
- Parent attendance in class is required for all children under 8 years old.
- Parents are encouraged to practice at the keyboard with their children at home
Building Poise Through Performance
Two recitals per year provide children with the opportunity to share their achievements with friends, family, and the broader Keyboard Kids community.
Performances, both in class and recitals, help increases poise and self confidence and provides positive reinforcing feedback.