The Transformative Power of Music Education Commentary inspired by Mommy Maestra’s article on The Harmony Project and PBS Newshour At Grosse Pointe Music Academy, we’ve long believed in the value of music education not just as an artistic pursuit, but as a powerful influence on a child’s overall development. A recent segment on PBS Newshour […]
Music Education
Music Together January 2014 – Singing in the New Year!
Singing in the New Year! 2014 is here and we hope everyone had a wonderful holiday break! Registration is still open for the Winter Semester which starts the week of January 13 and we hope to see everyone back in class soon! If you have friends that may be interested in joining class with you, […]
Jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis on Arts Education
Why the Arts Matter—Now More Than EverCommentary on a USA Today essay by Wynton Marsalis and Drew Faust As the new year invites both reflection and goal-setting, acclaimed jazz musician Wynton Marsalis and Harvard University President Drew Faust offer a compelling case for why arts education should be central—not peripheral—to how we prepare students for […]
Music New Year Resolutions
New Year’s Resolutions for Music Students: Practical Goals to Stay Inspired and Make ProgressOriginal article by Espie Estrella, About.com (now part of Dotdash Meredith) At the start of a new year, many of us are thinking about resolutions—ways to improve ourselves or tackle new challenges. For music students, whether you’re a beginner or more experienced, […]
Creating a Musical Home Environment
Commentary: How to Create a Musical Home for Your ChildInspired by Dr. Robert A. Cutietta, PBS.org At Grosse Pointe Music Academy, we believe that a child’s musical growth starts at home. Dr. Robert A. Cutietta, in his insightful article for PBS.org, reminds us just how important a parent’s role is in shaping a child’s connection […]
Music has the power to shape a child’s mind
Commentary: Music’s Power to Shape a Child’s MindInspired by Kate Youde’s article in The Independent At Grosse Pointe Music Academy, we’ve long believed in the deep, lasting value of music education—and now neuroscience is backing that up. In a compelling article published by The Independent, author Kate Youde reports on findings presented by Professor Nina […]
Music Literacy
Music Classes for Kids Ages 5–7 Now Offered in Grosse Pointe GROSSE POINTE, MI – August 28, 2013 – Hummingbirds Music Together, in partnership with Grosse Pointe Music Academy, is excited to announce a new music and movement class for children ages 5–7: Music Together Big Kids®. This fun and educational program is now available […]
Playground Sessions
Quincy Jones Champions Music Education with Playground SessionsCommentary by Grosse Pointe Music Academy Staff | Source: Brittney M. Walker, EURweb At 80 years old, legendary music producer Quincy Jones is proving once again that his influence goes far beyond the recording studio. In a recent article by Brittney M. Walker for EURweb, Jones shares his […]
A Common Mistake That’ll Grow Hair on Any Guitarist’s Palms
Why Sticking to Your Comfort Zone on Guitar Holds You Back At Grosse Pointe Music Academy, we often remind students that real growth on an instrument doesn’t come from playing what you already know — it comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone. We recently came across a great article by Nicholas Tozier at […]
Health: Music and the Mind
Music and Healing: The Powerful ConnectionGrosse Pointe Music Academy Staff More and more every day, it seems we hear how music helps promote healing and emotional well-being. While it’s unlikely that musicians or music therapists will ever rival pharmaceutical companies in wealth, it’s surprising that the healing power of music hasn’t become more mainstream in […]
The Importance of Music and Art in Education
The Importance of Music and Art in Education It seems like every few days I hear about another school in Michigan cutting funding for its music and art programs. I understand that tough decisions have to be made, and many people assume that music and art aren’t essential subjects. As someone who has studied music […]
Don’t let summer stop your groove
With summer in full swing, many students take breaks from their music lessons to enjoy seasonal activities. While that’s understandable, what many students don’t realize is the importance of continuing to practice throughout their break — a point I always stress with my students. As practice time diminishes, so do the critical physical and mental […]
Why Early Childhood Music Education Matters
Introducing your child to music education early in life offers incredible benefits that reach far beyond simply learning to sing or play an instrument. Research increasingly shows that music training strengthens critical areas of brain development and helps shape lifelong skills. Here are just a few key advantages of early music education: 1. Language and […]
How Music Education Sharpens Kids’ Communication Skills
Music Education Helps Kids’ Brains With Sound Stimuli Many of us remember music class as a place where teachers constantly battled the noise of chatty students. Ironically, new research shows that music education may actually improve kids’ ability to communicate — even in noisy environments! A study highlighted in Science Daily found that children who […]
Infants and Learning Music
Why Singing to Babies Matters — Even Before They’re Born Today, it’s widely understood that babies start hearing sounds as early as the fourth month in utero, and they particularly respond to low-pitched sounds. Scientific research is revealing just how much early exposure to music shapes a baby’s development — even before birth. Studies like […]
The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner
Few things are held with as much reverence in the United States as the national anthem. The Star-Spangled Banner is performed at nearly every major public event, from sporting games to national ceremonies, carrying deep emotional weight for Americans. The anthem’s origins trace back to a crucial moment during the War of 1812. In September […]
Why Cutting Music Education Hurts Students (and Why the “Math and Science” Argument Doesn’t Hold Up)
In recent years, many U.S. schools have drastically reduced or eliminated music programs to focus more heavily on math and science, citing fears that America’s international education rankings are slipping. But a closer look at the data challenges this narrative. According to the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), the countries that consistently lead global […]
Meet the Makers Behind the Music: Raggin’ Jazzin’ Rockin’
If you’ve ever marveled at a Zildjian cymbal or played a Ludwig drum kit, you might wonder about the stories behind these iconic names. Author Susan VanHecke explores the innovators behind some of America’s most legendary musical instruments in her book, Raggin’ Jazzin’ Rockin’: A History of American Musical Instrument Makers (Boyds Mills Press), an […]
Why Every Child Deserves a Music Education
National Association for Music Education (NAfME) – Advocacy Resources According to leading national education organizations, every student should have access to a strong education in the arts. Music, in particular, plays a crucial role in student success — not only academically, but socially and emotionally. Studies show that students involved in music programs perform better […]
Why Play Bass Guitar?
While the six-string guitar often gets the spotlight, the bass guitar plays an essential role in any band. Bass connects the rhythm section to the harmony and drives the music forward, laying the foundation for the groove that makes people want to move. Bass players may not always be the center of attention on stage, […]