Early Childhood Music Program

Child shaking egg shaker and smilingEarly Childhood music at The Conservatorium cultivates a love of music in a fun and gentle environment. Children from ages 0-9 participate in a range of musical experiences and sound exploration through play. Music is great tool for building emotional development, body awareness, social skills and a sense of self. No prior musical experience is necessary, just a sense curiosity and your dancing shoes!

Infant, toddler and pre-school sessions are shared with parents and carers, and filled with fun musical games, movement, singing and foundational music concepts. We explore musical elements of rhythm, pitch, tone colour, dynamics and form, through hands on learning. We provide space to move around, instruments and fun equipment like parachutes, ribbons and puppets.

In our after-school program, progressing students have opportunities to try out a range of instruments, including but not limited to violin, ukulele, guitar, piano and recorder, as well as a range of music technology for recording and song writing. The sessions continue an explorational of musical concepts through songs and movement, but begin to introduce new techniques, instrumental knowledge and stylistic understanding. Sessions run on weekdays after school.

Check out the full Early Childhood music program schedule here

Early Childhood Music (ECM) fees

Group tuition

Lesson duration

Cost (per term inc GST)

Early Childhood Music

45 minutes once per week

$160.00

Early Childhood Music 2nd child discount

45 minutes once per week

$140.00

Early Childhood Music Level 3

1 hour once per week

$205.00

Don't Fret! Program banner, bright and colourful with rainbows and love heart decorations.

Don’t Fret! School Readiness Music Program

Don’t Fret is a music program that has been developed by a registered music therapist for children preparing for school.

The goal of the program is to develop the social and emotional skills needed to be ready to start at kindergarten. The program is designed for preschool aged children and focuses on building resilience, relationship skills, emotional regulation, self-expression, and social awareness. The program will also cover some foundational skills for school readiness such as attentive listening, being listened to, following multi-step instructions, being a leader, turn-taking, sharing, having an awareness of others, communicating with others, impulse control and concentration. All of this takes place in a 45-minute music class that is full of fun, laughter and music making!

What does a Don’t Fret music group look like?

The Don’t Fret music group is a hands-on program that involves lots of active music making using a variety of different percussion instruments, voices and drums. The group facilitator will provide live music and lead the group through a program of structured activities that may include:

  • Singing songs
  • Playing instruments
  • Drumming
  • Movement to music
  • Music listening
  • Relaxation and regulation
  • Singable books
  • And most importantly - Fun!

Support and active involvement from parents is encouraged to ensure the best outcomes for each child and to build the parents’ capacity and confidence with regards to using music at home.

About our Teacher – Meet Stef Tuyl

Portrait image of Stephanie Tuyl Music Therapist

Stephanie Tuyl is an alumnus of Newcastle Conservatorium of Music and a Registered Music Therapist. She completed her Master of Music Therapy in 2020, graduating with distinction, and holds a double Music/Arts degree. Being a music therapist allows Stef to combine her passions of playing music and connecting with people while working towards individualised goals for improving health, functioning, wellbeing and personal growth. Stef is currently employed at a practice in Newcastle and predominantly works with clients with autism, various disabilities or developmental delays.

Stef is also one of the Community Music Teachers here at the University of Newcastle and conducts several choirs including the BrainWaves Stroke Choir; a choir made up of stroke survivors and their families and carers, The Vocal Company, and the Hamilton South Public School choir.

Outside of her work as a Music Therapist, Stef is "the pink quokka" in a local children’s band called "The Quokkas". The Quokkas’ mission is to make music that makes a difference to future generations. Stef has found that her experience as a music therapist has helped significantly with writing songs that carry simple messages promoting inclusivity and diversity in all walks of life.


To find out more about our Early Childhood Music and Don’t Fret music program, please complete the enquiry form or call 4921 8900 for more information.