A Community Music School
Opening Doors to a Lifetime of Music!
To be added to our email list to receive updates about classes and registration or for more information, please contact musprep@unm.edu.
Fall 2023
Saturday Music Classes
12 Saturdays
September 9th – December 16th (no class October 14, November 11 & 25)
Thursday Music Classes
12 Thursdays (Children’s Chorus)
August 31 – December 7th (no class September 28, October 12, or Nov. 23)
Cost
$158 per semester for 12 45-minute classes
*some classes require a book and materials which is added to the registration cost and will be purchased by the UNM Music Prep School and distributed to the student.
*classes that are longer than 45-minutes cost more.
Tuition waivers available – See the “Tuition Waiver Application” below.
All registrations come with one parking code for the Cornell parking structure, additional codes are $10.
Three Required forms must be submitted prior to attending class and can be found below in the “Required Forms” section.
Schedule of classes, modalities, and protocols subject to change at any time in compliance with updated guidelines, mandates, and health orders.
For string lessons and classes please visit the UNM String Lab School website
Early Childhood
- Play is the work of children! Children play together in a community with each other and with their grown-ups and teachers to explore and experience music through singing, rhythm, and movement activities.
- Early childhood music classes are inclusive and open to all! We welcome and celebrate all variations of families, learning modalities, and developmental abilities. Playful music-making in the community with other children of all abilities and developmental stages creates a safe and fun space for children and adults to explore and develop their musical selves.
- Due to classroom size, we recommend one adult per child participate in adult/child classes.
Family Music (ages birth-3) 11am (NEW SECTION!)
An Adult/Child Class
Every child attending class must be registered.
PLEASE NOTE: This class meets every other Saturday – 8 class meetings total.
Saturdays, September 9th – December 16th (no class 9/16 & 30, 10/14 & 28, 11/11 & 25, 12/9)
11:00am – 11:45am
Teacher: Jennifer Warren
Music, Rhythm, and Movement (ages 4-7) 9am (NEW SECTION!)
This class is for children ages 4-7 to explore and experience music in a playful and natural way through music movement games.
Saturdays, September 9th – December 16th (no class October 14, November 11 & 25)
9:00am – 9:45am
Teacher: Terri Reck
Family Music (ages birth-3) 9am
*Maximum registration reached, this class is no longer available
An Adult/Child Class
Every child attending class must be registered.
Saturdays, September 9th – December 16th (no class October 14, November 11 & 25)
9:00am – 9:45am
Teacher: Judy Castro
Family Music (ages birth-3) 10am
*Maximum registration reached, this class is no longer available
An Adult/Child Class
Every child attending class must be registered.
Saturdays, September 9th – December 16th (no class October 14, November 11 & 25)
10:00am – 10:45am
Teacher: Judy Castro
Music, Rhythm, and Movement (ages 4-7) 10am
*Maximum registration reached, this class is no longer available
This class is for children ages 4-7 to explore and experience music in a playful and natural way through music movement games.
Saturdays, September 9th – December 16th (no class October 14, November 11 & 25)
10:00am – 10:45am
Teacher: Terri Reck
Music Moves for Piano, Continuing 10am
An Adult/Child Class
This class is for students who have taken Music Moves for Piano previously.
Saturdays, September 9th – December 16th (no class October 14, November 11 & 25)
10:00am – 10:45am
Teacher: Brittany Prall
Music Moves for Piano for Brand-New Students (for 4 year-olds) 11am
*Maximum registration reached, this class is no longer available
An Adult/Child Class Children learn best through movement and play! This group piano class for children age 4 includes activities both at and away from the piano to help children hear, think, sing, feel and move musically, without tension.
Saturdays, September 9th – December 16th (no class October 14, November 11 & 25)
11:00am – 11:45am
Teacher: Brittany Prall
Music Moves for Piano for Brand-New Students (ages 5-6) 1pm
An Adult/Child Class Children learn best through movement and play! This group piano class for children age 5-6 includes activities both at and away from the piano to help children hear, think, sing, feel and move musically, without tension.
Saturdays, September 9th – December 16th (no class October 14, November 11 & 25)
1:00pm – 1:45pm
Teacher: Brittany Prall
Ukulele
Ukulele Fam Jam (ages 5+) 11am
One adult must attend with child participant(s).
This class is for children and their grown-ups who are brand new or experienced.
Saturdays, September 9th – December 16th (no class October 14, November 11 & 25)
11:00am -11:45am
Teacher: Judy Castro
Children's Chorus
Farolito Singers (K-2nd grade)
The primary goal is to have fun with singing!
THURSDAYS, August 31-December 7
(no class September 29, October 12, or November 23.
4:30pm- 5:30pm (1 hour)
Concert December 7
Teacher: Sharee Gariety
The primary goal is the have fun with singing!
THURSDAYS, August 31 – December 7
(no class September 28, October 12, or November 23)
4:30pm- 5:30pm (1 hour)
Concert December 7
Teacher: Dawn Perez
Drum Fun
This class is for beginning and continuing students ages 6 and up.
Students will develop musicianship and explore diverse musical genres while improvising, moving, playing games, reading music notation, and performing on various drums and percussion instruments.
Saturdays, September 9th – December 16th (no class October 14, November 11 & 25)
12:00pm – 12:45pm
Co-Teachers: Tom Corbridge and Logan Musel
Adult Classes
Beginning Guitar for Teens and Adults (ages 13+) 12pm
This class is for beginning students ages 13 and older with little to no experience.
Saturdays, September 9th – December 16th (no class October 14, November 11 & 25)
12:00pm – 12:45pm
Teacher: Donovan Perea
Beginning and Continuing Piano for Teens and Adults (ages 13+) 1pm
This class is for brand new beginners and experienced students ages 13 and up.
Cost of book, copies, and materials ($20) included in price.
Saturdays, September 9th – December 16th (no class October 14, November 11 & 25)
1:00pm – 1:45pm
Teacher: Natalia Tikhovidova
Piano
- Piano students are expected to regularly practice at home and should have access to a piano or keyboard during the week.
- Piano students should keep their fingernails short.
Beginning Piano for Brand-New Students (ages 7-9) 9am
*Maximum registration reached, this class is no longer available
This class is for brand new beginners ages 7-9 with little to no experience.
Saturdays,
September 9th – December 16th (no class October 14, November 11 & 25)
9:00am – 9:45am
Teacher: Natalia Tikhovidova
Piano 1/2-1 Year Experience, 10am
This class is for continuing students (of all ages) who have taken 1/2 – 1 year (1-2 semesters) of piano previously.
Saturdays, September 9th – December 16th (no class October 14, November 11 & 25)
10:00am – 10:45am
Teacher: Natalia Tikhovidova
Music Moves for Piano, Continuing 10am
An Adult/Child Class
This class is for students who have taken Music Moves for Piano previously.
Saturdays, September 9th – December 16th (no class October 14, November 11 & 25)
10:00am – 10:45am
Teacher: Brittany Prall
Piano 2-3 Years Experience, 11am
This class is for continuing students (of all ages) who have taken 2-3 years (4-6 semesters) of piano previously.
Saturdays, September 9th – December 16th (no class October 14, November 11 & 25)
11:00am – 11:45am
Teacher: Natalia Tikhovidova
Music Moves for Piano for Brand-New Students (for 4 year-olds) 11am
*Maximum registration reached, this class is no longer available
An Adult/Child Class
Children learn best through movement and play! This group piano class for children age 4 includes activities both at and away from the piano to help children hear, think, sing, feel and move musically, without tension.
Saturdays, September 9th – December 16th (no class October 14, November 11 & 25)
11:00am – 11:45am
Teacher: Brittany Prall
Beginning Piano for Brand-New Older Students (ages 10 -12) 12pm
This class is for brand new beginners ages 9-12 with little to no experience.
Saturdays, September 9th – December 16th (no class October 14, November 11 & 25)
12:00pm – 12:45pm
Teacher: Natalia Tikhovidova
Beginning and Continuing Piano for Teens and Adults (ages 13+) 1pm
This class is for brand new beginners and experienced students ages 13 and up.
Saturdays, September 9th – December 16th (no class October 14, November 11 & 25)
1:00pm – 1:45pm
Teacher: Natalia Tikhovidova
Music Moves for Piano for Brand-New Students (ages 5-6) 1pm
An Adult/Child Class
Children learn best through movement and play! This group piano class for children age 5-6 includes activities both at and away from the piano to help children hear, think, sing, feel and move musically, without tension.
Saturdays, September 9th – December 16th (no class October 14, November 11 & 25)
1:00pm – 1:45pm
Teacher: Brittany Prall
Guitar
Guitar 1/2 – 1 Year Experience, 10am
This class is for students who have taken 1/2 – 1 year (1 or 2 semesters) of guitar previously.
Saturdays, September 9 – December 16 (no class October 14, Novemeber 11 & 25)
10:00am – 10:45am
Teacher: Donovan Perea
Beginning Guitar for Brand-New Students (ages 8-12) 10am
This class is for beginning students 8-12 years and older with little to no experience.
Saturdays, September 9th – December 16th (no class October 14, November 11 & 25)
10:00am – 10:45am
Teacher: Donovan Perea
Guitar 2-3 Years Experience, 11am
This class is for students who have taken 2-3 years (4-6 semesters) of guitar previously.
Saturdays, September 9th – December 16th (no class October 14, November 11 & 25)
11:00am – 11:45am
Teacher: Donovan Perea
Beginning Guitar for Teens and Adults (ages 13+) 11am
This class is for beginning students ages 13 and older with little to no experience.
Saturdays, September 9th – December 16th (no class October 14, November 11 & 25)
11:00am – 12:00pm
Teacher: Donovan Perea
Required Forms
Tuition Waiver Application
Donate to the Music Prep School
Donate NowMeet the teachers
Each one of our teachers is connected to the UNM Department of Music as a graduate, faculty, or both! Holds bachelor’s and/or master’s degrees in music education or music performance. They also teach in the Albuquerque area public or private schools and/or in their private music studios. They are passionate about and dedicated to “opening doors to a lifetime of music” for their students!

Music Prep School Program Coordinator - Sean Umstead

Ukulele, Family Music - Judy Castro

Music Rhythm, and Movement - Terri Reck

Composition for Kids - Christian Newman

Piano - Natalia Tikhovidova

Music Moves for Piano - Brittany PRall

Guitar - Donovan Perea

Lobo Singers - Dawn Perez

Farolito Singers & Encanto Singers - Sharee Gariety

Drum Fun - Tom Corbridge

Drum Fun - Logan Musel
Tuition Assistance
Tuition assistance is based on financial need and determined by using the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch formula. Families who qualify for tuition assistance may use the waiver for one child in one class. Waivers are usually for 50 percent of the tuition.
We are grateful you are part of our musical community!
- Sanitizing all common use instruments and materials each day
- Hand sanitizer available in classrooms
- Disinfectant wipes available in MPS office
Location and Parking
We are located on the University of New Mexico Main Campus, in the Center for the Arts, 203 Cornell Dr. NE. Parking is available in the Cornell Parking Structure, on Redondo Dr., near Stanford/Central Ave. Parking permits are provided for our Saturday classes. Contact UNM’s Parking and Transportation services for more information about parking on campus: http://pats.unm.edu.
**The UNM Music Prep School has a no refund policy. However, if your class is canceled due to low enrollment, you may transfer enrollment to another available class or be refunded.
**UNM Music Prep School Cancellation Policy Due to Weather & Other Emergencies
If we feel it is unsafe for families and teachers to travel due to weather conditions or if UNM cancels classes or closes campus for emergency reasons, we will cancel our classes. There will not be make up classes or refunds if we have to cancel.
If we must cancel, we will put a message on our voice mail (505.277.8816) and will ask KOB and KOAT to add us to the cancelation list that is published on television stations, websitesand apps.
If you have any questions please contact us!
Sean D. Umstead
Program Coordinator
Office:
(Tuesday – Friday) Room 2120
(Saturday) Room 1412
in the UNM Center for the Arts
musprep@unm.edu
or (505) 277-2282 (Tuesday-Friday)
(505) 277-8816 (Saturday)