Our Kids Love Us
"I loved my 2½ years with Kid's Music Playground and Ms. Cheri. She really helped me love piano!" Chase, Age 10
"I was so excited to start piano with Ms. Cheri. She is a lot of fun and I look forward to each week!" Kaden, Age 8
"I love her. I mean, I love being with her. I love being in that class." Carly, Age 4
Our Graduates Love Us
Thank you for being funny. I had a fun time. I liked learning all the silly names for the notes. My favorite song is ‘Dance of the Irish’. I am going to be sad when I graduate. I will miss KMP very much. Love, Sophie U.
Thank you for teaching me staff notes. I loved playing guitar, recorder, rhythm instruments and piano. I do not want to leave KMP because you do a lot of fun stuff. Some of those things are Bug Day, Cereal Day, find the notes games, bingo and hopscotch. I will miss you forever and ever. Love, Caleb
I’ve always wanted to learn music. You’ve taught me song after song. You taught me to read music and you taught me to play music. I’m glad you taught different instruments! My favorite was piano! My second was guitar, and my third was recorder! I will never forget you! You will be my friend forever! I hope you have fun with your other music classes! Love, Connor
I love music because you teach more ways to remember powerful music. I love you because you are doing what you love to do. Avery B.
I will miss your smile, laughter and fun. Thank you for bringing music into my life. Love, Luke
Thank you for teaching me piano and teaching me a lot of songs. I liked the prize box and the silly characters you made up. My favorite song was Sneaky Business! I will miss you! Love, Trey
I am sad I am graduating, but I will remember you’re funny. I am also glad I am graduating because I am moving up to the next level! Mireya
Our Parents Love Us
"Cheri's Kid's Music Playground has been a wonderful way to introduce the piano to my daughter. She is actually beginning to read music at age four. As a bonus, the classes have provided a new way for us to bond. My daughter loves the positive, enthusiastic, low pressure atmosphere of the class, and looks forward to it each week. During class, kids get up and learn while moving and then return to the keyboard, which really helps to engage them. At home, my daughter is eager to do the "homeplay." I've been very happy with the whole experience, and highly recommend this program." Joanne Fox
"We have tried many different music classes over the years with our three daughters and Kid's Music Playground has been the best. We have tried Suzuki, KinderMusik in both English and French, MusikGarten and piano lessons and Cheri's program is the most comprehensive and engaging. She combines motion with rhythms; tactile and just plain fun to encourage the love of music." Wendy Hammack-Smith
"Kid's Music Playground is where we decided to put our children to learn the fundamentals of music appreciation and theory during their formative years. We believe that having a solid foundation in music, studying the piano and being able to read music are a necessary part of our children's education. Starting in Kindergarten, we went through the entire program, which lasted 3½ years. Not only did our children love Ms. Cheri and her classroom, but I loved being a part of my children's class and having the hands-on, shared experience in this fun and loving environment and it will always be dear to my heart!" Catherine Mast, Mother of 4, Co-Founder of The Classical Academy
"Kid's Music Playground has been a phenomenal experience for both of our boys. Ms. Cheri is extremely knowledgeable in music theory and method. Most importantly, she has a gift for working with children and inspiring them to love music. Our oldest son graduated from the program and is now doing very well in private piano lessons. Our first grader will start his second year in the program and loves going to piano each week. He doesn't miss a day of practice. Thank you Ms. Cheri for giving our sons the gift of music!" Dr. and Mrs. Russell H. Ford, Pine Top Orthodontics
KMP has completely exceeded our expectations as a music theory/piano class for our daughter. I could comment on so many of the fabulous aspects of the class. I am especially impressed by the compositions. 6 year olds are writing their own music! Not only does it challenge them at various levels of learning, but composing and performing their own music helps build their confidence in their musical skills and they take ownership of what they’ve learned. Our daughter has taken much pride and found great joy in using her skills to compose her own creations! Cheryl Darnell
My boys went through the program 10-12 years ago. They are now composing great music. It’s a joy seeing them enjoy music and hopefully blessing others with it as well. There are no ways to express the joy this bring me. I know the solid foundation they received at KMP has equipped them well for this adventure. They are having a blast with their music. Check out their music at http://soundcloud.com/christopian Luke is also playing the French horn in the TCA band. Lorie Hall
My older daughter is a recent graduate of KMP and doing very well in private lessons now. My younger daughter is about half way through the program. It is still fun for me the second time around and, of course, the girls love it! It am so pleased to have a class that is theory-based, real, honest-to-goodness, theory explained in age-appropriate and fun ways. The kids are so very capable of learning and this class proves it! Patricia Reyes
I have a degree in child development and I am so impressed how well KMP is geared toward the age of my young children. The classes are designed to make learning music so fun! My daughter never wants to miss one class. Christy Simpson
KMP has given my girls such wonderful confidence in their playing. Every time there is a guest in our home they ‘entertain’ them on the piano. Heather Bethoney
In her very first year of NTL KMP class of music, my 7 year old is playing melodies by ear and even attempting to add puppy I, Kitty V7 and Birdie IV chords on occasion. WOW! Most kids don’t learn this until after years of private lessons! Lori Leander
I have two children in the 3.5 year program: One in her first semester, one in their last. It’s amazing to experience both ends of the KMP spectrum at the same time. 6 notes vs. 33 notes; one hand of ‘Ode to Joy’ vs. two pages, two hands, memorized. I expected my girls to learn music at KMP, which they have done and are doing with much joy! We have experienced the additional benefits of working together, encouraging each other at our individual levels, and are experiencing increased confidence in many areas. These areas include math, alphabet, reading which is all part of music too! The teachers are remarkably talented. They connect with each child and class, helping them develop skills not expected at their ages, and imparting a love and understanding of music that will last a lifetime! Heather M.
Sean started the KMP class in August. By December he performed two simple songs for his grandparents who were absolutely thrilled. Sean’s sense of accomplishment was evident.
Learning a new instrument was so easy for my daughter, a former student. She loves music and loves continuing to learn more. I don’t think that would have happened without KMP!
As each of my children have neared school age, I have loved watching music come alive for them in KMP. Ms. Cheri is like the ‘Mary Poppins’ of music, and she has a great, fun-filled way of helping children understand concepts and make the music connect.
Little did I know when my 5 year old was practicing my 2 year old was listening. One day I caught my 2 year old playing on the piano repeating what my 5 year old was doing!
On a recent snow day, my boys spent the couple hours playing our keyboard until finally they were arguing over who got to practice! KMP makes music so much fun! Michelle
KMP has given my son Samuel such confidence in approaching music. Last week we actually had the opportunity to play in his first grade class together. Samuel brought his small drum while I played my guitar. The whole class loved it and it even boosted his confidence in performing in front of others. I give credit to KMP for planting these important seeds and providing such a solid foundation for my son to springboard from! Thank you, KMP! Matt Holzman
Very impressed with Ms. Shanna’s ability to keep the young kids focused in class while they still have fun. She is great with children and teaches in an enthusiastic style that keeps kids involved and wanting to learn! John M.
I have one graduating and one completing the first year and it’s so exciting to see what can be accomplished in 3 ½ years. My oldest has especially benefited from the many lessons in perseverance. A new song is always challenging but when he conquers it with practice, he is learning the life lesson of hard work. I am amazed how well he does with pitch, rhythm, and reading music. What an awesome lifelong gift we are giving our kids! Misty Meister
Kids’ Music Playground has taught my preschooler to love music! She is learning fundamentals I never thought she could learn at this early age. And most importantly, she is having so much fun learning! I really feel I am giving her a gift she will have for a lifetime. Elizabeth Carter
Ms. Cheri is extremely passionate about music and makes learning fun! She has creative ways that allow the kids and the parents to remember music basics: notes, letters, flats, rests, etc. Brooke shares what she has learned with her siblings so we can incorporate music into our lives each day. Thank you Ms. Cheri for working so hard to bring music and joy to our lives! Kristine and Brooke Barrett
My first child is in her 2nd year of the KMP program. My second child just started the program. Sitting through the first year beginning class again and seeing what my first child is doing in her 2nd year program, I am so amazed at how far these students come in a very short amount of time! The program is very creative, engaging, and fun! My girls love going to music class!
Connor has loved going to KMP every week, and I was amazed how much he learned so quickly. Connor made us proud when he played “Oh When the Saints” as a kindergartner in his school variety show!
This is an amazing program that exposes the child to so much musically in a fun, positive environment. The children learn by positive reinforcement and there is never any pressure on them. Everyone gets to learn at their own level and own level of interest, and feel good about what they accomplish. Everyone is terribly excited to get to the instruments of recorder and guitar. The KMP families supported us beyond words this summer as we lost our home in the Waldo Canyon fire. We will be forever grateful and appreciative. Thank you and KMP for being part of lives! Cindy
Our Abigail started with private piano lessons in our house. She seemed to not learn the notes and had problems playing the piano. As soon as we started at KMP Abigail LOVED learning how to play the piano. Now with just one year at KMP she is able to read notes and play the piano very well I would recommend KMP to anyone!
Once we were at Toy Station for an event and I let Alexa get a glitter tattoo. The young lady applying the tattoos had an example on her arm and Alexa yelled out, “Mommy! She has a two-eighths note on her arm! It shares one beat”!
We have had one son graduate from KMP and another in his first year, and couldn’t be more pleased with how accomplished they’ve become in their music education. Our sons have learned to read music, theory, play piano beautifully, and truly love music! Thank you Ms. Cheri and staff! Anne Hund
Kids’ Music Playground has been life-changing for our family. With two children that graduated in the program and my 3rd child in his last year I can say I am so thankful our kids got to be a part of KMP. KMP instilled a love for music, an ear to play and sing in tune, awesome rhythm, and of course the ability to walk up to a piano and begin to play with confidence. They’ve also learned to read music, rhythm instruments, recorder and guitar. Every class is full of games and fun, yet everything they do helps them learn music even more. This was our special date every week and I learned music along with my child! The other families were very sweet and the kids feel very encouraged. Ms. Cheri always encourages the kids and comes up with fun and creative ways to keep them excited about learning. The time and energy we invested has really paid off with giving our kids excitement and confidence in music and helped them in many other areas. Thanks KMP! Amy Meyer
We love KMP. My daughter is engaged throughout the whole class and loves Ms. Cheri’s enthusiasm. Music is fun for all the kids in class. WE plan on continuing with the program. A great foundation to music, all had in fun!
I have so enjoyed accompanying the kids I nanny to KMP. It is so fun and exciting to watch the kids learn not only to paly music, but to love it too. Having the younger siblings in class instilled a love for music class into even their little souls! To watch Ahs and Jaron grow and blossom as little people has been so special. I have begun playing again and have learned so many things that I failed to understand as a child. Ms. Cheri truly has a gift for instilling the love and fun of music into the kids’ hearts!
My daughter loved KMP! The training has given her the confidence to write her own music. Not only can she write a melody line, but the chords to go with it! My daughter at age 7, loves KMP! At first, she was apprehensive to paly the piano because her older sister loved KMP and the piano. But since she has learned to read music, she loves to play the piano. Laura Werner
I love watching and partnering with my son as he grows in his understanding and enjoyment of music! T.S.
Our daughter identifies music everywhere when we ride in the car or work on math skills, or watch movies. KMP is in her head!!!
My children and I had such a great experience learning piano and music education together. Ms. Cheri and her staff are enthusiastic and make it easy to learn!
I personally highly recommend KMP! Not only did it lay the foundation for my then 3 ½ year old to learn her ABC’s – it helped her understand math concepts. The kids also learn social skills especially when performing in front of other parents or crowds.
The Champlin family has graduated on piano student from KMP and we also have one child currently in her graduation year. Our graduate is continuing with private piano lessons and is exceling beyond the instructor’s expectations. We are so grateful to KMP for the musical foundation we have received during our instruction with the program. The Champlins
My son did not and does not have natural rhythm, but with Ms. Cheri’s patience and teaching, he has learned rhythm through counting. Now he play music beautifully!
It’s been a joy watching KMP grow over the past 6 years. The enthusiasm never waivers and the energy is endless. I am so impressed with KMP every week. Thank you for letting me walk this journey with you and my 3 children. We are o blessed to be part of this special music experience. We are going to miss you!
Ms. Cheri is absolutely wonderful with the kids! She is so kind and patient, even with the parents! The kids love her and my on was always so excited for Wednesdays so we could go to music!
Thomas and I have enjoyed our music time together. The past 3 ½ years of KMP have given Thomas a lifelong gift of music! Annie Kiemel
KMP has been an outstanding music program for my daughter, Caylie. Coming from a strong music background (piano, clarinet, and oboe), I can honestly say I don’t think this program can be beat nationally.
Miss Cheri has such a love for her students and radiates a positive attitude each and every class. This attitude and passion for teaching makes her students want to learn to their full potential. My husband and I often say that going to KMP each week is like going to Disney with Miss Cheri being the main attraction. We are so lucky to have such a dynamic teacher with an outstanding personality and high character.
KMP not only teaches students how to read notes on a staff in a creative manner, but also gives them ear training. The combination of the two really helps the students succeed in music performance and overall music understanding. I am also thrilled that our kids also are exposed to theory. This challenges our kids to really think about what they are learning in class. I am truly amazed by how much my daughter has learned from KMP. Not only has Miss Cheri effectively thought out and developed the curriculum well, but also there is a reason behind each and every activity/lesson she teaches. KMP cannot be beat!
I highly recommend KMP to anyone wanting to expose their children to music in a very creative and exciting manner. Get ready to learn, be extremely active, practice, and have FUN! You will not be disappointed! Jodie Dodge (mom of Caylie, year two of KMP)