A Community Music School
Opening Doors to a Lifetime of Music!
Registration for Spring 2021 is open!
Click the class descriptions below for information and to register.
Classes begin Wednesday, January 20, and Saturday, January 23.
We are offering online classes in guitar, piano, and ukulele for continuing and beginning students, early childhood classes for children ages birth through 5 years, and Children’s Chorus for children kindergarten through Fifth grade.
Take advantage of our early-bird pricing until January 11.
Stay safe and well, everyone!
Early Childhood
Online Family Music (ages 0-2)
This is an online, virtual class hosted on Zoom.
Every child is musical! This music class helps develop musical language, memory, and improves coordination in infants and toddlers. Parents learn to share music with their child through fingerplays, tickles, wiggles, lullabies, and stories. The activities also help to develop your child’s imagination and improves the ability to focus.
Saturdays, January 23 – February 27
9:00-9:45 am
Cat Woo, Teacher
Actual lesson time will be ~30 minutes with the remainder of time dedicated to settling in, conversation, and community building.
Earlybird Price: $65 before 1/11/21, $75 after 1/11/21, $85 after 1/18/2
Albuquerque residents who register for this course will receive a “musical goodie bag” of items for use with this class and beyond. Pick-up dates for materials are: Saturday, January 16, 10 am – 1 pm, and Thursday, January 21, 3 pm – 5 pm at the UNM Center for the Arts (Popejoy Hall).
Online Around the World with Music (ages 3-5)
This is an online, virtual class hosted on Zoom.
This class is designed to build musical skills using music from around the world. Preschool-aged musicians and their grown-ups will sing songs, play games, and learn dances from a variety of countries, cultures, and languages.
Saturdays, January 23 – February 27
9:00am-9:45am
Kimberly Elliott and Rebecca Kendall, Teachers
Actual lesson time will be ~30 minutes with the remainder of time dedicated to settling in, conversation, and community building.
Earlybird Price: $65 before 1/11/21, $75 after 1/11/21, $85 after 1/18/2
Albuquerque residents who register for this course will receive a “musical goodie bag” of items for use with this class and beyond. Pick-up dates for materials are: Saturday, January 16, 10 am – 1 pm, and Thursday, January 21, 3 pm – 5 pm at the UNM Center for the Arts (Popejoy Hall).
If you have questions or need more information, email us at musprep@unm.edu
UNM Children's Chorus
The UNM Children’s Chorus is a non-auditioned chorus that welcomes any child who wishes to sing. The chorus sings excellent repertoire taught by highly qualified music educators, assisted by UNM music education students. Our weekly rehearsals are based on inclusive teaching practices built on a foundation of musical excellence and developmentally appropriate pedagogy and reflect the guiding principles of our parent organization, the UNM Music Prep School. Singers practice teamwork prioritizes commitment in weekly rehearsals and demonstrates the development of musicianship through singing.
The Choirs
Online Lobito Singers (K – 2nd grade)
This is an online class hosted on Zoom.
Let’s sing together! While the UNM Children’s Chorus may not be able to sing together in person yet, we can still build community, interact musically, and be together in song. This class is for young musicians to sing, move, and play together with Ms. Katie.
Wednesdays, January 20 – February 24
5:00-5:45 p.m.
Katie Dukes Walker, Teacher
Earlybird Price: $65 before 1/11/21, $75 after 1/11/21, $85 after 1/18/21
Online Lobo Singers (3rd – 5th grade)
This is an online class hosted on Zoom.
Let’s sing together! While we may not be able to sing together in person yet, we can still build community, interact musically, and be together in song. This class is for upper elementary-aged musicians to sing, move, and play together with Ms. Penny.
Wednesdays, January 20 – February 24
5:00-5:45 p.m.
Penny Voss, Teacher
Earlybird Price: $65 before 1/11/21, $75 after 1/11/21, $85 after 1/18/21
If you have questions, or need more information, email us at musprep@unm.edu
Ukulele
Online Intro to Ukulele – for beginners (ages 8+)
This is an online, virtual class hosted on Zoom.
This class is for students 8 years and older with no previous experience playing the ukulele. Students will learn the basics of the ukulele, jam to play-along songs, and explore simple songwriting techniques. Students will be expected to work on assignments/projects/practice independently outside of the class meeting time.
Saturdays, January 23 – March 13
9:00am-9:45am
Judy Castro and Sean Umstead, Co-teachers
Required Materials: Soprano, concert, or tenor ukulele. NO Baritone ukes, please; these are tuned differently than soprano ukes, tuner or tuning app, computer, tablet, or phone with webcam and reliable home internet connection. Optional, but recommended: headphones.
Earlybird Price: $85 before 1/11/21, $95 after 1/11/21, $105 after 1/18/21
Online Ukulele and Songwriting – for students with experience (ages 8+)
This is an online, virtual class hosted on Zoom.
This class is for students with experience playing ukulele and basic chord knowledge, or who took an online ukulele class with the UNM Music Prep School previously. Students will be expected to work on assignments, projects, and practice independently outside of the class meeting time.
Saturdays, January 23 – March 13
10:15am-11:00am
Judy Castro and Sean Umstead, Co-teachers
Required Materials: Soprano, concert, or tenor ukulele. NO Baritone ukes, please; these are tuned differently than soprano ukes, tuner or tuning app, computer, tablet, or phone with webcam and reliable home internet connection. Optional, but recommended: headphones.
Earlybird Price: $85 before 1/11/21, $95 after 1/11/21, $105 after 1/18/21
For any questions, concerns, or to contact the UNM Music Prep School, email us at musprep@unm.edu
Piano Classes
Online Intro to Piano – for beginners (ages 7-11)
This is an online class hosted on Zoom.
Saturdays, January 23 – March 13
9:00am-9:45am
Bonnie Finch, Teacher
Required materials: Alfred’s Premier Piano Course, Lesson Book 1A -Alfred’s Premier Piano Course, Performance Book 1A (be sure to get the PREMIER not the BASIC course), pencil with eraser, computer, tablet, or phone with webcam and reliable home internet connection. Optional, but recommended: headphones.
Earlybird Price: $85 before 1/11/21, $95 after 1/11/21, $105 after 1/18/21
Online Piano 2 – Continuing
This is an online class hosted on Zoom.
This class is for students who have taken at least 3 semesters of Piano and/or are continuing from Fall 2020 with Bonnie Finch
Saturdays, January 23 – March 13
10:00am-10:45am
Bonnie Finch, Teacher
Required materials: NEW BOOKS – Faber and Faber Piano Adventures (2nd Edition) Lesson Book Level 1, Faber and Faber Piano Adventures (2nd Edition) Performance Book Level 1, a pencil with eraser, computer, tablet, or phone with webcam and reliable home internet connection. Optional, but recommended: headphones.
Earlybird Price: $85 before 1/11/21, $95 after 1/11/21, $105 after 1/18/21.
Online Piano 3 – Continuing
This is an online class hosted on Zoom.
This class is for students who have taken at least 5 semesters of Piano and/or are continuing from Fall 2020 with Bonnie Finch.
Saturdays, January 23 – March 13
11:00am-11:45am
Bonnie Finch, Teacher
Required materials: Alfred’s Premier Piano Course Lesson Book 1B, Faber and Faber Piano Adventures (2nd edition) Performance Bk Level 1, a pencil with eraser, computer, tablet, or phone with webcam and reliable home internet connection. Optional, but recommended: headphones.
Earlybird Price: $85 before 1/11/21, $95 after 1/11/21, $105 after 1/18/21
If you have questions, or need more information, email us at musprep@unm.edu
Guitar Classes
Online Intro to Guitar – for beginners (ages 8 and up)
This is an online class hosted on Zoom.
This class is for beginning guitar students 8 years and older with little to no experience.
*Note: At least one parent/guardian must commit to be present during each week’s lesson for support, guidance, and to help with practice outside of class time.
Saturdays, January 23 – March 13
9:00-9:45 a.m.
Brian Moore, Teacher
Required materials: Classical guitar with nylon strings, guitar footstool, music stand, FJH Young Beginner Guitar LESSON Book 1, computer, tablet, or phone with webcam and reliable home internet connection. Optional, but recommended: headphones.
Earlybird Price: $85 before 1/11/21, $95 after 1/11/21, $105 after 1/18/21
Online Guitar 2 – Continuing
This is an online class hosted on Zoom.
This class is for students who have completed at least 3 semesters of guitar and/or are continuing from Fall 2020 with Brian Moore.
Saturdays, January 23 – March 13
10:00am-10:45am
Brian Moore, Teacher
Required materials: FJH Young Beginner Guitar Lesson Book 1 and Performance Book 1, classical guitar with nylon strings, guitar footstool, music stand, computer, tablet, or phone with webcam and reliable home internet connection. Optional, but recommended: headphones.
Earlybird Price: $85 before 1/11/21, $95 after 1/11/21, $105 after 1/18/21
Online Guitar 3 – Continuing
This is an online class hosted on Zoom.
This class is for students who have completed at least 5 semesters of guitar and/or are continuing from Fall 2020 with Brian Moore.
Saturdays, January 23 – March 13
11:00am-11:45am
Brian Moore Teacher
Required materials: Classical guitar with nylon strings, guitar footstool, music stand, computer, tablet, or phone with webcam and reliable home internet connection. Optional, but recommended: headphones. Books and other materials to be announced by the teacher.
Earlybird Price: $85 before 1/11/21, $95 after 1/11/21, $105 after 1/18/21
Adult Guitar
Online Adult Guitar – Continuing
This is an online class hosted on Zoom.
This class is for students who have previously enrolled in Brian Moore’s adult guitar class.
Saturdays, January 23 – March 13
12:00pm-12:45pm
Brian Moore, Teacher
Required materials: Solo Guitar Playing Book 1, 4th edition, by Frederick M. Noad, classical guitar with nylon strings, guitar footstool, music stand, computer, tablet, or phone with webcam and reliable home internet connection. Optional, but recommended: headphones.
Earlybird Price: $85 before 1/11/21, $95 after 1/11/21, $105 after 1/18/21
If you have questions or need more information, email us at musprep@unm.edu
Required Forms
Tuition Waiver Application
Meet your Spring 2021 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!

Family Music - for Infants and Toddlers - Cat Woo

Around the World with Music for Preschoolers - Kim Elliott & Becca Kendall

Piano - Bonnie Finch

Guitar - Brian Moore

Ukulele - Judy Castro

Ukulele - Sean Umstead

UNM Children’s Chorus Lobo Singers - Penny Voss

UNM Children’s Chorus Lobito Singers - Katie Dukes

Music Prep School Director - Julia Church Hoffman

Music Prep School Program Coordinator - Sean Umstead
Tuition Assistance
Tuition assistance is based on financial need and determined by using the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch formula. Tuition waiver applications may be found on the UNM Music Prep School website or by contacting us by phone or email. 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.
Tuition Remission for UNM Employees NEW PROCEDURE!
UNM tuition remission is available to UNM employees and retirees for any Music Prep School adult class and some classes for children that require adult participation. To apply, fill out the application form and promptly return the form to the UNM Music Prep School. Once the application has been approved, the Music Prep School will give you with a promotion code, which will allow you to register for your class. The Music Prep School is not responsible for classes which fill up during the tuition remission application process. Questions about the tuition remission application process, contact the UNM Music Prep School: musprep@unm.edu or 505.277-8816.
Tuition Remission application form
Return the completed form to the UNM Music Prep School: musprep@unm.edu, campus mail: MSC04 2570, or hand deliver to the Department of Music Office, Room 1105 in the UNM Center for the Arts
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!
Julia Church Hoffman
Director
Sean D. Umstead
Program Coordinator
Office: Room 1412 in the UNM Center for the Arts
musprep@unm.edu
or (505) 277-8816