Music has shown many benefits for young children, but parents often wonder: How do I get started? Do we go straight to an instrument or join a choir? What if my child is not ready? For two families at PCM, the answer came not through searching for programs with strict practice schedules and recitals, but through a classroom filled with laughter, moving around, and learning music through play.

PCM’s Young Musicians program introduces musical elements to children as young as six months through age-appropriate classes. Classes are rooted in activities that are easy to integrate into life outside the classroom, and focus on ways to keep music fun and engaging.

Here’s how two families decided to join the YM program, and how it has helped their children develop and grow.

The Duffins

Like any other parent, Joanna Huey, mother of Miko and Naomi, took a bunch of different trial music classes around Pasadena to find a program that was a good fit for her family. “We really liked the style of the classes at PCM and the teaching methods. The classes are a good mix of introducing musical concepts in an engaging way for little kids with short attention spans.”

Her older daughter, Miko (9), who started YM classes at age 3, is currently taking flute lessons with Barbara Mullens Geier. Joanna says that Miko “learned a lot of music theory and musicianship from going through [the YM] sequence,” which is helping her in her lessons. “She came to lessons fully able to read music, understanding dynamics, and rhythm, things that I think are fundamental to all instrumental music making. So the new things are only techniques for the flute.”

Her younger daughter, Naomi (4), who is still in the middle of YM classes, also really enjoys it.

And as a parent, Joanna shares that in class, “little kids are unpredictable, so you’ve got to be on your toes; but it’s a really fun experience to share.”

For parents looking to start the YM program, she shares one piece of advice: “Just try a class and see if your kid likes it!”

The Liflands

For Peter Lifland, enrolling his children in the Young Musicians program as infants was a natural choice. “Music was a big part of my childhood, including at PCM,” shares Peter. “There was always going to be a lot of music in our house, and [joining the YM classes] felt like a good way to meet other kids, get practice learning from teachers before starting school, and expose [my kids] to music in a constructive and healthy way.”

The YM classes are great in addressing musical elements while making it natural for what kids do in everyday life, leading to unexpected improvements. “I would say the biggest difference is that both of them have gotten better at pitch matching, which is not something the classes explicitly teach, but is a skill learned through the little tunes [my kids] sing their name to.”

Peter mentions, “One of the things that works really well is that it’s very low pressure. You’re doing a lot of stuff, but I’ve never gotten the sense that any of the kids feel judged or that they must achieve something. They’re just focusing on how music is fun.” This low-stakes and fun environment translates well with children. When Peter’s two children, Emerson (6) and Kellen (3), were asked if they enjoyed the classes, they both said, “Yes!”, with Emerson’s favorite part being the mystery box and marching dances, and Kellen’s, the ribbon dances.

Although the focus is to make music fun for younger children, Peter also noticed how the program evolves with the kids. “Our personal experience has been that as the kids move up in level, the expectations are also going up. The YM sequence does a good job of introducing more structure and practicing being in an organized environment through increased layers of instruction and expectation.” This gradual change also helps younger children continue to enjoy music and explore if they want to continue in lessons. And for Emerson, the answer is, “Yes! I want to play the violin!”

From the perspective of a parent participating in class with his kids, Peter says he always has a great time. “It’s just a great excuse. Like, how often do you get to sing around, play drums, and sit in a circle?” His advice to families interested in joining the class: “Start showing up, and it’ll mostly work out. Don’t stress if your kid takes some time to adjust. Just be there every week and it’ll go great.”