Which class does your child belong in?

Children start in the class that matches their age the year they begin, and stay with that class through graduation. Pick your child's age below.

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Find the class by age

Pre-Junior

Who: Age 3, and young 4 year olds
How long the course runs: 8 weeks, offered in the fall and in the spring
Each class: 45 minutes, once a week
What you do: You take part in every activity with your child

Songs, games, dances and ensemble playing with real instruments. A first taste of music that leads straight into Junior.

See Pre-Junior

Junior

Who: Pre-K and kindergarten
How long the course runs: A multiyear course, through graduation, including summers
Each class: About an hour, once a week
What you do: You learn the same material beside your child

The signature CMA course, taught at the age when music takes root. Ends with a graduation ceremony.

See Junior

Intermediate

Who: 1st and 2nd grade
How long the course runs: A multiyear course at a faster pace, through graduation, including summers
Each class: About an hour, once a week
What you do: You take part, and watch your child build musical knowledge week by week

The full curriculum for a child who starts a little older. Ends with the same graduation ceremony.

See Intermediate

Homeschool music class

Who: Homeschool families, placed by the child's age
How long the course runs: Follows the course for the child's age
Each class: About an hour, once a week, during the day
What you do: Same as every class. You are in the room.

Kelley homeschools her own sons and helps lead a co-op, so this class is built around a homeschool week.

See the homeschool class

What every class has in common

Once a week, with a parent in the room. Grandparents are welcome too.
Pre-Junior classes run 45 minutes. Every other class runs about an hour.
Small groups. Children learn with peers, and the peers are part of the method.
The year follows the Springfield school calendar, with breaks for winter, spring and national holidays.
New classes begin in the fall and in midwinter. You can join the list any time.
Weekly "home fun" instead of homework: a few minutes a day at the start of a course, about 10 minutes a day by the graduation year.
Every multiyear course ends with a graduation ceremony.
A keyboard at home. A piano has 88 keys; an electric keyboard with at least four octaves works.

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“My daughter, Molly, recently graduated from the CMA program, and I can honestly say it was one of the most valuable investments that we have ever made. She was given excellent instruction in piano, music theory and ear training, and most importantly, a love for music! A wonderful bonus is that because it is parent/child, I too 're-learned' how to play piano.”

Kati, CMA mom

Questions parents ask about classes

At what age can my child start?

Children start at age 3 in Pre-Junior. Pre-K and kindergarten children start in Junior. 1st and 2nd graders start in Intermediate. Every course is for beginners, and your child joins the course for the age they begin.

Do I attend with my child?

Yes. Every class at CMA is a parent participation class. You learn the same material as your child, which makes practice at home something you do together. Grandparents often come too.

When can we join?

New classes begin in the fall and in midwinter. Join the list through Get Started at any point in the year, and we will tell you the next class that fits your child. Families on the list hear first when registration opens.

How long is each class?

Pre-Junior classes run 45 minutes. Junior, Intermediate and the homeschool class run about an hour, once a week.

Tell us your child's age

We will tell you which class fits, when it meets, and how to get a seat.

Get Started

Or call (417) 425-4618.