Melissa's Music Studio - Music for Young Children

Program Aim
Children are the center of MYC … their learning styles and needs are met through a multi-sensory approach. The understanding of music will expand into positive problem-solving skills, areas of self-expression, the growth of memory skills and excellent self-confidence and self-esteem. With these natural outcomes children can easily take on the skills required to read other languages and master other tasks.

In MYC, children meet in small groups, in their own age category, once a week for an hour, accompanied by an adult (parent, grandparent or caregiver). MYC is a piano-based music program that also includes singing, rhythm ensembles, sight reading, ear training, theory and composition. By the time a child graduates, they are prepared to take their Conservatory Grade 1 Piano exam.

The program lasts from three to five years, depending on the age of the child, with each year typically consisting of 36 lessons

Sunrise
Sunrise is an exciting and innovative pre-school music program for children two and three years old. The program has a flexible format that allows adaptation to a variety of age and environmental situations including daycare and nursery school centers as well as home studios of certified Music for Young Children Sunrise teachers. Children receive instruction in singing, rhythm, and ear training with teddy bears being one of the learning "tools". This specially developed music curriculum includes stories, songs and games.

Sunshines
This program, for three and four year old beginners includes large muscle experiences in beat and rhythms as well as fine motor experiences in rhythm instrument ensemble playing. By the end of the first year, Sunshines are playing in C major and middle C positions and are reading from the staff. Pre-reading experiences – such as like and different sorting, looking for patterns with colorful visual aids, gluing and coloring -- are part of the program.

Sunbeams
The program for kindergartners and first graders provides “big kid” lyrics to introduce concepts, finger numbers and keyboard geography. Songs and games are used to encourage and reinforce listening.

Moonbeams
For the older beginner, ages seven through nine, the program lasts three years. Our Moonbeams want “quick results” and the songs, ensembles and keyboard repertoire are designed to support their growing sense of independence. The listening activities for this age group keep the “ears open” even as reading becomes the primary focus for gathering information.

Students at the final level, Moonbeams Three, are thoroughly prepared for Grade One Conservatory examinations and have, in many cases, been awarded the Conservatory Silver Medal, the highest mark provincially, for Grade One Piano.

Even more important, the MYC graduates (and parents) are very highly motivated for further study in music and private teachers have found many of the students so well prepared for private lessons that they have accelerated them through Conservatory Grades Two and Three in one year!