Whether your toddler’s got the beat or can’t carry a tune, music classes are a great way to get their bodies moving and minds working. No town embraces a show stopper quite like Tinseltown so there are an array of classes and styles from which to pick. Here are some of our favorite places for bringing a little do re mi into your wee one's day. While many offer sessions, there is usually space available for a prorated amount, as well as drop-in classes if you want some flexibility. In addition, most programs offer a free introductory class so you can decide which one is the right one for you and your blossoming singer.
Toddle Tunes (6 for $120, select classes) in West Los Angeles is a fantastic center for discovering new sounds and instruments—yes, instruments! Director and co-owner Matthew Mueller of Oberlin Conservatory believes that hands-on experience is the key to development, from hand-eye coordination to enhanced learning abilities. In the classes children experience different sounds, genres and can play nearly every instrument imaginable. The staff ranges from classically trained violinists to well-known musicians. Classes fill up quickly, but there are usually spaces available. Classes are offered for newborns through 8 years of age.
If you’re looking to let your kiddo shake their tail feather (and leave tired) then Birdie’s Playhouse Go Animal Concert Series is a great choice. Enjoy a monthly concert every 3rd Thursday of the month from 11:00 am -12:00 pm at Manhattan Village Mall in Manhattan Beach. Birdie leads her flock of toddlers to six-year olds through a fun-filled 45 minutes of singing, playing instruments and movement. The best part - free admission!
Studio City’s beloved Ladybug Music (10 week session, $230) appeals to our iPod generation by exploring rhythms, rhymes, melodies, lullabies and music from all over the world. Kids up to 5 years of age engage in finger play, bang on instruments, dance, chant, and get silly.
A Mother’s Haven in Encino offers Kindermusik, a nationally recognized curriculum developed by educators and musicians that embraces music and movement. It’s a fun, engaging hour that focuses on teaching the parents as much as the children so everyone interacts and grows together. Classes are available for 4 to 18 months and 1.5 to 3 years. Sign up for a free preview class.
Silver Lake’s Music Together ($220 a session) at Dragonfly Dulou is a playful session where caregivers and toddlers participate together. The skilled teachers encourage children to move at their own pace and with classes developed for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
Storytelling is the basis behind the classes at Play Music ($225-210). Stressing the importance of parental influence, Play Music teaches songs and activities that can be done at home. Best of all, the music is drawn from a variety of original and classical genres that are aimed just as much for the caregivers enjoyment as it is for the littlest of ears.
If you are determined to make your kid a star, then Rock Stars in Training ($144 for a six week session or just $5 to try the class) is the place for you. Taught by renowned musicians, kiddos from newborn to four years old jam with instruments like the guitar, keyboards, banjo, fiddle and more while learning pitch, tone and new songs to sing. With class locations throughout L.A. (Sherman Oaks, Westwood, Woodland Hills) there’s sure to be a head-banging session near you.
Want a more laid back approach to music for your little ones? Give Sunshine Music - Music Together (newborn - four years) a try. The musical activities are fun and developmentally appropriate without the stress of performance. This warm and friendly environment is ideal for families with more than one young kid. Tuition ($230-$215) includes an illustrated songbook and two CDs.
You can bring the whole gang (infants to five years) to this 2011 winner of Red Tricycle's Totally Awesome Award for Best Music Classes for Kids in L.A. - Little Movers and Shakers, which offers musical fun for little ones (and big ones too). For 45 minutes the kiddos will be singing, chanting rhythmic rhymes, exploring various instruments, dancing and playing. This no-performance, no-pressure class is easy to join and sure to be loads of fun. Check out the first class for free! Tuition ($64 plus $40 for a sibling for four weeks). Note: siblings under nine months at the start of the class are free.
World Citizen Baby offers caretakers and babies a music and movement class with a focus on the awareness of the global community. Little ones will be exposed to music from different cultures and traditions from around the globe while having an awesome time singing and drumming up a storm. Classes are organized into infant (birth to ten months) and toddler (nine months to four years). Their immersion approach helps lay a great foundation for a lifetime of learning. Tuition ($165, $110 for siblings). Be sure to check out a free demo class.
Moo Moo Musica was inspired by a desire to promote world peace through music, dance and art making by building a connection to yourself, the earth and others (great for those socially conscious kiddos). What resulted is a super fun class for you and your little one to sing, learn and boogie. Tuition ($17 single class, $65 four classes, $125 eight classes, $220 15 classes). Have a hard time scheduling a time to try out a free class? No problem, drop in anytime for your FREE trial class (no need to preregister).
Get the kiddos moving in a rich and diverse environment with Play Music. Developed and inspired by the powerful early experiences with music, art and reading with their son, founders and owners Anne Kelly-Saxenmeyer and James Saxenmeyer have created a popular mixed-age music class for babies, toddlers and their caregivers that strongly encourages adult participation both in class and at home. Tuition ($225 for new Play families, includes ten weekly 45 minute classes, a Play Music CD and free use of the community area during the class term).
Looking for a place to encourage your little ones naturally musical spirit? Try Foothills Music Together for their fun and informal music classes. This mixed age (infant to five) class nurtures each budding musical star, regardless of ability. Tuition ($230 for a new family, $160 for a sibling and including ten 45 minute classes, two professionally recorded CDs and a songbook).
—Lara Burnap
