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.
- Ages | 0 – 4 years
- Locations | Downtown Milwaukee, Bayside/Fox Point, Brookfield, Online
FALL REGISTRATION WHAT IS SMART START™? WCM’S MISSION FOR 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.
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.
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.
The Scientific Link
A study in the peer-reviewed journal Music Perception showed that children who participated in Smart Start™ demonstrated increases in vocabulary size, pre-reading abilities, and singing ability after their first year, with similar levels of growth in years two and beyond.
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.
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!
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.