Music Classes for Toddlers, Babies, & Preschoolers

Early Childhood

Music Classes for Toddlers, Babies, & Preschoolers

Introducing Smart Start™

The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music is now the first institution in the United States to offer Smart Start™, a new and innovative Early Childhood education program that uses musical activities to train fundamental cognitive skills for children ages 0 – 4.

Studies have demonstrated that Smart Start™ helps children achieve growth in vocabulary, pre-reading abilities, and singing ability after their first year, with similar levels of growth in years two and beyond.

For children ages 3 and up, WCM’s First Instrumental Study classes will help young students build basic techniques while exploring fun and familiar music selections. Classes include hand drumming, piano, and ukulele, with beginning Suzuki strings/guitar classes available through a comprehensive package.

 

SPRING REGISTRATION  WHAT IS SMART START™? WCM’S MISSION FOR SMART START™

smart start

Music that Teaches Children How to Learn

What is Smart Start™?

Smart Start™ teaches children how to learn. Through playful, familiar activities like singing, listening, movement, stories, games, and music making with age-appropriate instruments, children develop important cognitive skills. Songs and activities are carefully chosen to match each age group’s specific developmental needs.

Smart Start™ builds on the inherent link between music and the mind to help prepare children for success in literacy, mathematics, and other academic pursuits.

 

 

 

Hallet Family

Increasing access to early childhood music education

What is WCM’s Mission for Smart Start™?

The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music is dedicated to providing access to music education for all students of every age and skill level. At WCM, we believe in meeting our students where they are, not the other way around.

Our vision for Smart Start™: To make the program accessible city-wide; in every zip code. Music education is an essential part of getting children ready to attend school, and through Smart Start™, children develop better school readiness skills such as memory or language acquisition, social-emotional skills through teamwork and collaboration, and the confidence to authentically grow.

It is vital that we continue to expand our Smart Start™ programming so all children in Milwaukee can receive the benefits of music education.

Countdown to Kindergarten

Smart Start™ Develops Four Key Cognitive Skills

Smart Start™ classes strengthen these key skills by guiding children through an intentional, hands-on sequence of songs and activities with highly trained teachers.

Attention
How we concentrate on a mental or physical item.

Memory
How we store and recall things in the mind.

Perception
How we make sense of the world.

Cognitive Flexibility
How we adapt, innovate, and create.

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Family Discount Program

Register For The Conservatory

Save on classes and private lessons when enrolling multiple family members. Receive a 5% discount for 2nd and 3rd siblings and a 10% discount for 4th and additional siblings!

Your discount will be applied on the final checkout screen, once you have selected your courses.

 

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Early Childhood Faculty

Meet Our Teachers

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Kathryn Craney-Welch

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Kathryn Craney-Welch

Early Childhood

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Danielle Gedemer

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Danielle Gedemer

Early Childhood, Community Partnerships

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Kaisa Herrmann

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Kaisa Herrmann

Early Childhood, Community Partnerships

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Kari Johnson

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Kari Johnson

Piano, Community Partnerships, Early Childhood

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Elise Pennington

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Elise Pennington

Chair – Early Childhood

Early Childhood

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Anna Rasmussen

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Anna Rasmussen

WCM Board Faculty Representative

Suzuki, Violin & Viola, Early Childhood, Board of Directors

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Dana Sherman

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Dana Sherman

Horn, Community Partnerships, Early Childhood

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Annemarie Weyer

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Annemarie Weyer

Early Childhood, Choir

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Kathryn Craney-Welch

Education

  • Bachelor of Music, Music Therapy/Voice | University of Evansville, Evansville, IN
  • Current Board Certification Cycle, initiated 2021 | Certification Board of Music Therapy

Background

  • Currently serving as a home hospice music therapist.
  • Specializes in working with adults 18+ with memory impairments.
  • Provided music education to elementary students through WCM partnership.
  • University-level music therapy educator through classroom and fieldwork experiences.
  • Presenter for community-based groups on topics including music relaxation, music appreciation, and diagnosis-focused music therapy.

Danielle Gedemer

Education

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music, Vocal Performance | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Background

  • Joined the Conservatory faculty in December 2021.
  • Has taught singing in various forms since 2013.
  • Composes and co-directs an annual musical for the West Bend Parks and Recreation Department.
  • Has attended two National Association of Teacher of Singing conferences and completed the Estill Singing workshops.
  • Enjoys singing at St. Paul’s Episcopal and throughout the Milwaukee community.
  • Wrote a libretto for the Florentine Opera for Kids program.

Kaisa Herrmann

Kari Johnson

Education

  • B.M. Piano Performance – St. Olaf College
  • M.M. Piano Performance/Pedagogy – UW Madison
  • Smart Start Teacher Certification – Royal Conservatory of Music

Background

Why did you choose to work at WCM?

I chose to work at WCM because of the feeling of community–being surrounded by such high-caliber faculty is inspiring! I also love how WCM is able to provide music instruction to children in schools who would otherwise go without, and I have experienced first hand what a difference that can make.

What year did you start working at WCM?

2010-2014 and 2019-Present time.

Describe a musical experience or teacher that had a positive impact on you.

The summer after graduate school, I had the opportunity to attend a summer program on the music of Debussy in Castres, France. Studying Debussy in a beautiful chateau in the French countryside was definitely a highlight of my musical studies, and I think back to it every time I perform or teach French music.

Elise Pennington

Chair – Early Childhood

Education

  • BMA- DePauw University
  • Childcare credentials- 4 C’s
  • EC and Kodaly 1- Silver Lake College
  • Smart Start teacher certification

Background

Why did you choose to work at WCM?

I love sharing music and seeing the joy in a child’s face when they are excited about experiencing something new. WCM helps me to share music and joy with more families and children.

What year did you start working at WCM?

2005

Describe a musical experience or teacher that had a positive impact on you.

I’ve always found joy and comfort in music from my musical family to playing Orff instruments in elementary school to singing in my high school choir to playing music games as a teacher.

 

Anna Rasmussen

WCM Board Faculty Representative

Education

  • BME, strings emphasis- Baylor University
  • MM, violin performance- University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  • Violin Book 1-10- Suzuki Association of the Americas
  • Viola Book 1-5- Suzuki Association of the Americas
  • Smart Start Certificate- Royal Conservatory of Music

Background

Why did you choose to work at WCM?

Growing up learning violin in a Suzuki program, I knew that I wanted to teach in a Suzuki program. I wanted to be part of a community of like-minded teachers and families.

What year did you start working at WCM?

2016

Describe a musical experience or teacher that had a positive impact on you.

During my long-term Suzuki teacher training at the School for Strings in New York City, I got to train with Allen Lieb, chair of the ISA and SAA violin committees. I loved hearing his stories about his students and his experiences learning from Dr. Suzuki in Japan.

 

Dana Sherman

Education

  • B.A.- Majored in Music Performance and Mathematics at University of Wisconsin, Madison
  • M.M.- Northwestern University

Background

Why did you choose to work at WCM?

I love sharing my joy for music with students of all ages.

What year did you start working at WCM?

2018

Describe a musical experience or teacher that had a positive impact on you.

When I was in middle school, I attended my first camp, Birch Creek, in Door County. At the camp they said, “Many students decide that they want to pursue a career in music when they come to this camp.” I had a great time at camp, but thought that a career in music probably wasn’t for me. I continued going back to that camp for 3 more summers and eventually decided I loved making music so much that I didn’t want to stop.

http://Alloyhornquartet.com

Annemarie Weyer

Education

  • BME from UWEC
  • Kodaly certificate from Silver Lake College
  • Masters of Music Education from Silver Lake College
  • Smart Start training from RCM

Background

Why did you choose to work at WCM?

After many years of full-time General Music teaching in public schools, the Connections program became the right fit for me and my family.

What year did you start working at WCM?

2017

Describe a musical experience or teacher that had a positive impact on you.

Hearing little ones sing for the first time in a Smart Start class is as rewarding as directing an advanced choir. It gives me immense joy to make music with our youngest musicians at WCM.

Wisconsin Conservatory of Music Piano faculty member, Annemarie Weyer, demonstrates an Early Childhood sample lesson.

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Girl Playing The Violin

Music Education For The Community

Community Partnerships

Does your school, church, early childhood center, public library, senior center, or community organization have a need for quality music education programs in the Milwaukee area? The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music offers community programs to match your need!

CONSERVATORY CONNECTIONS

The Royal Conservatory of Music

Smart Start™ was developed by the Royal Conservatory of Music, one of the largest and most respected music education institutions in the world. For more than 130 years, The Royal Conservatory has translated the latest thinking about creativity into inspiring programs benefiting millions of individuals around the world.