Want your kid to learn an instrument (or get better at one he already plays)? Sign up for one of these music programs in NJ.
Arete Music Academy
120 Van Nostrand Ave., Englewood Cliffs
201-205-1121
Kids as young as two start with Musical Toddlers or Sing Me a Story, then work their way up to Meet the Instruments, Meet the Piano and Meet the Violin. If your kid is serious about reading music and performing, enroll in Music Theory and Ear Training (ages 7+).
Bergen Performing Arts Center
30 North Van Brunt St., Englewood
201-816-8160
Early childhood education here runs the gamut from music to dance to theater (ages. 3 mos.-5 years). Think jazz, tap, drama and instrument appreciation. Kids who want to flex their singing skills can enroll in Young Voices (ages 6-12), while teens can join the Show Choir (ages 13-18) or even learn about production in Logic and Pro Tools for Teens. Private lessons and sensory friendly programs available.
Calderone School of Music
34 Ridgedale Ave., East Hanover
256 Morris Ave., Springfield
973-428-0405; 973-467-4688
Kindermusik classes are offered to little ones ages 2-7. From mommy and me Our Time programs to themed five-week camps, there’s something for every kid. Violin players can sign up for the Suzuki Strings Plus Program, which lasts 15 weeks. Teens can join the College Preparatory Division, which trains students for college auditions.
Edison School of Music and Dance
2 Villa Dr., Fl. 2, Edison
908-756-9245
Preschoolers (ages 3-5) move to the beat and learn mechanics in lessons that focus on melody and rhythm. Musicians ages five and up can get private instruction in saxophone, piano, guitar, clarinet and more. There are also song and dance, Zumba, ballet and tap classes.
Elefante Music & School for the Performing Arts
1790 Springfield Ave., New Providence
413 Park Ave., Scotch Plains
908-464-5928; 908-322-7542
There are music programs in NJ in everything from piano to woodwinds, and kids can start as early as preschool, plus a performing arts program and instrument rentals. Voice lessons and summer camp programs are also offered. If your kid already knows their way around a jazz song, inquire about the Jazz Academy Ensembles.
Garden Street School of the Performing Arts
1018 Washington St., Fl. 2, Hoboken
201-683-9100
Children as young as four get private lessons in their instrument of choice: piano, guitar, voice and songwriting. Group classes (ages 3-18) cover everything from singing to drums to keyboard. Best part? Students get a chance to take part in public recitals and events in Hoboken all year.
Lindeblad School of Music
101 US Hwy. 46, Pine Brook
973-439-7292
This school covers piano, voice, strings (violin, viola, cello) and guitar. Your littlest talents can join in Out of the Box Music, which features 30+ instruments at the Improvisation Station where their creativity can flow freely. If you want to start them early (ages 3-6), sign up for a private curriculum in Music for Little Mozarts.
The Little Gym
Multiple locations
Get ready to shake, rattle and roll in a Kindermusik program that aims to teach them language, literacy, social, emotional and physical skills through song and dance. Options for ages 0-5 (may vary by location).
Little Notes Music School
508 W. Rte. 10, Randolph
973-479-8905
Start them off in Kindermusik Wiggle & Grow where little ones learn to grow through song (ages 18 mos.-3 years). Once they get comfortable, sign them up for piano, guitar, violin and voice. There are also spots in string orchestra, rock band and jazz band.
Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University
33 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick
848-932-9360
Send toddlers and pre-K kids to Music Together, where they’ll learn to hold a tune, keep a beat and other basics. Young Maestros can take piano (ages 4-6) or guitar (5-7) lessons, while little knights will train kids grades K-2 in singing. Ask about Kids Create! Summer Camp.
Music Together
Various locations
There’s no shortage of this brand’s music programs in NJ (or locations). Tots and their caregivers in the Mixed-Age Music Class (ages 5 and under) get movement and music experience by learning songs, getting a hands-on intro to instrumental play and socializing. Teach them some Spanish at Canta y Baila Conmigo.
New Jersey School of Music
605 Rte. 70 W., Cherry Hill
10 Union St., Medford
856-375-2263; 609-654-0060
Kids and adults can take lessons in tons of instruments from piccolo to flute to banjo. There are beginner and accelerated programs. The school also offers music therapy, which may be the perfect fit for a child with sensory sensitivities or special needs.
The New Jersey Workshop for the Arts
150-152 East Broad St., Westfield
908-789-9696
Musicians of all ages can go the classic route with saxophone or bass guitar, or veer off the beaten path with bassoon or oboe. If your child has special needs, check out Music Connection, the music therapy program where students ages six and up learn an instrument of their choice in a small group setting.
Olive Tree Music Academy
Various locations
Start her lessons (age. 3.5-adult) in flute, clarinet, viola, bass, trombone and more. Your little music artist will learn performance, composition, theory and beyond.
The Original Music School
26 Morris St., Morristown
973-998-8977
Kids in grades 6-12 learn the in’s and out’s of playing in a band in this hands-on group class. They’ll also work on their guitar, percussion or keyboard skills. There are songwriting and music production programs, too, plus DJing.
Paul Nazzaro Music Studio
137 Saint Paul St., Westfield
908-232-3310
Student recording sessions make this piano school special. Kids can get recordings of themselves playing their own original pieces which they’ll get to share via a personal webpage the school provides. Standard music lessons in jazz, blues, music theory, composition and more are also offered.
The Piano Workshop at Bergen County
10 Wilsey Sq., Ridgewood
551-800-5965
Get your little talent lessons in guitar, percussion, piano, voice, violin or viola. They’ll get to show off what they’ve learned in a recital, too. If your kid wants to create music, consider composition, songwriting and music technology classes.
School of Rock
Multiple locations
If she has an ear for rock n’ roll, this is the place for her. There are plenty of routes a young guitar hero can take to next-level stardom. Your eight- to 13-year-old can try Rock 101 to learn the basics through private lessons in guitar, bass, keys, drums or vocals, plus a weekly group rehearsal. If he’s just looking to have fun, he’ll love Rookies (ages 6-7), a band-inspired group lesson that focuses on teamwork. Once they get the hang of it, students can enter the Performance Program, where they’ll be grouped with other kids to put on rock shows at local venues.
Shore Music Academy
68 Monmouth Rd., Oakhurst
732-531-7676
Your kid will learn a wide range of styles here, like blues, country, classical and jazz, in piano, guitar, drums and violin. If he’s a rocker-in-training, sign him up for Rock Band. Kids ages 10 to 18 will get a taste of what it’s like to be in a real band, especially by performing at local venues.
Valencia School of Music
37 Elm St., Ste. 4, Westfield
908-967-0458
Ukulele, guitar and bass are open to aspiring string artists, and there are also classes for piano, brass, drums and more. Rock-U Rock Band Class is perfect for rockers with at least two years of experience under their belts.
Youth Orchestras of Essex County
South Orange Middle School, South Orange
973-507-6096
As far as music programs in NJ go, this one is pretty advanced. Placement in one of the three symphony orchestras or ensembles or ABC! Ensemble is based on auditions, so this is for kids with experience. If they’re chosen, they’ll get to hit the stage for several live performances around NJ.
Zen Music Center
275 Rte. 17 S., #6, East Brunswick
732-651-5888
Students of all ages can come here for lessons in everything from cello and ukulele to music theory and aural training.