Kindermusik

Many children are first introduced to music at Northwestern in lively Kindermusik classes, where they explore music through moving, singing, and playing instruments. The focus is on whole-child development, not on musical entertainment or performance. A rich variety of activities promotes music and language development, symbolic thinking, coordination, and social interaction. Please contact Jennifer Merry at kindermusik@northwestern.edu with any questions.

Summer 2026 Registration

The summer Kindermusik program at Northwestern is divided into two sessions:

Session 1: (4 weeks): Saturdays, June 6, 13, 20 and 27
Session 2: (4 weeks): Saturdays, July 11, 18, 25 and August 1

Register for Summer 2026

Fall 2026 Registration

The fall Kindermusik term begins Saturday, September 19, 2026, and ends Saturday, January 16, 2027, with January 23, 2027, reserved as a make-up week. (No classes on November 28, December 26 or January 2).

A $100 deposit is required to reserve your spot in class.

Register for Fall 2026

Level 1 (12-24 months with parent/caregiver)

Get ready to sing, play, and move with your little one! This 45-minute class focuses on your child’s beginning movement, helping to build the muscles they need to walk, run, and climb; and on vocal development, helping to nurture your child’s speaking and singing voice. Each semester includes digital materials that contain all the songs and stories used in class, plus fun activities to keep the learning happening all week. You'll also receive a book for each unit and one or two instruments to take home. A parent or caregiver is required to attend all classes.

Session 1: June 6, 13, 20 and 27
Theme: Family All Around Me
Class time: Saturdays at 9:45 a.m. with Jennifer Merry
Price: $120

Session 2: July 11, 18, 25 and August 1
Theme: Hello Day!
Class time: Saturdays at 9:45 a.m. with Celia Nykol
Price: $120

Level 2 (2-3 years with parent/caregiver)

This music-filled 45-minute class celebrates the unique joys of your growing child. Each week your child will love singing, dancing, and playing instruments with you and new friends! Activities help to develop a wide variety of motor skills, as well as turn-taking, social skills, and active listening. Each semester includes digital materials that contain all the songs and stories used in class, plus fun activities to keep the learning happening all week. You'll also receive a book for each unit and one or two instruments to take home. A parent or caregiver is required to attend all classes.

Session 1: June 6, 13, 20 and 27
Theme: Beach Days
Class times: Saturdays at 8:45 a.m. with Jennifer Merry
Price: $120

Session 2: July 11, 18, 25 and August 1
Theme: Go, Go, Go
Class times: Saturdays at 8:45 a.m. with Celia Nykol
Price: $120

Level 3 (3-4 years with parent/caregiver)

Each week this 45-minute class builds upon your preschooler’s natural love of music and growing independence. Class activities include singing, moving, storytelling, instrument play, imaginative play and early music concepts. These help to foster social and emotional skills, language growth and self-control.  Each semester includes digital materials that contain all the songs and stories used in class, plus fun activities to keep the learning happening all week. You'll also receive a book for each unit and one or two instruments to take home. A parent or caregiver attends the last 15 minutes of class for sharing time.

Session 1: June 6, 13, 20 and 27
Theme: Wild Animal Park
Class times: Saturdays at 10:45 a.m. with Jennifer Merry
Price: $120

Session 2: July 11, 18, 25 and August 1
Theme: Make Believe
Class times: Saturdays at 10:45 a.m. with Celia Nykol
Price: $120

Level 4 (4-5 years with parent/caregiver)

In this 45 minute class, we engage your child in music and movement activities that promote physical coordination, listening and creativity as well as language, social and emotional skills. Your child will learn basic music vocabulary and notation—all setting the stage for future school success and formal music lessons. Each semester includes digital materials that contain all the songs and stories used in class, plus fun activities to keep the learning happening all week. You'll also receive a book for each unit and one or two instruments to take home.  A parent or caregiver attends the last 15 minutes of class for sharing time.

Session 1: June 6, 13, 20 and 27
Theme: Jumping Beans
Class times: Saturdays at 11:45 a.m. with Jennifer Merry
Price: $120

Session 2: July 11, 18, 25 and August 1
Theme: Sing a Story
Class times: Saturdays at 11:45 a.m. with Celia Nykol
Price: $120

Level 1 (12-24 months with parent/caregiver)

Get ready to sing, play, and move with your little one! This 45-minute class focuses on your child’s beginning movement, helping to build the muscles they need to walk, run, and climb; and on vocal development, helping to nurture your child’s speaking and singing voice. Each semester includes digital materials that contain all the songs and stories used in class, plus fun activities to keep the learning happening all week. You'll also receive a book for each unit and one or two instruments to take home. A parent or caregiver is required to attend all classes.

Themes: Big Red Barn, Playtime, Yum
Class time: Saturdays at 10:15 a.m. with Celia Nykol
Price: $355 for 15 weeks (September 19, 2026 thru January 16, 2027)

Level 2 (2-3 years with parent/caregiver)

This music-filled 45-minute class celebrates the unique joys of your growing child. Each week your child will love singing, dancing, and playing instruments with you and new friends! Activities help to develop a wide variety of motor skills, as well as turn-taking, social skills, and active listening. Each semester includes digital materials that contain all the songs and stories used in class, plus fun activities to keep the learning happening all week. You'll also receive a book for each unit and one or two instruments to take home. A parent or caregiver is required to attend all classes.

Themes: Colors & Shapes on the Farm, Family & Friends, Time for Lunch
Class time: Saturdays at 8:45 a.m. or 9:45 a.m. with Tamara Sarajishvili Dominiguez
Price: $355 for 15 weeks (September 19, 2026 thru January 16, 2027)

Level 3 (3-4 years with parent/caregiver)

Each week this 45-minute class builds upon your preschooler’s natural love of music and growing independence. Class activities include singing, moving, storytelling, instrument play, imaginative play and early music concepts. These help to foster social and emotional skills, language growth and self-control.  Each semester includes digital materials that contain all the songs and stories used in class, plus fun activities to keep the learning happening all week. You'll also receive a book for each unit and one or two instruments to take home. A parent or caregiver attends the last 15 minutes of class for sharing time.

Themes: Around the Farm, Home Sweet Home, Outside My Window
Class times: Saturdays at 10:00 a.m.; Instructor TBD
Price: $375 for 15 weeks (September 19, 2026 thru January 16, 2027)

Level 4 (4-5 years with parent/caregiver)

In this 45 minute class, we engage your child in music and movement activities that promote physical coordination, listening and creativity as well as language, social and emotional skills. Your child will learn basic music vocabulary and notation—all setting the stage for future school success and formal music lessons. Each semester includes digital materials that contain all the songs and stories used in class, plus fun activities to keep the learning happening all week. You'll also receive a book for each unit and one or two instruments to take home.  A parent or caregiver attends the last 15 minutes of class for sharing time.

Themes: Jazz Kitchen, Under the Rainbow, Join the Parade
Class times: Saturdays at 9:00 a.m., Instructor TBD
Price: $375 for 15 weeks (September 19, 2026 thru January 16, 2027)

Kindermusik Musicians Year 1 and Year 2 (ages 5-7 years with parent/caregiver)

Kindermusik Musicians focusses on providing first experiences with musical symbols and playing instruments such as the glockenspiel, dulcimer and recorder.  Each class also includes singing, moving and listening to music from many different cultures. This is a 4-semester curriculum taught over 2 years. Each class is 60 minutes, with a parent or caregiver attending during the last 10 minutes for sharing time.

What a Child Will Experience in Class

• Singing and vocal development — Singing remains an essential component of each class with folk and play songs from many cultures around the world. With a focus on matching pitch and exploring vocal range, your child will discover their own unique voice in an age-appropriate manner.
• Movement —Students will dance expressively to music and coordinate their body movements using body percussion. This kind of musical play not only improves musicianship, but physical coordination as well.
• Reading and writing — Students will learn basic rhythmic and melodic notation, with an emphasis on the notes on the treble staff, and eventually will compose their own music.
• Focused listening — Students will learn to identify a range of orchestra instruments and folk instruments from various traditions. They will also gain an early awareness of composers in the Western arts tradition as well as from other countries and cultures around the world.
• Exploring and playing musical instruments — Authentic percussion, string, pre-keyboard, and woodwind instruments expose children to the many choices for future musical study, while providing them with the opportunity to make music in a group setting before taking on more formal instruction.

Class time (Year 1): Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. with Celia Nykol
Class time (Year 2): Saturdays at 11:15 a.m. with Jennifer Merry
Price: $420 for 15 weeks (September 19, 2026 thru January 16, 2027)

Prices for Summer 2026 Session:

Prices for Fall 2026 Session:

Tuition Payment Policy

All tuition and fees are due to the Northwestern University Bienen School of Music.

• The Kindermusik Coordinator will process registration and email billing notices a few weeks prior to the start of each semester. Billing notices will provide links to the payment pages and list payment deadlines.

• Payment is due in full before the first class of the semester. No books or materials will be distributed until payment is made. Missed classes will not be made up.

• Credit/debit card payments (Visa/Mastercard/Discover/AmEx) are accepted on the Academy’s payment webpages. There are no convenience fees for credit/debit card transactions.

• Checks are not accepted.

• Music Academy tuition is non-refundable.

Contact the Kindermusik Coordinator, Jennifer Merry at kindermusik@northwestern.edu.