Find a class in the Greater Boston area that will help you raise a future Mozart or just introduce your little one to some rhythm.
Music classes are the original “mommy and me” activity. You can now bring your baby to a whole range of classes, from barre to yoga to art — but music classes remain a favorite. After all, your little ones have been listening to music since they were in the womb, and we have yet to meet a baby who isn’t comforted by a lullabye or entertained by a singalong. Little ones can start music classes before they can even sit up, and the smiles on their faces will let you know this baby activity is well worth the effort.
If you’re afraid you’ll have an endless chorus of annoying kids’ songs stuck in your head after attending music class, don’t fear! Many classes today are sophisticated, introducing kids to different instruments and musical traditions, and teaching songs that even the parents will love. Music classes are even a great way to get your babysitter or nanny involved in your kids’ musical education!
Children’s Music Center
Address: 284 Amory St., Boston, MA 02130
Hours: Click here to view the class calendar.
Phone: 617-524-1784
Fees: Prices vary by class. Click here for details.
This Jamaica Plain studio offers a variety of classes, so you’ll be sure to find one that fits. Their popular group classes range from Music Together, which your child can start taking as an infant, to group keyboard lessons — the perfect way to see if piano lessons are worth it for your budding musician. We also love the Storybook Theater class, which gives kids ages 4-6 an introduction to musical theater.
If you’re after specific instrument instruction, Children’s Music Center has some unique offerings. They offer piano lessons, as you might expect, but they also have a ukulele class where kids as young as 4 can learn to strum out different chords.
Boston School of Musical Arts
Address: 2258-A Dorchester Ave., Boston, MA 02124
Hours: Monday – Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Thursday, noon – 9 p.m. | Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Phone: 617-690-3391
Fees: Click here for pricing.
If you’re looking to inspire a lifelong passion for music, the Boston School of Musical Arts is going to be a great fit. The school starts working with absolute beginners, but its focus is on building musical skills while having a bit of fun. The school offers group and private instruction on a variety of instruments, as well as vocal lessons. Kids can start private instruction as young as 3 and a half.
If you have toddlers who aren’t ready to get serious about music yet, we recommend Musicskool for Kids. The group class for kids ages 2 years 10 months through 3 and a half years old is designed to use a little one’s natural curiosity and musical skill to introduce them to a variety of instruments. There is plenty of play throughout the class, and kids will be exposed to many types of music.
Groovy Baby Music
Address: Location varies by class. Click here to view the calendar.
Hours: Class times vary. | Weekend classes available.
Phone: 617-690-2622
Fees: Pricing varies by class. Click here for tuition details.
Sometimes you want a little variety, and that’s exactly what you’ll get with Groovy Baby Music. The organization offers different types of classes and brings those classes to a variety of locations throughout Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, and the surrounding towns. In fact, there may be one close to your house, which always makes things more convenient when kids are involved.
Groovy Baby Music offers the popular Music Together classes for infants and toddlers through 4 years old. There are plenty of other parent and child class options, like Canta y Baila Conmigo, which will introduce kids and parents to Spanish songs and rhythms. (No need to speak the language to enjoy this class!) Then there’s Monkey Jump Music and Movement, which will tire out the kids with a fun-filled dance party, and Radiant Child Yoga, which will teach kids ages 4-9 the basics of breathwork and yoga poses.
Community Music Center of Boston
Address: 34 Warren Ave. Boston MA 02116
Hours: Click here to view program details.
Phone: 617-482-7494
Fees: Click here to view payment details.
The Community Music Center of Boston is tucked into the Boston Center for the Arts, so you can rest assured knowing that you’re getting the very best in music education for your little one. At the South End location, however, instructors know that music classes have to be fun to keep little ones engaged, and the community center balances sound instruction with plenty of child-centric playtime.
Early childhood classes start with Little Notes, perfect for kids 5 months through 2 years old. Kids ages 3-4 years old will enjoy Music and Movement. In both classes, there is an emphasis on exploration, letting kids feel the music in a variety of ways. At age 4, kids can start instrument exploration. That class spends two weeks each exploring the sounds of piano, guitar, drums, voice, flute, strings, woodwinds, and brass instruments. If your child takes a liking to one, there are small-group instrument instruction classes available starting at age 4.
Musicians’ Playground
Address: 791 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02118
Hours: Click here to view program details.
Phone: 617-615-7663
Fees: Click here for pricing details.
Kids love the playground, and for good reason. A trip to the playground allows them to explore, have fun and learn, which is exactly what they’ll be able to do at Musician’s Playground. With that in mind — and engrained in the name — who wouldn’t want to take lessons here?
Early childhood music classes start at birth at the playground, and are divided into age ranges: 0-18 months, 1.5-3 years, and 3.5-5 years. Within their age groups, kids learn about music and movement and are exposed to a variety of instruments and musical traditions. There are also group and private lessons available for kids ages 4 and older, with an emphasis on making music lessons fun and accessible to all little ones.
The New School Of Music
Address: 25 Lowell St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Hours: Click here to view class schedule.
Phone: 617-492-8105
Fees: 10-week classes, $260 per child
The non-profit New School of Music aims to make music accessible to everyone, and classes at this Cambridge institution are among the most affordable in the Greater Boston area. However, you’re not going to compromise on the quality of music education, because the school was founded by a conductor and the staff includes internationally recognized performers.
The Early Childhood program at the New School of Music offers group classes for kids ages 1-5. Musical Beginnings classes introduce kids to music in an age-appropriate setting, while teaching kids body awareness through movement. At age 4, kids can start taking classes without a parent or caregiver. If you’re looking for even more enrichment, check out the Spanish language classes.
The New England Conservatory of Music
Address: 290 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115
Hours: Office hours Tuesday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Saturday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Phone: 617-585-1160
Fees: Prices vary, but start at $40 for a six-week session.
The New England Conservatory of Music is one of the most well-respected musical education institutions in Boston and around the world. It’s no wonder that this school that has produced great musicians is a great place to take kids’ music classes in Beantown.
Prep is the school’s division that deals with childhood education. At Prep, kids can start learning an instrument for the first time or delve deeper into a passion they’ve already discovered. The offerings change regularly, so to see what is currently being offered, contact the Prep office prep@necmusic.edu or by phone at 617-585-1160. Prep has an especially wonderful program for Boston third-graders to take a six-week instrument course for just $40, which includes the price of instrument rental.
Yamaha Music School of Boston
Address: 57 Bedford St., Lexington, MA 02420
Hours: Click here for class schedule & details.
Phone: 781-274-7100
Fees: Click here for details on tuition.
The Yamaha method was developed in the 1950s and has become a world-famous way of teaching little ones how to play instruments and develop a love for music. At the Yamaha Music School of Boston, you can start your little one’s musical journey at just 6 months old with parent and child classes. These classes are a fun and light-hearted introduction for babies and toddlers up to 3 years old, and they’re a bargain at just $10 a class.
At age 3, kids can enroll in Music Wonderland — a 36-week course that teaches kids to develop their ears, engage with other students, and even begin playing the keyboard. At the end of the course, students are ready to progress to the next level of Yamaha education and begin their musical careers. If you’re unsure about whether group lessons are a good fit, try the free trial lesson Yamaha offers.
Brookline Music School
Address: 25 Kennard Road, Brookline, MA 02445
Hours: Click here for class schedule.
Phone: 617-277-4593
Fees: Click here for details on tuition & fees.
Brookline Music School was actually once part of the public school system in the city. In the 1940s, the school became private, and since then it has been providing top-notch music education to people of all ages in Brookline. Now a non-profit, the school still aims to help kids in Brookline get in touch with their inner musicians.
Classes start with music play, designed for kids from birth through age 3. Classes are divided into groups for kids over 2 and kids under 2, and the little ones can explore sound and movement with the help of their caregivers. Next comes Musical Adventures, where 3- and 4-year-olds can learn about different instruments and genres of music, working with their parent or caregiver.
North End Music and Performing Arts Center
Address: 16 Charter St. R, Boston, MA 02113
Hours: Click here for the 2017/18 academic calendar.
Phone: 617-227-2270
Fees: Click here for details on fees.
The North End Music and Performing Arts Center offers a huge variety of classes for little ones to open up their musical skills. For babies through kids as old as 4 years, they offer a dance and movement class and family music makers, a class that teaches children original songs, as well as classics. There is also a youth sting program, where kids can start learning to play the violin at just 3 years old.
Of course, a bonus of the North End Music and Performing Arts Center is its beautiful location in the North End. After you attend music class, you can stop for a cappuccino or slice of pizza before exploring the waterfront with your little one.
Where are your favorite places for kids’ music classes around Boston? Tell us in the comments below!
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