Beyond Notes
A Summer Program for Curious Kids Ready to Explore Music in a New Way
Beyond Notes is an online summer program that introduces kids to music technology through sound, rhythm, and hands on creative projects. Students learn beginner friendly tools and techniques in a way that feels fun and accessible, while opening the door to many different ways of making and understanding music.
What They’ll Explore
Students are introduced to beat making, sound manipulation, creative listening, loop based arranging, and the basics of digital music through guided projects and hands on tools.
Why It’s Different
Beyond Notes reimagines music production through a STEM-like lens, breaking down complex tools and ideas into clear, structured building blocks that kids can understand and apply immediately.
Who It’s For
Designed for kids who are interested in digital music and want a clearer way into it, whether that curiosity leans toward music production, electronic music, video game music, or the tools behind it all.
“I created Beyond Notes because in my 13+ years of private music teaching, I kept noticing that many forms of traditional instruction left little room for students to engage with music in a more open and exploratory way. I wanted to build a program where kids could work with sound in a more hands on way, follow their curiosity, and make things without feeling overwhelmed by technicalities or pressured to get everything right. For many students, it can also feel like a refreshing shift from more structured lessons, a space where imagination and confidence have more room to grow.”
The program is organized into guided modules, each designed to introduce a new side of digital music through hands-on creative work.
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Loop Lab introduces students to music as something they can build from simple parts. They will work with pre-recorded audio loops, layering and arranging them to create complete tracks of their own. Along the way, they begin to understand how different elements fit together and how structure gives music its shape and flow.
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Beat Lab introduces students to rhythm as something they can build and shape creatively. They will work with loops, layers, and repeated patterns to create grooves of their own. Along the way, they begin to feel how pulse, repetition, and contrast can give music its energy and direction.
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Sound Lab introduces students to sound as something they can play with and shape creatively. They will collect sounds, edit them, and begin organizing them into short original pieces. Along the way, they learn to listen more closely and to hear ordinary sound in a new way.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Beyond Notes will run during Summer 2026. Final dates and cohort options will be shared after interest forms have been collected, at least one week before registration opens.
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Students will be grouped into two age ranges: ages 8 to 10 and ages 11 and up.
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Groups are intentionally kept small, with up to 5 students per cohort.
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The program includes three introductory stand-alone modules, each consisting of four live one hour online sessions.
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Students may enroll in one module or in the full three module summer program.
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Yes. Beyond Notes is designed for total beginners, and no prior experience in music technology is required.
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All sessions take place live online over Zoom in a small group format.
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Students will work primarily in Soundtrap for Education, a browser based platform that makes digital music more accessible for beginners.
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Students will need a working computer, high speed internet, and headphones. Some modules may also include kid friendly hands on tools or instruments, with full details shared before the program begins.
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Yes. Students should be comfortable using a computer at a basic level, including clicking, dragging, typing, and following simple on screen instructions.
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Tuition is $390 per module
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Families on the interest list will receive updates on registration, final dates, and available cohort options as they are released.
Whether you have a question, want to join the interest list, or would simply like to stay updated on Beyond Notes 2026, feel free to reach out!