Children's Program is for ages 4-11.

FACULTY
We are honored to have Daniela Landolfi, as the new Director of our
Children's Program. Daniela follows Carol Macaulay's highly successful
approach and Toolbox workbook.  Her bio is on Music Studies Faculty page.

We are delighted that Daniela will be assisted by Charlotte Dike. Her bio is on Music Studies Faculty page.


CLASSES MEET
Most classes meet in Bellevue on Saturdays for 30 weeks, in two semesters.
See the Class Schedule below.

When siblings are enrolled, we try to accommodate them in concurrent or
adjoining classes, and/or by taking lessons/ensembles/electives.

Classes are small for maximum personal attention.
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REGISTRATION/PLACEMENT
You may register a child by selecting Application from the Home page.
After completing the application, hit the SEND button at the bottom of the page. You may also print and mail the application to the Office (below).

You will be contacted as soon as we receive your application.
Upon receipt, a placement interview is scheduled for each NEW student.
This normally occurs in early Sept.

Returning students must register, but usually don't need an interview.
The faculty will assign the right level for returning students.
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PROGRAM
The Children's Program has 30 weekly, age appropriate, classes,
combining music fundamentals, form, ear training, rhythm, movement, singing,
sight reading, and performance.
Children individually and collectively participate in fully interactive games and
projects that incorporate all the elements of music making and making music.

Solo performance and chamber music ensemble performance are also available
to qualified children.

Private lessons will be available at the school, before or after classes,
especially to accomodate sibling schedules.

PLACEMENT:
Children are evaluated and placed in classes appropriate for their age, ability, social readiness, and knowledge, by the Children's Program Director.
New students have placement interviews with the teacher, child, and parent.
Returning students are placed by faculty, usually in the next level.
Children may be placed in levels other than those listed below, based on ability and preparedness.

CLASSES
Music & Movement: for ages 4-5. (45-50 minutes)
Children are introduced to the fundamentals of music and practice in a game-like atmosphere. Dalcroze Eurhythmics (movement) is part of this class. Parents are welcome to sit in the classroom as a comfort to young children.

Music Skills (Levels 1-4) for ages 6-11, has 2 sections (2 hours):
Music Skills - Levels 1-3 classes include advancing levels of fundamentals, movement, and sight reading at appropriate levels.

Music Skills - Level 4 note for ages is for students who have advanced beyond basics, but who may not be ready to audition for the pre-college program or
who may work better with their own age group.

Performance Class: children practice the basics of dress code, presentation,
announcements, posture, performance, acknowledging the audience, accepting applause, and leaving the 'stage'.

Students from all Music Skills classes meet together for the Performance Class.

Choir An optional / elective class. Children learn to sight read and sing together in unison and simple harmony. This class is open to ages 6 and up.

Performance Opportunities
In addition to their own classes, qualified children may sign up to perform in the
Pre-College Performance (Repertoire) Class at 5 PM on Saturday with the approval of their studio teacher, Daniela, and Jim Paul,Academy President.

All students, families, teachers, & visitors are always welcome as guests in the 5PM Class where students perform works in progress for constructive comment from faculty and students. This is a very valuable learning experience for everyone.

Children may also:
Audition to perform in appropriate Academy recitals, as soloists.
May be invited to perform in special programs

Audition with the Chamber Music Ensemble Director to perform in chamber music ensembles.and in chamber music ensembles.
Ensembles rehearse for 1 hour each week with a professional coach.

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Instrumental Lessons Requirement and Referrals
Children age 5 and over must be taking or beginning to take regular lessons
on an instrument of their (or their parent's) choice.
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, we will make courtesy referrals to outstanding private instrumental teachers, hopefully not too far from the family's residence.
Usually these requests are from families who are new to the area or who
are interested in beginning lessons for their children.
Some private lessons for children may also be taken at the school, especially
to accommodate sibling enrollment schedules.

Music stores have small instruments in many sizes for young children, including 'cello, viola, violin, recorder. We recommend initially renting instruments from music stores.
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 lessons continue.

Children's Class Schedule on Saturdays: 2007-08.