Starting on April 10th, our talented teachers will guide you and your child through a fun and engaging music curriculum designed to inspire and delight. With interactive activities and sing-alongs, your child will develop a love of music and learn valuable skills that will last a lifetime.

Our classes are open to babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, and we welcome children of all abilities. You’ll love bonding with your child through music and watching their confidence grow as they develop their musical abilities.

Enrollment is now open, and spots are filling up fast. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to create lifelong memories and a love of music for your child. Sign up today for the Hummingbirds Music Together Spring Semester 2023!

Join us for the Maracas Song Collection this Spring!
Your children will love the energy of this collection! New songs include the enchantingly rhythmic “Al citrón,” based on a traditional Latin American children’s game, and “Bout My Friends,” sure to have everyone dancing to its funky blues. In addition to your weekly classes, tuition includes materials for you to use at home, access to the online Family Music Zone and Hello Everybody app, and a family newsletter full of resources and music-making ideas!
About the Illustrators: Read more about Jaime Kim on her website: https://www.jaimekim.com See more of Gerald Kelley’s work on his website: https://www.geraldkelley.com

OUTDOOR CLASSES

Swim along with the Sea Turtle Collection!
Sea Turtle draws inspiration from Malaysia, Lebanon, and other regions of the world, with drumming patterns adapted from Turkish rhythms used for dancing. Three NEW songs are included this semester! The sea turtle’s ability to swim as far as 10,000 nautical miles–yet always return home–inspired “Turtle Back Home.” “Wau Bulan,” a Malaysian folk song, describes the beauty of the Malaysian traditional kite (wau), with a rounded bottom shaped like a half moon (bulan), as it flies up high in the sky. “Ala Dal’Ona” is a well-known traditional Lebanese dabke, a style of dance typical in Levant countries such as Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. Children will delight in imaginative play, drumming, and dancing with this rich, eclectic collection of songs and chants. Tuition includes our Sea Turtle Collection recording, songbook, and access to drumming videos with Rhythm Kids creator Tom Foote.

RHYTHM KIDS

GrossePointeMusicAcademy.com Main Music Together Registration Page

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Piano lessons are often seen as a gateway into the broader world of music education — and for good reason. Whether you’re brand new to music or an experienced player of another instrument, learning piano can deepen your understanding of rhythm, harmony, and music theory while developing coordination and creative confidence.

A Foundation for All Musicians

Many people believe that musical talent is something you’re either born with or not — but that simply isn’t true. The ability to play music is a skill that anyone can develop with guidance and practice. The piano, in particular, is an ideal instrument for building a strong musical foundation. Its layout is logical and visual, making it easier to understand concepts like scales, intervals, and chord structure.

Read Both Treble and Bass Clef

Unlike instruments such as guitar or violin, which typically use treble clef, piano music involves reading both treble and bass clef simultaneously. This dual-clef reading helps strengthen sight-reading skills and promotes a more complete understanding of musical structure. It also enhances hand independence — a skill that benefits musicians in all disciplines.

Piano as a Percussion Instrument

The piano is, at its core, a percussion instrument. Each note is produced by a small hammer striking a string inside the instrument. This percussive nature means that pianists develop a strong sense of timing and rhythm — much like drummers. Playing with all ten fingers across 88 keys also encourages coordination and attention to detail in a way that few other instruments require.

Rhythm, Tempo, and Technique

One of the biggest challenges for new musicians is developing solid timing. While practicing with a metronome can be helpful, it can also become tedious. Piano naturally reinforces rhythm because both hands must work together in sync. This not only trains your sense of tempo but also builds muscle memory and internal timing — key elements for playing with others or recording music.

Reaching a Variety of Musical Goals

People take piano lessons for many different reasons. Some want to play their favorite songs. Others want to write and record music, strengthen their theory knowledge, or support their work on another instrument. Even advanced guitarists or drummers often find that adding piano to their practice unlocks new creative possibilities and expands their overall musical understanding.

🎹 Thinking about starting piano lessons?
Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned musician, piano offers an incredible opportunity to grow as an artist.

We offer in-person and online piano lessons for students of all ages at our locations in Grosse Pointe, Canton, Brighton, and Ann Arbor.

📞 Call or text us at 313.458.7723 to schedule your first lesson.

Enroll Online:

Grosse Pointe

Brighton

Ann Arbor

Canton

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Hello, everybody…so glad to see you! I love singing this in class each week and watching each child’s
response as they see a whole room full of grown-ups sing to them by name. Our “Hello” song in Music
Together is not only catchy and applicable to pretty much everything (use it during potty training!!), but
it is also the name of Music Together’s free app. One of the best parts about Music Together is that the
music goes home with you – but with the app the music can be with you wherever you are!
This app has saved me more than once with my kids – waiting in the dr’s office watching the storybook
trailers, or making a karaoke video on a rainy day. Personally I want every family to get as much as
possible out of their Music Together investment – using the app is part of that! The app is free – so I
encourage you to share it with a friend who is interested in Music Together. They’ll get to know our class
by singing along with the 8 free tunes included the app.

Here are 5 easy ways to stay connected to class with our Hello Everybody App:

1. Record your child singing along to their favorite Music Together song with the Hello
Everybody app. You can turn vocals off and record to the music right from the app!
Share your video and use #HelloEverybody. Seriously, so fun!
2. Looking for an easy way to learn all the words to this semester’s songs? While
listening through the app, you can follow along with on-screen lyrics!! No more
surprise lyrics in class!
3. The videos you record on the Hello Everybody app are also saved in your Photos
app! This makes it so easy to share the fun with your friends, and find for future. My
kids have cracked up watching themselves in their music videos.
4. Read or sing through the digital version of the full “Hello, Everybody” Singalong
Storybook. The full book is included in the app for free!
5. Every semester you enroll in Music Together, enter your new access code in the app
– you’ll have all of your song collections stored in one place. Perfect for when your
child asks for their favorite song that we sang two years ago (true story!)

Lastly, with Halloween around the corner, I challenge you to a costume music video
contest! We want to see you and & yours in their Halloween costumes, making a video to
your favorite Music Together song! You can even turn the vocals down, and change the
lyrics to fit your costume. Think “Lil’ Liza Jane” but try these Halloween lyrics:

“I know a boy that you don’t know! ________ is his name!
Dressed up like a _____________, __________ is his name.”

Any family that posts a karoake video during October or November will be entered for a coupon
towards tuition at Music Together – could be used for our Family Favorites December session or
in the future.

Goodbye, so long, farewell my friends – and see you in your costumes soon!

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Welcome back to another terrific Music Together semester, families! This fall we will explore the Bongos
collection, which includes many well-loved favorites (think “She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain),
fascinating “mouth music” from the Irish culture, and beautiful songs for layering harmonies like “Canoe
Song”. How many of you sang “My paddle’s keen and bright, flashing like silver…” growing up?
As our center enters its 8th year as Hummingbirds Music Together and (Music Together’s 30th year!) we
reflect on why we do what we do. Music Together wasn’t just created to be a great children’s class. It
was created to be a constant source of music-making for families and communities!
Recently, our CEO, Susan Darrow, stated that “Our mission is to make the world a better place by
making it more musical. To do this, we provide the highest quality music and movement experiences to
children everywhere – and to involve the adults who love them in the magical process of development
that only music can provide.”
We truly believe that the world will be a better place when we make music together. Research shows
that preschoolers are more cooperative, more willing to help, when they make music together! (See
article here http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/making- music-nicer- kid-study- article-
1.1449895) In such polarizing times in our country and world, isn’t it great to know that you can take a
simple step today by singing a song with your child and a friend? We truly believe that will make a
difference.
Visit one of our many demos on our “Hummingbirds Open House” Day, Tuesday, September 12th . We
will have 3 demos happening – Generations Class at 10:00 a.m. at The Rivers, Big Kids Demo Class at
5:30 p.m. (ages 5-7) at Grosse Pointe Music Academy, and a Mixed-Age Class at 6:30 p.m. at the GP
Music Academy.
We’d love to see you there and share music-making with you and your child!
Sarah Boyd
Center Director, Hummingbirds Music Together

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At Grosse Pointe Music Academy, we love seeing classical instruments take center stage in modern music genres—and the cello is no exception. Known for its rich, warm tone, the cello has found a home far beyond symphonies and concert halls. It’s not uncommon to hear cellos featured in rock, pop, metal, and indie tracks, adding emotion, texture, and depth.

Some of the most compelling performances we’ve seen are by artists and bands that use cello as a core element in their arrangements. Whether it’s a hard-hitting rock ballad with a brooding cello riff or an orchestral pop song built around lush string layers, the cello brings a unique voice to contemporary music.

If you’ve ever wondered whether classical training can translate into modern styles, the cello proves it can—and does. Students who study cello are often surprised by how versatile the instrument really is. From Bach to The Beatles, from Vivaldi to video game soundtracks, the cello fits everywhere.

Interested in learning cello?

We offer private cello lessons for all ages at our Grosse Pointe Woods and Canton locations. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re looking to explore advanced repertoire and performance techniques, our teachers will help you grow your skills in any style.

Get started today by contacting us or signing up for a trial lesson.

📍 Grosse Pointe Music Academy
19443 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236
📍 Canton Music Academy
5880 N. Canton Center Rd. Ste. 425, Canton, MI 48187

📞 Call us: 313.458.7723
🌐 www.grossepointemusicacademy.com

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It’s not too late to register for next week’s Music Camp at Grosse Pointe Music Academy! This will be the second of two camps we’ve offered this summer, and we are currently welcoming new students—both instrumentalists and vocalists—who are eager to learn, improve, and make music with others.

Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, you are invited to join us! Our first session included drummers, singers, guitarists, pianists, a saxophonist, a baritone player, and a violinist. No matter what instrument you play, you’ll fit right in.

Camp Details:

• Dates: Monday, August 6 – Friday, August 10
• Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Early drop-off available at 9:00 AM)
• Location: Grosse Pointe Music Academy (19443 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods)
• Performance: Friday, August 10 at 2:15 PM at the Grosse Pointe Unitarian Church
  • Campers will be transported from the Academy to the Church at 12:30 PM.
• Cost: $275 for the week ($25 discount when enrolling two children)
• Ages: 8–16
• Includes: A free Grosse Pointe Music Academy T-shirt!

What Campers Will Experience:

• Group rehearsals and individual practice
• Music theory, ear training, improvisation, and music appreciation
• Daily performance coaching and practice techniques
• Development of strong practice habits
• A final group performance for friends and family!

Students will spend time working on group songs and receiving individualized tips from our team of highly qualified music instructors. Our camp environment is designed to be fun, inspiring, and educational, giving students a true glimpse into the life of a professional musician.

Additional Information:

• Campers should bring their own lunch each day.
• Please dress appropriately for both indoor and outdoor activities.

How to Register:

• Call us at 313-458-7723

Join us for a week of learning, creativity, and musical fun! We look forward to making music with you this summer!

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Music camps are especially popular during the summer months, giving students a valuable opportunity to immerse themselves in a musician’s lifestyle of practicing, learning, and creating. Grosse Pointe Music Academy is offering two weeklong summer camps designed to provide budding musicians with the time, space, and structured environment they need to develop their skills and musical creativity.

With extended class times each day, students can make significant strides in their practice habits and overall musical ability. Throughout the week, students will focus on their primary instrument while also exploring the following key musical subjects:

Music Theory
Music theory isn’t just “theory”—it’s a practical system for naming, understanding, and organizing notes, chords, scales, rhythm patterns, and more. Learning music theory helps musicians write their own music and communicate effectively with other musicians.

Composition
Writing your own music is an attainable and rewarding skill for any musician. Campers will be introduced to the fundamentals of songwriting and composition, useful for players of all instruments and vocalists alike.

Practice Techniques
Yes, we’re talking about practice! Anyone serious about improving in music knows that regular practice is essential. At camp, students will develop smarter practice habits, helping them turn effort into ease and enjoy the process of growth.

Performance Skills
The thought of performing for an audience can be nerve-wracking for many. Through guided activities and performances, students will learn techniques to stay calm, focused, and confident in front of an audience—valuable skills that go far beyond music.

Music History and Appreciation
Listening and learning about influential musicians from the past deepens a student’s understanding and connection to music. Campers will explore the evolution of music and appreciate the legacy left by iconic composers and performers.

Improvisation
Improvisation helps musicians make quick, creative decisions while playing. Students will practice improvising in a fun, supportive setting, enhancing their musicality and spontaneity.

Ready to dive in?
CLICK HERE FOR OUR 2013 CAMP Information and sign up today!

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Spring Semester is here and it’s not too late to register.  Music Together of Grosse Pointe, held at the Grosse Pointe Music Academy welcomes you to our beautiful new location on 19443 Mack, near Men’s Wearhouse and Caribou Coffee (a great plus!).   Many of you in our classes are returning for your 2^nd or 3^rd Music Together Collection, some more than that (WOW!) and some are coming for their first time this spring.  Either way, here are some ways to make the most of your experience at our Music Together classes.

First of all, use your songbook! The first 6 pages of the songbook include valuable information for you as the parent and most of this post is based on that resource!

Know that not every parent feels comfortable in class at first.  In spite of past music experiences, we invite you to look at this class through the eyes of your child and enjoy playing and participating in music as if it was the first time.

Our classes are meant to be family music experiences, so siblings can attend together (and you’ll get a great discount on the 2^nd sibling! AND Infant siblings under 8 months are free with an enrolled sibling.) Siblings are encouraged to attend class together so they will participate in the same activities and will want to recreate these at home, thus bringing music-making bask into family life. That is why we are called Music-Together – it’s you and your family making music.

Mixed-age classes are educationally sound. Babies and younger children learn by observing and imitating, older children learn by “doing” and being models for the younger children. In my personal experience the classes with the most varied age range have been the richest musically for the families (Thank you, Thursday 11:00 a.m. class!)

It is never too early or too late to begin Music Together classes. In class you will experience music that is fun, accessible and sophisticated, so that people of many ages can enjoy. I’ve actually had a nanny tell me that her teenage daughter requests the Music Together cd while they are in the car! How is that for an endorsement?

“Because children and adults enter the class at many different levels, each person comes away with what he or she needs for their own musical growth. It is like a musical buffet: each person picks his or her favorite foods today, but may choose something different tomorrow, depending on tasted and the nourishment needed. A toddler, an infant, or a four-year-old may take different thing home from a Music Together class, but each will find many things that meet his or her musical needs. In this way, a child may begin classes at any age and will continue to grow musically throughout succeeding semesters.” This is printed in the front of your songbook, along with a lot of other great explanation.

Come experience the musical buffet that is a Music Together class. You are always welcome to call ahead and try one class as a demo before you decide to sign up for the semester. Music Together of Grosse Pointe is excited to grow in our new location, with our new teacher, Miss Emily, teaching on Tuesday mornings. It’s the perfect time to make the most of your Music Together experience!

By: Sarah Boyd, Director, Music Together of Grosse Pointe

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Parents, welcome back to our Music Together Spring Session semester at the Grosse Pointe Music Academy. We at Music Together of Grosse Pointe are so excited to share our new songs from the Triangle collection with you and your child. Whether you have experienced our classes before, or are new to Music Together, we want to share with you what it means to be a musical parent. You may think this means playing an instrument proficiently or having a fantastic singing voice. Quite the opposite, in fact!  A musical parent is a parent who models music making as a natural part of everyday life. Music can be made while changing diapers, making dinner, driving in the car, or washing dishes! Making music in these situations is not about performance, it’s about participation.  You as the parent or caregiver are your child’s best model. If you want your child to enjoy music and participate it in freely, then, YOU must model enjoying music and participating it in freely! This is musical parenting!  Parents do not need to worry that they are not the “best” music model for their child or that they will in “hurt” their child’s music development. Parents are not modeling music performance, but music participation. Model for your child the disposition to be musical and then watch the music unfold in them naturally! Your singing voice is actually more powerful to your child than a trained music teacher or professional singer, because they are connected emotionally to your voice.

So how to you model music? Think of songs you knew and loved as a child and start by singing while doing something with your children. Tap the beat while you sing or sway to your music and you’ll be modeling the strong connection between music and movement. Rhythm is movement, so the more you move, the more rhythm you model. My favorite memory of my parents modeling music for me was when my mom played accordion, my dad sang, and my sister and I washed the dishes after dinner. These spontaneous music moments stayed with me and I carry on the same tradition with my children today!

You’ll glean many music modeling ideas from your Music Together teacher, as well as from the 2 Class CDs and the songbook you’ll receive each semester. Our Spring classes start on Monday, April 16^th. We’d love to meet you, and excited to welcome back old friends, and model music-making for our children!

By: Sarah Boyd, Director, Music Together of Grosse Pointe

Current Semester

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Grosse Pointe Music Academy Is Moving to a New Location – April 16th Opening

We are excited to announce that Grosse Pointe Music Academy will officially open its new location at 19443 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods on Monday, April 16th.

Our new space was designed with efficiency and comfort in mind, offering improved facilities for students, families, and staff. It is centrally located within the Grosse Pointe community and features ample parking. The surrounding area is home to many great businesses within walking distance, including Caribou Coffee, Burrito Mundo, and The Pointe After, located right next door. The building previously housed the second location of Village Cleaners.

Grosse Pointe Music Academy began in 2005 as a one-room guitar studio and shop on Charlevoix in Grosse Pointe Park. Within a year, we expanded to include piano, drums, bass guitar, and voice lessons. By year three, we had added string and band instrument instruction. In 2009, we relocated to 17012 Mack Ave., where we continued to grow. Now, with our continued development, we are proud to transition into a space specifically built to meet the needs of our expanding programs and student community.

Our mission has always been to provide high-quality music education to the Grosse Pointe area and beyond. We are deeply grateful to all the parents, students, teachers, staff, and supporters who have helped us grow into the academy we are today. Your dedication and love for music inspire everything we do.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to share them in the comment section. We look forward to welcoming you to our new location and continuing this exciting new chapter together.

New Address (Effective April 16th):
Grosse Pointe Music Academy
19443 Mack Ave.
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236

Warm regards,
Henry Bahrou
School Director
Grosse Pointe Music Academy

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