Music Speaks Studio

Programs

Get your FREE trial lesson

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”

— Benjamin Franklin

FS of Ruthie-33.jpg

Piano Lessons

yellow 1000X1000.png

Who’s In:

Piano ensembles are available for beginner through early advanced, age 7 through adult. (See Junior Jams & Preschool options for ages 3-7). Piano lessons are done in small groups (3-5 students). Yes! Adult piano lessons are available, too! It is never too late to start learning, or to help former piano students get back to the keys.

What to Expect:

Lessons address the fundamental aspects of playing piano through the use of proper technique and music theory. In addition to excellent method books, students’ favorite songs are also included in piano lessons. Why? Because happy students mean motivated students, which always equals success.

Required Materials:

Must have access to a fully functional and well-tuned piano or full-sized weighted keyboard or digital piano for daily practice. Students should bring their music method books and repertoire to each lesson. Additional materials (piano book bag, metronomes, flash cards) may also be recommended.

Lesson Times:

Tues 12:15 Level 1 Wed 10:15 Level 2 Fri 4:15 Level 1
Tues 1:15 Level 3+ Wed 3:15 Level 1
Tues 4:15 Level 1 (6th-Adult) Wed 4:15 Level 2

VOICE LESSONS

Ruthie Smith Program Voice.png

yellow 1000X1000.png

Who’s In:

Vocal ensembles are available for ages 10 through adult. Groups are determined by age and goals. Younger students who are interested in singing will receive a mixture of voice and general music lessons (see Junior Jams & Preschool options).

What to Expect:

Singing groups enjoy the challenge of physical exercises that are specifically designed to improve vocal range, ear training, breath control, vibrato, tone production, enunciation, blending, and harmony. In addition to performance style and interpretation, vocalists will get audition training.

Required Materials:

Students should bring a water bottle and repertoire. At home, they should have access to an instrument for note-matching, ideally acoustic piano or small keyboard for practice purposes. Recording devices, such as smartphones or small audio recorders, are strongly recommended. Students who cannot read music may require additional music theory materials.

Lesson Times

Tues 2:15 High School-Adult Wed 11:15 3rd-8th Vocal Performers

Additional classes may be added based on demand

UKuLELE

Ruthie Smith Program Ukulele.png

yellow 1000X1000.png

Who’s In:

Ukulele ensembles are available for beginner through intermediate, age 7 through adult. Uke lessons are done in Uke bands with 3-10 players. Groups are formed based on age and goals.

What to Expect:

Lessons address the fundamental aspects of playing an ukulele and percussion through the use of proper technique and music theory. Students will learn a variety of music styles, strum patterns, and finger-picking skills.

Required Materials:

Must have access to an ukulele that is properly strung and can hold its tuning (brand new ukes can take a bit of extra playing before the nylon strings are able to hold a tune, but simply playing it will fix that), a tuner that can clip directly to the ukulele, and an ukulele bag for careful storage & transport. Students should bring their repertoire to each lesson. Additional materials (folder, shaker, metronomes, flash cards) may also be recommended.

Lesson Times

Tues 3:15 Jr Uke (K-5th grade) Tues 5:15 Uke (6th-Adult)

Additional classes may be added based on demand

ONLine Lessons

Ruthie Smith Program Online Lessons.png

yellow 1000X1000.png

Who’s In:

Musicians who want a passionate & skilled music mentor to guide your life-long love of music into skills you can use on your own or in groups, but we just don’t happen to live in the same neighborhood.

What to Expect:

LIVE classes happen on the same 40 week calendar as studio lessons. Attending weekly will give you feedback, performance opportunities, and the relationships that are built through sharing art. Video access will be granted afterward to refresh anything from the live class.

Required Materials:

Zoom account (free) and a good web connection. Laptop or tablet that can be set up at your instrument with a good camera & microphone, as there will be opportunities to be on during LIVE classes.

Get on the List

JUNIOr Jams

Ruthie Smith Program Junior Jams.png

yellow 1000X1000.png

Who’s In:

Junior Jam gives children ages 5-9 the chance to develop and build music skills in a fun, friendly and accessible way. If you want them to sing like a pro, learn piano, ukulele, and percussion skills, then this is the right spot for them.

What to Expect:

Musicians will learn early piano, vocal, ukulele and rhythm skills through a host of hilarious characters, tons of games, and a wide range of percussion instruments that they will explore.

Occasional crafts supplies provided. Playlists will be periodically provided.

Lesson Times

Wed 2:15 Kinder-2nd Grade Fri 4:15 Kinder-2nd Grade

“The quality of the music lessons provided at Ruthie’s Music Jams is incredible! ...Ruthie has a passion for music and a heart of gold that are palpable from the moment you meet her. ”

— Ruth M.

PRESCHOOL - First Steps in Music

Ruthie Smith Program Preschool.png

yellow 1000X1000.png

Who’s In:

First Steps in Music is for ages 3-5 to create a lifelong love of creating music while building a musical bond with a caregiver. Parents are encouraged to participate right along with us.

What to Expect:

Preschoolers will learn early piano, vocal, and rhythm skills through a host of hilarious characters, tons of games, and a wide range of percussion instruments that they will be allowed to explore. We will learn strong music theory for both playing and singing. Musicians will sing, dance, and play instruments from the very 1st day.

Occasional crafts supplies provided. Playlists will be periodically provided.

Lesson Times:

Wed 1:15pm

BABY & ME

Ruthie Smith Program Baby.png

yellow 1000X1000.png

Who’s In:

Baby & Me is for ages 0-2 to create a shared bond of music, rhythm, and vocal exploration with you. Parent participation is important. Your sweet one loves your voice, no matter how you think you sound.

What to Expect:

Our little ones begin to engage and respond to music in infancy. Your baby may already dance, kick, or squeal along to music and I love to help guide you in how to use music & movement to help them recognize their world and engage in early gross motor skills, sound recognition, and vocal imitation.

Ok, ok, in parent terms...we're going to rock out together so that your baby can move to the music, sing along, and even know what to expect next, which creates really awesome developmental moments for you to see as they predict patterns.

Teaching Jobs

yellow 1000X1000.jpeg

Musicians' hands don't need to flip burgers.

Do you have the skills and desire to teach music but you are not sure where or when it would work, or even how to get started?

Tell us below a little bit of your musical experience and we'll work together to get you going.