Still the best music classes in the Houston area for babies & young kids. If you're reading this and considering it, I'm telling you now: go ahead and try a class! You won't regret it! The classes are geared toward your babies and kids- backed by research, to maximize enjoyment, fun, and learning. Sadly they shut down the Sugar Land location, but there are still classes at different sites in Houston and the Woodlands. The teachers are wonderful! My girls have taken more than 2 years' worth of classes with Kapila, so she is our favorite! We've also loved our classes with Jonathan and Ana, the owners. Why do babies and little kids need music exposure? Here is an excerpt from a parent education class taught by Ana: 84% of our population is born with medium to high music aptitude! So why is it that most grownups have trouble singing in tune and moving with accurate rhythm? It has do with exposure and experimentation during the most formative years of a child's life. Children cannot learn what they are not exposed to. Music aptitude is at its highest at BIRTH! So, we must support a child's inborn natural potential for music learning. The best way a parent can support tonal development is by singing with and to their child! Likewise, the best way parents can support rhythm development is by dancing and following the movements we do in class. read more

Prelude is offering outdoor, socially distanced music classes at different locations in Houston! We've attended a couple so far and will be back for more, for sure. We've also been enjoying their online music classes (including some Zoom classes, which are a delight) since the pandemic began. Our daughter has been attending Prelude music classes since she was about 8 months old. She's now 3.5. Such an excellent program for families, babies, children. Getting your babies/young children immersed in music-making has so many important and beneficial effects on their development. We've attended music classes through other companies in Houston, but Prelude is the best of them. Our daughter loves teachers Kapila, Ana, and Jonathan. It's not cheap, but they do have scholarships for people who want to attend but need some financial assistance. read more

Our family has been taking part in Prelude classes for more than a year & a 1/2, & we love 'em. We've been students in classes taught by Emily; Prill; & Francyne, & have attended makeups given by each of the other instructors. Classes follow the Music Together curriculum, & are a great way to socialize your 0-7 year old child, get her moving around, introduce her to & enthused about music, & just have fun making Music Together. The program is 3 years long, w 10 week terms in the fall, winter, & spring. Each term covers different songs--some original, some multicultural folk songs w modified lyrics or tunes, which introduce new keys; meters; & musical concepts. I find the songs meant to transition kids to be esp helpful--there are songs that encourage kids to do things quickly, or reassure kids about separation. We often sing these (& lots of the songs, really) outside of class. In addition, there's an 8 week summer term that covers the greatest hits of last year's collections & introduces a few of the gems for the coming year. Tuition includes classes, 2x CDs of the songs covered that term, a songbook, a parent ed session that explains the theory behind the program, & 2x family-friendly concerts, usually held on Saturday afternoons. Sometimes those who want to meet up in a park & jam together. All of the events are useful & fun, & my kids & I like the songbooks, though my husband; son; & I initially found the CDs to be seriously irritating. We got used to them. Hopefully, you will too. The class has a somewhat set format--the 1st & last song of the day are always the same, providing continuity & thus reassurance for little ones, though there are plenty of opportunities to ad lib. The 3rd song from the end is always an instrumental, during which kids & parents rock out on percussion instruments. The 2nd to last song is a lullaby, when the lights are dimmed & kids either snuggle up to their caretakers, or more usually cry or toddle around the room. Kids are encouraged to participate in any safe way they see fit--by watching & listening, cooing, singing, babbling, mouthing or playing instruments (which are sanitized with tea tree oil--& none of our kids seem to have gotten sick from these) or using other props such as scarves or balls, creeping, scooting, crawling, toddling, or dancing around. Grownups join in. You don't have to have any sort of musical ability to participate in classes--I definitely don't. All that's wanted is that you participate, preferably w enthusiasm. The teachers are all very cool people. Upbeat & perky Emily--if you & yours could use a cheerleader, she's definitely your gal. Emily is also a Prelude mom--her youngest child attends classes here, & she's practiced at leading young children in class. Polished & professional, but soulful Francyne holds a dual Master's in Musical Arts & Education, & is also a Cantor. She's a seasoned teacher & runs a tight ship. She's also a Prelude mom. Francyne bridges her love of music & spirituality by teaching a class that incorporates Hebrew into the curriculum. Impassioned & introverted Jonathan--an excellent teacher for shy &/or reserved students, like my son, & it's nice to have the option to have a male teacher, in classes otherwise often dominated by women. (though, *note to dads*--a dad or 2 turns up in most weekday classes, & families often come together to Saturday classes. Regardless, as Prelude isn't really a clique-y place, you're unlikely to feel too out of place, whenever you attend classes.) Jonathan is a professional violinist with Mercury Baroque ensemble. He holds a Master's in Musical Arts & is the spouse of Ana, Prelude's founder. Playful Kapila--an excellent teacher for kids & parents who like to be silly. Her classes are super fun. Ask Kapila about her really cool, very multinational background, which has no doubt influenced her musical education & teaching style. Calm, warm, caring, grandmotherly Prill can soothe any child, no matter how fussy. No one ever cries for long in Prill's class. We love her. Prill obtained her Bachelor's & Master's in Music from the prestigious Julliard School, & played horn professionally for many years with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Prill also runs a big kids class, for children aged 5-7. Earth-mother Ana--Doctor of Musical Arts, certified Music Together teacher, & Prelude founder, Ana is the total package. No one ever changes classes or forgets to preregister for the next term, once they've gotten a coveted spot in one of Ana's classes. And yes, she really is that blissfully calm. Ana also runs a mixed-abilities Spanish language music class. All of the teachers play guitar in class. Jonathan also plays violin. Ana, Francyne, & sometimes Prill also play the piano. If this sounds like your thing, then it definitely is. And as Prelude holds demo classes in between terms, you can check it out for FREE. If you like the demo, join in. *Hope to see you there.* read more

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Our 17 month old started this program 5 months ago and it was the best gift that we could have ever given her. Each week we look forward to class as we see her glowing and appreciating the beauty of music. Our hearts are filled with so much joy when we sing and play the music together outside of class. We plan on staying in this program for years to come and hope that other families will discover this wonderful tool to make music together. read more

Prelude Music Classes for Children - River is having fun before class starts - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Houston, Texas

I've been bringing my (now 15 month old) twins here since they were 8 months & we love it! We started in Kapila's class & she is so great.. she exudes so much love & positive energy. We're now in Ana's class & it is so clear that she absolutely loves her job! She loves children & the children love her! Both teachers are so amazing, I wouldn't recommend one over the other & I'm sure the other teachers are just as good. I play the CDs everyday & my kids love the songs, as soon as they hear the first beat they start smiling & moving to the music. If you're still unsure, go do a free class.. no obligation to sign up (but I'm pretty sure you will!). read more

I started at Prelude this past "semester" with my son in the baby class. He LOVES it. Francyne is a terrific instructor and really knows how to engage both kids and adults. She is fantastic about explaining why we are doing something in a particular way and how that helps baby's development. Each class is a little bit different so it doesn't get repetitive or boring. The songs do get stuck in your head though! I look forward to this class every week and it will be the activity I miss most when I go back to work. read more

Music Together through Prelude Music is an amazing program. We joined with our 8 month old who is now 28 months old. He's learned many songs, melodies and rhythms from around the world, he dances and moves to different tempos, says the words and knows the names of several musical instruments. Their outdoor classes are safe, fun and we recommend them to everyone! We're also taking the Spanish music program, as it is our first language and we are enjoying it very much! read more

We have been going since my little girl was a few months old. She loves this place and the staff. I think she will be going here for a very long time. It's fun, educational, the staff are enthusiastic and nurturing. Fantastic way to introduce babies to music or continue the love as they grow. The songs are super cute, we even play their CD in the car. I think it's a great place for the whole family. read more

I love prelude music and the music together curriculum. It is strange to say but one of the hardest things of moving away from Houston was not being able to continue the music classes! My daughter took the babies class (for babies from birth to 8 months) with Ana when she was 4 months old. I also took some mix-aged classes (for kids up to 7) as make-up sessions. My friends and family thought I was crazy for taking a baby music class so young. But she is now 10 months and dances to the music. She recognizes the songs and once she hears the Hello song, she immediately stops crying! Its a savior for the long car rides, though listening to the 45 second Hello song on repeat over and over again can be a bit draining for the adults :) I also took a beginners adults guitar class at Prelude that teaches you how to play the same songs for your kids. The class was really fun and Jonathan was a great teacher. I progressed so quickly and it really got my interest back after giving up trying to learn how to play the guitar after all these years. What do I like most about prelude music? Their teachers are musically trained and genuinely enthusiastic about what they do. They have a beautiful new location right next to the motherhood center and they have a lot of events around town. They offer a lot of free demos so I would definitely check them out if you are looking for a music class for your child! read more

We brought my niece for a music class. She was visiting from out of state. Ana taught my sister and me music and voice lessons as we grew up, so it was magical to bring our niece to the class. The lessons were evidence-based and Ana lovingly explained the important aspects of each song--the movement, the influence of lyrics in music, and the complexity of harmony. My niece loved the combination of socializing, making music, and dancing--and we loved the balance of activity and calm. We are now looking for a music together class in her state so she can continue to flourish! Thank you Ana! read more

I took a demo with my two kids. I think it's a great little class but I agree with the other reviewer it's pretty pricey. I'm not taking off a star because the quality is still there and it's a good class. I love the layout and the fun toys in the front of the building. I still might take a class since I did enjoy it. My daughter was really excited about the piano in the front of the building and she loved playing the bongo drums in the class. I definitely recommend it. read more

Love Prelude! Love Ana and all the teachers! My son loves his music classes and I love sharing in his joy!

While visiting my sister in Seattle, I took my then 5 month old baby to my niece's Music Together class and fell in love with it immediately! It was a mixed aged class and it was nice to see all the kids moving and dancing around to music. As soon as we retuned home to Sugar Land I looked for a Music Together program. We were so lucky that we met Kapila who told us that Prelude was branching out in Sugar Land! We're in our second session of classes now and my son who is 15 months old shows a lot of interest in music. He dances around and already mocks the beat patterns we learn in class and from the CDs. We also love the free concerts Prelude offers each session. Although the concerts are in Houston, we don't mind driving out because Ana and her staff are all so MUSICAL and friendly. Its nice to know that our class in Sugar Land actually belongs to a very large musical family! Everyone is very friendly, all the kids are happy and they are encouraged to have fun. Kapila is our teacher and she has such a pure soul. You can feel the love and dedication through everything she does. We're very lucky to have her in our lives along with the whole Prelude family. Today, we had Jonathan substitute our class and it was a treat for us because he played both the guitar and violin, the kids all loved it, parents too! Another thing I love about Music Together is that if you have family and friends who live in different states like we do, its nice how families enrolled in Music Together classes learn the same songs and follow the same curriculum. My best friend in Las Vegas also takes her sons to Music Together and like my sister, when we're together (or just on Face Time) we sing the same songs and strengths the bonds between our children because they have their music in common. With my sister, when we visit, we all use music to sooth and entertain our kids and everyone knows the same songs. Its a great way to connect. I can go on for a long time about the benefits Prelude brings into our lives. Definitely do a demo for the class, its truly enriched our lives. Come join us in Sugar Land, you'll be welcomed warmly! read more

This is the second time we have gone showed up here to try to do the demo. We were told Thursday at 3:45, we show up, no ones here. Next Thursday, were suppose to be here at 5, show up, no ones here again. Not only extremely incompetent, but my 7 year old is broken hearted, crying in the back seat. We'll go to school of Rock- thanks. read more

Our daughter Sophia started the Music Together program at Prelude with Ms. Ana when she was 18 months old. We've been a part of the program now for 3 and a half years! We are so grateful for all of the fun, friends and songs we've shared over the years. Ms. Ana and the other teachers at Prelude have a true gift for inspiring a love of music in the kids and parents. I've made wonderful friendships and developed a collection of songs that we will cherish forever. Thank you THANK YOU for all the memories and seeds of musical knowledge and appreciation that are growing in our family. We will be seeing Ms. Ana and everyone at the Mercury family series concerts. We've been so blessed to have Prelude in our lives! read more