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Education
EDUCATION PVSCHOOLS EXPANDS EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING PROGRAMS
PVSchools recently expanded its early child- registered nurse. Parents will have peace of mind hood learning programs with the opening knowing that a trained medical professional is onof the Little Cubs at the James P. Lee Early site should a situation arise. Childhood Learning Center, which is located at 3820 E. Nisbet Rd., Phoenix 85032. A SNAPSHOT OF THE PROGRAM Children attending the Little Cubs program partic“Little Cubs will provide our employees and ipate in art, music, dramatic play, storytime, songs, working families in the community an option for and dance. “Children are naturally curious. We play childcare in the southern area of the district. This is with them, introduce toys or activities that are right the beginning of their experience with PVSchools,” for their age,” said Barbara Bush, a childcare associsaid Jennifer Kelly, childcare coordinator with the ate at Pinnacle High School. Community Education Department. studies and science. Children will also have the INFANTS AND TODDLERS PROGRAM opportunity to choose free choice dramatic play, The center is fully licensed by the Arizona Depart- Our Infants and Toddlers Program incorporates use large muscles on the playground, develop social ment of Health Services. The program is open from individual play using developmentally appropriate skills, and make friends. 6:30 a.m-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and toys good for both large and small muscles, socialfollows the school calendar. Classroom ratios for ization with children in the classroom, storybooks, Daily reports are provided to all parents. These restaff and children are as follows: art activities, music, and movement. Caregivers also ports include when diapers are changed, nap times, work on toilet training in the Toddler 2 classroom. activities completed, food eaten, and eating time. • Infants 1:5 or 2:11 Children are diapered and fed on a fixed schedule. • One-year-old 1:6 or 2:13 SCHEDULE A TOUR • Two-year-old 2:8 3-YEAR-OLD PROGRAM If you are interested in touring Little Cubs at the • Three-year-old 1:13 A typical day will include large and small group James P. Lee Early Childhood Learning Center, activities that are developmentally appropriate for please call the Community Education Department One feature that stands out from other childcare 3-year-olds. These will include activities in liter- at 602-449-2200. To learn more about PVSchools, programs is that the Little Cubs also has an onsite ature, early math, art, and music, as well as social visit www.pvschools.net.
For every child at every grade, PVSchools will help unwrap your child’s gifts.
• Award-winning Fine Arts programs • Language Immersion (Spanish and Mandarin) • Preschool to 12th grade gifted services • District-wide STEM/STEAM programs • K-12 International Baccalaureate programmes • Suzuki Strings, a violin program • Career and Technical Education programs
PVSchools
COVER STORY BACH TO ROCK TAKING MUSICAL EDUCATION TO ROCK STAR STATUS IN A FUN, SAFE ENVIRONMENT
Bach to Rock in North Scottsdale, owned by music lover Wes Gross and his wife June, is Arizona’s only location of this nationwide franchise that aims to bring a new approach to music education to students of all ages. The focus here is about making music fun — and teaching kids a valuable skill that can last a lifetime.
According to Teresa Neilson, marketing and special events coordinator for Bach to Rock North Scottsdale, Wes is a longtime music lover who rocked out with garage bands in the 1960s and 1970s. When he heard about the Bach to Rock (B2R) concept, he knew he wanted to bring that approach to musical education to his home state of
By Molly Cerreta Smith
Arizona. In January 2017, he made that happen, opening the first Bach to Rock in the state — with future plans to open others around the valley.
This first Arizona studio was chosen for its prime location. “We are super convenient for the many families that live in and around McDowell Mountain Ranch, DC Ranch, Desert Ridge, North Scottsdale and Cave Creek,” Teresa says of their spot in The Promenade shopping district on the corner of Frank Lloyd Boulevard and Scottsdale Road. “There is a Trader Joe’s, a Nordstrom Rack and much more so parents can do errands while the kids are in class, and there is always plenty of parking,” she notes of this locale. The Bach to Rock method aims to make learning to play an instrument fun and to help motivate students to learn and appreciate music education by playing music they enjoy. Within the first few months of instruction, students will have the opportunity to work with other students in a real band scenario and play the popular songs that resonate with their generation. According to Teresa, the Bach to Rock company purchased rights to the arrangements of many of today’s popular songs so kids can literally learn to play to songs they are hearing on the radio — making music more relatable and approachable. She notes that this also helps enforce good practice habits because when they are learning a song they like to hear, they will be motivated to practice more. In addition to the method, the studio itself is an inviting environment conducive to musical exploration.
“We believe that if students are playing music they recognize and enjoy, they will be more motivated to practice and to want to play more often,” says Teresa, who describes herself as “the ultimate band mom” and whose own children participated in band throughout school.
Unlike a typical music store, which may have a small room dedicated to lessons, Bach to Rock is designed to accommodate a variety of different types of classes specifically for all ages of children. “It’s very clean with bright colors and bright lights and all our lesson rooms have glass panels so parents can see and hear everything that’s going on during a lesson,” says Teresa. This provides an added element of safety, and she notes that the company is very focused on working with parents as a team to support the musical education efforts of the students.
“We are very family- and kid-friendly here,” she adds. “We understand that families are busy and kids get sick so we try to make scheduling makeup lessons very easy for parents and we work with them to help the children get the maximum benefit from their lessons.”
Bach to Rock offers a variety of lessons, both individual and group. While the company focus is
on piano, guitar, drums and vocals — the four main components of a rock band — there are lessons for practically every musical interest including Rock Band, Glee Club, Rock n’ Roll, Rock City, Kids n Keys, and Beat Refinery, which is designed to teach all facets of being a DJ, as well as B2R Studios and Recording Arts. Vocals and individual instrument courses including Piano 101, Guitar 101, Drums 101 and Ukulele 101 are also offered.
Many of these classes (including Rock n’ Roll, Rock City, and Kids n Keys) are early childhood lessons for students ages three through six that align with pre-K through K2 curriculum, during which students are learning to read, which falls in line with helping them learn to read music. Each of these courses combine developmental music benefits and movement-based activities with age-appropriate themes and musical selections. Movement serves as an important element to keep littler ones engaged, and as the age for lessons increases, students are encouraged to work in a group environment. For example, the Kids n Keys program introduces the fundamentals of music and piano playing to children ages five to seven in a group setting. The curriculum includes activities and games involving listening, movement, singing and creative-music making. “There are so many different ways to present music and make it fun for kids — that’s really what we’re trying to do here,” Teresa says. “So, while they are learning finger positioning or concepts like rhythm and harmony, they are also building on music theory skills that will last a lifetime and building selfconfidence too.”
Teresa notes that music serves as a positive outlet for children of all ages and that studies show music is attributed to students having better grades, better attendance and higher test scores. “Music education has so many benefits — it reinforces skills such as reading, recognizing patterns, listening, counting and even organization,” she adds.
Always eager to help the community in which it resides, Bach to Rock North Scottsdale is extremely supportive of the music programs at nearby schools and works with neighboring PTA and PTO groups. The studio also offers free DJ services for elementary school events such as carnivals. She notes that the community has also been extremely supportive of Bach to Rock — when the studio hosted its first performance showcase this past June, 40 children participated and it was standing room only with an “overflowing” audience. B2R North Scottsdale plans to host two showcases a year, shining the spotlight on their students for the community to enjoy and to give students another opportunity to practice their performance skills.
In addition to lessons, B2R offers week-long, single and half day camps during summer, spring and winter breaks with programs including Rock Band, Rock City World Tour, Recording Arts, Glee Club and more, with an extended care option available. The studio also hosts birthday parties and corporate events, during which groups can jam out and become rock stars for a day.
Rather than telling people about all that Bach to Rock has to offer, those that are interested in the concept are welcome to come in and see for themselves. “Anyone can call and arrange a trial lesson, meet with a teacher and learn more about our concept,” she says. Bach to Rock teaches students of all ages, not just children. While many of the group courses are designed specifically for school-aged children, private lessons are available for all skill levels from beginning to advanced.
To learn more about the Bach to Rock concept or to schedule a free trial lesson at B2R North Scottsdale, call 480-990-8000 or visit www.northscottsdale. b2rmusic.com.
KEYS GUITAR DRUMS VOICE
• No experience necessary • Everyone learns faster playing music they like • Music develops listening, reading, math and motor skills • Learn teamwork, build self confi dence and make new friends! • Group classes for PreK and K-2 students • Private lessons • Strings, brass and woodwinds • Recording studio and stage facilities
ROCK BAND
Ages 7 to 17
GLEE CLUB
Ages 7 to 17
KIDS AND KEYS
Ages 5 to 7
CALL FOR DETAILS: 480-990-8000
BACH TO ROCK North Scottsdale 7325 E Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd #104 • Scottsdale | 480-990-8000 | www.northscottsdale.B2Rmusic.com
ROCK CITY
Ages 3 to 5
