The city is alive with the sounds of music! From the beat of drums in the subway to musicals on Broadway and schools with a musically-based curriculum, New York City is one of the best places to grow up exposed to sounds of all kinds. But where do you start with such a large offering? We’ve narrowed it down to the 10 coolest spots around to strum a note or sing a tune from babies to grandparents.
1. Suzuki-based learning: Tone Academy of Music
Where: 118-122 Baxter St. #403, New York, NY
This Suzuki-based school (learn more about the Suzuki method here) encourages musical growth from infancy through adulthood—you’re never too young or old to learn. Tone Academy offers private lessons, infant and toddler Suzuki prep classes, poetry classes and summer day camps themed by instrument. Because Tone Academy has a number of international teachers, music lessons are also offered in several foreign languages.
Enrollment options: Newbies can take a trial lesson or class for $50 (at Tone) to $75 (at home!). If interested in more, you can enroll in 14-week programs, 28-week programs or a flexible summer four-pack that allows you to schedule class freely. Tone also offers Toddler/Pre-K Confidence and Separation class (with scheduling flexibility with three class days per week), as well as sibling and multi-class discounts.
Instrument options: Piano, voice, violin, viola, cello, guitar, recorder, flute, clarinet and saxophone.
2. NYC’s only public school that teaches music as a core subject: Special Music School at Kaufman Music Center
Kaufman Music Center
Where: 129 W 67th St, New York, NY
Located near Lincoln Center, Juilliard School and the Metropolitan Opera, Kaufman Music Center is in the heart of the city’s most musical blocks. Special Music School at Kaufman Music Center is the only K-12 public school in New York City dedicated solely to music students. A new kindergarten class is admitted every year, with limited spots for other grades. Children are evaluated for musical giftedness with age-appropriate group and individual activities; no previous music training is necessary. Instrumental study, including private lessons, are then incorporated into a rigorous academic program. Kaufman Music Center is also home to Lucy Moses School, for children and adults of all ages to take music, theater and dance classes.
Enrollment options: Read about admissions guidelines here.
Instrument options: Including, but not limited to piano, violin, cello, flute, clarinet and horn.
3. One of the oldest music schools in NYC: 92Y School of Music
92Y
Where: 1395 Lexington Ave, New York, NY
Founded in 1919, the 92Y’s School of Music is one of New York’s foremost music education centers and continues to evolve with new practice rooms, a fully-equipped recording studio, teaching technology lab, lecture hall, smart boards and streaming capabilities. The 92Y School of Music is designed to provide the ideal environment for a comprehensive musical education and a wide variety of programs for students of all ages and skill levels. Babies as young as nine months can enjoy The Music Room classes, while older children and teens can take group vocal classes, learn music theory, take classes in music technology and partake in chamber music groups.
Enrollment options: Most classes occur in sessions, but children can take private music lessons, participate in exclusive performance opportunities and also interact with professional recording artists and performers.
Instrument options: All orchestral instruments, voice, guitar and ukulele.
4. Educated music exploration: TLB Music
Where: 266 E 78th St., New York, NY
At TLB music, children are exposed to a vast array of musical genres and instruments from as young as four months old. TLB mixes it up throughout their weekly group enrichment classes to allow children to find their favorite groove. Their curriculum features fun themes like world travel, cross-country travel, music inspired by children’s books, Broadway musicals and a musical journey from the 1890s – 1990s. Interested in language immersion? There are French and Spanish language immersion music classes here, too.
Enrollment options: Be sure to take advantage of the new student free trial class! If you like it, sign up for a full or half session (usually seasonal), purchase drop-in class packs or just go for a single class when you feel like it.
Instruments: Anything you can think of! TLB is primarily about exploring and experimenting, so kids can play on tambourines, bongos, pianos, guitars or harmonicas just to get used to making sounds and rhythms.
5. Best place to introduce musical instruments: Sage Music School
Sage Music School
Where: 44-02 23rd St. #204, Long Island City, NY
Sage Music takes a holistic approach to teaching music and parents are loving it – they just expanded into a larger space in Long Island City! Through the rhythms and flow of the notes on paper, students learn to focus, relax and concentrate on their music. There is also a focus on body placement and the psychology of music practice. From violins and guitars to drums and pianos, Sage offers different levels of instruments at different ages to grow along with your child, including their latest Drum and Rhythm class.
Enrollment options: Private and group lessons are available as well as many open houses throughout the year to learn their new music lesson system ARPEGGIO®.
Instrument options: Piano, voice, guitar, cello, violin and flute.
6. Preschool with a musical component: Third Street Music School Settlement
Where: 235 East 11th Street, New York, NY
If you’re still researching preschools for your toddler, why not try a school with music as an everyday experience? The Third Street Music School is the oldest community music school in the country (celebrating 125 years this year!) and you can sign up children from ages 18 months to 18 years old. Kids will hear music, sing in class and be introduced to new instruments regularly. They’ll get active music and movement classes and have small-group keyboard lessons as well as dance programs.
Enrollment options: Sign up for summer day camps, toddler programs, half-day preschool and even full-days for kids ages four and up! Registration for 2019/2020 opens on April 15.
Instrument options: They teach over 26 instruments as well as voice, choirs, rock bands, jazz programs and music production classes.
7. Best place to introduce music to babies and toddlers: Little Maestros
Little Maestros
Where: 344 East 69th Street, New York, NY
With their award-winning classes taught by Broadway-quality entertainers, your little tot is sure to move and groove to the beat. Babies and toddlers love banging or shaking along with their own instruments too. There is always lot of dancing and inventive new ways to enjoy music, like musical story times and puppet shows or “bubble music.”
Enrollment options: Sign up for seasonal sessions. Winter is currently in session until April 3, so call or email for more info.
Instrument options: Varies from class to class. It is less about learning an instrument and more about child development at Little Maestros.
8. Where to become a real rock star: School of Rock Brooklyn
Where: 327 Douglass Street, Brooklyn, NY
Where: It’s not just a movie or musical, this school is actually focused on rock instruments including drums and guitars. Starting with Rookies (ages 6-7), all classes are designed to “take the path to the stage” teaching students musical proficiency and confidence to perform to an audience on their own stage and performance area.,
Enrollment options: Rookie classes introduce kids to instruments and progresses through Rock 101 and into Performance classes.
Instrument options: Guitar and bass guitar, drum, piano and voice.
9. Most unique musical experience: The Diller-Quaile School of Music
Diller-Quaile Music School of Music
Where: 24 E 95th St, New York, NY
Where: Diller-Quaile isn’t just a school but more of a community that lives by its motto, “realizing the importance of music in our lives.” Starting at just three months, children are encouraged to come to be exposed to the joys of music through many classes and programs. As children progress at Diller-Quaile, they can choose from a unique variety of options including the Suzuki Method, Repertoire, Orchestra, Chamber Ensemble, Composition and Youth Opera.,
Enrollment options: You can see a full list of early childhood programs, music classes and workshops plus download their application, here.
Instrument options: Piano, voice, guitar, harp, percussion, strings, winds and ensembles.
10. Learn to play piano like Lady Gaga: Keylab
Keylab
Where: 94 Luquer St., Brookkyn, NY
Keylab focuses on combining traditional music education with modern technologically-advanced techniques. Starting at age five, children all the way to adults can learn fundamental music skills as well as how to compose, produce and perform. They also offer early childhood classes with an intro to instruments for infants through pre-k aged children.
Enrollment options: Keylab offers afterschool programs for kindergarten through 5th grade (includes one day a week for $180/month), and private lessons for guitar, bass, drums, voice, music production and music theory. Summer camps also branch into music, film and podcasting options for $130/day or or $550/week.
Instrument options: Piano and keyboard; band.
