We offer a wide variety of the highest quality music education programs from university masterclasses to elementary after-school classes and workshops.
We are a music education company offering a wide variety of the highest quality music education programs from university masterclasses on The Rhythm Compass™ to elementary workshops on The Sound of Fundamental Math. About our After-School Rhythm & Percussion Class
We started our program as we saw the tremendous need for quality music education. We strategically choose hand-percussion as the ideal
starting point for a child's musical journey. Playing on percussion allows the child to begin making music from the very first class. Rhythm is the backbone of music and this solid foundation ensures that the most important aspects of musicality: tone, synchronization, listening, connection, and rhythm are mastered. New Class: Rhythm & Percussion with Sound Math™
We have fused fundamental mathematics with musical rhythm in our curriculum. Rhythm is the sound of fundamental mathematics. In order to understand and master rhythm, the mathematics need to be assimilated as well. This reinforces and strengthens the math learned in the classroom. Every facet of rhythm: subdivision, syncopation, counting, etc. has a mathematical counterpart. These mathematical counterparts include: ratios, algebra, division, subtraction, cardinality, and other operations. Rhythm in this sense is literally the sound of fundamental mathematics and hence the name Sound Math™. We also use a geometric visualization called The Rhythm Compass™. This system along with standard notation and math makes for a complete understanding of rhythm. This comprehensive approach is unlike any other methodology being taught today and leads to rhythmic mastery. Results
The results of our program have been nothing short of extraordinary. In many music classes the children can barely make out a melody on their instrument after many weeks. In our program, the students are composing original compositions and are able to perform together in an ensemble format with songs that have form, correct time, and solos. Our class has received extremely positive feedback from administrators, staff, teachers, principals, parents, and students at numerous public, private, Montessori, Catholic, Jewish, and gifted schools alike.
“Your class was wonderful and Rowan learned so much. He has a drum set and has been applying what he learned since the class ended.“
- Maggie O’Toole, Rhythm & Percussion class parent
“My son Ari LOVES the class. He LOVED Rob and came home and drummed all night :)”
- Amy Druck, Rhythm & Percussion class parent
“I learned really cool, hard stuff like that there are so many different kinds of beats - rushes, drags, up beats and down beats!”
-Rowan, Rhythm & Percussion class student
"This class was the best and it gets you really interested in drumming."
-Lola, Rhythm & Percussion class student
"Curtis was the best!"
-Sadie, Rhythm & Percussion class student
"My girls loved Rhythm and Drumming! Not only did they have fun but they learned how to keep a beat in different tempos. Curtis was always patient and happy!"
- Amy DeCamillis, Rhythm & Percussion class parent
“My son Isaac loved Curtis' Rhythm and Percussion class! He was excited to attend each week and said that Curtis was really patient and fun. Isaac enjoyed the instruction so much that he asked for a rhythm drum for Christmas. We will will be back for more!”
-Lissa Myers, Rhythm & Percussion class parent
“Thank you so much for the entertainment yesterday. The kids and staff had a blast. The gentleman that worked yesterday were AWESOME with our kids. We really enjoyed it.”
-Megan Langerak | General Recreation Coordinator, Town of Erie | Parks & Recreation
Instruments
The Rhythm & Percussion Class with Sound Math™ uses professional quality hand-engraved instruments like darbukas, djembes, cajons, bongos, bongo-cajans, claves, and shakers for an incredible experience to remember. These instruments have been specially selected for their incredible tone, functionality, and sounds that harmonize in an ensemble (group) format. We choose well respected brands that are also affordable when the students ask for an instrument themselves. School Affiliations
Brentwood School
St. Martin of Tours
Brawerman
Seven Arrows
Village School
Berkeley Hall
Wise School
Montessori School of Denver
Stanley British Primary
Denver Public Schools
Culver City Unified School District
Los Angeles Unified School District
Boulder Valley School District
Meridian
Sacred Heart of Jesus
Jarrow Montessori
Touchstone Elementary
Beaverton School District
Khalsa Montessori
Desert Garden Montessori
All Saints Episcopal
Cave Creek Unified School District
Summit School
Seattle Public Schools
San Diego Unified School District
Ace Academy
Austin Independent School District
Douglas County School District
Compass Montessori
Jefferson County Public Schools
Aurora Public Schools
Littleton Public Schools
San Francisco Unified School District
The Symbiosis of Math and Music, by Curtis Madigan
Math and music have a wonderful, complimentary nature. I've always loved math and I've always loved music. When combined the results can be extraordinary. Musical rhythm is inherently mathematical due to its fractal and cyclical nature. As we explore playing rhythms together it is essential to grasp: algebraic thinking, counting and cardinality, and operations. This is the focus of the Common Core math initiative in grades K-3. When understanding math musically, learning comprehension is dramatically enhanced as evidenced by a San Francisco study (1). The Common Core math initiative encourages the use of claps and sounds to help understand basic operations. Learning rhythms has also been shown to be therapeutic and beneficial for students with ADD and other learning challenges, according to this Stanford study (2). The Rhythm & Percussion after-school class naturally incorporates ratios, counting and cardinality, and operations as inseparable aspects of understanding and performing musical rhythms. Math in this way acts as a wonderful symbiosis to music.
