at the Center for Young Musicians
Why Early Childhood Music?
Why CYM?
CYM Quick Facts
What They're Saying About Us
How To Enroll
...an early start for a lifelong love of music
Early Childhood Music
TODDLERS
While not ready to reach for an instrument quite yet,
musical 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
session
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 practice with rhythm, pitch, small-motor
development, and instrument 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,
clapping, 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.
Why CYM?
What skills are introduced
in Toddlers and Twinklers?
Focus and control of mind and body
Critical thinking and listening
Ensemble skills and following others
Intrinsically feeling rhythm and
melody through mind and body
Control of gross and fine motor skills
Basic tonal and rhythmic patterns
Introduction to a musical language
Knowledge of folk songs
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 around age 4 and up.
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.
For more information on American Legends
and Classical, please see the Instrumental
Registration Packet) or ask us your questions!
724-935-0505
W hen will my child be ready to play an instrument?
Founded in 1994
Mission founded in 1994
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 commit-ment between the families and the school.
Locations
120 Lake Drive, Wexford PA since 1994 1220 Powers Run Road, Fox Chapel *Located in the Lauri Ann West Community Center 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 12-14
Community
CYM’s community of students and families ranges from 150-200+ members annually.
Performances and Outreach
CYM prides itself on providing exciting and diverse opportunities for its members age 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– [email protected] or [email protected]
Group Instruction Registration encouraged in September and January, but accepted year-round
Instrumental 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 5– Adult
Piano
Violin and Viola
Cello
Guitar
Voice
Group Instruction- ages 2– 18
Early Childhood Music– Toddlers group ages 2– 31/2 Twinklers group ages 3 1/2– 5
Classical Program– Suzuki group instruction with music literacy ages 5+
American Legends– Music foundations group instruction with literacy ages 5+
Solo Studies (private instrumental instruction) for 5-Adult
Call: 724-935-0505
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.youngmusicians.org
for scheduling and pricing
Tour: Call to schedule your guided visit
CYM quick Facts
What they’re saying about CYM...
"We could not be more pleased with our CYM experience thus far. Our five-year old daughter has thrived in her first year of classical instrumental study with her teacher, both in her weekly private lesson and her group class. Her father and I have been pleased to see how far she has come musically in a short period of time and how much her focus and determination have improved as a result. The group class has been a wonderful way for her to meet children of her own age with common perspectives and interests. We have also found that her
musical study is benefitting us as a family. We are grateful for the togetherness that the lesson and
class time provide, the regular practice time together at home, and the sharing of a common musical goal. Another unexpected benefit? Our three-year old has started to pick up the various twinkles (beginning melodies) and can't wait to choose an instru-ment of her own! We look forward to getting her started in CYM’s Early Childhood Music program in September. We appreciate the approachability of the CYM faculty and staff, the way in which the school provides a fun and secure learning environment, and the thought given to preparing the children for performance in a comfortable and calm way."
- Sarah and family
For me, the favorite part of my music career began after finishing the Faber practice books. I was able to grow as a musician through the tutelage of Ms. Sonia and the Center for Young Musician staff. When growing up, I could always earmark my fa-vorite pieces in the different levels of books. They weren’t the pieces inspired by Bach or Mozart, but rather the Maple Leaf Rag and other songs in that nature. Once graduating to my own choice in ensembles, I made it known that I preferred to play jazz or blues above a classical piece. Through the efforts Ms. Sonia put in for me, Center for Young Musicians allowed me to perform on stage everything from Boogie Woogie Blues to Mariah Carey Medleys at the PPG Wintergarten performance. All
the while still learning and perfecting technique, but also giving me a chance to get lost in and love the music I practiced every day.
— Alexandra (18), CYM piano student and 2016 graduate
"As a parent, I often question the choices that I make. Choosing a quality music education for my kids is the one decision that I haven't second guessed. Over the past decade, CYM has become a second home for my family. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to work closely and frequently with caring, patient, and expert instruc-
tors. My kids are learning about more than music. They are learning helpfulness, tenacity, respect, discipline, and concen-tration. They are learning how to approach seemingly intractable problems by breaking those problems into smaller, more manageable tasks, a skill that can be applied throughout their lives." -Melanie, mom to Julian, Elliott, and Claudia
“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, mom to Claire, Nolan, and Carson
Enroll Online at www.youngmusicians.org at CYM’s home page www.youngmusicians.org under the “New Students” tab, using “Find Your Program”
Mail or E-mail your completed New Enrollment to:
Admissions Center for Young Musicians 120 Lake Drive Wexford, PA 15090
Once we receive your child’s registration for trial enrollment, we’ll send you confirmation and new student materials. Voila– you are all set to begin!
Your registration and payment need to be received at least 1 business day (24 hours) be-fore the start of your anticipated first lesson or class.
Have further questions, or want to schedule a visit to CYM before you come to class?
Call Admissions at 724-935-0505.
Remember to keep an eye out for correspondence from CYM via email:
We send out updates, reminders, and breaking news year-round. Remember to subscribe: Subscribing at youngmusicians.org to receive CYM’s monthly Take Note email newsletter Liking us on Facebook and following us on twitter and Instagram @youngmusicianspgh Subscribing to CYM’ s blog- cymtakenote.blogspot.com
Ready to Enroll? It’s easy as 1, 2, 3!
