Kidz Create Music

Charlotte has been studying with KCM instructor Dominique Vance for only a few months, but she's already learned so much! Congratulations Charlotte -- we can't wait to see the places you'll go with this much passion and dedication!

Born October 18th, 1984, Esperanza Spalding is a bassist, singer, and composer. Inspired by seeing Yo-Yo Ma on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, she taught herself to play violin as a child. By the age of five, she was playing in her local community orchestra. Over the next several years performing in the group, Spalding began playing the upright bass, which soon became her main instrument. She also branched out of chamber music into blues, jazz, hip-hop, funk, and more. She ...earned her GED early, and started attending Berklee College of Music. She earned her bachelors in 2005, and at age 20 became the school's youngest ever professor. Spalding’s solo albums have been very successful, and have provided her the exposure needed to become one of the most sought after jazz musicians, performing with the likes of jazz greats Herbie Hancock and McCoy Tyner, as well as pop icons Prince and Stevie Wonder. See more

Born October 3rd, 1985, Leyla McCalla is a Grammy award winning cellist, vocalist, guitar, and banjo player, with a focus on folk and classical music. Born to two Haitian parents in Queens, New York, McCalla was raised in Maplewood, New Jersey. She studied cello performance and chamber music at NYU, and after receiving her degree moved to New Orleans to hone her musical skills busking in the French Quarter. From 2011-2013 McCalla was a member of the Grammy Award winning gro...up The Carolina Chocolate Drops, but left to focus on her solo career. McCalla’s first solo album: "Vari-Colored Songs: A Tribute to Langston Hughes" was critically acclaimed on its release, receiving album of the year accolades from both The London Times, and Songlines Magazine. Since then, McCalla has released two more successful solo albums; also forming the group Our Native Daughters, with fellow banjo players Rhiannon Giddens, Amythyst Kiah, and Allison Russell.

Born on March 6th, 1923 in Indianapolis, Indiana, Wes Montgomery quickly became the most influential and lauded jazz guitarist of his day. When he was twelve years old, Wes’ older brother Monk bought him his first guitar, on which he was immediately proficient. He learned to play by jamming with his brothers, and never received any formal musical training. Montgomery became a sensation in the jazz world after recordings of his trademark octave thumb picking technique made ...the rounds and reached the ears of already famous jazz leaders Nat and Cannonball Adderley. In 1966 Montgomery successfully was able to cross over into the pop scene with his cover of the R&B hit Goin’ Out of My Head. His album of the same name netted Montgomery a grammy award, and the success that followed allowed him to support his wife and seven children. Unfortunately, this was Montgomery’s last ever record, and he passed away of a heart attack in 1968 at age 45. Montgomery’s legacy still shines today, as his technique and style are still influential to musicians today. See more

We have a new calendar! Check out KCM's schedule for the upcoming year to plan for upcoming school holidays and closures: https://www.kidzcreatemusic.com/school-calendar/

Did you know...Punxsutawney Phil isn't the only famous groundhog? Phil may have predicted 6 more weeks of winter this morning, but you can still enjoy cute groundhog videos all year long! https://youtu.be/Ra26Bw_InF8

Why take music lessons? When you or your child learn how to play music, it's more than just learning notes on a page. Music is math. Learning how beats divide into different rhythms helps students understand fractions and patterns.... Music builds patience & confidence. It forces you to focus and constantly strive for improvement. Music is a path to other cultures. Learning about music from around the world helps to build an appreciation for people you may never meet in real life. Music builds community. Music students build supportive relationships with their teachers, fellow musicians and people they meet along the way. An investment in music isn't just buying an instrument, it's an investment in you and your child's future. Ask us how we can connect you to a teacher that will positively impact your student for the rest of their lives!

As one of the most important and polarizing American Composers, Ornette Coleman changed the face of American Music with his pioneering of the Free Jazz subgenre of Jazz. Free Jazz is an avant-garde experimental approach to harmony and improvisation, with the goal of breaking down the traditional conventions of Jazz that came before it. Born in Fort Worth, Texas in 1930 Coleman picked up the saxophone as a boy. In 1949 he moved to Los Angeles where he studied music theory... independently and worked as an elevator operator. In LA, he met the future members of the quartet with whom he would record his most groundbreaking records. Coleman and the quartet’s debut at the Five Spot Jazz Club in New York in 1959 was a sensation. What incited the most controversy was the release of Coleman’s 1959 album The Shape of Jazz To Come which prophetically did indeed change the shape of jazz that came afterwards. The record and subsequent performances created controversy with listeners, critics, and Jazz musicians as well. Some greats, the likes of Charles Mingus, praised Coleman for his inventiveness and creativity, while other jazz greats like Miles Davis found his music unimpressive. After years of skepticism and condescension from the community, the album eventually came to be considered one of the greatest and most important albums in Jazz history.

We will be closed for President's Day today, Monday February 15th. No lessons will be held unless you have coordinated otherwise with your instructor -- (Some instructors may wish to offer make-up lessons on scheduled holidays). Have a great break and we'll see you again soon!

Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at Kidz Create Music! We hope you have an awesome long weekend and remember that we will be closed tomorrow (2/15) for Presidents' Day.

Happy Lunar New Year to all of our students and families celebrating this week! This year's Lunar New Year celebrations (most commonly associated with the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival) fall on February 11th, 2021. Communities across the US and around the world (including in China, South Korea, and Vietnam) will be celebrating the beginning of a new year with family and participating in many different traditions including lion and dragon dances, fireworks, a...nd red envelopes filled with money. Check out this article to learn more about this holiday and how your friends and neighbors are celebrating! Wishing you all peace and happiness this year! https://www.oprahmag.com//a34892893/what-is-lunar-new-yea/