Private Music Classes For Communities And Friend Groups

Every so often a parent calls us with a plan. They've got a few friends with toddlers, or neighbors on the same block, or a group of families in their building, and they want to know if we can come teach a class just for them. We can, and we've done a lot of these.

Private group classes have gotten more popular since 2020, and they're easy to set up. If you're thinking about starting one, here's how it works.

What a private group class is

It's the same Grown Up & Me class we teach at our locations, held where you want and with the people you invite. Classes are for ages 0 to 4, they're 45 minutes long, and grown-ups stay for the whole class. You can read more about what happens in class on our Grown Up & Me page.

Kids sing, move, play instruments, and hear live music with a Rockness teacher, and the grown-ups join in right alongside them. None of that changes whether the class is at one of our locations or in someone's basement.

Who sets these up

We've seen all kinds of groups do this. A few examples:

• A group of friends whose kids are around the same age
• Neighbors on the same street
• Families in an apartment or condo building
• A playgroup, a parents' group, or a community organization

The grown-up in class can be a parent, a grandparent, or another caregiver. We wrote more about that in our post on who can bring a toddler to music class.

Where the class can happen

We can teach just about anywhere. A community room or clubhouse works well. So does a backyard or a basement, as long as there's enough room for the kids and grown-ups to sit in a circle and get up and move.

If you're not sure your space is big enough, describe it to us and we'll let you know. And if some families in your group want to see a class first, there are free trial classes at all of our locations.

What we handle and what you handle

We handle registration, so you don't have to collect forms or keep track of who's signed up. You supply the space and the people. Then a Rockness teacher shows up and teaches the class.

What to figure out before you reach out

You don't need everything settled before you contact us, but it helps to have a rough idea of a few things:

• Who's in. About how many families want to join, and how old the kids are.
• Where. The space you have in mind, and roughly how big it is.
• When. A day and time that works for most of the group. Many families with little ones like mornings, before naps.

If you're still pulling the group together, that's fine. We can talk through it with you while you ask around.

Why a group of friends is a good fit

Little kids get a lot out of time with other kids. ZERO TO THREE, a national early childhood organization, has tips on helping children build relationships. It says children need practice to learn to share, take turns, and work through conflict, and that it's important for parents to be there during playdates, since little ones often need help with these skills. It also says 45 minutes to an hour is about right for most toddler playdates, and that playing together gives parents a chance to connect with other adults too.

A private class fits that well. The kids see the same friends each time, their grown-ups are right there with them, and the parents get to spend time together. If your child is a little hesitant at first, that's normal. Our post on why kids stick to your leg in music class explains what's going on.

If you've got a group in mind, the next step is a quick conversation. Tell us who's in your group, how old the kids are, and where you'd like to meet, and we'll take it from there. You can also call us at 732-205-1971.

👉 Contact us to set up a private class for your group.

See you in the circle,
The Rockness Crew
Rockness Music