Five Big Reasons...

...your little one should take early childhood music classes at Levine.

1. Development – The early childhood years are critical to the development of the child’s potential for comprehending and producing music.

2. Curriculum – The Levine School combines the best of early childhood music education theory and creative classroom management to deliver a learning experience of unmatched quality and lifelong value.

3. Teachers – Our teachers are well credentialed and are carefully selected for essential characteristics including musical excellence and artistry, pedagogical skills and understanding, and individual instincts for understanding and establishing rapport with children.

4. Instruments – In our older classes, students have access to hands on experience with orchestral instruments and performances by guest Levine artists or students.

5. Play – Our curriculum emphasizes learning through play and a conviction that the more fun children have exploring music, the more effectively they learn.

ECEM Program Pillars

‘Best Practice’ Instructional Theory

Based on the proven methods of Orff and Kodaly, Levine’s ECEM program combines the best proven methods for imparting music to the young child.

• Orff methodology establishes a nurturing environment for learning. Emphasizing use of easily learned folk songs and rhymes, and instruction on the Orff instruments (metallophone, glockenspiel, xylophone and percussion), Orff encourages improvisation as children begin to build their musical skills. The method is designed to build confidence and encourage creative thinking in a group setting.
• Kodaly instruction adds a learning ‘toolkit’ verbal and visual symbols and techniques applied through singing for teaching rhythm, pitch and other structural concepts.

Proprietary Curriculum

Levine’s ECEM curriculum is designed by Levine faculty to translate education theory into measurable achievement in the classroom. Our curriculum outlines goals and expectations for each phase of the class session, emphasizes consistency across age groups, and strives to exceed the goals and standards of the National Association for Music Education.

Levine Teacher Development

Well-credentialed upon arrival, with a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Music, teachers who choose to specialize in early childhood music education undergo Levine-specific training and professional development when they join the ECEM program. Our teacher development emphasizes mastery of the Levine curriculum and classroom management style to ensure consistency across classes and age groups throughout our students’ Levine experience.

Personalized Classroom Management

Levine recognizes that while good theory and curriculum remain constant, each class inevitably develops a personality of its own, particularly in our small-group settings. Our educators are well prepared to adapt their classes to match the unique personalities of each 4- to 10-student class.

Parent / Caregiver Inclusion

At Levine, we believe your child’s musical experience should continue beyond the classroom. Parents and caregivers are invited to join students at the end of each ECEM class in order to understand the day’s goals and accomplishments. Newsletters, tips and performances also combine to provide parents and caregivers with a steady flow of ideas for re-enforcing the musical experience at home.

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