When families contact me about the Music for Young Children^® program there are usually a few questions that are asked. I thought that I would put together a post of a couple of the most common questions AND answers, just for those of you wondering!

HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE IN A MYC^® CLASS?

Six! The maximum number of students in each keyboard class is six, each with their own individual keyboard. Among the many benefits of group lessons, students learn a steady rhythm early on, they learn from each other and encourage each other, they play rhythm ensembles with more than one line, they develop their social skills, they work on their listening skills, and much more! Most often, students will start lessons and progress through the levels, graduating Moonbeams 3 with the same group of classmates, which has now become a group of friends.

DO PARENTS NEED TO HAVE A MUSICAL BACKGROUND IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN CLASS?

No musical background is necessary, as a parent/guardian is able to learn along with their child. In fact, many parents enjoy learning this new skill as an added benefit of taking their child to lessons and we have a lot of fun learning together!

DO MYC STUDENTS SIT FOR THE ENTIRE CLASS?

Our Music for Young Children classes don’t sit still. 🎶

When teaching new elements we may use song (which includes dancing or choreography of some sort), do fun homework (depending on the age, it ranges from colouring, music math, cutting and pasting, crossword puzzles, etc.) or maybe even play it with our rhythm instruments before we go to the piano. We try and have as much up and down as possible in class, using auditory, tactile, analytical and visual methods as we’re teaching. I’ve found that our youngest class, Sunshine 1, sometimes feels like a bit of an aerobics class for parents AND teacher!

HOW FAR DO STUDENTS GO MUSICALLY?

Our MYC students progress through through the MYC program, graduating in Moonbeams 3. In Moonbeans 3 we work on Grade 1 Conservatory Canada piano material with each student having the option to taking their Grade 1 piano exam in the spring. Whether or not students take the exam, they all graduated from the MYC program and then the majority move to private lessons. It’s always hard saying goodbye to my graduating students, but it is wonderful when I get updates and videos as to what they are doing now!