KidsLocal
Belmont punches above its weight for music: our directory lists 13 arts & music organizations in the area, several of them dedicated music schools. Here's a practical map by age.
Ages 0–5: music together, literally
Music Together of Belmont runs parent-child music and movement classes — you attend with your child, singing and keeping rhythm together. For this age, the goal isn't technique; it's falling in love with sound. Any program that gets your child clapping, singing, and moving is doing its job.
Ages 5+: first instruments
Powers Music School in Belmont has taught since 1964, with 800+ students and nearly 30 instruments — piano, strings, winds, and more. This is the classic next step: weekly private or group lessons with a real teacher. When choosing, ask about trial lessons (many schools offer one), practice expectations, and whether group classes are available — they're cheaper and more social for beginners.
Teens: play in a band
School of Rock Watertown teaches music the band way: students learn their instrument in the context of rehearsing and performing with a group. For a teenager who's losing interest in solo practice, playing with peers can be the thing that keeps music fun.
Something different: children's opera and theatre
Boston Children's Opera (based in Belmont) and Arlington Children's Theatre offer stage-centered paths for kids who love to perform. Munroe Center for the Arts in Lexington and Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown cover visual and multidisciplinary arts if music isn't the draw.
How to start this month
- Under 5? Try one parent-child music class.
- 5–10 and curious? Book a trial lesson on one instrument — piano and violin are the most common starting points.
- Already playing? Ask schools about ensembles, bands, or recitals.
Confirm schedules and tuition on each school's official site — every KidsLocal listing links directly to it.