"They're musically alive before they're five," describes Kids Music Playground (KMP) owner and instructor, Cheri Roggow's philosophy of children learning music.

"Our goal at KMP is to target primarily the 4-to-5-year old child. Based on research, this is when 80% of inner ear development for music occurs," says Roggow. There are also classes for 6-to-7-year-olds.

Roggow has taught music on and off since the age of 15, and she is 47 now. In 1995 she went to work for a studio in the Denver area that was successfully doing group lessons and had increased to 1300 students over 20 years. By the year 2000, her husband turned his 30-year old hobby of piano tuning into a business after a job loss, and the two of them decided to open a studio of group lessons in Colorado Springs.

They moved without having one student, built a home, and put a studio and home together in one month.

"Not previously knowing one person or having one student and new to town, we started after Labor Day with 25 students. By fall of 2001 we had grown to 80. By fall of 2002 we grew to 150 and by fall of 2003 we were leasing space," says Roggow.

Roggow is working with an "untapped" age group that isn't so busy yet with dance, soccer, and gymnastics and may not be in school yet. She believes she is stimulating an interest the children may not even know they have yet. "I'm making a difference in the lives of families. This is the heart of music for me."

The method book used the first year is "The Music Playground" from Way-to-Play methods, designed to grab the young child's heart for music, and connect music to their young learning world. After the first year, the Faber and Faber method books are used for the keyboard portion of the course. The curriculum combines Suzuki, (ear-training and playing by ear), Yamaha, (note-reading and interval reading), Orff (usage of rhythm instruments) and Kodaly (Solfege) to give a well-rounded music education experience.

The curriculum is written around these books giving much variety in movement, ensembles written to songs, games designed for learning retention and composition activities. Classes are an hour each week and involve parental participation that ensures success at home. It also allows many parents to learn and re-learn music in a delightful way.

As children frequently solo in class, two programs are given during the course, the last of which is a celebration graduation complete with trophies and diplomas. The children experience a deep satisfaction knowing they have completed the course and have accomplished the goal.

"Kids will play keyboard by ear, learn to read four octaves of notes, add chords to melodies, recognize intervals and compose. Termed, "entertainment education", the course is sure to teach your child the fundamentals of music education while capturing your child's love and interest in music.

"I think KMP gives beginners a great beginning," Roggow said.

For more information, contact Cheri Roggow, 268-0570, or www.kidsmusicplayground.net.

Classes are held at: Kids Music Playground

12518 Highland Oaks Pl.

Colorado Springs, 80921

(Off of Interquest, Voyager and 83, Oracle Blvd.)