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Early-Childhood Toddler-and-Me Music Classes in Manhattan
What is a Baby Beethoven music and piano class?
New and returning students may book any classes available on the published term schedule. Enroll in a single drop-in class or commit to a full course—whatever works best for your schedule.
Baby Beethoven are early-childhood music and piano classes for toddlers and preschoolers crafted to spark their imagination through music, movement, piano, and dramatic play. Over the semester, with varied themes, students will explore the core concepts of performing classical music within pretend play while keeping a steady beat, playing rhythm instruments, dancing to orchestral music, reading notation, singing the solfège, and exploring the piano with one-finger classical tunes with your stuffy Nina the Ballerina. Age: Our classes are recommended for ages 18 months and up, though we happily welcome little ones younger than 18 months, up to age 4. Class size: 1 to 8 students, accompanied by one (1) parent or caregiver per student. Class duration: 45-minutes. Fees: For the Full-Course Enrollment Ticket, the tuition rate is $34.50 per 45-minute class. A single 1-Class/Drop-In Ticket is $45. The introductory first class is $34.50 when the discount code BABYBEETHOVEN is applied at checkout. Other options are also available: buy a "Class Pass" and gift a music class "Gift Voucher". *After June 21, 2026, you will be paying $35/45-minutes with a Full Course Enrollment Ticket, and $48/45-minutes with a 1-Class/Drop-In Ticket.
Taught by: Alexandra
Baby Beethoven classes in the Spring Term: January 12–June 21, 2026
- Booking: Booking is Open.
- Course Duration: January 12 to June 21, 2026 with prorated pricing discount for each past date & class cancellation by the studio
- Class Duration: 45-minutes
- Class Size: 1 to 8 students, accompanied by one (1) parent or caregiver per student.
- Facility: 1 acoustic grand piano, 5 digital pianos, and 8 toy pianos
- Class Schedule for Baby Beethoven Music Class (45-minutes): Select a class to view current seat availability.
- No Classes:
- Feb 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 (Monday to Sunday) - Midwinter Recess
- Apr 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 (Thursday to Friday) - Spring Recess
- May 11 (Monday) - Recital, May 11, 2026 4:00-6:00 PM, at Steinway Hall, New York
- May 23, 24, 25 (Saturday to Monday) - Memorial Day
- What You Are Paying For: You are paying for the number of classes specified in the published term schedule, or, if choosing the per-class option, for a single class at a time. Full-course enrollment fees for Group Piano, Individual Piano, and Baby Beethoven classes are determined based on the total number of classes outlined for the term. In the event a student is absent, individuals with an active full-course enrollment are eligible to attend make-up classes.
- Fees: There are a few options to pay for the classes. For the Full-Course Enrollment Ticket, the tuition rate is $34.50 per 45-minute class. A single 1-Class/Drop-In Ticket is $45. The introductory first class is $34.50, reflecting a savings of $10.50 when the discount code BABYBEETHOVEN is applied at checkout. Other options are also available: buy a "Class Pass" and gift a music class "Gift Voucher".
- Policies and Procedures: View document (pdf)
- Age: Our classes are recommended for ages 18 months and up, though we happily welcome little ones younger than 18 months, up to age 4. With music, children are rarely too young—and never too old—to play music.
- Curriculum: What will your child learn in the class?
- Taught by: Alexandra
- Location: 1751 2nd Avenue, Suite 101, New York, New York 10128, United States
Sample of Week 1: Baby Beethoven Class
🎶 We begin with our Hello Song, waving to friends and using Kodály solfège hand signs — Do (✊), Re (🤚), Mi (🫳) — to build pitch awareness from the very start.
🩰 Nina the Ballerina dances on little arms and tickles fingertips, encouraging coordination and giggles.
📚 We journey into the magical world of The Nutcracker, where Clara meets her toy soldier and stories come alive.
🥁 Children sing “I Am a Fine Musician” and clap their hands like cymbals, joining a pretend band! They explore basic rhythm notation.
🪖 With tambourines in hand, we march stiffly like wooden soldiers to the famous Nutcracker March — left, right, left!
👑 Time for a royal bow, as children don imaginary crowns and take graceful curtsies like kings and queens.
🐎 Everyone gallops around the room on imaginary horses, feeling the beat through movement.
🎹 At the piano, we find and name C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C on baby keyboards, learning finger numbers with a silly rhyme (Thumbkin is #1!).
🌟 We end with our very first melody — “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” — played on both digital and grand pianos.
We offer an introductory class for $34.50
Book an introductory piano class up to 6 days in advance, subject to availability. Use the discount code BABYBEETHOVEN at checkout after adding a 1-Class/Drop-In Ticket to your basket. The code is valid for one (1) 1-Class/Drop-In Ticket per booker email. If booking for 2 or more students, use a different email for each student to activate the code. Each student is limited to one (1) introductory class. Misuse of this code is not permitted and will lead to immediate cancellation of the booking.
Missed a class? Email us to request a 1-Class/Drop-In code.
Book your make-up class up, subject to availability. Students who are absent from a Group Piano class are permitted to attend another Group Piano Class as a make-up, subject to seat availability. Advance written notice is required to transfer a class within the same course period. Holidays will be accommodated only with prior notification. No refunds will be granted for missed classes. This policy is firm and non-negotiable. To request a make-up class, email pianobudsinapod@gmail.com and request a make-up class code for a 1-Class/Drop-In Ticket to use for your make-up session. Misuse of this code is not permitted and will lead to immediate cancellation of the booking.
Policies and Procedures
Please read & agree to the Policies and Procedures before booking a class.
LOCATION
Piano Buds in a Pod® is located at 1751 Second Avenue, Suite 101, New York, NY 10128, inside the Knickerbocker Plaza building. We are situated between 91st Street and Second Avenue on the Upper East Side. Please use the Second Avenue entrance of Knickerbocker Plaza. [Find us on Google Maps].
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
🚇 Take the Q (Uptown) train to 96 Street, then take the closest exit at 94 Street. Walk towards 91 Street & 2nd Avenue.
YOUR ARRIVAL FOR A CLASS AND STROLLER PARKING
Please arrive 10 minutes early.
STROLLER PARKING POLICY: For everyone’s safety, strollers may not be parked in the hallway due to fire hazard regulations. Please follow these steps:
- Check in at the concierge desk and ask for Piano Buds’ designated stroller parking space.
- The concierge will direct you to a stroller area—either at the desk or inside the community hall (both monitored by security cameras).
- Take valuables with you.
- Use the elevator to Floor 1, Suite 101 to attend your class.
Baby Beethoven: Class Pass
Class Pass Holders - Book classes in advance to secure your spot:
- Book multiple classes – stack them back-to-back or spread them out throughout the year!
- Select at least one (1) class and add a Class Pass on [Bookwhen]
- Proceed to checkout with at least two (2) items in your shopping cart: a class ticket and class pass.
- After purchasing your Class Pass, log in to [Bookwhen] using the same email address used for the purchase.
- To book more classes in advance, navigate to the "Schedule" tab and select your desired classes.
- Booker article: Learn how to view your purchased passes here
Baby Beethoven: GIFT VOUCHER
🎁 Gift a music class
To redeem your classes, please follow these steps:
Step 1 - Visit www.pianobuds.com or https://bookwhen.com/pianobudsinapod?tags=BabyBeethoven to book your classes.
Step 2 - Enter your voucher code during the booking process.
Step 3 - 💡 Please note: You won't be able to choose how much you use in one transaction, but if your voucher is more than the booking, you can spend the remaining balance at a later date.
To purchase a gift voucher, please follow these steps:
Step 1 - Add to your 🛒 https://bookwhen.com/pianobudsinapod/vouchers
Step 2 - This is a gift voucher worth $45 to a Baby Beethoven music class. If you bought this as a gift, please forward the email containing the voucher code (PDF file) to the gift recipient along with any additional information.
🧸 Best way to start piano lessons: have a piano at home.
Baby Beethoven Music & Piano Class Curriculum
Listening
Children build active listening skills by exploring different musical styles, rhythms, and instruments. They learn to identify sounds, recognize patterns, and appreciate various musical elements. Activities like "Beethoven Bear: High and Low!" and "Syncopated Clock" help sharpen their hearing and musical awareness.
Vocal Play
Skills are nurtured through engaging songs, chants, and solfège exercises. Children practice controlling their voices as they sing solfège syllables like "do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti, do," while also learning to match pitches accurately, identifying corresponding notes on the piano.
Instrument & Prop Play
Children gain hands-on experience with various instruments like mini pianos, violins, drums and props, developing fine and gross motor skills. They learn to manipulate objects like scarves, fruit shakers, and rhythm sticks to create music and follow rhythms. Activities like "Fruit shakers: Shake the apple tree!" and "Rhythm sticks: I am a fine musician!" promote coordination and musical exploration.
Musical Concepts
Fundamental musical concepts are introduced through playful activities. Children learn about rhythm, tempo, pitch, and dynamics. Activities such as "Piano + clefs" and "Chime bars: Going up the sound goes higher!" help children understand basic music theory in an age-appropriate manner.
Imagination
Imaginative play is encouraged through music-inspired activities. Children use their creativity to act out scenarios, move like animals, or pretend to be in different environments. Activities like "Movement: On a log, Mr. Frog!" and "Stretchy band: Our city is big!" stimulate imaginative thinking and self-expression.
Enhanced Musical Play
Children engage in more complex musical activities that combine multiple skills. These activities often involve movement, singing, and instrument play simultaneously. Examples include "Parachute: Our city is big!" and "Desk bells + hats: Firefighter song," which integrate various musical elements for a richer learning experience.
Instrument Petting
Children are introduced to a variety of musical instruments, learning about their sounds, shapes, and how to play them. This hands-on exploration fosters curiosity and may spark interest in future instrument study. Activities like "Piano: Story of the Orchestra" provide exposure to different instruments and their roles in music. In class, they have been introduced to the clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, violin, piano, glockenspiel, castanets, frame drums, lollipop drums, triangles, and many more.
Repetition & Reward
The curriculum emphasizes repetition of songs, rhythms, and activities over several weeks, helping children build familiarity and confidence. This repetition reinforces learning and allows them to internalize musical concepts. Activities like "Say hello with your hands!" and "Fruit shakers: Shake the apple tree!" are repeated to promote mastery and enjoyment. At the end of each class, students receive small rewards like stickers, stamps, or celebratory items.
Google Reviews: Discover what students love about Piano Buds
1751 2nd Avenue, Suite 101, New York, NY 10128, United States of America