CLASSES AND ENSEMBLES
Music Works offers classes and performance ensembles for students of all ages and skill levels. Our classes are designed to learn and engage in a supportive group environment, and use the same teaching standards as private lessons, while performance ensembles offer students to work and perform with their fellow musicians. Fall semester groups run from October through February, and then the spring semester runs from February through June. Student who wish to register for Jazz ensembles or Music Therapy groups are required to contact us first, but we also encourage students and parents to contact us before signing up for any classes with questions that aren't answered in the descriptions. We look forward to making music with you!
EARLY CHILDHOOD
GROUP PIANO
GROUP STRINGS, WINDS, GUITAR, UKULELE, VOICE
PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLES
MUSIC THERAPY
ADULT CLASSES
FALL 2019
FULL - I Love Music Saturday
I Love Music! is a developmental music and movement program for young children with their parents/caregivers. Through music, children and their parents/caregivers will be immersed in musical activities that support their child’s development in a fun way while encouraging their musical growth. Music has been shown to help children’s social skills, cognitive skills, language and communication skills, motor skills, and emotional growth. Because it is developmental in nature, I Love Music! is an inclusive, mixed age program that allows for each child’s individual growth while having the fun of being in a group. Families bond through music which is a natural way to learn and connect. Please contact us at or call 425-644-0988 for more information.
Instructor: Kristin Schneider
Day: Saturday
Time: 10:00-10:45 am
Dates: October 5-February 1 (No Nov. 30, Dec. 28, Jan. 4)
Ages: 0-4 plus family or caregiver
Tuition: $260
Parent and Me Group Piano Class
Learn or rediscover the piano during group lesson with your child! This is class is a how-to guide on how to parent and nurture your growing pianist. This class allows adults to learn or return to the piano while developing strategies with at-home practice while developing their own piano skills. All skill levels are welcome! From the parent with little to no experience, as well as the professional musician who can assist in learning duets with their child.
Instructor: Elizabeth VanSant
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 5:00-5:50 pm
Dates: October 2-January 29 (No Nov. 27, Dec. 25, Jan. 1)
Ages: 4+ with parent/caregiver
Tuition: $300.00 (per child – parent at no charge!)
Intro to Suzuki Guitar Class
The Intro to Suzuki Guitar Class allows younger students to play guitar intuitively in a fun group environment. We will learn about important music concepts such as rhythm, improvisation, accompaniment, ostinato, chords, and scales. There will be group activities and games as well as well as individual learning, which will prepare students for both solo and ensemble settings. The Suzuki method focuses on recognizing and playing common patterns by ear, and encourages parents to facilitate practice at home. Must provide own guitar or ukulele.
Instructor: Whitney Pierce
Day: Monday
Time: 5:30-6:20pm
Dates: October 7-February 3 (No Nov. 25, Dec. 23, 30)
Ages: 4-7
Tuition: $300.00
Creative Keyboards Group Piano
This course takes students with no experience on the instrument through a variety of fundamentals that develop their knowledge of the keyboard as well as music theory and history. Students move from basic orientation at the keyboard through ear training, notation, theory and composition/improvisation.
Students enrolled in group piano are expected to work well independently as well as collaborate productively. By the end of this fifteen week course students should have a firm grasp of staff notation, a few songs in their repertoire, and competence with Garage Band.
Students are required to bring a 1” three ring binder as well as a pencil to each class. The binder should have three separate tabs labeled “Songs”, “Theory” and “Facts”. Supplemental materials to fill the binder will be provided by the instructor.
Instructor: Rob Frain
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 3:30-4:20pm
Dates: October 9-February 5 (No Nov. 27, Dec. 25, Jan. 1)
Ages: 7-9
Tuition: $300
Rock Band- Fridays
This fall we started putting together bands of the best young talent we could find to build something
entirely new for Music Works: ensembles that perform contemporary music.
We've got 4 members in this band so far but are still keeping our eyes out for more. We’ve been
developing repertoire featuring both original music and covers; and we’re hoping to get some gigs
going later this spring. Come hang and play music with us! If you have any questions, please email
martel.antoine@gmail.com.
Instructor: Antoine Martel
Day: Fridays
Time: 3:30-5:00pm
Dates: October 18- January 31 (No Nov. 29, Dec. 27, Jan. 3)
Tuition: $360
Performance: TBD
Ages: 13+
Experience: 2 year minimum
Rock Band- Saturdays
We have put together a band of the best young talent we can find to build something entirely new for Music Works: an ensemble that performs contemporary music. We'll develop repertoire featuring both original music and covers; performing it locally. If you have any questions, please email martel.antoine@gmail.com
Instructor: Antoine Martel
Day: Saturdays
Time: 3:30-5:00pm
Dates: October 19- February 1 (No Nov. 30, Dec. 28, Jan. 4)
Tuition: $360
Performance: TBD
Ages: 13+
Experience: 2 year minimum
Jazz Combo
Jazz is over 100 years old! The repertory demands of the music rival that of the classical and romantic periods of music. From Swing to Be Bop, from Cool to Fusion, today's jazz musicians have many distinct styles to draw from. Dr. Ron Cole will guide students through "standard" jazz repertory that is the basis for professional pop and jazz musicians on the scene today. New students to the Jazz Combo must arrange to meet with the instructor to assess whether the ensemble is a good fit or not.
Instructor: Dr. Ron Cole
Day: Thursdays
Time: 7:30-8:50 pm
Dates: October 3-January 30 (No Nov. 28, Dec. 26, Jan. 2)
Ages: 16+
Tuition: $360
Performance: TBD
Afro-Cuban Jazz Combo
New Students: Please contact Music Works NW directly to join the group. Fred Hoadley has been and is currently a leading performer and authority on Afro-Cuban music in the northwest for 20 plus years. For decades, African-inspired Cuban music has influenced the world of Jazz with its infectious rhythms and beautiful melodies. Students will be able to work on improvisation through Afro-Cuban arrangements. New students to the Afro Cuban Combo must arrange to meet with the instructor to assess whether the ensemble is a good fit or not.
Instructor: Fred Hoadley
Day: Mondays
Time: 7:30-8:50 pm
Dates: September 30-January 27 (No Nov. 25, Dec. 23, 30)
Ages: All
Tuition: $360
Performance: TBD
Honors Jazz Ensembles (Miles Group)- students placed by audition
The Honors Ensemble program strives to bring together some of the finest high school and middle school jazz musicians in Seattle to explore the art of Jazz. The small group dynamic emphasizes ensemble performance and improvisation while exploring the history of Jazz by playing compositions by many of its greatest artists. The ensembles have performed throughout the Seattle area, including at the Bellevue Jazz Festival, Tula's Jazz Club, Boxley’s, and Bake's Place. Students are encouraged to contribute arrangements and original compositions, and to have an active role in the rehearsal and performance process.
Auditions will be held September 21st. You can call us at 425-644-0988 or email us at to sign up. For ensemble specific questions, please contact Bruce Staelens at
chubjazz@gmail.com.
Instructor: Bruce Staelens
Day: Every other Saturday
Time: 1:00-2:20 pm
Dates: October 5-February 1 (No Nov. 30, Dec. 28, Jan. 4)
Tuition: $240
Performance: TBD
Honors Jazz Ensembles (Monk Group)- students placed by audition
The Honors Ensemble program strives to bring together some of the finest high school and middle
school jazz musicians in Seattle to explore the art of Jazz. The small group dynamic emphasizes
ensemble performance and improvisation while exploring the history of Jazz by playing compositions
by many of its greatest artists. The ensembles have performed throughout the Seattle area,
including at the Bellevue Jazz Festival, Tula's Jazz Club, Boxley’s, and Bake's Place. Students are
encouraged to contribute arrangements and original compositions, and to have an active role in the
rehearsal and performance process.
Auditions will be held September 21st. You can call us at 425-644-0988 or email us at to sign up. For ensemble specific questions, please contact Bruce Staelens at
chubjazz@gmail.com.
Instructor: Mike West
Day: Saturday
Time: 3:30-4:20pm
Dates: October 5-February 1 (No Nov. 30, Dec. 28, Jan. 4)
Tuition: $240
Performance: TBD
Music Works Cello Choir is a performing ensemble organized and conducted by Dr. Shiang-Yin Lee. It is designed to give cellists an opportunity to experience the repertoire and rich sound of a cello orchestra. The choir is open to cellists who have one year of experience on cello.
Instructor: Dr. Shiang-Yin Lee
Day: Second Tuesday of each month
Dates: October 8, 2018 - June 9, 2019
Ages: Adults. Students outside age range may obtain instructor permission.
Times: 1:30-2:30 pm
Tuition: $180.00
FULL - Social Skills through Music – Ages 7 - 11
Music Therapy addresses multiple therapeutic goals simultaneously by utilizing playful and interactive interventions such as:
• musical ensembles in which children learn basic cooperation and social skills
• group improvisation in which children become more aware of the interaction of others
• songwriting in which youngsters express creativity and collaborate with others to create
• singing songs that teach and reinforce basic social skills
Skills addressed through music include cooperation, social awareness, creativity, collaboration, communication and peer interaction. Come join the fun! Please contact the Music Therapy Program at or call 425-644-0988 for more information or to see if this is a good fit for your child.
Based on enrollment, this class may be divided between instructors Brooke Bower and Riley Kua.
Instructor: Brooke Bower, MT-Board Eligible & Riley Kua, MT-BC
Day: Saturday
Ages: 7 - 10
Time: 11:00 – 11:50 am
Dates: October 5-February 1 (No Nov. 30, Dec. 28, Jan. 4)
Tuition: $385
Musical Adventurers- Thursdays at 3:30pm
Join the world of music! Music is a world of movement, jamming with friends, playing and singing. Children this age with special needs often want to join this musical world but require special consideration for their individual sensory needs. Led by a music therapist, children will be engaged in a fun-filled, musical adventure designed especially with their needs in mind. For more information or to see if this class would be a good fit for your child, email Patti at or call 425-644-0988.
Instructor: Patti Catalano, MT-BC
Day: Thursday
Time: 3:30-4:20pm
Dates: October 10-February 6 (No Nov. 28, Dec. 26, Jan. 2)
Ages: 4-6
Tuition: $385
FULL - Musical Adventurers- Saturdays at 1:30pm
Join the world of music! Music is a world of movement, jamming with friends, playing and singing. Children this age with special needs often want to join this musical world but require special consideration for their individual sensory needs. Led by a music therapist, children will be engaged in a fun-filled, musical adventure designed especially with their needs in mind. For more information or to see if this class would be a good fit for your child, email Patti at or call 425-644-0988.
Instructor: Kristin Schneider, MT-BC
Day: Saturday
Time: 1:30-2:20 pm
Dates: October 5-February 1 (No Nov. 30, Dec. 28, Jan. 4)
Ages: 4-6
Tuition: $385
FULL - Musical Adventurers- Saturdays at 3:30pm
Join the world of music! Music is a world of movement, jamming with friends, playing and singing. Children this age with special needs often want to join this musical world but require special consideration for their individual sensory needs. Led by a music therapist, children will be engaged in a fun-filled, musical adventure designed especially with their needs in mind. For more information or to see if this class would be a good fit for your child, email Patti at or call 425-644-0988.
Instructor: Elizabeth VanSant, MT-BC
Day: Saturday
Time: 3:30-4:20pm
Dates: October 5-February 1 (No Nov. 30, Dec. 28, Jan. 4)
Ages: 4-6
Tuition: $385
Sing It Out! Choir
Sing It Out! Choir is a music therapy group open to students ages 12 and up through teens with differing needs and abilities that love to sing. Focusing on musical skill building, participants will learn to express themselves musically by singing with others and exploring a variety of musical styles. Making music enhances attention skills, social skills, cognitive skills, and gives everyone opportunities for expression. The last class of the 15-week session will be a performance for friends and family. To find out which music therapy group is the best fit for your child, please contact the Music Therapy Program at or call 425-644-0988. Based on enrollment, this class may be divided between instructors.
Instructor: Brooke Bower, MT-Board Eligible
Day: Saturday
Ages: 12 and up
Time: 2:30 – 3:20 pm
Dates: October 5-February 1 (No Nov. 30, Dec. 28, Jan. 4)
Tuition: $385
Rockin’ Together
Adapted rock band for individuals of all abilities! Sing it Out experience recommended but NOT required for teens and adults to experience and learn on adapted instruments. Come as you are! Staff will work with each band member at their level to create a rockin’ community. A variety of adapted instruments will be provided and we will work to highlight each individual’s strengths and interests. As an ensemble we will strive towards community performances showcasing each and every participant at any ability level.
Instructor: Brooke Bower, MT-Board Eligible
Day: Friday
Ages: 12 and up
Time: 5:00-5:50pm
Dates: October 4-January 31 (No Nov. 29, Dec. 27, Jan. 3)
Tuition: $385
Voices of Sunshine Choir- Saturday
Join Voices of Sunshine! We are a community choir for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities focused on using our most natural instrument - our voices to make music, make friends, and to have fun! All levels of vocal talent are welcome. Harmony, rhythm and tone will be explored. Our musical material is influenced by what our choir members enjoy listening to, making each term all the more fun and unique! The choir will meet once a week for 15 weeks for an hour. We request that participants needing one-on-one care or personal assistance be accompanied by an assistant while taking part in the choir. A final performance will be presented to family and friends in Week 15. Come share your passion for singing and spread rays of sunshine!
Choir Director: Riley Kua, MT-BC
Day: Saturday
Time: 12:00-12:50 PM
Dates: October 5-February 1 (No Nov. 30, Dec. 28, Jan. 4)
Ages: 18 and up
Tuition: $385