Welcome, Explorers!
“Every child is an artist. The problem is staying an artist when you grow up.”
About Performing Artists at KMS
Our Performing Artists program is a creative, cross-genre education for your young and aspiring musician. The power of music, performance, creativity, personal growth, and belonging are harnessed together to make an incredible difference in your child's life. In this holistic music education program, your child builds their skills sequentially from Pre-K through 12th grade, with each year laying a solid foundation for the next. Our carefully crafted program gives your child the tools to develop into a musician who fully expresses themselves creatively, all while thriving in a community of like-minded players. The program runs October through June. Read more about our program foundations here.
All the qualities of musical performing arts development are integrated in this unique program.
Stage 1: EXPLORERS
Ages: 4 - 7 (entering Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades)
Entrance Requirement: none
Weekly Class Length: 45-min Performance Class (percussion, ukulele, voice)
Weekly Private Lesson Length: 30-min Private Piano Lesson
foundation 1: Solo + Group Musicianship
Private Instruction: Your young Explorer gets individual attention learning piano in a 30 minute private lesson. Piano is a foundational instrument for learning all of music and no matter how far you go in learning an instrument, even in college - piano skills are always required.
Group Class: Your child will get to reinforce musical concepts learned in their private lesson during their weekly 45-minute group playing experience. Singing, ukulele, and percussion instruments take center stage with a strong emphasis on rhythm and learning rhythmic notation. In the last two years, starting at age 6, your Explorer will be introduced to the recorder alongside the other instruments to strengthen melodic skills and reading notes on the staff. They’ll get a thorough foundation learning to play music with their peers using nursery rhymes, traditional melodies, and simple folk/pop songs. Improvisation and creativity exercises are also a regular part of the group class.
foundation 2: performance + wellness
Movement and basic acting skills are incorporated throughout the curriculum to build confidence.
Your Explorer will perform 3 times with their class, and, if they choose, as a soloist, in our progressive Student Showcases at the end of every trimester.
foundation 3: Personal development
Explorers begin learning about their emotions and how they can express them using instruments and their voices.
foundation 4: Artistry + Creativity
Explorers strengthen their creativity “muscle” throughout the curriculum using games and exercises.
On your own family time, or with friends from the program, you’ll go on Creative Expeditions with your Explorer to develop curiosity about and connecting points to the creative world around you and embrace your identity as a creative family in the arts!
2024 - 2025 Explorer Information
Rachel Stratton
Director of Explorers Performing Artist Program
Explorer Inclusions
Weekly 30-minute private piano lessons;
Weekly small performance classes from October to June;
3 stage concerts in December, March, and June;
1 dedicated practice binder to stay focused + track progress;
access to rewards, prizes + encouragement all year long through our KMS Practice Challenge;
fun activities to inspire creativity + build friendships.
Explorer CLASS CAPS
Classes have a maximum of 5 students each, so space is limited! Inquire with our office for current schedules!
Explorer private piano lesson Schedule
You’ll select your Explorer’s 30-minute piano lesson day and time at the beginning of the year and you may begin lessons prior to October. Choose from during our private teaching hours:
Sundays (1pm- 6pm)
Mondays - Thursdays (3pm - 8pm)
Private lesson times are first come, first served, so click below to enroll today!
performing artist showcaseS
Mark your calendar now for your child’s big days! They’ll perform with their group in front of an energizing crowd at the Wesley Foundation of Kalamazoo! In addition to performing with their group, they may also perform repertoire from their private lesson as a soloist, if they’d like.
program Tuition
Monthly All-Inclusive Tuition Payment (October - June; 9 months): $219/mo
Includes Performing Artists Program as well as private lessons
Just private lessons are available at $136.50 / month - see the tuition page for more information!
Please note that openings are first come, first serve, so ENROLL NOW!
Check out other parts of the musical journey: