Address: 3543 14th Ave S, Minneapolis , MN, 55407
Upcoming Events: Jump to Music Together in the Valley Events
According to the Music Together website, research has linked early music classes with increased cognitive development gains, significant language development gains, improved coordination and improved self-esteem and self confidence. This international music program for young children and their parents/caregivers uses a curriculum that is based on research into how young children learn best. Because it is aimed at preschool-aged kids, the classes are play-based and not performance oriented. Grownups participate to act as positive role models, making it a fun family outing.
Music Together even offers intergenerational classes for kids to attend at local senior centers where they can meet and interact with “musical grandfriends”.
We decided to check out one of their free classes when we had two high-energy preschool boys.
Related Articles:
Music Together Franchises in the Twin Cities Metro
There are several Music Together Franchises in the Twin Cities Metro. All use the same basic curriculum and music. Classes include Early Childhood Music Classes, Rhythm Kids Classes, Family Classes and intergenerational classes pairing families with older adults.
We have worked with or been provided information from the three schools below. Scroll to the bottom of the page to find links to each of these school’s websites or use the national site’s class locator to find a program near your own neighborhood.
Music Together in the Valley Locations
Apple Valley: Community Center
14603 Hayes Road
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Blaine: Aquatore Park Bandshell Classroom
9191 Lincoln St NE
Blaine, MN 55434
Crystal Community Center
4800 Douglas Dr N
Crystal, MN 55429
Eden Prairie Community Center
16700 Valley View Rd
Eden Prairie, MN 55346
Edina: Weber Park
4115 Grimes Avenue S
Edina, MN 55416
Edina: Arneson Acres Park Building
4711 W 70th St
Edina, MN 55426
Edina: Edina Senior Center
5280 Grandview Square #101
Edina, MN 55436
Edina/SW Minneapolis: Lake Harriet United Methodist Church
4901 Chowen Ave S
Edina/SW Minneapolis, MN 55410
Hopkins: Center for the Arts, #207, the Community Room,
1111 Mainstreet
Hopkins, MN 55343
Lakeville: Antlers Park Building
20141 Ipava Avenue
Lakeville, MN 55044
Lakeville: Steve Michaud Park
17100 Ipava Ave
Lakeville, MN 55044
Lino Lakes: Rice Lake Elementary School
575 Birch Street
Lino Lakes, MN 55014
Maple Grove: Community Center
12951 Weaver Lake Rd
Maple Grove, MN 55369
New Brighton: Community Center
400 Tenth St NW
New Brighton, MN 55112
Little Canada City Hall
515 Little Canada Rd E
Little Canada, MN 55117
Minnetonka: Glen Lake Activity Center
14350 Excelsior Blvd
Minnetonka, MN 55345
Minnetonka: The Marsh
15000 Minnetonka Blvd.
Minnetonka, MN 55345
North Minneapolis: North Market
4414 N Humboldt Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55412
Plymouth: Community Center
14800 34th Ave N
Plymouth, MN 55447
Prior Lake: Prior Lake Public Library
16210 Eagle Creek Ave SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
Saint Louis Park: Louisiana Oaks Park Building
3520 Louisiana Ave S
St Louis Park, MN 55426
Saint Louis Park: Westwood Hills Nature Center
8300 W Franklin Ave
St Louis Park, MN 55426
Saint Paul, Highland Park: Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
700 Snelling Ave S
St Paul, MN 55116
Saint Paul: Immanuel Lutheran Church
104 Snelling Ave S
St Paul, MN 55105
Saint Paul: Unity Church Unitarian
732 Holly Ave
St Paul, MN 55104
St Paul: Vera Fitness near downtown
1 W Water St, Suite 90
St Paul, MN 55107
Savage: Savage Senior Living at Fen Pointe
5950 West 130th Lane,
the big building behind the library
Savage, MN 55378
Shoreview: Shoreview Community Center
4580 Victoria Street North
Shoreview, MN 55126
Stillwater: Curio Dance
1655 Washington Ave
Stillwater, MN 55082
Stillwater: Early Childhood Family Center
1111 S Holcombe St
Stillwater, MN 55082
White Bear Lake: Cerenity Senior Residence
Near downtown
4615 2nd Ave
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
White Bear Lake: Normandy Park Ed Center
2482 County Rd F East
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
White Bear Lake: White Bear Dance Center
2462 County Rd F East
St Paul, MN 55110
Woodbury: Kargel Park Building
9301 Tamarack Rd
Woodbury, MN 55125
Ensemble Music
Ensemble Music is a local provider of the national Music Together classes. They also offer Suzuki piano lessons. There goal is to provide a complete music experience for children and caregivers alike. Family music classes are for children ages birth through age five and sessions usually run 10 weeks. Prior to new semesters, families can usually participate in a free demo class. The demo locations are all in Minneapolis and St. Paul. They also offer classes in Roseville and St. Anthony, St. Anthony Park, Bloomington and Richfield. You can Register For A Preview Class at the Ensemble Music Website.
Mindful Music and Arts
In Mendota Heights and Hastings Area Mindful Music and Arts offers classes.
Our Experience with a Music Together Class
I registered my husband and kids for a mixed-age class when my boys were 4 and 2. When I signed them up, I wasn’t sure how this class was going to go over. My husband is a musician and spends a lot of time doing his own musical activities with the kids. Music is just part of our natural family life and not something he would feel he needed coaching for. More importantly, I was asking him to get the kids out the door and get some place on time in the morning — not one of his strong points. I stressed about it all morning. However, it was unnecessary worry. Everyone had a great time. Our four year old loved it. He couldn’t stop smiling the whole time. Both boys loved having time with other kids.
As a musician and stay-at-home dad, my husband was impressed by the balance of structure and free play. There were activities to participate in, but when the two-year-old just wanted to run circles to the music, the instructor said, “Well, he’s getting his energy out here.” He also felt the instructor was great with the kids. She was able to keep them engaged for the full 45-minutes. The two-year-old was just starting to get twitchy as it ended. At the end of the class, they sang a lights out song to calm the kids before singing the goodbye song.
What Is Included in a Semester
- 10 weekly 45-minute classes teaching a new song collection every fall, winter and spring.
- New song sets each semester with full-length songs, rhythm chants, “play-alongs,” tonal and rhythm patterns used in class.
- Beautifully illustrated songbook with family activities to enjoy at home.
- Parent education resources and online resources.
Things To Consider Before Signing Up:
- Although the price is competitive with the market for a music class, participants pay for a semester up front rather than per class. The big front-end payment may be difficult when on a tight budget.
- We personally find weekly classes hard to keep with small children, however, make up classes are available and if you pre-arrange it, an older sibling can come along if school is out of session or they are home for a reason other than illness.
This article was originally written by Joy on March 13, 2014. Ensemble Music allowed my family to participate in a class for free to facilitate this review. However, they do this for everyone at the beginning of each session and the review was entirely my own opinions.
Over the years, Family Fun Twin Cities has sometimes partnered with Music Together in the Valley and received compensation for paid ads and/or upgrades in guides.
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Please Note: FamilyFunTwinCities.com is an independent website run by Twin Cities families for Twin Cities families. We attempt to include the information we find most essential as parents. We make every effort to keep up with changes. However, we are not employed by or connected to this venue, and information sometimes changes without our knowledge. We recommend calling or checking the venue’s website for up-to-date information.
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