Early Childhood Music Class
SHINING STARS
FALL CLASSES BEGIN FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER!
Interested in volunteering to be our Shining Stars teacher assistant? Learn more HERE.
~ Play ~ Explore ~ Move
~ Play ~ Explore ~ Move
Albuquerque Institute of Music’s Shining Stars Early Childhood Class was designed and developed by our very own Petra Soltis!
Petra Soltis recently moved from Austin, TX to Rio Rancho. She has been playing piano since the age of 5 and earned her Bachelor’s in Classical Piano and Audio Engineering at the Robert Schumann University in Duesseldorf, Germany. She later added two Master’s degrees in business and management, but realized that music education is her real passion. Ms. Soltis is an experienced Music Together licensee and has been teaching early childhood music, Montessori classroom music, and piano since 2003. As a singer/songwriter and children’s performer, she has participated in several Family Festivals in Texas but finds the greatest joy in witnessing her students’ musical growth, as they demonstrate their skills in recitals and performances.
And it will be taught by the lovely Mrs. Karin!
Karin joined Albuquerque Institute of Music as an Administrative Assistant in July 2023, but her love of music began much earlier. She started piano lessons at age five with her grandmother, who also introduced her to organ and fostered a love for music through family sing-alongs. Growing up in a large, musical family, Karin was surrounded by concerts, musicals, and regular practice sessions. She later studied guitar in high school and organ in college while earning a degree in Landscape Management with minors in Business and Art from Brigham Young University. She remained musically involved through a service-based performing group and gained teaching experience as a TA. After college, she continued working with children as a paraeducator and currently volunteers as the children’s chorister at her church. Karin now studies piano at AIM with Jennifer Case Stull and enjoys performing at recitals and Federation Festival. Outside of music, she enjoys crafting, painting, reading, water sports, the outdoors, animals, and spending time with her husband and family. She’s excited to share her love of music with AIM’s youngest students!
As well as…
The wonderful Mrs. Kristen!
Originally from Texas, Kristen Sotero began her musical journey with piano lessons at age eight. As she transitioned to percussion and music theory, she realized her passion for music was a calling to teach. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Film Scoring from Berklee College of Music and a Master of Music in Music Education from the University of Florida. Her diverse background includes performing in classical orchestras and ensembles as well as alternative rock and pop bands. Additionally, she works as a freelance piano accompanist for auditions, recordings, and competitions. Mrs. Sotero has spent the past ten years teaching elementary general music. What she loves most about teaching is watching her students develop into tuneful, beautiful, and artful musicians.
The building blocks of learning to play an instrument begin with rhythm and melodic awareness.
Our early childhood music class is an 10 week program designed to spark curiosity and lay a strong musical foundation by helping young children internalize a steady beat and sing simple melodies in tune.
Shining Stars offers an age-appropriate, interactive experience in a small group setting where children can learn through play, movement, and exploration. At this early stage (ages 3–5), young learners tend to thrive in group environments that are fun, engaging, and filled with variety.
In each class, students will:
– Explore a wide range of orchestral and world instruments
– Experience rhythm through movement, games, and props
– Develop their singing voices through playful vocal activities
– Begin to understand the colorful vocabulary of music
Whether it’s their first time in a music class or the start of a lifelong journey, Shining Stars is the perfect place for children to AIM high and shine bright.
DAYS AND TIMES:
📅 Session 1: Wednesdays at 4:30pm-5:15pm for 10 weeks between 9/2-11/11 with our fabulous instructor Karin on the following dates: 9/2, 9/9 9/16, 9/23, 9/30, (NO CLASS 10/7), 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, and 11/11.
📅Session 2: Thursdays at 4:30pm-5:15pm for 10 weeks between 9/3-11/12 with our fabulous instructor Karin on the following dates: 9/3, 9/10 9/17, 9/24, 10/1, (NO CLASS 10/8), 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, and 11/12.
📅 Session 3: Saturdays at 1:45-2:30pm for 10 weeks between 9/5-11/14 with our fabulous instructor Kristen on the following dates: 9/5, 9/12 9/19, 9/26, 10/13 (NO CLASS 10/10), 10/17, 10/24, 10/31, 11/7, and 11/14.
TUITION:
$300 + $30 (one-time registration fee) + tax
Covers 10 weeks of our Shining Stars classes. Students enrolled in Shining Stars are exempt from the registration fee for future semesters and will not need to pay the registration fee if they transition into regular weekly private lessons after their initial tuition payment.
HOW TO ENROLL:
When dates are set, you can enroll online by clicking Enroll Now on this page OR give us a call at 505-209-8517and we’d be happy to help you get enrolled and answer any questions you may have!
Am I ready to join Shining Stars?
I love music!
I am comfortable being away from my parent/guardian for 45 minutes.
I am at least 3 years old and I haven’t turned 6 years old yet.
I can use the potty by myself.
I can follow simple instructions.
I am ready to sing, dance, and learn!