Kids Learn to Play the Ukulele at Over the Moon Music

Nothing pleases Jackie Freimor more, as a lifelong guitar player, than when her young Music Together students gather around the guitar to strum it at the end of class. That's also when their parents tell her how much their children love the instrument and would love to learn how to play it. Because her students are younger than 5 years, Jackie--director of Over the Moon Music and More in Scarsdale--has often found herself recommending to the parents that they buy ukuleles for them to start them off. Not only are ukuleles small and uniquely suited to the size of children's hands, but they are also inexpensive and easy to play.

As a result of this advice, a number of parents did indeed buy ukuleles, only to realize that they needed someone to teach their children--and themselves--how to play them. By popular demand, then, Jackie sat down this past summer to write a mommy-and-me ukulele program called Uke U. for children from 3 to 6 years of age. "My son loved playing with his ukulele at home," said Katie Saliba, "so I was thrilled to find a class where he could learn how to play the instrument that was targeted to his age group." Because the children are so young, each 45-minute class features about 15 minutes of formal instruction, punctuated by more informal activities such as dancing, playing percussion instruments, and coloring.

Uke U. made its debut at the Over the Moon Music storefront in Scarsdale this fall, and thus far, it's been a big hit with the parents as well as the children. "Ukulele class has given me a great way to enjoy music with my son," said Anne Lund. "He learns to play, and I do, too!" In fact, the classes--one for 3- and 4-year-olds and another for 5- and 6-year-olds--have been so well received, this winter Jackie is taking the program to her families in Chappaqua as well. According to Leah Kaplan, "My son enjoys ukulele class and likes to teach everyone at home what he learns. It's lots of fun!"

Each Uke U. class meets for 45 minutes once weekly for 8 weeks. Classes will begin the week of January 20, and registration will open on November 11. The tuition fee is $260 for the 8-week series and includes a ukulele for each parent and child and a workbook and tuner for each family. For more information and to register for class, visit www.overthemoonmusicandmore.com or call 914-722-2025.

This article was sponsored by Over the Moon Music and More, 78 Garth Road, Scarsdale, 914-722-2025, www.overthemoonmusicandmore.com.