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
SPRING 2026
Registration is open! Click the links in the class tabs below to register.
Spring 2026 Calendar:
Saturdays, January 24 – May 2 (February 14, March 21, or April 4 )
Thursdays (Children’s Chorus), January 22 – April 23 (no class March 19 or April 2)
Tuition:
Base tuition is $180 for twelve 45-minute classes.
- Classes that require books or materials cost more
- Classes longer than 45 minutes cost more.
- Classes on an abbreviated schedule cost less.
Tuition waivers are available
See the “Tuition Waiver Application” below.
Parking:
- One parking code for the Cornell Parking Structure is included with each Saturday registration. Additional codes are $10.
- Free parking is not available for Thursday Children’s Chorus classes. However, drop-off and pick-up services are provided.
Protection of Minors:
Required supervision of minors: In accordance with UNM Minors on Campus policies, a parent or guardian must accompany all minor children into and out of university facilities and remain on site for the full duration of each class.
Children’s Chorus drop-off service: the Music Prep School provides a supervised drop-off and pick-up service for UNM Children’s Chorus classes on Thursdays, with convenient drop-off and pick-up locations, and children released only to authorized adults with valid ID.
Note:
Class schedules, formats, and health protocols are subject to change in accordance with updated guidelines, mandates, or public health orders.
Preview Our Classes
Browse class descriptions and register using the tabs below.
For string lessons and classes, please visit the UNM String Lab School website.
Spanish Bilingual Family Music (ages birth-3)
- Children ages birth-3 play together in a community with each other and with their grown-ups and teacher to explore and experience music through singing, rhythm, and movement activities.
- 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.
Class instruction will be given in English and Spanish. All are welcome to join! Fluent Spanish is not required to take this class.
An Adult/Child Class
Saturdays: 10:00am, 11:00am, & 12:00pm
Teacher: Judy Castro
Click the link to register: Spanish Bilingual Family Music (ages birth-3) 10am/11am/12pm
Family Music (ages 4-7)
- Children ages 4-7 play together in a community with each other and with their grown-ups and teacher to explore and experience music through singing, rhythm, and movement activities.
- 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.
An Adult/Child Class
Saturdays: 12:00pm – 12:45pm
Teacher: Mikel Sakamoto
Click the link to register: Family Music (ages 4-7) 12pm
Guitar (ages 8-17)
- In our fun and engaging guitar classes, students explore a variety of musical genres while learning essential techniques such as strumming patterns, chord progressions, and more. Along the way, they’ll build their skills as musicians and deepen their appreciation for different musical styles.
- Guitar students are expected to practice and complete weekly assignments and should have access to a guitar during the week. A limited number of guitars are available to rent for $20 per semester.
- Cost of book, copies, and materials included in price
- Grownups are expected to remain on site while their students are in class.
Saturdays, 10:00am, 11:00am, & 12:00pm
Teacher: Mel Moreno
Click the links below to register:
Beginning Guitar (ages 8-12) 10am
This class is for beginners ages 8-12 with little to no experience.
Guitar for Teens and Advanced Students 11am
This class is for beginners ages 13-17, as well as advanced students with 3 or more semesters of previous guitar experience of any age.
Continuing Guitar for Younger Students (ages 8-12) 12pm
This class is designed for continuing students ages 8-12.
Piano (ages 6 and up)
- Piano students are expected to practice and complete weekly assignments at home and should have access to a piano or keyboard during the week. A limited number of keyboards are available to rent for $20 per semester.
- Piano students should keep their fingernails short.
- Cost of book, copies, and materials included in price.
- Grownups are expected to remain on site while their students are in class.
Saturdays: 9:00am, 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00pm, & 1:00pm
Teacher: Natalia Tikhovidova
Click the links below to register:
Piano: 1/2 – 1 Year Experience 9am
This class is for continuing students (of all ages) who have taken 1/2 to 1 years of piano previously.
Beginning Piano for Older Students (ages 8-10) 10am
This group piano class for children ages 8-10 with no previous experience is designed for participants to grasp the fundamentals, learn rhythm and notation reading, & music theory.
Beginning Piano for Younger Students (ages 6-7) 11am
This group piano class for children ages 6-7 with no previous experience is designed for participants to grasp the fundamentals, learn rhythm and notation reading, & music theory.
Piano: Over 1 Year Experience 12pm
This class is for continuing students (of all ages) who have taken more than 1 year of piano previously.
Piano for Teens (ages 13-17) 1pm
This class is for brand new beginners and experienced students ages 18 and up.
Piano for Adults (ages 18 and up) 1pm
This class is for brand new beginners and experienced students ages 13-17.
Music, Rhythm, and Movement (ages 4-7+)
Dalcroze training is a hallmark of university and community music programs nationwide. Students who bring curiosity, focus, and a little self-discipline will thrive in this class!
Grownups are expected to remain on site while their students are in class.
Adult attendance preferred.
Saturdays: 9:00am, 10:00am
Teacher: Terri Reck
Click the links below to register:
Music, Rhythm, and Movement Level 1 (ages 4-7)
Music, Rhythm, and Movement Level 2
Prerequisite: Music, Rhythm, and Movement Level 1
Musical Creativity (ages 4-12)
Creative Musical Play (ages 4-7): Young musicians ages 4-7 will explore the magical world of sound through hands-on musical games, storytelling, and movement. As they sing, play, and create, they’ll build a strong foundation in rhythm, melody, and musical expression all while discovering the joy of making music together!
Saturdays: 10:00am – 10:45am
Teacher: Dr. Beth Ratay
Click the link to register: Creative Musical Play (ages 4-7) 10am
Musical Explorations (ages 8-12): Young musicians ages 8-12 will journey through the vibrant world of music, discovering sounds, traditions, and composers from across the globe. They’ll experiment with a variety of instruments, create their own melodies, and build confidence through improvisation and group collaboration. Along the way, they’ll learn to use notation, craft musical stories, and share their creative ideas in fun, hands-on ways.
Saturdays: 11:00am – 11:45am
Teacher: Dr. Beth Ratay
Click the link to register: Musical Explorations (ages 8-12) 11am
Children's Chorus (grades K-8)
This choir for young singers, divided into age-appropriate groups, offers a joyful and engaging exploration of unison and simple part songs, rounds, musical movement, vocal discovery, singing games, and foundational music reading. Led by experts in choral music and music education for youth, this program combines high-level instruction with fun, interactive activities designed to inspire each child to discover their unique voice and foster a lifelong love of singing. Each semester culminates in an exciting public performance, showcasing the progress and enthusiasm of our young singers.
*Class price includes music and materials.
The Music Prep School provides a supervised drop-off and pick-up service for UNM Children’s Chorus classes on Thursdays, with convenient drop-off and pick-up locations, and children released only to authorized adults with valid ID.
THURSDAYS, January 22 – April 23 (no class Mar 19 or Apr 2)
4:30pm–5:30pm (1 hour)
Performance: April 23 at 5:45pm
Co-Directors: Sharee Gariety & Louise Loomis
Click the link to register: Children’s Chorus (K-8 grade)
Adult Classes
- Piano students are expected to practice and complete weekly assignments at home and should have access to a piano or keyboard during the week. A limited number of keyboards are available to rent for $20 per semester.
- Piano students should keep their fingernails short.
- Cost of book, copies, and materials included in price.
- Grownups are expected to remain on site while their students are in class.
Saturdays: 1:00pm
Teacher: Natalia Tikhovidova
Click the link to register:
Piano for Adults (ages 18 and up) 1pm
This class is for brand new beginners and experienced students ages 18 and up.
Tuition Waiver Application
A Message from the Director
Welcome to the UNM Music Prep School!
Whether you’re a returning family or just beginning your musical journey with us, I’m so glad you’re here. At the UNM Music Prep School, we believe in the transformative power of music education—for children, for families, and for our broader community. Our goal is to create joyful, inclusive spaces where students and families of all backgrounds can explore, grow, and connect through music.
Thank you for being a part of this vibrant community. I look forward to seeing you at class, in the lobby and hallways, or at one of our events and performances soon.
Together in community,
Dr. Aaron Jacobs
Director, UNM Music Prep School
Meet The Teachers
Music Prep School Program Coordinator - Sean Umstead
Guitar – Mel Moreno
Spanish Bilingual Family Music - Judy Castro
Music Rhythm, and Movement - Terri Reck
Piano - Natalia Tikhovidova
UNM Children’s Chorus - Sharee Gariety
Composition for Kids – Dr. Beth Ratay
Family Music - Mikel Sakamoto
Donate to the Music Prep School
Donate NowTuition Assistance
Tuition waivers are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis to those who express need. To apply, download the Tuition Waiver Application and return it via email to musprep@unm.edu. Please do not register for classes until you receive a response and allow time for processing. The UNM Music Prep School is not responsible if a class fills up before a waiver is granted.
We are grateful you are part of our musical community!
Here’s how we’re working to keep all Music Prep School families safe and supported:
- Hand sanitizer available in all classrooms
- Disinfectant wipes available in the MPS office
- Compliance with all UNM Minors on Campus policies
- Ongoing cooperation with campus partners to maintain a safe and secure learning environment for all Music Prep School families
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: https://pats.unm.edu.
**UNM Music Prep School Cancellation Policy
If we determine that 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. Please note that there will be no makeup classes or refunds in the event of an emergency cancelation.
If a class must be cancelled due to instructor illness/emergency, every effort will be made to schedule a makeup class. If a makeup is not possible, the class will not be rescheduled, and no refunds will be issued.
If a cancelation is necessary, we will notify families immediately via email and/or by phone using the contact information provided at registration.
If you have any questions please contact us!
Director, UNM Music Prep School
Sean Umstead
Program Coordinator
Office:
Room 1412, UNM Center for the Arts
musprep@unm.edu
or (505) 277-8816