The best children's music classes in Dallas from the best early childhood music teachers in Dallas at the best music school of its kind.™
Based on year-to-year interest within specific age ranges, the Gray School's highly-qualified early childhood faculty offers small group classes for “Music Kids” at various stages of early childhood from birth to age 8. At age 6, Music Kids can advance to private lessons studying specific instruments.
This year, Music Kids from 4 to 7 years old can take Keyboard Kids piano classes. This introductory class focuses on piano while building a great foundation in music which can translate to any instrument as children grow.
Keyboard Kids provides a classical piano education in a fast-paced class with friends for children ages 4-7. Piano class provides theory games, fun sheets, and engaging music in groups of 4-5 students. Students play piano music together as a group on individual digital pianos. Music is written for ages 4-7 and is fun to learn with friends. Students learn to correctly count rhythms, keys on the piano, as well as the fundamentals of staff note reading. Students progress over several years through a graduated course of staff note reading which ultimately creates musical independence. The Gray School uses the Mayron Cole Method in class piano.
Classes are scheduled at convenient times right after school day ends. Weekly piano camps are held during the month of June each year. Bring a friend and enjoy the fun of learning to play the piano together.
For Summer 2012, Leah Peña is teaching several one-week Keyboard Kids Summer Camps in June, and one in July. See the Summer Camps page for more details.
Vicki
Gray
owns and directs the Gray School of Music. She founded the Gray School of music and has taught piano for 40 years. She has a Masters of Music from Southern Methodist University and has done doctoral studies in piano at the University of North Texas. Mrs. Gray is a distinguished and accomplished composer. Compositions have included five children’s fairy tale operettas; MUSIC FOR MINORS, a method for preschool music; and articles in professional journals and newsletters. Mrs. Gray is an expert on musical technology and motivational techniques. Her students have been winners in competitions at Baylor University, Dallas Piano Solo Competition, Dallas Symphonic, DMTA Jazz Festival, at the state level in the Texas Music Teachers Association Solo Performance Competition, and McKinney Young Artist Competition. Mrs. Gray has been awarded a Permanent Professional Certificate by the National Music Teachers Association and has been listed in Who’s Who of American Women. She is the mother of three children, all of whom attended music conservatories and obtained doctorate degrees in piano performance. Jenni has a Bachelor of Piano Performance from Eastman School of Music, Master of Music from the University of Texas, and Doctorate from the University of Houston. Julie has a Bachelors and Masters of Piano Performance at Eastman School of Music and a doctorate from the University of Texas. Justin earned a Bachelor in Piano Performance from the Juilliard School, a Masters of Music in Piano Performance from Southern Methodist University, and a doctorate of Piano Performance at the University of North Texas. Mrs. Gray enjoys gardening, cooking, and playing with her six grandchildren. Her husband, Haskell, is owner of a consulting and representation firm for advanced computer networking.
Leah
Peña
discovered a love for teaching music while working with children’s choirs at her church. She attended Baylor University and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Pedagogy. While there she was the recipient of the Elizabeth Brient Smith Piano Pedagogy scholarhip and award in 2007. She continued her studies and received a Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy from Texas Christian University where she studied pedagogy with Dr. Ann Gipson and piano with Mr. Harold Martina.
Mrs. Peña has been on faculty at music schools in Waco and in the DFW area where she has maintained a private studio of all ages. She has experience in preparing students for festivals, competitions, and recitals. Mrs. Peña has also taught all types of group classes, such as undergraduate music majors, elementary theory, and childrens piano group classes. She has recently discovered a joy in teaching adult group classes as well. Mrs. Peña is a certified early childhood music teacher and has taught piano readiness classes for preschoolers. Her passion is helping each student find their own joy in music and is inspired by each student’s development as a musician and as a person.
Mrs. Peña was a presenter at the Music Teachers National Association Conference in 2010 with three of her colleagues. She is a member of MTNA, Texas Music Teachers Association, and Pi Kappa Lambda music society. This spring, she performed on a faculty recital and has accompanied various instrumentalists, vocalists and church choirs in previous years.
During her free time, Mrs. Peña loves spending time with her husband, seeing friends, reading, visiting family, and staying involved in her church.
Suite 136 Dallas, TX 75230 |
214-369-7772 |