Classroom FAQ

What is Music Together®?

Music Together® is a research-based early childhood music program for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grownups who love them®. Since 1987, families around the world have experienced Music Together® through classes for families, schools, and clinical settings. Today, classes are found in nearly 2,000 communities in 35 countries. At Music Together Conservatory Of Musical Arts, families from South Jersey can experience the same internationally recognized program right here in our community.

Together® classes turn those natural responses into playful opportunities to explore music with the grownups they love—and begin building a relationship with music that can last a lifetime.

What are the qualifications of the Music Together® teachers at Music Together CMA? 

Our teachers bring a range of backgrounds and experience in areas such as music, education, early childhood, music therapy, performance, and related fields. All have completed the specialized Music Together Teacher Training and receive ongoing professional support from Music Together Worldwide. 

Music Together CMA Staff Profiles

What is my role in class?  Do grown ups participate? 

Yes! Music Together is designed for children (and the grownups who love them®) to participate together. All you need is a willingness to sing, move, and have fun alongside your child. Your participation helps create a rich music environment where children naturally learn through observation, imitation, and play.

My child doesn't sit still. Is that okay?
Absolutely. Children learn in different ways, and there's no expectation that they sit in the circle. Some children sing and dance right away, while others prefer to watch, explore, or move around the room. All of these are natural ways of participating and learning in a Music Together class.

Why are Music Together® classes mixed-age?

Music Together pioneered mixed-age early childhood music classes because children naturally learn from one another in mixed-age environments. Older children enjoy leading and modeling, while younger children learn through observation and imitation. The mixed-age format also allows siblings to attend together and encourages every family to participate at their own child's developmental level. Read more about the benefits of mixed-age learning.

What does "research-based" mean?

Music Together is built on more than 40 years of research in music-learning, child development, early childhood learning theory, neuroscience, and psychology. The end result of this research was four basic principles that are still the cornerstone of the Music Together philosophy today. Every song, activity, and teaching strategy is designed around how young children naturally learn: through play, movement, repetition, and meaningful interactions with the grownups they love.

What happens in a Music Together® class?

Each 45-minute Music Together class is a multisensory experience filled with singing, creative movement, visual props, instrument play, and other playful music activities. Children might be singing and shaking instruments one minute and dancing around the room the next. Some jump right in, while others watch or explore. Every response is welcome. Your teacher guides the activities while you participate alongside your child.

Why is music important for babies and toddlers?

Music gives babies and toddlers so many ways to learn, grow, and connect. Singing, moving, and playing with music supports parent-child bonding and your child’s natural music development along with their cognitive, language, physical, and social-emotional development. And it’s never too early to start. Even the youngest babies are listening and responding to rhythm, melody, and the sounds around them. Music

Sing, dance, and have fun! You might be surprised to hear that you are your child's most important music teacher right now—and it doesn't matter whether you think of yourself as a great singer or dancer. Young children develop dispositions for certain behaviors, including learning to love music, by observing and imitating their loved ones. Simply by participating enthusiastically during class and playing with the ideas at home, you'll give your children the modeling they need to learn to love to make music. Please wait to socialize or use your cell phone until after class and instead help us create a music-only environment.

What's expected of my child in class?

At Music Together, children are never required to sit in the circle or expected to conform to an adult's idea of participation. We know that children learn differently from adults. They learn instinctively and constantly, through observation, interactions with adults and older children, and through imitation, play, and, especially, movement. One hallmark of Music Together is the insight that children will naturally develop music ability simply when they are immersed in a community of families all making music.

Children's responses depend on their most dominant learning style and temperament as well as their age and developmental level. Some might follow the teacher right away. Many will simply want to watch and absorb, particularly in the first few weeks of class. Some might crawl or toddle around; others are stimulated by the music and respond more actively, running, jumping, or dancing. All are perfectly natural responses to the new, musically rich environment. Throughout the semester, your teacher will help you tune in to how your child learns best so you can support their music development in class and at home. Feel free to ask if you have questions!

How should we use the Music Together® materials?

Play your songs frequently, especially during the first few weeks of class. Make the music available for your child to listen to while she is playing or before nap or bedtime. Create your Music Together account and download the "Hello Everybody" app for digital versions of the songs and more activity ideas to try! 

Use the songbook to help you learn the songs and get new musical activities to use at home. If you play an instrument and want to play along, the music notation is available in the Family Music Zone®®   Try using the songbook at storytime!

What is the class size?

Each class usually has between 6 and 12 registered children, plus their caregiver(s). 

What if I miss a class during the semester?

We offer unlimited makeup classes during each semester. Please visit our Make Up Classes page to learn more.

Can I switch to a different class?

Depending on class availability, changes are made at the discretion of the center director and teachers involved. We recommend changes not be made after the third week of the semester so as to not disrupt your child's learning.

What if I start classes after the semester begins?

CMA welcomes families at any point during the semester! Tuition will be automatically prorated at the time of registration based on the number of classes missed to date since the start of the semester.

Can we eat in class?

Please feel comfortable to nurse or bottle-feed your child in class, but we ask that you not bring food or drink into classrooms.

Will classes be canceled in inclement weather?

We adhere with the local school districts in regard to weather cancellations. Should public schools close due to inclement weather, classes at CMA will be canceled as well (560 for Haddonfield, 668 for Medford, and 551 Cherry Hill). Please check our website homepage or our Facebook page or Instagram for announcements regarding weather cancellations.

Can I bring a guest or an unregistered older sibling to class?

Music Together® classes may be in session when older children have a school holiday, and it is natural to want to bring them with you to class. All guests must be prearranged with the office to ensure adequate space in the class.

Is it OK for more than one adult to come to class?

Yes, parents, grandparents, or caregivers are welcome to attend class at any time—no need to ask!

Why aren't there classes for specific age groups?

Classes with children of different ages have intellectual and social benefits for both younger and older children. In fact, it's the learning environment recommended by many early childhood researchers. Older children learn empathy and awareness of others, while developing leadership qualities and gaining self-confidence. Younger children learn by imitating the older ones and often show more complex behaviors earlier than usual. Even babies benefit by being in an environment that gives them lots of opportunities to observe the behavior of children of varying ages. Plus, it allows everyone—siblings, parents, grandparents, caregivers—to share in the musical experience together!