If you stop and think about it, you are surrounded by music all the time. It’s in your car, the grocery store, the shows, movies, (and TikToks, don’t even try and deny it) that you watch, to name a few. Music is also one of the earliest influences in our lives, as we are soothed to sleep with lullabies or instrumentals, we learn our ABCs to a song, our teens express themselves through the music they listen to (maybe much to our dismay), and a song on the radio will bring back memories for those of us “of a certain age”. So, one of the best gifts you can give to your child, and yourself, is a quality music education. The Thurnauer School of Music at Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, New Jersey is one of the leading community music schools in the state, and offers programs for everyone, child through adult, no matter whether you’re just starting out as a musician, you need a place to improve your skills, or you’re looking for opportunities to play or sing with other local musicians.
Thurnauer School of Music offers classes for children as young as 3 months old. Their Early Childhood classes are designed to initiate your child’s lifelong love of music by encouraging joy, fun, and active participation. We know our kids have a natural predisposition to music because as soon as they can stand, they’re swaying and clapping to songs and rhythms. At Thurnauer School of Music, songs, poetry, rhythmic exploration, and movement help children discover music, learn to keep the beat, and develop their imagination and creativity.
Classes for the littlest aficionados include Music Makers (ages 3 – 36 months), a caregiver-and- me class, Sing & Play (ages 3-4) where children build their musical ear and creativity, Musical Games & Instruments (ages 5-6), giving your child a strong musical foundation and building musical literacy, and Melody Makers (ages 6-7) where your child will be prepared for instrumental lessons and reading and composing music.
Children can begin instrumental lessons as early as 4-years-old, taking instrument exploration classes in which they are given exposure to guitar, violin, piano, and flute. Elementary aged students are encouraged to start or continue their musical studies as part of the Young Artists Program with private instruction, instrumental group classes, composition classes, and performance ensembles.
Group classes build on and complement the learning that takes place in private lessons, foster a collaborative approach and include performance opportunities. In addition to a Symphony Orchestra, ensembles at Thurnauer School of Music include flute, saxophone, percussion, string, and cello and require an audition to participate.
If your child’s instrument is their voice, Thurnauer School of Music offers the award-winning Young People’s Chorus and a full complement of learning and performance opportunities for all ages. Children who join the Young People’s Chorus @ Thurnauer practice and perform with youth from all over Bergen County. The choir sings music from a variety of different cultures, learns fun choreography, participates in team-building activities, and performs with professional artists. Young People’s Chorus @ Thurnauer also offers in-school and after school instruction where they bring the chorus to your school, offering opportunities for your child to learn and then perform music without ever having to leave the neighborhood.
Please visit the Thurnauer School of Music page on the Kaplen JCC website for more information. View their 2025-2026 brochure for details on all the programs and performance opportunities available. You’ll never regret giving your child the ability to know, read, understand, play and love music. It’s a gift they will cherish and a skill they will use their whole life.
Kaplen JCC on the Palisades
411 East Clinton Avenue
Tenafly, NJ 07670
