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Port Orange Music Academy

Curriculum

A clear path from first note to featured performer

No mystery, no meandering. Every level has defined skills, an expected timeline, and a milestone performance — so you always know where your child is and what comes next.

4 levels

Piano

1Tiny Tot (Ages 4–6)

1–2 years

  • Finding notes on the keyboard
  • Steady beat & rhythm games
  • First 5-finger songs
  • Listening & following along

🏆 Milestone: Performs a song at the spring concert

2Level 1

1 school year

  • Reading notes on the staff
  • Both hands playing together
  • Quarter, half & whole notes
  • Bastien Primer repertoire

🏆 Milestone: Plays a two-hand piece from memory

3Level 2

1 school year

  • Scales & simple chords
  • Dynamics & expression
  • Eighth-note rhythms
  • Longer repertoire pieces

🏆 Milestone: Performs a Level 2 piece at the May concert

4Level 3

1+ school years

  • Advanced repertoire (Bastien 1–4)
  • Chord progressions & accompaniment
  • Sight-reading
  • Personal style & interpretation

🏆 Milestone: Featured performance piece of their choice

3 levels

Guitar

1Level 1

1 school year

  • Tuning & guitar care
  • First chords: G, C, D
  • Basic strumming patterns
  • Melodies from Hal Leonard Book 1

🏆 Milestone: Plays a full song with chord changes

2Level 2

1 school year

  • Full open-chord vocabulary
  • Reading standard notation
  • Fingerpicking basics
  • Playing as a group ensemble

🏆 Milestone: Performs in the guitar ensemble at the May concert

3Level 3

1+ school years

  • Barre chords & power chords
  • Improvisation & soloing basics
  • Music theory for guitarists
  • Advanced ensemble repertoire

🏆 Milestone: Featured solo at the end-of-year concert

2 levels

Winds & Percussion

1Level 1

1 school year

  • Instrument assembly & care
  • Tone production & first notes
  • Reading rhythms & notation
  • Essential Elements Book 1 (first half)

🏆 Milestone: Performs with the ensemble at the May concert

2Level 2

1+ school years

  • Extended range & technique
  • Ensemble balance & blend
  • Essential Elements Book 1 (completion)
  • Preparation for school band programs

🏆 Milestone: Ready to lead in their school band

Every path starts with Level 1. Every Level 1 starts with registration.

Registration takes about two minutes. We'll follow up with everything you need before the first lesson.

Curriculum | Levels, Skills & Milestones | Port Orange Music Academy