Spring has arrived in spades! The magnolias are out, warm weather has been plentiful and that means a fun spring semester of classes is beginning now. I get as excited about spring classes as I used to about spring semester in college. Yes, I am a bit of a nerd. This week, you can try out some of the classes to find the right one for you.  I have put reviews for some of the classes below. Feel free to add your own reviews in the comments section of this post.

Music Together’s Free trial classes
Music Together’s Spring Semester classes begin April 10th and run for 10 weeks. Attend a FREE TRIAL CLASS during the first week of classes only.  They offer weekly 45-minute classes (10 weeks this coming semester). In the class you explore music through songs, rhythmic rhymes, movement and instrument “play-along”.
Details: To sign up for a free trial class please email your child’s name, DOB, your name, and number as well as which class day/time you’ll attend, to: [email protected] (view the schedule at our website listed below). To register/view class schedule for their classes, go to: http://www.musictogetherfortgreene.com/

My daughter and I love Music Together in Park Slope taught by Stephen. He’s like a modern day leprechaun. I imagine all the toddlers following him around an old Irish town while he plays a flute. He’s baby friendly in a non-creepy way. Hard to do for a 20-something guy. And I don’t know how he stays energetic and smiling for so many hours but I think it might have something to do with Red Bull.
-Sandy

My favorite class that I have taken with my kids is the Thursday morning Music Together class with Stephen in Park Slope. We started it when Ethan was six months old and have done a number of sessions. Ethan loves breaking out the guitar for a little jam session as a result. We have taken other music classes but nothing compares to Stephen’s class – his love and knowledge of music makes it a standout!
-SaSaDi

My son loved the class at South Oxford Space in Ft. Greene because it was spacious and he could run around. He loves the CDs. He loved the classes a lot even though I started to get tired of them. There was a bit too much preamble before each of the songs, especially as we had taken the class many times and so we already had the information. We took the class four times from when he was 3 months old to 20 months and he got a lot out of it. It was really a good thing to do, especially from 8 months on….
-Caroline

We really enjoyed Music Together with Jesse in Fort Greene. We’ve taken her class three times, since my daughter was 3 months old. We love the mixed-age classes, the range of sounds, instruments, and movement that is used. My daughter still sings the songs and requests the cd’s even though we haven’t been to a class in six months.
-Heather

(Brooklyn Heights location)Naomi’s passion for music, expertise as an instructor and her affection for my son are the main reasons I believe he constantly sings little songs he spontaneously creates when he should be napping or sings along with the radio damn near perfectly even if he can’t pronounce the lyrics as we drive or plays with anything he can pound to make a sound. I’ve learned so much about how children develop musically and how music can be a tool to enhance any daily activity.

-Alex

Music for Aardvarks Free trial classes
Come join in the fun at Music for Aardvarks classes – a musical experience for families with children ages 3 months to 5 years. They will explore music through song & gesture, dance & movement, rhythm training, and instrument play; using original music that celebrates the lives of children growing up in an urban environment. There are a ton of free demos. A few of them are: Wed, April 14th : 9:30 & 10:30am w/Jen @MMA & Family Fitness Center 1302 Ave. H corner E 13th St. All information on other free trials is at: www.audrarox.com
Details: please send an email to  [email protected] to hold your spot – note which time you’d like.

We have taken this class for 3 semesters- for our 11 month old and 2.5 year old (at the time). It is definitely more rock and roll than Music Together as it has some freestyle jamming and dancing at times coupled with structured singing and movement. I think the class is particularly loved by the older children (20 months and up) as they LOVE Audra and think she is the coolest. I think at that age they also “get” the funny lyrics and double entendres. The songs are catchy and have a lot to do with feelings and experiences the kids are having: getting shoes on, going on a trip, etc. The kids think the words are hysterical. A lot of parents really like this class precisely because it is more rock and roll.
-Karen

Lango Brooklyn Free trial class (Spanish, French, Mandarin)
At Lango your child will learn a new language, make developmental strides, explore other cultures and make friends. Thier highly engaging language classes use music, games, art, and stories to teach kids new languages. They offer Spanish, French and Mandarin classes at convenient locations throughout Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan.
Details: PLEASE call to schedule your free introductory class. Advanced reservations are required to ensure we can accommodate you and any last minute updates. To register, please email: [email protected] or call Sharon on 1-888-LANGO-NY (526-4669).

We enrolled our 3 year old in the Lango Spanish day camp over the summer. The teacher had been brought in from Argentina where she was a teacher year-round. She was vibrant, enthusiastic and had strong teaching skills. She kept the class interested and engaged the entire time. She kept the conversation and activities flowing with her use of puppets, games, conversation, songs and various props. The kids responded really well to all the change-ups and the warm environment that the teacher created. The whole camp was quite structured. Parents were given a daily and weekly schedule that delineated the activities and course of learning that was going to take place over the week. In our case, the kids were learning all the sea animals in spanish that would culiminate in a trip to the aquarium. My son flipped over going to the aquarium with his teacher and classmates and experiencing it differently with his newly acquired friends and knowledge. This is truly a program of exceptional quality that is run with care and dedication by the owner (local Fort Greene mom) and her teachers. Lango is a fun AND academic, high quality program that makes learning and practicing language engaging for kids (and for me too when I sat in!)
-Karen

It feels like a playgroup, especially since my daughter was 15 month old when we started, but then you notice a word here and there… they ARE  learning! It’s been wonderful to see my daughter interact with the characters, and the teacher is great: very gentle and always happy. The pace was very good: changing activity every few minutes to cater to young attention spans. It’s always a fun 45 mn. The only thing I regretted as a non Chinese-speaking parent is not to be able to reinforce the material at home (would have been great if we could purchase a DVD with all the songs to play at home)… but that’s been fixed: there’s a CD and lyrics to take home now!

-Valerie

Sign-A-Song Free trial Class (Sign Language)
Sign-A-Song, a musical introduction to American Sign Language for the whole family, is getting ready for a new season of classes. SPRING session begins April 16th. Classes available in Park Slope, Cobble Hill and Brooklyn Heights. All classes appropriate for children ages 3 months to 3 years.
Details: Come to your first class on a FREE trial basis! (Reservations required). Registration and other detailed information available at http://www.sign-a-song.com, email [email protected] or call 646-752-9612.

We did Sign-A-Song for 2 semesters.  Andrea, the founder,  knows how to be really expressive for the kids and get them enthusiastic about being involved and learning. She has a smile that is contagious.  We started this class when our son was 6 months old, and I would definitely say that some of the signs that he learned were integral to helping him communicate with us pre-language.  It helped ease frustration for him and us.
-Karen

Still Hip Brooklyn is hosting a bunch of free trial classes
Tuesday, April 13th
10:30  Triangles, Circles + Squares | 2-3 yr olds (description under classes)
11:30  Art Around the World | 3-4 yr olds (description under classes)
Thursday, April 15th
10:30 Musica Para Mi | 0-3 yr olds *must reserve a spot in advance (description under classes)
Thursday, April 15th
11:30 Montessori Playgroup | 18 mo – 3 yr olds (description under classes)
Friday, April 16th
10:30 + 11:30  Music For Aardvarks | 0-5 yr olds (description under classes)
Details: You do need to sign up to reserve your place. Go here to do so by clicking on the calendar event you want. Still Hip is at 283 Grand Avenue  Brooklyn, New York 11238  718.398.0008

We have taken this class (Music For Aardvarks) for 3 semesters- for our 11 month old and 2.5 year old (at the time). It is definitely more rock and roll than Music Together as it has some freestyle jamming and dancing at times coupled with structured singing and movement. I think the class is particularly loved by the older children (20 months and up) as they LOVE Audra and think she is the coolest. I think at that age they also “get” the funny lyrics and double entendres. The songs are catchy and have a lot to do with feelings and experiences the kids are having: getting shoes on, going on a trip, etc. The kids think the words are hysterical. A lot of parents really like this class precisely because it is more rock and roll.
-Karen

We took a trial class of Private Picassos (Triangles, Circles + Squares) and I enjoyed the project, the goopy paint and the end result. The teacher made sure that all the kids were progressing through the project and was enthusiastic about what each of them was doing.  I would have signed up for the whole semester had the timing worked out with ours- but it didn’t.
-Karen

Creative Cooks Free Trial classes
Creative Cooks ignites curiosity and encourages the broadening of culinary horizons through fun hands-on activity. Their classes are geared towards developing basic skills in the kitchen as well as a healthier approach to both cooking and eating. Through a holistic educational overview of food preparation and its surrounding cultures, young chefs are given the opportunity to develop lifelong passion and talents in the art of cooking.
On Wednesdays: April 14th, April 21st and April 28th 3:30 – 4:30 pm
On Saturdays: April 17th and April 28th 10 am – 11 am
Details: Pre-registration is required. You can do so at: [email protected] Creative Cooks Culinary Center  298 Atlantic Ave Bklyn NY 11201  www.creativecooks.us 718.237.2218

We took a trial class at Creative Cooks. First, I have to say that the setup of the location is really great. There is a viewing gallery so parents can watch from up above on seats (a few feet from the kids) and so enjoy the experience while not distracting the kids. There is a playspace for the kids during downtime in the class: when things are cooking, setting up for tastings and for kids who aren’t into participating. The kitchen itself is also nicely laid out for the kids with a long table, stools and abundant outlets and tools. The instructor isn’t a “pied piper kind” of teacher like you often find teaching kids’ classes. She is happy for them to learn and reads to them, but it is all more matter-of-fact. That seemed to work with the kids I saw there. We all got taste the final soup and take some home. Really good actually and loved having something for dinner that night!
-Karen

Musica Para Mi Free Trials
New York City’s original music-in-Spanish program for babies and toddlers, created by Graciela Carriqui (formerly with Willie Colon), celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Children and their adults sing, dance and jam in playful, supportive, weekly classes.  No Spanish required.
Details: During the first week of classes, families are welcome to attend any music class with space available as a free trial. To get their list of classes, contact them at musicaparami@… or call 718-643-6660. Reservations are required. To reserve a spot, please send the
following information: 1) the location, day and time of the class you’d like to attend 2) your child’s name and age 3) the best number to use in case of last-minute changes. You’ll receive a confirmation by email.

Muriel’s World Free Trial
Musician & teacher Muriel, offers music classes for children (6M/6Y) to learn French through songs, dance, mime, playing puppets and musical games. Locations: Boerum Hill, Carroll
Gardens and Brooklyn Heights.
Details: Enroll for the session or take a trial. Join them at any time! For information, and to register, please check: www.murielsworld.com To listen to the songs, please visit: http://www.myspace.com/murielsongs

I have been taking my 23-month-old daughter to a music and movement class at the Language and Laughter Studio. After two classes, I was blown away by the quality.The teacher, Muriel, with her enchanting singing voice, expressive gestures, puppets, balloons, bubbles, parachute and rattles, connects with children’s natural love of movement and music. The songs are her original works, unusual, simple and memorable; layer after layer gently teaches counting, colors, vocabulary, etc…in French. I feel that I ought to describe this class in very poetic terms …it is awe-inspiring and perfectly orchestrated, not a moment is wasted, perfectly geared to captivate toddlers and preschoolers…not to mention all the adults in the room, who all have child-like smiles on their faces. After class, it feels
like we’ve participated in a Cirque de Soleil performance!For French-speaking toddlers, it would be an equally wonderful and enriching music and movement pre-school class. If you are interested in language classes, for yourself or your child (or baby), I encourage you to check out Language & Laughter Studio, all the classes appear to be of this caliber.
-Yana

My daughter, now 3.5 has taken at least 4 different French classes there as well as French camp this summer. The teachers are really talented and incredible, able to engage young children and expose them to language through creative music, dance and other media. It is a wonderful, safe environment for even the youngest of children. Each class is well thought out, the teachers are native speakers of the language with broad teaching experience, and there is a focus on age appropriate challenges. Finally, my favorite part about it is that nothing is “canned”. All the art projects have an organic bent where the kids do the work – no mommy/daddy or nanny/sitter art here! There are also Spanish classes, after school classes, and in the fall they will offer an ethics class for children 6-12. I can’t recommend this place enough, but check out this gem for yourself.
-Antoinette

Acting Class Free Trial
Young actors get introduced to drama through children’s theatre games, storytelling, language, creative movement and performance. Unleashing their imaginations they work together to build self-confidence, teamwork and broaden their creative vocabulary. The class is drop off, or you are welcome to stay and watch if you prefer. We will be asking for feedback after the classes to help us create a more permanent schedule for the rest of the year. Sylvia has worked in the West End and on British TV for the last 10 years and as a drama practitioner and teacher for the last 7 years. She has taught and directed children from a broad age range including children with special needs and behavioral problems. In 2007 she set up The Performance Laboratory Theatre Company that created and performed work for The Shakespeare’s Globe, The Institute of Contemporary Art and The Victoria and Albert Museum. Free trial class is 3-5 years: 4-5 PM Thursday 15th April
Details: Pre-registration is required please contact Sylvia Cohen [email protected] or Juno Shears [email protected]. Class held at Still Hip Brooklyn, 283 Grand Avenue and taught by British actress Sylvia Cohen.

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