While making music is a joyful activity valuable for its own sake, it also offers benefits that can be especially welcome in an early learning setting. Children in Music Together® have shown gains in cognitive, physical, language, social, and emotional development. When Music Together® is a part of your early learning community, music isn’t just fun — it’s a powerful learning tool, too!
Read our interview with Stacie Levy-Norris, a passionate owner and director of Treble Time Music Studio, where she brings her dream of running a private music studio to life. She is especially thrilled to offer Music Together® family music classes, a program she is proud to be licensed to teach.
Magda Lahliti, the owner of The Play Lab: Can you share what initially drew you to teach Music Together® in our Play Lab environment, and how does our space enhance the learning experience? Stacie Levy-Norris: We were instantly drawn to The Play Lab because of our love of Greenpoint and our desire to find a space that truly caters to local families. We are also a huge fan of the space itself—the design is fantastic, and it offers the perfect environment for families with young children seeking fun, active classes and activities to enjoy together. The Play Lab provides a safe, fun place where kids can explore and play freely. This aligns closely with the philosophy behind Music Together®, which emphasizes creating a playful environment for families to experience music together. At Music Together®, we believe in fostering children's music learning through an environment that encourages exploration, play, and joy—something the Play Lab also offers in its own unique way.
Magda: How does the Music Together® program foster community among families and support our Play Lab’s mission of creating a nurturing, interactive space for children?
Stacie: Music Together® is designed as a semester-based program, and that structure was intentional. A semester format helps build a strong sense of community within the classroom. It’s so special for families to have that consistent, weekly time—like every Monday at 9:15 am—where they can come together to make music, bond with their little ones, and also support their children’s cognitive, social, and emotional growth through music. Our classes go beyond 45 minutes of passive listening; they’re interactive, engaging, and hands-on, offering children opportunities to actively participate and explore. This approach aligns perfectly with The Play Lab's mission to create a nurturing, interactive space where children can thrive. We are the perfect match. :)
Magda: What developmental benefits can parents expect from enrolling their children in Music Together® classes, and how do these benefits align with the holistic learning approach at our Play Lab?
Stacie: There are the obvious benefits—music is crucial for children's cognitive development, and there’s a wealth of research to support this. But the benefits go beyond that. Music Together® is an education-based program designed to teach children about music in a way that aligns with how they learn best: through play. Ritual and repetition are also key to children’s development, and our classes are thoughtfully structured to incorporate both, while still leaving room for variety and spontaneity. This creates a balance of familiarity and excitement, with plenty of space for both children and adults to be silly and truly enjoy the moment together. And did we mention the music? Each semester features 9 different collections, filled with a diverse mix of songs—many you won’t hear every day, but that are easy to learn, fun to sing, and enjoyed by adults and kids alike. :)
Magda: How do you tailor the Music Together® curriculum to fit the unique features of our play space, and what special activities or instruments do you incorporate to make use of our environment?
Stacie: Our classes are held right next to the play area, and the setup is truly inviting—bright, colorful, and incredibly friendly. The moment you walk in, you can just feel that it’s going to be a fun and memorable experience for everyone! As for the activities, we offer a wide range of engaging experiences. We incorporate large movement activities that help children develop both gross and fine motor skills, such as bi-directionality. We also use a variety of props throughout the class at specific moments in the lesson. Some of the props we include are sticks, scarves, eggs, drums, resonator bells, parachutes, stretchy bands, and the scarf canopy—each chosen to enrich the experience in its own way.
With the instruments, we explore different levels of beat, tonality, dynamics, and phrasing, giving children the opportunity to play with sound in creative and expressive ways. One of the best parts? Every week, there’s an element of surprise! Until you walk into the classroom, you won’t know exactly which song we’ll sing or what prop we’ll use to bring it to life.
And because we understand the importance of allowing children to freely explore music, we always include a “play along” session towards the end of class. During this time, we bring out an assortment of instruments and let everyone—both children and adults—listen and play however they feel inspired. It’s a time for spontaneous musical expression, where everyone can jam, explore, and fully immerse themselves in the experience.
Magda: Can you share a memorable moment or success story from a Music Together® session at our Play Lab that illustrates its impact on children and families? I know we had only two classes so far but maybe…?
Stacie: Ha ha, can we wait on that one until we get a few weeks in? It’s a bit too soon to really do that, and the only time I’m really able to talk about it is for the families that register for the semester, their consistent attendance each week is what will bring about those fabulous results.... And I’ll make sure to let you know when they do.
Magda: What advice do you have for parents to continue supporting their child's musical development at home, especially in ways that complement what they learn in Music Together® classes?
Stacie: Music-making shouldn’t be limited to the classroom—it’s something that can continue to thrive at home, too. The most important way to support your child’s musical development outside of class is to keep engaging with the music. Sing along to the songs at home, find creative ways to weave them into your daily routines, and, most importantly, set aside dedicated time for music-making as a family. And don't forget to sing along! As a parent, you’re your child’s most important role model, so showing them that you enjoy making music is crucial. Your voice is the most beautiful one they'll ever hear, and when they see you actively participating in music both in class and at home, they’ll naturally want to join in. After all, they look up to you and are eager to follow your lead.
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