Discover the Best Kids' Music Classes in Los Angeles
California is often associated with the entertainment industry, especially since it’s the home of Hollywood. In fact, many of the world’s most famous musicians come from California, including Katy Perry, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and “Weird Al” Yankovic. There’s a vibrant, flourishing musical atmosphere in California, and that’s especially true of the Los Angeles area. Great music classes comprise part of this atmosphere, and there are tons of kids’ music classes available for your children to start working towards becoming the next musical star or just a more well-rounded individual.
Why You Should Learn Kids' Music in Los Angeles
Many people might suggest that LA is one of the best cities in the world for music, and there’s plenty of good reason for taking such claims seriously. LA certainly has one of the most sprawling and vibrant music communities in the country, if not the world, and there’s only a handful of places that can rival the area in terms of premier opportunities in the music industry. But there’s plenty to love even for more low-key musicians: plenty of open-mic nights, clubs, and jam sessions where artists can meet new people and connect through music.
Regardless of how far you’re aiming to go as a musician, you’ll reap a number of health benefits by playing music. These include lower blood pressure, lower stress, better communication skills, and better emotional management. Cognitive function and mental health are also improved over time, making symptoms of disorders like depression and anxiety manifest to a lesser degree. By having children start early with music lessons, you’re setting them up for increased resilience against adverse circumstances, ensuring that they have a healthy coping strategy and method for emotional release. Plus, the fact that playing an instrument will make your children generally more well-rounded and intelligent people sure doesn’t hurt.
In-Person Kids' Music Classes in Los Angeles
There are plenty of great in-person kids’ music classes in the Los Angeles area. Whether your child wants to sing, play piano, learn the guitar, or experiment more with music production, there’s very likely something just for them in LA.
Any child interested in singing between the ages of five and ten can head to East Hollywood for Los Angeles City College’s Singing for Children Class. This class will really focus on bringing out your child’s full singing potential early, so the basics will be strongly emphasized. These basics include proper breathing techniques, developing confidence for performance, and getting comfortable with a variety of vocal techniques. To achieve these ends, Instructors will help students learn simple melodies, proper enunciation of vowels, and help your students train their ears to recognize notes and be more in tune with the music they engage with.
Los Angeles City College also offers in-person Piano/Keyboarding Classes for Young People, specifically children ages 8-17. Note that this class is catered to students at an intermediate level, so completion of a beginner course or some comparable piano experience is required. But if students have basic note-reading and playing abilities, then this class will have them bringing songs of their choice as they continue learning intermediate playing techniques. One thing you’ll need to keep in mind is that students will need to bring their own portable keyboard for this class.
If it’s the guitar that really has your child’s attention, Los Angeles City College comes to the rescue again with their Guitar for Young People Class for children ages 9-17. This class is for true beginners or those who have very limited experience playing the guitar. As such, students will time learning all the fundamentals, including proper finger coordination, tuning a guitar, and reading basic music notes. Students will need to bring their own guitar to this class.
For a somewhat different experience, head over to Westside’s Sawtelle neighborhood for Scratch DJ Academy’s Kids DJ Summer Camp. In this five-day camp for kids ages 10-16, kids will utilize and practice all kinds of skills, from teamwork, problem-solving, music theory knowledge, and even math to creatively express themselves. This expression will manifest in their abilities to mix music, beat-make and beat-match, scratch, and even perform live. In fact, the camp will end with a DJ exposition for all students to show off their skills. All parents and close family are welcome to this capstone event.
Virtual Kids' Music Classes
Trying to navigate LA traffic can be a nightmare, but taking online kids’ music classes eliminates this stressor from the equation. For many people, the convenience of being able to take a class from the comfort of their own home is hard to beat. Plus, whether your child takes an in-person or online class, it’s very likely they’ll be expected to purchase their own instruments, so the usual advantage of having materials supplied for you in an in-person class doesn’t apply here.
That said, online students still need to give up the benefits of having an immediately available instructor to demonstrate new techniques clearly and answer questions as you go along. Regardless of what ends up being the best option for you and your children, there are still lots of online classes available through CourseHorse.
You won’t need to worry about buying an instrument if your child signs up for this Youth Vocal Performance Class from The Vocal Lab and Music School. All your child needs is an internet connection, a device with a mic and camera, and their voice. Classes will always begin with vocal warm-ups and a brief chat about elements of performance. Each student in the class will have about ten minutes to perform as an individual and receive feedback specific to them. At the end of the course, a recital will be held for parents and family members.
You’ll need your own keyboard or piano for Los Angeles City College’s Piano/Keyboarding for Young People Class, but it’s the perfect way for absolute beginners between the ages of 8-17 to start off strong with the piano. Children will focus on a handful of fundamental playing techniques and skills, such as basic note reading and finger coordination. If coupled with diligent practice, this course will perfectly prepare your child for an intermediate piano course.
For kids ages 8-11, New York Guitar Academy offers an Absolute Beginner Guitar Class that teaches all the basics of playing guitar. Not only will your child learn things like how to read music notation and how to play single note melodies, they’ll also understand the importance of proper posture and playing techniques using both hands. Upon completion of this eight-week course, your child will be ready to jump right into an intermediate guitar class.
Private Group Kids' Music Classes in Los Angeles
Wherever you are, you can schedule private classes or events through CourseHorse, and this includes private group kids’ music classes for Los Angeles businesses. Maybe your team would like to bring their kids together for a musical activity of some sort where they can sing in unison. Or maybe all the parents can join their kids in some sort of singing or dancing activity. Either way, CourseHorse can cater something to your needs; it’s easy if you simply fill out their online private event request form and let them know what you’re looking for.
If you’re skeptical, no worries. Again, CourseHorse makes the booking process not only easy, but also convenient if any adjustments need to be made along the way. For example, group sizes can be changed after booking if needed, so you can book with a minimum headcount if you’re unsure to start, then send them an updated headcount whenever it's convenient for you.
There are also zero booking fees, and booking confirmations are sent within 24 hours. And though Zoom is listed as the default platform for private group classes like this, CourseHorse is happy to accommodate other platforms like Microsoft Teams or Google Meets if that software is more familiar to your workplace.