Now in Its 40th Year, the BYU Young Musicians Academy is a Preschool Program Focused on Music
School of Music faculty and students put BYU’s call to “Go Forth to Serve” into action through the Young Musicians Academy (YMA). This musical preschool program is for children ages 2-6 and their parents. The program, started by faculty member Susan Kenney, is now in its 40th year. Run by Emilee Knell and a team of music and education majors, the preschool is designed to enrich children during the early developmental stage of their lives and act as a hands-on learning experience for BYU students.
According to Knell, who has directed the program since 2014, but has been involved for much longer, there are four main purposes of YMA. The first goal is to provide music classes for children. The second is to provide observation and teaching opportunities for university students. The third purpose is to help parents understand what they can do at home to lay the critical educational groundwork for musical development during this important stage in their child’s life. The fourth goal is to provide a space for many different avenues of research.
Two mothers shared how the program benefited their children’s developmental learning. Both Rebecca Packard, whose son participated in the program as a child and is now 17 years old, and Astrid Rawlinson, whose daughter is currently in the program, agreed that the exploratory nature of the classes and the mommy-and-me style is effective.
“I can see how they progress in the class. In the beginning, it was mostly playing but now they’re doing more musical practice and training their voices,” said Rawlinson.
During a given class time, students can explore manipulatives (objects used to teach a lesson) and musical toys before “circle time” in which they sing, play instruments and listen to music together. Knell emphasizes the importance of exploration and play, allowing the children to lead the way with what they want to touch and do. Sometimes BYU music students will visit the class to play their instruments for the class.
Packard has noticed that the education her son received as a two- and three-year-old has directly translated to his musical ability and interest now. “It is hard to know what is correlation versus causation, but he now plays six instruments and has made all-state and drumline with two of those instruments,” she said. “I think that the experience undeniably has had something to do with his musicality and his comfort with picking something new up and not being afraid to experiment.”
Rawlinson has noticed that comfort and musicality in her daughter as well, even at her young age. “The program has helped tune her ear,” she said. “We have a piano at home and it is amazing how she sometimes comes up with her own songs or learns parts of songs she likes without being taught how to read the notes yet.”
Another unique aspect of YMA is the opportunities for families to attend concerts in conjunction with their lessons. BYU’s Family Concert Series hosts two concerts per semester (Fall and Winter) that are specifically designed for a young audience. Families with children of all ages are encouraged to go and experience the sounds of BYU’s premiere music groups.
“It is fun to see all of the children interacting with the music,” said Rawlinson. “My daughter is able to experience the emotions through the songs. When it was a happy song, she would stand up and dance; when it was a calm song, she would cuddle her dad.”
Knell has seen the spiritual benefit of the concerts. “We don’t explicitly discuss spirituality but I think going to the concerts and being a part of that experience definitely speaks to the spirits of the children and the families that attend,” she said.
Both mothers said they would recommend the program to other parents because it is affordable and it has benefitted their children in a profound and positive way.
“I can see how my daughter has created new neural pathway connections,” said Rawlinson. “I noticed that she is becoming more artistic and she is able to understand the language of music.”
“I think sometimes parents—myself included—can be a bit nervous about a program with college students but the School of Music really prepares them to teach well,” said Packard. “The director [Emilee Knell] has been doing it for years and is a professional. The university students really care about the children and do a good job.”