A Child's Song

Michelle

Eleanor is our only child, and she came a little early. At the time, I was a very nervous momma. We brought her to ACS and did melody gym, which gave us a way to help her with developmental skills and motor movement. It also provided social support at a time when I was really nervous. It gave us so much confidence as new parents.

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We had a student who was autistic. We would do his lessons in 5-minute increments because he needed to move around. Years after his family moved away, I got a phone call that they were back in town, and he wanted to see his teacher. He had gotten into college and was majoring in engineering with a minor in music.

A Child's Song

We serve disadvantaged students – whether it’s economic, physical, or emotional disadvantage – and we provide scholarships for students based on their need. We’ve never denied a scholarship.

A Child's Song

When a special needs student comes in, we tailor the lessons to where that child is at. Lessons vary from child to child, we do whatever we have to do to get them engaged. If they’re engaged, they’ll retain it. Once we figure out what’s going to click with them, it’s usually very successful.

A Child's Song

A Child's Song

We make sure that every student knows that they are unique and loved for their individual abilities. To see a child learn something new is probably the best thing you will ever experience in your life.

A Child's Song

Learning music will impact a child’s life for the rest of their life. I have students excelling in science, math, and social studies. They’re excelling all around, and I credit that to early exposure to music.

A Child's Song

It’s more than just music. For some kids, this is their first exposure to any type of group setting, so we make sure that this is a safe place to learn how to behave in a group. We teach them how to concentrate, how to listen, and how to do simple things like saying their name in front of other kids.

A Child's Song

I’m proud every time I see her try something new, and I’m proud to see the confidence she develops when she accomplishes a goal.

A Child's Song

I had a nonverbal autistic boy. Most of the time, he would just sit under a table and observe. We started and ended every class by singing “hello” to each child, and they would have the chance to sing “hello friends” back. I always sang it to him knowing that he wasn’t going to respond, but I would give him the opportunity. About 3 years into the program, I sang hello to him, and he sang back. It was the first time he had ever spoken.

A Child's Song

I run a program for youth with behavioral challenges or who come from trauma-based environments. We use a drum circle to create a safe space. I explain to them what a circle represents. There’s no leader, no follower. We’re all equal. In the circle we respect, we create, and we make room for others, and I see them express through music in ways that they haven’t been able to express themselves throughout the day.

A Child's Song

I was working for a large corporation, and I started thinking, “What difference am I making in the world?” I started teaching music classes on the side. It was so freeing, and before long, I was doing this full time.

A Child's Song

Music has taught me that I can do things I’ve never done before.

A Child's Song

I took a long break from piano. A lot has happened with Covid, and I felt like I couldn’t deal with another thing in my life. But recently, I picked it back up, and I feel so proud of myself.

A Child's Song

ACS introduced me to music, and that’s such a big part of my life. I listen to music every day. There are sad songs that cheer me up, happy songs that keep me cheered up, and weird songs that I just dance to.

A Child's Song

A Child's Song

We all have days when we don’t want to come into work, but it seems like every time I have one of those days here, I have a breakthrough with one of my students. Even on a bad day, it can turn everything around.

A Child's Song

I show my students love and acceptance by tailoring each lesson to them. I can’t even explain how much I love music, and I'm here because I wanted to share that with others.

A Child's Song