321-312-1787 
Fall Fun, Friendship & Foundational Skills
We’re so excited to share what’s been happening in the Music Club at North County Charter School (NCCS). These Students are not only learning music— they’re living it: clapping rhythms, improvising the piano, laughing, and growing through every lesson.
🍁 What they are Learning:
Little Keynotes Music Club: The Music Animal Alphabet
The Little KeyNotes students (ages 4–5) dove into the Animal Alphabet—finding notes like C for Cat and D for Dog on the keyboard, singing along, and acting out each animal’s rhythm and movement. By the end of the workbook, they will learn all 7 letters of the Music Alphabet, their piano hands/finger numbers and even composing their own animal alphabet song.
StoryTellers Music Club: The Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Meanwhile, our Storytellers students have begun exploring how music and storytelling work hand in hand through Goldilocks and the Three Bears!
Over the past few weeks, they’ve completed Lesson 1 (“Hello Song”) and Lesson 2 (“Goldilocks”), where they learned to recognize pitch, draw treble clefs, and perform short piano pieces that bring characters to life. Students clapped rhythms, sang along, and explored how different sounds represent each character—from light, high-pitched tones for the bird in Peter and the Wolf to deeper sounds that might remind us of Papa Bear.
As we move into Lesson 3 (“Knock, Knock”) this November, students will continue building rhythmic confidence by counting quarter and half notes, practicing hand coordination, and playing melodies inspired by Goldilocks knocking on the Bears’ door!
Through this series, children are developing not only keyboard geography and rhythm skills, but also creative storytelling and emotional expression, and discovering how music can paint a picture and tell a tale.
Keynotes Play Music Club: Moving Together!
KeyNotes Play (Ages 9+) are more independent and older learner who typically spend three weeks on each lesson, allowing time for exploration, repetition, and mastery in a fun and supportive environment. Each three-week cycle gives students a chance to build confidence at their own pace. They learn new songs, explore rhythm through movement and games, and connect musical patterns they play on the piano with what they hear and feel in the music. Throughout these weeks, students learn to read simple notations, identify rhythmic patterns, and coordinate both hands on the keyboard. They also explore musical creativity—improvising short melodies, playing in small groups, and connecting what they learn to the seasonal themes we’re studying in class.
“Fall Fun” and “The Music Tree”
To celebrate the Fall Season, NCCS Music Clubs are also exploring two seasonal themes: Fall Fun and The Music Tree which introduce children to music’s most important building blocks: rhythm, melody, pitch, and creative expression.
In “Fall Fun”, students listened to Autumn Leaves and used their ears to explore pitch, tempo, and dynamics—imagining the sound of leaves gently falling. They practiced short melodies with both hands and played themed pieces like Pumpkin Pie and Acorns, building coordination and musical awareness while celebrating the season.
In “The Music Tree”, students discovered how music grows—literally! Through rhythmic games, movement, and piano improvisations, they mimicked swirling leaves, explored chromatic scales, and performed together as “branches and leaves” of the same musical tree.
We offer both a Reader version and a Pre-Reader version to accommodate both children who can read and the little ones who aren’t reading-ready yet. Each lesson blends listening, movement, and piano time, ensuring students learn by doing—and have a lot of fun along the way.
🎹 How They Learn
At Jay’s Music Academy, we believe that children learn music best through play, movement, and exploration. Every class includes:
•Listening to classical and seasonal music
•Hands-on piano time that builds coordination and memory
•Movement games that develop rhythm and body awareness
•Creative improvisation to nurture imagination and confidence
This approach helps students feel the music—not just read it—turning learning into an experience they look forward to each week.
🌟 Music in Motion
Here’s a peek into our latest sessions! See how our students are building confidence and creativity through every note they play.
👩🏫Our Music Club is led by three dedicated educators who bring passion, creativity, and warmth to every class:
🎹 Ms. Hermy (Hermeline Lens)
Affectionately known as “Ms. Hermy,” she’s a patient and inspiring music coach who specializes in introducing young learners to piano through rhythm, movement, and imaginative play. As the music teacher for the Pre-Notes Music Play and Little KeyNotes programs, she ensures every lesson feels like a musical adventure—helping children build confidence, focus, and joy in learning.
🎶 Mr. Jay (Julian Lens)
Co-founder and Creative Director of Jay’s Music Academy, Mr. Jay brings over 15 years of experience in music education. His teaching philosophy centers on helping each child discover their unique musical voice. From his time in public schools to directing creative programs, he brings both expertise and heart—making music a lasting part of every child’s growth.
🎸 Mr. Carlos
A passionate musician and experienced teacher, Mr. Carlos brings both energy and patience to every lesson. He is well-versed in Piano and Guitar. When he is not teaching, you will find Mr. Carlos playing his electric guitar. He connects with students of all skill levels—whether they’re just starting or aiming to take their playing to the next level. This season, he’s also leading our KeyNotes Play Piano Class, inspiring students to explore rhythm, melody, and creativity across instruments. If you are interested in Guitar Lessons, Mr. Carlos can be your teacher. Contact us at 321-312-1787!
Together, Ms. Hermy, Mr. Jay, and Mr. Carlos create a fun, supportive environment at NCCS where every student who participates in the Music Club can confidently grow and become a creative learner.
💡 Why It Matters
Music isn’t just an art—it’s a foundation for growth. Our program helps children develop:
🎵 Cognitive skills through listening, memory, and pattern recognition
🎵 Social-emotional skills through teamwork and creative expression
🎵 Confidence through improvisation and performance
🎵 Creativity through exploration and play
Every rhythm they clap and melody they play strengthens focus, imagination, and joy—skills that carry far beyond the classroom.