at the Center for Young Musicians

Why Early Childhood Music?

Early Beginnings

CYM Quick Facts

What they're saying about us

How to register online

TODDLERS

While not ready to reach for an instrument quite yet, musi-

cal concepts start to bloom within our Toddlers program–

a weekly group class that cements your child’s bond with

music and begins their pre-instrumental journey.

Good starting point for your child if:

Your child is between the ages of 2 - 3 1/2 years

Your child is showing an excited interest in music-

whether at home, at childcare, or at a special program

or event.

You want to engage your child in a structured music

program that readies them for further musical study,

but also provides an active and fun environment with

children of the same age, interest, and experience level.

Weekly classes occur September-July, building on skills

throughout the year

Classes are kept to 5-7 students at each 45 minute ses-

sion

Full parent participation during class

Curriculum and class materials available for purchase for

use at home

TWINKLERS

Almost ready to begin their instrumental experience, children

develop a fun, focused attitude toward musical concepts in our

Twinklers program. This weekly group class focuses fun prac-

tice with rhythm, pitch, small-motor development, and instru-

ment readiness.

Good starting point for your child if:

Your child is between the ages of 3 1/2 and 5 years

Your child is enthusiastic during activities like singing, clap-

ping, and dancing. He or she is noticing patterns in the

sounds of the world around them, and can’t wait to express

themselves through song and motion.

You want to foster your child’s natural interest in sound

and movement, encouraging them to actively listen, control

movements, and recognize pitch.

Twinklers class prepares your child for participation in the

Classical Program and is highly recommended for the

American Legends Program.

Weekly classes occur September-July, building on skills

throughout the year

Weekly classes are kept to 5-7 students at each 45 minute

session

Parents participate during the a portion of each class

Curriculum and class materials available for purchase for

use at home

Why Early Childhood Music?

Both TODDLERS and TWINKLERS Programs offer a significant learning opportunity for children from two to five years

of age. Research and experience indicate that the younger a child begins his or her musical study, the more aptitude

for success he or she acquires. This heightened potential can enhance academic skills as well as musical abilities. It

makes sense to teach children the language of music before they study the mechanics of an instrument. At CYM

young students learn to sing in tune, demonstrate a steady beat, develop motor skills and polish the listening and

collaborative skills needed to play in an ensemble.

Early Childhood Music at CYM fosters musical understanding using the same process as learning a

language. Class structure appeals to the child's natural desire to play, move, explore, and interact through

activity and song. Activities have purpose and intention with goals but each activity is presented as a game,

song, or a movement so learning is natural rather than forced. Classes are precursors for further musical

study as they provide the building blocks students will require in order to understand musical concepts.

What skills are introduced

during Toddlers and Twinklers?

Focus and control of mind and body

Critical thinking and listening skills

Ensemble skills and following

“Feeling” music- sensing rhythm and

melody intrinsically through their mind

and body

Gross and fine motor skills

Mastery of basic tonal and rhythm patterns

Introduction to a musical language

Knowledge of folk songs

When will my child begin learning to play an instrument?

Early Childhood Music classes are designed to move your child on the path toward further musical study, and

prepare your child to begin playing an instrument beginning at age 4 and beyond.

During Toddlers and Twinklers classes, children are encouraged to explore different instruments and sounds

to discover what instrument they may prefer to play. Upon graduating the Twinklers program, students go

through Twinkler Transition.

During Twinkler Transition, parents and students are welcomed to choose an instrument– piano, violin, viola,

cello, or guitar- to begin studying privately. With the help of your teacher, students also choose to join a

group class within the American Legends Program

or the Classical Program.

FAQ’s about early instrumental starts for students at CYM on the next page...

It is fantastic that you are eager and enthusiastic about your child’s musical studies! It is especially great to see young chil-

dren showing a natural inclination toward music and the support of their caregivers in nurturing that spark.

We want our families at CYM to have the knowledge they need and guidance in choosing the right path, pace, and overall fit

for their child’s musical journey. Here are a few FAQ’s for those interested in their child’s early beginning...

My child is 2, 3, or 4– we really like a particular instrument! How can we start?

While there is no set starting age that we insist upon at CYM, our general practice is to see the students through at least

three semesters of our CYM Early Childhood Music (ECM) classes. This helps us to assess where the students are in terms of

maturity and focus, which helps us determine when the students are ready to begin private lessons.

Why is ECM important? Can’t we just take lessons already?

The activities in the Toddlers and Twinklers classes are specifically selected to develop certain cognitive musical skills, such as

movement, keeping the beat, singing and matching pitch. The development of these skills will help segue into further, even

more focused musical studies as the children grow older.

One of the things we want to be very careful about is keeping pace with each student and meeting them where they are in

terms of development and desire. We do not want to push too much too soon, or it could be detrimental to their musical

development in the long run.

When do other children at CYM start?

Our youngest beginners tend to be around four or five years old. In some less common cases, students who have been ready

have started just beyond three years old. The difference between a 2, 3, or 4 year old is actually quite vast in terms of their

motor development and their capacity for abstract thought. Each child is unique and where we do not intend to group every

child in the general majority, our goal is to meet your child where they are, so they continue to grow and develop to the best

of their capacity while remaining enthusiastic about music. Developing a good teacher/student/family relationship is vital to

meeting this goal.

We are prepared to start focusing on a particular instrument- I do not want my child to lose interest.

If you are wanting your child to begin an instrument, the first step for them is start listening as soon as possible! Obtain

copies of the Suzuki instrumental recordings (especially Book 1) and/or other recordings of that particular instrument’s mu-

sic. Ask you’re your teacher or a CYM violin, viola, cello, guitar, piano, or voice teacher for recommended listening. Also, take

them to see concerts! The more your child listens and is exposed to all of the elements of the instrument and the music they

will study, the more it will begin to be part of their every day language.

After spending some time in CYM’s ECM classes with your teacher, you and your child:

We may carefully determine that an earlier start could be beneficial for your child. In this case...

There is a possibility to begin an introductory instrumental experience, tailored specifically for your child’s needs. Your

teacher will create a detailed plan with you about what beginning lessons would entail, so you would know what to expect.

Before your child would begin handling an instrument, your teacher will need to go through parent training with either a

parent or caregiver, as you would need to become their designated practice partner at home.

Some excellent further reading for every parent of a young musician…

We would like to recommend a few books to you- Ability Development from Age Zero and Nurtured by Love, both by

Shinichi Suzuki. This book will give you a general idea of the Suzuki philosophy and ideas of musical development in young

children. Families who choose not to use the Suzuki method of instrumental training can benefit from the themes in these

books! Our CYM community embraces many of these concepts that set the tone for all musical study at CYM.

Founded in 1994 by Alicia McGinnis and Victoria Raja

Mission

The Center for Young Musicians develops a community of students with liberated ability, refined character, and a life-long

love of music through a comprehensive, long-term curriculum emphasizing an early-start, an expert faculty, a dynamic

support staff, and a mutual commitment between the families and the school.

Locations

120 Lake Drive, Wexford PA since 1994

437 Beaver Street, Sewickley, PA since 2006

555 Morewood Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA since 2011 *Located on Winchester Thurston School campus

Faculty

Close knit, committed teaching and administrative faculty of 10-12

Community

CYM’s community of students and families ranges from 120-250 members annually.

Performances and Outreach

CYM prides itself on providing exciting and diverse opportunities for its members, ages 5 and up to engage in performance

and participation. Past engagements include:

Recitals and Community Concerts

CYM’s school wide recitals include an Ensemble Recital held in November, and a Solo Recital held in April. Monthly and

seasonal Community Concerts benefit our students, faculty, and surrounding community.

Classes in Session

Our eleven month comprehensive school year spans September– July.

Classes and lessons are offered M-F 10:00AM– 8:00PM, and Saturday 9:00AM– 4:00PM

Curriculum

Contact and Admissions

Admissions Director

Autumn Kunselman– akunselman@youngmusicians.org

Group Instruction Registration encouraged in

September and January, but accepted year-round

Instrumental and Voice Instruction Registration year-round

KDKA Children's Hospital Telethon

PSO Season Opening Night concerts

Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society

National Anthem at PNC Park for Pittsburgh Pirates games

Pittsburgh Symphony at a Fiddlesticks concerts

Pittsburgh Symphony at the Watson Institute's Casually Classic

Holiday Open House at the White House, Washington, DC.

Saturday Light Brigade Radio Program

Studio Music at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh

Fern Hollow Music Festival

Mary Roberts Rheinhardt Festival

Sewickley Light Up Night

Sewickley Music Club Series

Pre-concert performance and salons with PSO guest artists

Instrumental Instruction– ages 4+

Piano

Violin and Viola

Cello

Guitar

Voice

Group Instruction- ages 2– 18

Early Childhood Music– Toddlers group ages 2– 31/2 Twinklers group ages 31/2– 5

Classical Program– Suzuki group instruction with music literacy ages 5+

American Legends– Music foundations group instruction with literacy ages 5+

Call: 724-935-0505

Email: info@youngmusicians.org

Visit: www.youngmusicians.org

for scheduling and pricing

Tour: Call to schedule your guided visit

CYM quick Facts

Center focuses on instilling students with lifelong love of music by Joanne Braun excerpts

September 18, 2008

A Robert Morris University adjunct professor in arts and humanities, Suzanne Waters knows how

important the arts and music are. Her ultimate wish is to see her children participate in the youth

symphony, but mostly, "I would love for my kids to learn to love and appreciate it and keep it their life.

When we go on walks together, they start to sing songs they learned in class, and I hear them have

rhythm and hit the exact notes. That's neat."

Donna Amato, a professional pianist who teaches at Carnegie Mellon University and University of

Pittsburgh, enrolled her son, Hugh, now 12, at CYM in Wexford when he was 18 months old. He now

attends the Sewickley facility. She says she likes that CYM offers so many opportunities for students to

perform at nursing homes, Borders bookstore, Sewickley Garden Club and in the foyer at Pittsburgh

Symphony concerts. And, they have top rate teachers. For me that says everything," she says.

Diane Meakem of Sewickley enrolled her children, Claire, 9; Henry, 7; and Matthew, 6, about three

years ago, starting at the Wexford location. She says CYM offers a creative approach to music.

"They can take their shoes off and relax and play games and different instruments like the glocken-

spiel," she says. "And they listen to classical music. There is a lot they do that you don't see in a regular

classroom.”

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“The great advantage to CYM is starting instruction so young– like learning a

language– making it easier for children to become fluent. (Music) becomes

ingrained in their lives.” -Stephanie Jacob, children Claire, Nolan, and Carson

members of CYM since 2001

“My son Cameron now plays the piano and guitar, and daughter Elizabeth

plays piano. CYM has affected their lives by (allowing them to) hear music all

the time– it has helped them with their school work from developing good

memory and listening skills at such an early age.” -Jeanne Hammel, children

Cameron and Elizabeth members of CYM since 1999 __________________________________________________________________________________

Musicians Prepare for Presidential Performance

By Sandra Fischione Donovan excerpts

Thursday, December 11, 2008

"I think it's really cool. All my friends and family are supportive of me. It's a once-in-a-lifetime

chance," said pianist Nicole Kosuda, 12, of Pine.

"If I could find words to describe (the experience), I'd be a human thesaurus," said Madeline Marco

Scanlon, 15, of Moon. First violinist for the group, Madeline played at the White House in 2006. "To

be going there and to do something you love, you have the best of both worlds.”

Enroll Online at www.youngmusicians.org

at CYM’s home page www.youngmusicians.org under the “New to CYM” tab on the menu bar

Mail or E-mail your completed 2014-2015 Enrollment Form to:

Admissions

Center for Young Musicians

120 Lake Drive

Wexford, PA 15090

admissions@youngmusicians.org

Do you need help choosing the right program or want to schedule a

visit to CYM before you come to class?

Contact Autumn, our Admissions Director:

admissions@youngmusicians.org or 724-935-0505

We keep our CYM Families connected throughout the year with...

Monthly e-mail updates, invitations, reminders and important paperwork

Performance Reviews, tips, and special features about our students and faculty

year-round via CYM’s blog at: http://cymtakenote.blogspot.com

Fun highlights and breaking news on Facebook and Twitter @YoungMusicians