Bentley Music Academy

Summer Session

Wed, 25 May 2011 22:00:00 PDT

Our next session begins on June 11 and ends on Aug. 13. For this session, there are no classes on June 25 or on July 2. You may pay $85 to attend all 8 classes or you may pay for any number of classes ($12.50 per class). It is essential that you let Mrs. Bentley know which classes your child will attend. Please contact her by email with this information.

City of Irvine Classes

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 08:40:00 PST

Bentley Music Academy is offering music classes through the City of Irvine on Thursday mornings at Turtle Rock Community Center. Sign-up at www.IrvinequickReg.org.

Alto Saxophone Demo

Thu, 20 Feb 2011 07:30:00 PST

Thank you Horn Improvement for sponsoring our alto saxophone demonstration on Feb. 5. The kids really enjoyed it!

Viola Demonstration

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 23:20:00 PDT

Come see a professional musician demonstrate the viola on October 16 in all classes, ages 2 and up. Siblings and friends are welcome.

From Child to Parent

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 22:45:00 PDT

When your child makes up his/her own songs, you want to be interested and supportive no matter what it sounds like...

10 Reasons

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:00:00 PDT

10 Reasons Why Your Child Should Take Music: 1. A ten-year study indicates that students who study music achieve higher test scores, regardless of socioeconomic background...

Kodaly Article

Mon, 8 Mar 2010 19:40:00 PST

I read a fascinating article recently and wanted to share a few quotes from it in support of the idea that children must learn to sing accurately and beautifully before learning to play an instrument...

Parents, Sing!

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:23:00 PST

Parents, don’t be afraid to sing to your baby and with your older children! No matter what you think of your voice, your baby will be enchanted by it. Your toddlers and preschoolers will happily sing along without judgement if singing is something that you do together regularly...

Piggyback Songs

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:25:00 PST

A fun and interesting way to integrate more music into your child's everyday life is to create and sing piggyback songs. These are songs in which new words are set to familiar tunes. Piggyback songs are useful because the tunes have already endured the test of time. Some examples...

Play an Instrument?

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:30:00 PST

Parents, have you considered whether your 3 year-old will want to play an instrument someday? Based on my experiences as a high school music educator, you will be thrilled if your child joins the high school band or orchestra. The band and orchestra students typically have higher GPAs compared to the general school population...

$25 Referral Discount!

Tue, 01 Jan 2010 20:18:00 PST

We are now offering a $25 tuition discount for each paid referral - just 3 referrals and your child's tuition is free! The discount also applies to each sibling enrolled as well. Call or email for more information about this exciting new program.

Keep Music in Schools!

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:30:00 PST

You might check whether your child is being taught music in his/her public or private elementary school. Some parents with whom I have spoken to recently were surprised to learn that music had been cut this year from their child’s elementary program...

Baby Music?

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 15:19:00 PST

Q: My daughter is only eight months old. How can we expect to benefit from a Parent-&-Me Baby Music Class? - Mother in Huntington Beach A: Despite your daughter's tender age, you will both benefit from the experience...

Instruments?

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:49:00 PDT

Q: When can my child learn to play an instrument? - Mother of a 4 year-old son in Tustin A: ...

The Power of Music

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:01:00 PDT

There is an incredible fifth grade choir at Public School 22 in Staten Island, New York. Just listening to the emotion in the voices of the children who are just 9 and 10 years old is truly inspiring. Check out their story as well as some embedded videos...

Easy Notes?

Tue, 8 Sep 2009 22:00:06 PDT

Q: When singing with young children, what notes are easiest for them to sing? A: Young children most easily sing...

Piano Lessons?

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 21:50:00 PDT

Q: How do I know when my preschool child is ready to take piano lessons? A: I think that the "best" age for starting piano lessons...

Irvine World News Article

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:55:00 PDT

Q: What is the Kodaly methodology? Q: How is this methodology incorporated into your music lessons (at Bentley Music Academy)? A: ...

The Next Mozart?

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:51:00 PDT

Q: How do I know whether my 3 and a half year-old daughter is musically gifted? A: Whether or not your daughter is the next Mozart is irrelevant. All young children will benefit from participating in music classes...

Don't Forget Mother Goose

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 23:52:00 PDT

Don’t forget about the good, old fashioned nursery rhyme! Children love repetition, and singing (and saying) these timeless Mother Goose passages over and over again will help with early reading literacy...

Got a question?

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Email me (Gayle Bentley) at BentleyMusicAcademy@gmail.com if you have any comments or questions about your child’s music education, and I am happy to share my expertise and experience with you OR find you an answer by asking one of the many music experts around the country.

Music helps speech delay

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PDT

I wanted to share with any of you who may have a child who has any sort of speech delay that my children’s pediatrician recommends enrolling that child in a music class. (I have also seen dramatic improvement from children learning English as a second language.)...

Q&A: After session at home?

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Q: My 3 year-old has just finished your six-week session at Bentley Music Academy. How do I continue to encourage music and singing music at home? A: I would recommend playing really high-quality children’s music in the car and at home...

Bentley Music Blog Begins

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PDT

This is the beginning of my blog about music education and children. I don’t think there is a topic that I enjoy discussing more…other than my two boys, of course! To kick things off, a quick discussion on the benefits of music training at an early age...

Become a Fan on Facebook

Tue, 21 Aug 2009 00:03:00 PDT

Bentley Music Academy is now on Facebook. Become a Fan and follow us.