Introducing Songbirds: The Center’s new series of joyful, child-centered music classes for babies, young children, and their grown-ups. Songbirds brings together singing, simple instruments, movement, imaginative play, and storytelling in classes designed to nurture discovery, self-expression, and connection. Children are invited to explore music in their own way, raise their unique voices, and experience the pure delight of making music in community. Every Songbird class is a small celebration: of music, of movement, of imagination, and of the joy of growing together.

Our Songbirds instructors, Emily Hillman and Michelle Prindle, come to us with decades of experience teaching music to children of all ages, in a myriad of educational settings. We are thrilled to welcome them to The Center faculty!

Join our flock of Chickadees! Designed especially for babies and toddlers and their grown-ups, this introduction to music invites little ones to explore the sounds, rhythms, and movements all around them. Through singing, simple instruments, movement games, fingerplays, and plenty of opportunities for connection, children will begin to discover their own musical voices while caregivers learn ways to make music together at home. Chickadees is a place to bond, play, and follow your child’s curiosity — toward a lifelong love of music!

Ages 0-2
Tuesdays, 10-11AM; September 8th-October 27th
REGISTER

Spread your wings and fly over to Skylarks! This lively class invites young children to discover the magic of making music together through singing, rhythm games, creative movement, instruments, and musical play. Children will experiment with their voices, listen and respond to music, engage with new rhythms, and build confidence as independent musical thinkers — all in a warm, playful environment where grown-ups are welcome to join the fun!

Ages 3-6
Tuesdays, 11AM-12PM; September 22nd-November 10th
REGISTER

Starting in January, 2027!

Come and Nest at The Center! This gentle music class is designed specifically for caregivers and babies ages 0-1. Learn traditional lullabies, nursery rhymes, tapping games, and lap bounces to sing with Baby, including some delightful games and songs created specifically for bonding between parent and child. Each class will be taught at a gentle pace to respect the developmental needs of all participants, and provide plenty of opportunity for family practice! Whether your tiny human is napping, nursing, or ready to coo along, there’s a spot for you in Nest!

Emily Hillman is a Belchertown resident, music educator, and mom who has spent the past 17 years creating joyful musical experiences for children. She holds degrees in Music Education from Boston University, Elementary Education from Lesley University, and Administration from Southern New Hampshire University. Emily is certified to teach General Music and Chorus in grades K–12.

As a mother of two young children herself, Emily understands the magic—and the beautiful chaos—of making music with little ones! She believes that music should be accessible to every child and that everyone is a musician. Her classes are designed to give children the freedom to explore, move, sing, play, and discover music in their own unique way.

When she’s not making music, Emily loves spending time in nature, dancing to a great tune, sharing good food with family and friends, and getting lost in a good book. She is thrilled to create a space where little ones and their grown-ups can connect, play, and experience the joy of making music together.

Michelle Prindle is a co-owner of the Pioneer Valley’s Prindle School. She is an active soprano with a Bachelor of Music degree in classical vocal performance from The Hartt School and a Master of Music degree in voice performance from the University of Masschusetts Amherst. Michelle has also pursued advanced post-graduate vocal studies in New York; Salzburg, Austria; and Florence, Italy. Michelle has taught private voice and piano lessons for more than 25 years, and is a Certified Waldorf Early Childhood Educator. Her students have been admitted to competitive voice and musical theater programs, including Wagner College and the Conservatory at Shenandoah University, and have been accepted to the Eastern Regional and All-State Music Festivals in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts district select chorus.