Testimonials

Music for Young Children (MYC)

Designed for parents who want to introduce piano to their young children, MYC provides a comprehensive music program that integrates keyboard, singing, ear training, sight reading, creative movement, rhythm, music theory and music composition. Children between the ages of 3 - 11 and their parents benefit by acquiring solid music education in a fun group-based environment that enhances parent/child involvement. Unlike independent teachers or other international programs, the MYC program combines early childhood education principles with music theory within a rigorous curriculum that is recognized by the Chief Examiner Emeritus of the Royal Conservatory of Music as a superior introduction to music. More than 25 years education and curriculum development experience and a stringent teacher accreditation process protects the program's reputation for superior parent satisfaction.

Endorsement

The Music for Young Children program has to be counted as the dominant force in the musical training of young children in Canada today.

Many of the new students arriving each year in my studio are graduates of Music for Young Children. They arrive superbly prepared and well motivated for further study.

MYC teachers have found the right balance. They successfully blend the pleasure and joy of music making with the rigour of a well-crafted pedagogical progression.

Testimonials

Since both my daughters were 5 years old they have been enrolled in Ms. Balodis' Program Music for Young Children.  As both a professional musician and teacher (I teach composition and orchestration at the post secondary level, and I am Technical Co-ordinator for the Royal Conservatory of Music and the Glenn Gould School ), I can testify that Ms. Balodis' program is excellent for young children.  My children have learned the fundamentals of musicianship and composition while having fun.  I was always amazed that when I asked my children when they started at MYC "What did you learn in day's lesson?" they responded with "Nothing... we just played games."  When I queried further I found out that through game playing they learned about pitch, rhythm, melody, dynamics and the basics of composition (thematic development).   At a very young age my children not only learned how to compose music and write out their compositions, they learned about the importance of copyrighting one's material... now that is through a music course.

As board member of the Guild of Canadian Film Composers I have had discussions with fellow Canadian composers who have sent their children and grandchildren to Ms. Balodis' MYC's program because we all felt that her method of teaching is one of the best ways to teach children music while still maintaining a fun learning environment that emphasized individuality, creativity and exploration. 

Gary Atkins
Technology Co-ordinator
The Royal Conservatory of Music / The Glenn Gould School, TeacherThe Trebas Institute 
My 6½ year old daughter is starting her second year with MYC.  I am in awe over the program & it is wonderful, fun and dynamic.  My friend (at the age of 43 started to learn piano) came to one session with me and wished her program was as well-explained.  I am very happy with my daughter's development in this program & she wrote a very beautiful song for her recital last year and I think I'll frame it. Thank you for developing such a well-rounded music program. Tara Kowalski My three children have participated in the MYC program and each one has enjoyed something different about it. I have enjoyed the individual time it allows me to spend with each child. The program has improved their school preparedness, improved their concentration and given them improved confidence in their own abilities. I will look back on their music classes as a gift to my children and myself.

One of my Sunshine students keeps asking his Mom through the week "How many more sleeps before music lessons?!" He just loves it.

When speaking with other parents about my experience with "classical" piano training as a child, I am constantly surprised at how little I truly understood about it when I compare it to the approach you take with the children. Thank you for your countless hours of creativity and patience. We love your program.

The group setting creates an atmosphere that enables each child to form friendships and have fun while learning, yet there is still a focus on each individual child.

I like the variety in the program, the methods used to make learning fun, the group lesson concept and all the little “extras” our teacher added to encourage the children. Parent involvement is another plus.

I think this is a good program. It helps with counting or math – counting beats, organizing measures. It’s the variety my daughter enjoys so much. I believe it is important for a beginner to enjoy their first experience with music and not just concentrate on practicing the keyboard.

I like the fact that children learn by associating animals with rhythms and notes. When I was a child and learned the piano, I did not have the opportunity to learn in such a fun way.

Mrs. Cheryl Factin, Hemmingford QC

I have a 7-year-old son who is beginning his second year in the MYC program and his progress is phenomenal. What I like most about the program is that it is NOT just keyboard training. He has improved in math by working on rhythms. His ear is far more developed than mine or his older brother’s who has studied the piano privately for 4 years.

He is an associative learner and the stories for the notes and keyboard really let him learn quickly – not to mention being able to actually visualize the notes and their position on the keyboard. He is also developing an appreciation for the great composers by listening to them in class and clapping the rhythm each week at home. He is beginning to see how much more there is to music than just "sounding pretty". He loves puzzles and math and MYC is opening the door for him to see that music is full of math! And best yet, he is having fun. He doesn’t even think of piano lessons or practice as work, but almost a game.

Tara Turner, IA