Program Catalog

Welcome to our complete program directory. The listings below represent our total, year-round program offerings. Because schedules vary throughout the year, please visit our enrollment page to view current program dates, specific class locations, and real-time availability.

Our community music programs are training future musicians to perform on stage, and to develop and improve musical proficiency. These programs culminate in our annual Student Showcase, held at the Crooked Tree Arts Center (CTAC), where students have the opportunity to showcase their hard work and perform live on stage.

Description: A dynamic, hands-on program designed for middle- to high-school-aged students that focuses on forming a band, mastering songs on their respective instruments, and rehearsing collaboratively. Students develop skills across keyboard, guitar, bass, percussion, and vocals, with the ultimate goal of performing their mastered repertoire publicly.

Audience: Middle school through high school students.
Duration/Structure: 90-minute weekly group classes.
Locations: Alanson High School, Pellston High School, and Petoskey.

Description: Tailored for middle- to high-school students, this class delves into the foundational elements of blues and simple jazz songs. Students learn to find their unique voice by focusing on basic musical improvisation techniques, real-time musical expression, and essential music theory.

Audience: Middle school through high school students.
Duration/Structure: 60-minute weekly sessions.
Locations: Petoskey.

Description: A collaborative, performance-driven ensemble experience for middle- to high-school students. This class emphasizes deep song structure analysis, understanding arrangement dynamics, and learning how to listen and react to other players in a tight-knit jazz setting.

Audience: Middle school through high school students.
Duration/Structure: 60-minute weekly sessions.
Locations: Petoskey.

Description: This course teaches the core building blocks and creative processes behind writing original music. Participants explore fundamental elements including musical structure, rhythm, and crafting a cohesive narrative within a standard song format.

Audience: Open to students from middle school to adults.
Duration/Structure: 60-minute classes, held twice a week.
Locations: TBD.

Description: A welcoming introductory class where students learn basic chords, foundational strumming techniques, and proper timing. The curriculum is designed to build confidence quickly, progressing students to the point where they can play familiar, classic songs together in a group setting.

Audience: Open to youth through adults.
Duration/Structure: 60-minute sessions, held twice a week.
Locations: Available for Scheduling.

Description: A collaborative, community-focused group class designed to get participants playing music right away. Participants are taught basic chords, foundational strumming patterns, and essential timing to play easy, familiar songs in a supportive group environment.

Audience: High school students to adults.
Duration/Structure: 60-minute classes, held once a week.
Locations: TBD.

Description: A specialized, inclusive curriculum that introduces American folk and popular songs in an engaging, supportive, and therapeutic environment. The course covers fundamental musical elements—such as melody, rhythm, and harmony—through a mix of singing, playing percussion instruments, and interactive ear-training exercises.

Audience: High school-aged individuals through adult with cognitive impairments.
Duration/Structure: 60-minute weekly classes.
Locations: Challenge Mountain (meeting in Petoskey), Petoskey High School, Cheboygan High School, and Gaylord High School.