• Musical Prelude is designed for children 10-32 months with an adult. I introduce the children to the joys of music, movement, and finger play. Your child will have so much fun singing songs, vocalizing, dancing, marching and moving to music, sharing "singing books" and being introduced to basic rhythm instruments. This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to interact with an adult through music, touch, sight and gentle movement, and to share music with other children. Music is a joy for every girl and boy!
• Musical Discovery is designed for ages 3 and young 4's without adult accompaniment. We find and use the instruments on our bodies, listen and repeat musical patterns and share with our classmates in our very own rhythmic creations. In addition, we focus on exploring how music makes us feel ~ the colors of music, specific rhythm patterns, exposure to different styles of music, an introduction to musical notation, and a chance to begin learning about the many instruments of the orchestra. Through movement, listening to music and "singing books," playing rhythm instruments, use of puppets and vocalizing, we begin to discover how music is organized.
• Musical Ignition Key is designed for 5 and 6 year olds. This is a wonderful combination of an introductory study of great composers, their lives and their music with an introduction to playing an instrument through piano. We meet some of history's greatest composers, learn about their lives, the times in which they lived and how that influenced their music. We also continue learning about the different instruments of the orchestra. As the year progresses, we learn note symbols and their values along with note names. We then begin to transfer them to the piano. We have fun learning with others and playing simple songs on the piano. Through reading, movement, rhythm, music cards, vocalization, interpretive listening, and more this class can turn the key on actual musical study. A keyboard at home is required.
• Private and Semi-Private Piano and Guitar Lessons are offered both to children, and adults new to these instruments or returning after a long hiatus. Small group piano classes are also available to our younger learners. We apply basic music theory to an introduction of piano. By learning with peers, students have fun sharing the experience and various methods of learning.

For more information, contact Caron Dale at 202-966-7270.

Dear Caron, Congratulations on a spectacular recital this afternoon. We enjoyed it so much and were so proud of Nina. She sounded so great up there. I have told you this before, but it bears repeating. You have been such a wonderful influence on our daughter. You have taught her huge amounts about music that will make her a more educated person for the rest of her life. You have set a terrific example of sportsmanship, dedication, humor and fun.We simply couldn't have asked for a better teacher for Nina.     Warmly, Liz

If your child is a beginner, I highly recommend Caron Dale. She's got wonderful introductory group lessons that my oldest son took. He then continued with her with semi-private lessons. My next son will take one of the group class in the fall when she offers them again. My oldest has loved the lessons(in fact, he demanded to keep going with "real" piano lessons with her), and I especially like her approach to daily practice - 5 minutes a day when possible. She recently moved him up to 10 minutes a day, but when he can't, he can't, and no one stresses about it. She's got different classes for different age groups. The first class he took dealt with rhythm, notes, composers, etc. and was not a straight piano lesson.     - Daniela