Children's Program (ages 4 - 10)
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Academy is pleased to announce an enriched Children's Program. Bonnie Dike, who was with us for many years, brings a lifetime of experience with children's music education to the Academy. The classes will draw on the Dalcroze Method, which promotes the development of musicianship through active musical experiences of the mind, body, and spirit. The program seeks to encourage a lifelong appreciation of music in a friendly, supportive, and appropriately challenging environment. Students will have opportunities to develop their creative abilities, take part in class presentations, and listen to guest performances. Optional field trips to special musical events given by the Seattle Symphony and local music organizations can be arranged. Parent-teacher conferences will be available. She joins Brianna Atwell (Junior Program Director), Brad Hawkins (Choir), and Charlotte Dike (AMN Alumna & Accompanist) in this program.
FACULTY BIOS are on the Faculty & Staff page.
CLASSES FOR NEW AND RETURNING STUDENTS:
Little Mozarts and Monets (Ages 4 - 5) Saturdays, 11 - Noon
Abecedarians sing, dance, and draw their way through music history as they study the masterpieces and childhoods of the great composers and the art and artists of the corresponding time periods. Solfège singing, rhythmic movement, and fun yoga sequences have been designed to nurture and support these budding musicians. The scholars will compose a piece based upon a classic children’s book. Leitmotifs and quodlibets and hemidemisemiquavers – Oh, my! "Music has charms to soothe a savage breast." ~Congreve
Little Mozarts and Monets - Moving Up! (Ages 5 -8) Saturdays, Noon - 12:50
Incremental studies in solfège, rhythmic movement, sight-singing and ear training, melodic and rhythmic dictation, and drawing the Circle of 5ths with key signatures teach the fundamentals which allow these growing scholars to achieve greater musical mastery. The study of music history, and the art that coincided with each period, continues in a winsome and nurturing environment. Yoga sequences designed for young musicians will improve breath control, phrasing, relaxation, and concentration for practice and performance. "Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything." ~Plato
Performance Class is the second section of the Musicianship Class. Children will study performance and audience etiquette and protocol and have the opportunity to perform weekly in a supportive environment. "If music be the food of love, play on."~Shakespeare
Academy Children's Choir is an optional session for ages 6 & up, 50 minutes. Experience the joy of singing in unison and harmony. The choir is directed by Brad Hawkins.
Additional solo performance and chamber music ensemble participation are available to qualified children. Ensemble participation has to be approved by Ensemble Director, Allyson Kramer by audition.
Some private lessons on-site may be available to accommodate families with siblings enrolled, if rooms and faculty are available. Teacher referrals are available.
CLASSES MEET
Classes meet on Saturdays for 30 weeks, in two semesters.
See the Schedule page.
When siblings are enrolled, we try to accommodate them in concurrent or adjoining classes, and/or by the option of on-site lessons. On-site lesson fees are determined by and paid directly to the private teacher.
REGISTRATION & PLACEMENT
To register, select Application from the Home page.
Complete the application, hit the SEND button at the bottom of the page.
Or print and mail the application to the Office.
- New Students:
- You will be contacted as soon as we receive your application.
- A placement interview will be scheduled at that time.
- Placement interviews normally occur in early September.
- Late enrollment may be accommodated with faculty interviews.
- Returning Students: Everyone must register, an interview is not needed.
- Placement: The faculty will assign the right placement level for returning students.
- Ensemble: An audition will be scheduled with the Ensemble Director for placement.
- Choir: Participation in choir may be arranged as an additional class.
PLACEMENT
- New Students will have placement interviews with the teacher and parent.
- Returning Students are placed by faculty, usually in the next level.
- Children are evaluated and placed in standard classes appropriate for their age, ability, social readiness, and knowledge by Children's Faculty.
We encourage you to talk to our faculty, Academy President James Paul or our Vice President, Dee Wells about any special request.
Private Lessons:
Students who already have private
instrumental teachers, continue with those teachers. The Academy makes no
attempt to change a student's teacher.
When requested by parents, will we are happy to make courtesy referrals to outstanding regional private studio teachers. Usually these requests are from families who are new to the area or who are interested in beginning lessons for their children.
To accommodate families with siblings enrolled, a few private lessons for children may be taken on Saturdays if space and faculty are available.
Instrument Rentals: We recommend initially renting instruments for beginners. Regional music stores have small instruments in many sizes for young children, including 'cello, viola, violin, recorder. A (weighted keys) electronic keyboard can initially substitute for piano for beginners if a piano is not available, but should not be used for long if piano lessons continue. Children do outgrow undersized instruments. Some companies offer substantial discount trade in/upgrade options to their customers.
Schedule
See Calendar web
page for all class, holiday, and concert dates.
FEES & TUITION (30 Saturdays - Sept-May)
Registration fee $25 / year.Textbooks: NONE.
Instruments: used in the classes will be supplied by the Academy
Tuition:
Music with Movement : $600 / year for ages 4-5.
Musicianship: $600 / year for ages 6-8.
Class & Performance Class: $900 / year for instrumentalists and singers.
Musicianship Class & Choir: $900 / year for singers.
Choir: $100 / year only if this is a 3rd class.
If this is the only the 2nd class, the fee is $600 / year.
Jr. Theory: $600 / year for ages 9-12. Most of these students will also be enrolled in a Jr. Ensemble or Choir or another class such as Sight Reading Skills.
Jr. Ensemble: $300 / semester for students qualified to perform in a professionally coached chamber music ensemble with standard chamber music repertoire. Ensembles will perform in our regular Pre-College Ensemble concerts, and may also perform in Junior Ensemble programs, and as monthly soloists with Academy approval.
Tuition Payment options - Check, cash, or (credit card option pending by
Sept).
Registration ($25) is added to the first tuition
payment.
No refunds after the 3rd week.
If paid in full by the 3rd week,
no extra fee is added.
If paid by semester, the $25 registration fee is added to the first semester payment.
If paid monthly, post dated pre-rated monthly checks are left with Dee in Sept. to be deposited monthly.
Scholarships and Financial Aid is only available to Pre-College
students, ages 13-18, if funds are available.
Sibling Discounts: There is a 10% discount for each sibling enrolled in the Academy.
