Intro to Acting 

This class is perfect for the budding actor and the child who loves to imagine! Students will learn basic performance skills as well as creatively explore their imaginations. Through games and improv, all students will become performers by the end of the class!

Choir 

The ARY Choir gives students the opportunity to sing and harmonize with their peers!  In a supportive and encouraging environment students will learn basic vocal techniques and solfege through vocal warm ups, and learn ensemble-singing techniques and basic harmonization through a variety of contemporary and traditional repertoire.

Musical Theatre: Musicals and Fantasies

In this musical theater class, students work in a positive and creative learning environment to develop their musical theater skills.  Students will explore acting methods, script analysis, and learn how to create strong characters through the lens of fantasy musicals and stories. They will also learn musical theater dancing and singing styles, gaining the skills to become confident and engaging performers. This class culminates with a final performance at the ARY Recitals on the Brooklyn Music School Stage! 

Musical Theatre: Intro to Playwriting/Ensemble Exploration 

In this class, students will collaboratively create, produce, and  perform their own original play! The first part of class will delve into playwriting where participants will learn how to create characters and storylines. During the second part of the class, students will work together to develop their overall skills as an ensemble through games, acting exercises, and character devising while also rehearsing for the big debut at the ARY Recitals on the Brooklyn Music School Stage! 

Group Ukulele

This class offers young musicians a fun and hands-on introduction to the ukulele! In this class, students will learn to identify the parts of the ukulele, develop proper playing posture and technique, and explore a range of chords and strumming patterns. Students will start with simple melodies and progress to playing basic songs, gaining a foundation in rhythm and harmony. This interactive class also introduces students to musical genres, from Hawaiian tunes to popular hits, fostering a love of music in a supportive, engaging environment.

Suzuki Violin

The Suzuki method encourages daily listening and the emphasis on learning to play before learning to read notation.This violin class starts with a “Paper Violin” where students learn how to treat the instrument respectfully, how to hold the instrument, and learn the names of the strings!  Once students have a strong grasp of these fundamentals, they will be introduced to youth-sized violins.  They will learn proper sound production through plucking and bowing techniques, and begin making music using familiar songs and fun activities!

Drum Kids

In this fun percussion class, students work with floor toms, snare drums, and other percussion instruments to learn fundamental concepts such as call and response, improvisation, keeping time and playing along in a group setting. Students also have the opportunity to gain a first experience on drums used in a drum set, paving the way for your future drummer!

Jazz Dance

This class explores the principles and art of jazz dance through correct alignment, body control, and rhythm. The class includes center work, stretching, isolations, turns, jumps and simple combinations while learning dance vocabulary and anatomy.  Students will learn to apply technique in a range of dynamic and changing rhythms while acquiring an understanding and appreciation of jazz as an art form. This class will culminate with a recital on the BMS Playhouse stage!

Loog Guitar

This Loog guitar class provides young beginners with a fun and accessible introduction to guitar basics on a three-string Loog guitar. Designed to simplify learning, this class covers the essential parts of the Loog guitar, proper posture, and playing technique. Students will learn to play simple melodies, build confidence with basic chords, and explore foundational rhythms in a supportive, interactive setting. With its approachable design, the Loog guitar makes it easy for young aspiring guitarists to progress quickly and enjoyably, exploring a range of songs from classic tunes to today’s hits!

Group Guitar

Group Guitar class provides students with an engaging and interactive introduction to the guitar.  Students in this class will learn to name the parts of the guitar, learn proper posture and guitar technique, perform single-note songs and gain a basic understanding of chords and harmonic progressions. In an environment that encourages individual attention, students will be exposed to a range of musical traditions from folk music to today’s hits!

Group Piano

The ARY Group Piano classes provide students with an engaging and interactive introduction to the piano.  Using the Faber beginning piano methodology, students will learn proper posture, develop technique, learn to read music notation, gain an understanding of scales and harmony, and play a combination of simple one-note songs and harmonized pieces.  In this class, students will perform solo and in groups in a supportive environment that includes exposure to a range of musical traditions from folk music to today’s hits! 

Ballet

Students will learn basic ballet fundamentals in a fun and creative manner while developing musicality and rhythm. Students will learn to visually identify proper alignment and develop class etiquette while learning and utilizing ballet vocabulary. The class structure consists of floor work, barre, across the floor exercises and improvisation. This class will prepare students for more advanced and structured classes, and will conclude with a recital at the end of the semester on the BMS Playhouse stage!

Hip Hop/Breaking

In this hip hop and breakdancing class, students will participate in targeted stretches and warmups to improve flexibility and prevent injury while learning the foundational anatomy, dance steps, and vocabulary specific to hip hop and breaking. With regular feedback and assessments, students will refine their techniques and explore the art of combining dance concepts with improvisational elements. Throughout the semester, they will gain confidence in expressing their unique styles, culminating in the performance of a memorized hip hop and break dance routine that showcases their skills and creativity.

Tap Dance

This class introduces students to the vibrant art of tap dance, emphasizing rhythm, coordination, and body control. Through warm up exercises and across-the-floor work, students will build skills in tap fundamentals and rhythmicism, including shuffles, flaps, and simple combinations, while developing musicality. This class covers key dance vocabulary, introduces tap-specific anatomy awareness, and encourages students to explore a variety of rhythmic patterns and tempos. The class will culminate with an exciting recital on the BMS Playhouse stage, showcasing their progress and creativity in tap dance!

Afro Beats / African Dance

This class will focus on improving students' comfort on the drums, including the djembe and the congas. Through the course of the semester, Mr. Fitz will share many exercises used to increase power and dexterity on the hand drums. To increase students' rhythmic vocabulary, he will be teaching rhythms from the Congo and West Africa. The class will also explore rhythms from Cuba, Haiti and Trinidad depending on the flow of the class. The class will introduce students to different time signatures, tempos and feels. The ensemble playing will help the students learn how to play with one another and develop a discerning ear.  

Jazz Dance

This class explores the principles and art of jazz dance through correct alignment, body control, and rhythm. The class includes center work, stretching, isolations, turns, jumps and simple combinations while learning dance vocabulary and anatomy.  Students will learn to apply technique and gain an understanding and appreciation of jazz. This class will culminate with a recital on the BMS Playhouse stage!

Songwriting

In this songwriting class, students will learn the fundamentals of music notation, including rhythms, melodies, scales, and harmony, while developing their skills in active listening to identify song elements such as form, instrumentation, phrasing, and lyrics. They will create original songs with lyrics, melodies, and chord progressions, studying how these elements work together to craft memorable music. Emphasizing collaboration, students will work with peers to compose original pieces and experiment with various methods of songwriting. By the end of the semester, students will perform their compositions, learning to trust their artistic vision and the voices of their classmates.

Group Piano

The ARY Group Piano classes provide students with an engaging and interactive introduction to the piano.  Using the Faber beginning piano methodology, students will learn proper posture, develop technique, learn to read music notation, gain an understanding of scales and harmony, and play a combination of simple one-note songs and harmonized pieces.  In this class, students will perform solo and in groups in a supportive environment that includes exposure to a range of musical traditions from folk music to today’s hits! 

World Percussion
This Group Percussion class introduces students to a variety of world percussion instruments, including various drums and shakers. In this collaborative learning environment students will practice playing in groups and as soloists while exploring musical concepts such as rhythm, technique, improvisation, phrasing, and pitch.

Group Piano

The ARY Group Piano classes provide students with an engaging and interactive introduction to the piano.  Using the Faber beginning piano methodology, students will learn proper posture, develop technique, learn to read music notation, gain an understanding of scales and harmony, and play a combination of simple one-note songs and harmonized pieces.  In this class, students will perform solo and in groups in a supportive environment that includes exposure to a range of musical traditions from folk music to today’s hits!

Advanced Group Piano
The ARY Advanced Group Piano class builds on foundational skills from previous group piano classes to expand students' technique and facility. In this course, students will deepen their understanding of music theory, including the introduction of more challenging scales and chord progressions. They will work on technique and agility while progressing through Faber’s Book 2 and supplementary materials. With an emphasis on creative interpretation, students will learn pieces across a variety of styles.

Steel Pans

In this engaging steel pan class, students will have the unique opportunity to explore the rich cultural origins of steel pans in Trinidad and Tobago. They will also learn the basics of music notation, including rhythms, notes, scales, and harmony. This course will focus on learning proper steel pan care and technique, fluency in Caribbean rhythms, and connecting musical concepts to everyday experiences. Throughout the semester, students will gain hands-on performing experience during classes, culminating in a final performance that showcases their understanding and skills in this vibrant musical tradition.

World Percussion

This Group Percussion class introduces students to a variety of world percussion instruments, including various drums and shakers. In this collaborative learning environment students will practice playing in groups and as soloists while exploring musical concepts such as rhythm, technique, improvisation, phrasing, and pitch.

Intro to Music Production

In this hands-on music production class, students will dive into the world of Ableton Live, learning to set up sessions, record, and mix tracks to create original songs. They will be introduced to key terminology, recording techniques, sound libraries, and editing capabilities within the software. As they progress, students will explore various musical elements such as instrumentation, time signatures, and song structure, developing their skills to craft unique compositions. By the end of the semester, each student will produce and present an original song, showcasing their creativity and technical abilities in music production.

Choir

The ARY Choir gives students the opportunity to sing and harmonize with their peers!  In a supportive and encouraging environment students will learn basic vocal techniques and solfege through vocal warm ups, and learn ensemble-singing techniques and basic harmonization through a variety of contemporary and traditional repertoire.

Rockband

Performance opportunities are one of the most important and rewarding experiences for young musicians, and the ARY Rock Bands give your kids the chance to rock out on stage!  This class offers kids ages 8-11 the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of their instruments using popular and Rock ‘n’ Roll repertoire.  In a positive and collaborative group environment they will learn a variety of songs that have been arranged to fit their skill levels, and will also learn about music theory, practice aural skills, and learn the basics of improvisation!