Beyond the Grades: Cultivate a Future-Ready Musician, Innovator & Leader
For Parents Who Desire More Than Music Lessons – We Build Resilient Brains, Confident Bodies, and Deep Cultural Connections, through Piano, Voice, and Pan.
You've probably put your child through the standard music grind. Maybe they've done graded exams, religiously reading every note on the page – that's the "note method," where lessons are all about decoding dots on a page, making the instrument a visual puzzle, not a tool for expression.
You might even look at your neighbour's child, who's been taking lessons for months, flawlessly repeating pieces by memory – that's the "rote method," learning by mindless memorization without truly understanding the music.
But let's get real about what these methods actually mean.
The brutal truth? You're inadvertently creating a "performing robot." Your child (or your neighbour's) looks good on paper, but when the moment comes – a spontaneous jam with new friends, a favorite song by ear, creating their own song – what happens? They're lost. "I don't have the sheet music!" or they can only play the specific pieces they've memorized.
Heartbreaking, right? This rigid approach isn't just killing their musicality; it's crushing their creativity and leaving their bodies static after a full day at school.
What if we told you there's a vastly better way?
Imagine your child, instead of being bogged down by redundant theory and endless note-decoding, is ecstatically engaged, becoming an all-round musician who lights up any room.
There are many eager to and already "studying music" But honestly, are we seeing our music culture actually improve? The folks making ads and viral online content clearly know how to captivate our kids. So why are we accepting music lessons that leave our children as nothing more than limited performers? It's time to demand more.
The Solution: Brain-Boosting Music & Movement for Holistic & Culturally Rich Development.
We know that music is the highest form of brain stimulation. But done right, and paired with intentional movement, it transforms potential into mastery.
Research on jazz musicians, particularly those with extensive improvisational experience, showcases unique brain activity patterns. This type of expressive musical training enhances cognitive flexibility and the ability to quickly adapt to unexpected changes – vital skills for life, not just music.
At Alabanza Music, we don't teach jazz per se nor do we focus on classical music alone. We teach music from all around the world, exploring diverse musical genres and grooves. Crucially, we give priority to our own culture: Calypso, Parang, Folk, as well as popular and traditional music.
Your child will develop a versatile ear, a flexible mind, and a deep appreciation for our rich heritage, allowing them to truly represent our diversity in how and what they play.
It's time to move beyond the colonial mindset that Classical music is inherently superior to everything else. Just ask any local musician who has travelled abroad – the complexity and infectious rhythms of our local music fascinate the world! That's why we integrate Piano, Voice, and Tenor Steelpan.
This isn't merely about learning an instrument. It's about building a fundamentally stronger, more versatile, and innovative brain AND body, steeped in their unique cultural identitity.
Our Uncompromising Philosophy: Beyond Academics, Towards Overall Development.
Why Choose Alabanza Music?
If you're seeking generic, run-of-the-mill classes, this isn't the right fit. We don't believe in exposing children to just one thing or preparing them for a limited future. We understand academic success matters to parents, and our students consistently excel there. But our true focus is on their overall, holistic development: intellectual, physical, emotional, and cultural. If that resonates with you, you've found your place.
Our classes offer comprehensive music education to ensure a holistic learning experience. We measure success by versatility – with musicianship as the hallmark of true music literacy.
A dynamic music class that layers on multiple components at the appropriate pace in a fun and engaging way with musical friends is a stronger motivator for practice than a music lesson that resembles the rigid system of school, sitting for long periods reading and writing.
<<...the strongest foundation for music literacy is a music education that includes singing, dancing, playing by ear and inventing ways to represent familiar and original songs and that skill in representing music symbolically may transfer to tasks in other domains as well.>>
The National Coalition for Core Arts Standards, USA.
How do we Guarantee Success?
Through structured lessons supported by our research-based Musikgarten® curriculum, we engage in multi-sensory group music-making activities that boost your child's confidence and provide comprehensive support for their development across multiple areas:
Musical Mastery & Versatility: Developing sharp musical acuity, critical listening skills, and faster memorization across a culturally diverse repertoire. They'll move beyond just reproducing notes to confident improvisation, composition, and authentic expression.
Future-Ready Minds: Cultivating higher-order analytical ability, focus and discipline, and essential World Economic Forum skills like analytical thinking, complex problem-solving, creativity, originality, and adaptability. They become Future Innovators & Leaders.
Powerful Communication & Connection: Enhancing their communication and expression, enabling them to become composers, arrangers, beautiful singers, effortlessly transfer knowledge to other instruments, and function confidently in multiple settings. This creates Versatile & Connected individuals who forge connections that extend far beyond academic pursuits.
Genuine Joy: Most importantly, they'll be having fun!
See the evidence: Transforming Students & Families
Don't just take our word for it. Our students' journeys speak for themselves. Hear directly from our parents and witness the tangible results in their children's vast repertoire, varied performances, and noticeable growth.
Why This Music Professional Invested In Alabanza Music For Her OWN Child
Your Child's Path to Becoming a Versatile Musician (and Resilient Human) Starts Here.
This isn't for just anyone. We're opening doors to a select group of committed families who truly grasp the profound value of this unique research-based approach. This is your child's chance – and your chance to be a part of – a truly transformative programme.
Forget the "drop off, pick up, and hope for the best" mentality. This is not for the family who believes their child will magically progress without effort.
This isn't about quick fixes or generic lessons. It's specifically for the serious parent ready to invest in a child who will:
-Stand out and develop a powerful foundation for true musicianship.
-Move freely and expressively, connecting deeply with their culture.
-Be uniquely prepared for a future of innovation and leadership.
Why hunt down different teachers when you can give your child the complete musical and multicultural experience across
Piano, Voice, and Pan, all in one place?
Just $395 secures your Family Onboarding and your first two transformational classes. Witness the proven impact of our research-backed learning before any commitment.
No previous music experience is required, just a parent willing to make the time to invest in their child's future.
Ready to secure your child's advantage and see them stand apart?
Come and Ramajay with us!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the proven brain benefits for my child?
The latest brain research suggests that long-term and complex musical learning in piano and voice can strengthen white matter connectivity networks related to language and emotions.
With that knowledge, we're excited to welcome you aboard the most comprehensive music programme that aims to develop students' musical ability across complementary disciplines. This class empowers students with a broad range of musical skills, personal growth, and cultural appreciation, providing them with a solid foundation to pursue diverse musical endeavors and contribute meaningfully to the world of music.
What should we expect to happen musically?
By the end of the Versatile Piano, Voice, and Steelpan Class, students will have developed functional skills in piano playing, vocal techniques, and/or steelpan performance and will be well-prepared to perform in various live musical settings and showcase their talents as truly versatile young musicians, capable of captivating and expressive performances at the piano, voice, and/or steelpan through a culturally diverse repertoire of music.
This class empowers students with a broad range of musical skills, personal growth, and cultural appreciation, providing them with a solid foundation to pursue diverse musical endeavors and contribute meaningfully to the world of music.
How soon will my child be able to play a song?
Is this approach to music education recognised internationally?
What does this class entail?
This specialised Year-long group class at each level, follows a very sequential approach to building keyboard, vocal, steelpan skills and understanding musical notation. In this class you'll need to own/have easy access to the primary instrument - a keyboard with the appropriate stand and bench.
Versatile at the Piano, Voice, Steelpan students are often excited to come to class, ready to play! This is a dynamic and comprehensive programme designed to nurture students' playing abilities and enable them to become proficient, adaptable, and versatile musicians.
For children progressing from Pre-Piano Classes, this programme is designed to teach the children to play the songs they've been hearing, singing and dancing to throughout the years of early-childhood; it is the final step on the pathway to music literacy
What are some of the activities?
We'll be
Playing Songs by ear
Sight-singing | Sight reading | Reading Sheet music
Composing | Doing Dictation | Improvising
Aural Recognition Games | Drumming | Dancing
Mystery Songs | Stories about Composers
and so much more!
Why group and not individual classes?
Classes in groups allow the children to experience the delight in making music with others, while at the same time encouraging the development of rhythmic competency, listening skills, singing, and music-reading. In addition, learning melodies, scales and chords on the instruments, helps improve more difficult fine and gross motor skills.
Doing solos (individual renditions) within a group setting, often helps children to manage and overcome performance anxiety.
What to expect at each Level?
Intro to Versatile at the Piano
Overview: Children will be introduced to playing in D major 5 finger position and the I and V7 chords to accompany their songs.
Versatile At the Piano, Voice, Pan - Level 1
Throughout the entire year, children will become familiar with D, C and G major 5 finger positions as well as d and e minor. They will be introduced to the I and V7 (also i and v7) chords to accompany their songs.
Transposing their repertoire to all known positions is encouraged as each new position is introduced.
Versatile At the Piano, Voice, Pan - Level 2
Throughout the year, the children will become comfortable with D,C,G, add E, Fmajor 5 finger positions as well as d, e as well as c, f minor. They will be introduced to the I and IV,V7 (also i and v7) chords to accompany their songs.
Transposing their repertoire to all known positions is encouraged as each new position is introduced.
Versatile At the Piano, Voice, Pan - Level 3
Playing by ear continues throughout the year, but reading activities are more plentiful. This expanded role of reading music is found not only in the Children's Book but also in the sight-reading cards and notation games. We continue to develop piano technique including staccato & legato, chord positions as well as Improvisation.
Keep the learning going at home
We encourage and support continued musical play and learning at home with families.
We'll provide you with important information on children's (musical) development and access to our e-learning page with suggested home activities and video guides.
You'll also have your Children's Course Book, Notation Games, Digital Downloads for Practice CD & Listening CD with quality recordings,
Parent Guide Book is for use at home to increase family involvement and foster the discipline of practice.