Frequently Asked Questions

Nothing at all! Leave your instruments at home; we’ve got you covered! 

Because you are your child’s most important role model, they will learn best by watching you and listening to you. Your participation as a music-maker
is vital to your child’s developing love of music. Plus, music class is so much fun – sing out!

In the 1980s, Music Together pioneered the development of the mixed-age approach in early childhood music. In each class we strive to create a musically rich, developmentally appropriate environment where the whole family can enjoy
music and nurture skills at the level right for each child. Mixed-age classes also provide a rich learning environment because children of different ages thrive
when they interact with each other; this approach is based on research from music education, early childhood development, and family relationships, as well
as our years of experience in the field.

All children are musical. The same way that a child has the innate ability to speak and understand their native language, they also have the ability to do the same with the language of music. Do you wait to talk to your child until you are sure they can answer you back? They talk when they are ready, because they have been immersed in a language from birth. They walk when they are ready because they have felt your movement while in your arms. Giving a child this same kind of
immersion in musical experiences will provide them opportunities to not only learn to sing in tune and keep a steady beat, but to develop their own special way of expressing music through movement.

No! We promise that you will not hurt your child’s musical abilities by singing to them, even if you are not always in tune. They will hear plenty of “in tune” music through other mediums, but your voice and your presence are most precious to them. What you (and/or other primary caregivers) do, they want to do too. Although we, as teachers, are able to help your child learn skills, your child must gain the positive disposition toward active music-making from you.  

• Arrive on time! This will help you and your child settle into class. Hearing the “Hello” song is important to your child!
• On your way to class, talk about where you are going, listen to your music on the way, and remind your toddlers to use walking and dancing feet in class – running can be unsafe and contagious in class!

• In class, be present, participate, keep it musical, and have fun!

• Catch up with your friends after class; talking in class can be disruptive to your child’s learning and to other people in the music space.
• Outside of class, listen to your music, use your songbooks, make up silly songs, share music you love with your little ones!

You can make-up any class you miss at any time within the same session. Use our online make-up scheduler to schedule your family’s make-up. One per family (even if you have more that one child enrolled in plenty)

We highly recommend starting at the beginning of the session so that your child can get the most out of their music class experience. If there is space in the class you are interested in, you may join at a pro-rated rate. If the the class is full you may add yourself to the waitlist but selection the “Waitlist” button. Fingers crossed a spot opens for you…we’ll let you know ASAP if it does. 

The short answer is, yes! Space permitting you can switch to a different program. To make the change, contact director@songbirdsmusic.com. You will be charged $42 service fee.

Music Together and Canta y Baila Conmigo are two completely different programs, each with their own music, family support materials, and class structure. This service fee will be collected by Songbirds Music but immediately passed onto the program you are switching into. 

We will happilly accomodate the change but cannot absorb the cost as a licensee.

You are in the right class! Let your children experience class in their own way! As long as your child is being safe, they are welcome to move about the space (or not!) however they please. Trust the process and your child. They will pick up a lot more than you think! (If your child needs redirection during class, the best thing you can do is GET UP AND DANCE WITH THEM! You are always welcome to step away for a quick break and return when your child is ready.

Silence your cell phones, respect the privacy of the families and the teachers in class, be present!  Snap the occasional picture or short video of your cutie in class. . Note: Our music and material is copywritten; long videos are not permitted! Please share these best practices with grandparents and class visitors. Tag us @songbirdsmusic

Not only may you, but we encourage it! Research shows that preschoolers learn best in a mixed-age environment. The little ones learn by watching and imitating the older children. The older children love being the “big sibs” and showing the little ones how it is done. This family-style learning environment facilitates participation and involvement in the music for every child, at whatever developmental stage they may be.

We are all about family music making. That means, mom, dads, spouses, partner, grandparents, aunties, uncles are ALL welcome!

NOTE: Cousins and Nanny shares must register separately 

Parking lot entrance is on Dewey Road (Lot P). You can also park in lot R (across from Dance Place) or on the street. There is a stroller ramp on Dewey Road right outside of the studio. Please arrive early to allow time to park, walk, check-in, and settle into the space.

If you or your child is not feeling well, take the time to rest and stay home.  We will have a no tolerance policy for any child or participating adult who comes to class showing symptoms of illness. When in doubt, err on the side of caution – our make-up policy is very generous! 

This goes for our teachers too; if we need to cancel/reschedule classes we will notify you ASAP via text and email. If your teacher needs to cancel class, additional class date(s) will be added to the end of the session. 

Songbirds Music follows CDC and State of CA guidelines and for COVID-19

-In-person classes may be canceled and reschedule at any time

-Vaccinated: masks are optional Unvaccinated: masks are recommended for anyone over 2

-Sick children and adults must stay home

-No refunds/credit is issued when state or local COVID-19 regulations require in-person classes to be canceled

–>If you/your child tests positive for COVID-19 <–

-Isolate and do not attend class for 5 days from the time of your positive test.

-Once you are are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and your symptoms are improving, you may attend class after 5 days with a mask

-If your symptoms are more severe, isolate for 10 days.

There are nine Music Together song collections and a growing number of Canta y Baila Conmigo song collections. A different song collection is used each semester, so when you register for your next semester, you can look forward to new songs and chants, taught with the same kinds of activities plus a brand new songbook. Because your child will be at a different place developmentally, an activity will be exciting to them whether it is because of its familiarity or because they can grasp it in a new way.

We love you and your musical family too and positive reviews are music to our ears. Leave your feedback on Google, Yelp, or send us a video review, a social media shout-out, an email, an old-fashioned letter or a singing telegram. Word-of-mom and dad is the bees knees! Tell your friends, family, neighbors, nannies, and preschools. Ask us about our referral program!