Exciting Music & Movement Classes for Infants and Toddlers at Starr Music Academy!

At Starr Music Academy, we believe that a love for music starts at an early age! Our Music & Movement classes for infants and toddlers are designed to introduce young children to the joy of music while fostering essential developmental skills. These engaging and interactive classes take place every Wednesday afternoon and are the perfect way to nurture a child’s natural curiosity through rhythm, melody, and movement.

Why Start Early? The Benefits of Early Music Classes
Research shows that early exposure to music has profound effects on a child’s cognitive, emotional, and social development. Our Music & Movement classes help young children:

• Develop language and communication skills through singing and rhythmic patterns.
• Enhance motor skills with movement activities and simple instrument play.
• Improve social interaction by engaging in group activities with peers.
• Build confidence and creativity through musical exploration.
• Strengthen listening and concentration skills, which lay the foundation for future learning.

Class Format & Structure
Each session is carefully structured to provide a fun, enriching, and developmentally appropriate experience. Our classes include:

• Welcome Songs & Warm-ups – A gentle introduction to music with singing, hand motions, and rhythm exercises.
• Instrument Exploration – Hands-on play with age-appropriate percussion instruments like shakers, bells, and drums.
• Movement & Dance – Guided activities that encourage coordination, balance, and self-expression.
• Musical Storytime – Engaging stories with musical elements to spark imagination and listening skills.
• Goodbye Song & Cool Down – A calming closure to reinforce what was learned and transition children smoothly.

Age-Specific Classes
We offer two separate classes tailored to different age groups to ensure the most effective and enjoyable experience for each child:

🎶 Baby Beethovens (Ages 0-2) – 2:00 PM
This class focuses on sensory exploration and bonding between babies and their caregivers. Activities include gentle bouncing, clapping, lullabies, and instrument play designed to stimulate auditory and motor development.

🎵 Mini Mozarts (Age 3) – 3:00 PM
This class is for our active and curious three-year-olds! We introduce more structured movement activities, simple rhythmic patterns, and group music-making to encourage independence, creativity, and social skills.

Join the Fun!
Our Music & Movement classes provide a wonderful opportunity for children to experience the joy of music in a nurturing, playful, and educational environment. Whether your little one is just starting to babble or already dancing to every beat, these classes will set the foundation for a lifelong love of music!
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🎼 Ready to enroll? Contact us today to reserve your spot! We can't wait to make music with you and your little one!

Starr Music Academy Partners with Rio Grande City Public Library for Ukulele Camp  

Starr Music Academy is thrilled to partner with the Rio Grande City Public Library to bring the joy of music to our community through a Ukulele Camp. This exciting program is designed to introduce students to the ukulele in a fun and engaging way, helping them develop basic skills, learn new songs, and experience the magic of making music together.  

Held at the Rio Grande City Public Library, the camp provides a fantastic opportunity for students to explore rhythm, melody, and chord progressions in a supportive group setting. Whether they’re complete beginners or have a little experience, participants will gain confidence while strumming along to familiar tunes.  

We love collaborating with local organizations to make music education accessible to all, and we’re grateful to the library for helping bring this camp to life.  

For more details or to register, contact the Rio Grande City Public Library today!  

Starr Music Academy Hosts Heartwarming Winter Recitals

This December, Starr Music Academy delighted audiences with its annual Winter Recitals, showcasing the hard work and talent of students across all ages and skill levels. Held in a festive and welcoming atmosphere, the recitals celebrated the magic of music and the joy of learning.

The event featured a diverse program, with students performing a wide range of pieces from classical to contemporary, as well as seasonal favorites that brought smiles to everyone’s faces. From piano solos to violin performances, each student demonstrated their dedication and growth over the past semester.

“It’s always such a joy to see our students take the stage with confidence and enthusiasm,” said Corine Maldonado, director of Starr Music Academy. “These recitals are a wonderful way to celebrate their progress and share the gift of music with family and friends.”

Parents and families filled the Yamil R. Yunes PAC Auditorium with applause and encouragement, making the recitals a true celebration of community and achievement. Many expressed their pride in the students’ hard work and the guidance provided by their dedicated teacher.

As a new year begins, Starr Music Academy looks forward to more musical milestones and memorable performances in the coming year. Congratulations to all the students who participated in the Winter Recitals—your hard work and passion for music shone brightly!

Starr Music Academy Students Shine at MVMTA Festival

Students from Starr Music Academy demonstrated outstanding musical skill and dedication at the MVMTA Festival held on November 9 at UTRGV in Edinburg. Performing in various categories, they earned 27 gold and 3 silver medals, showcasing their hard work and preparation.

The festival, a highlight for music students across the region, provides an opportunity to perform for judges and receive valuable feedback. A gold medal is a significant honor, qualifying recipients to participate in the prestigious All-Star Festival at the Texas Music Teachers Association (TMTA) Conference in Houston this June.

"Our students continue to amaze us with their talent and commitment," said Starr Music Academy director Corine Maldonado. "Seeing their efforts recognized at such a high level is inspiring."

Preparations are underway for the TMTA All-Star Festival, where gold medalists will perform alongside top musicians from across Texas.
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Congratulations to all participants for their dedication and success! Stay tuned for more updates as these talented musicians achieve new milestones.

For more information about Starr Music Academy and upcoming events, visit starrmusicacademy.com.

Several students from Starr Music Academy showcased their talents at the recent Magic Valley Music Teachers Association (MVMTA) Girls & Boys Recitals, delivering standout performances that highlighted their dedication and growth as young musicians.

The recitals, organized by the MVMTA and hosted at Valley Keyboards, provided an excellent platform for students to share their love of music with the community. Arora Cantu, Elliana Hernandez, Katherine Hernandez, Sophia Hernandez, and Brayden Solis, representing Starr Music Academy, performed confidently and skillfully, earning the audience applause and admiration.

“We are so proud of our students for their hard work and commitment to excellence,” said Starr Music Academy director Corine Maldonado. “Events like this are a fantastic way for them to gain performance experience and share their passion for music.”

This recital marks another successful collaboration between Starr Music Academy and the MVMTA, both dedicated to fostering musical education and community engagement.
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Stay tuned for more updates on upcoming events and achievements from our students. Those interested in joining Starr Music Academy are encouraged to sign up for lessons and become part of our growing musical family.

For more information, visit starrmusicacademy.com.

Starr Music Academy Presents: Mayron Cole’s Jack and the Beanstalk

This summer, Starr Music Academy brought the enchanting world of fairy tales to life with our performance of Mayron Cole’s operetta Jack and the Beanstalk. The operetta, a delightful blend of music and storytelling, showcased the incredible talents of our students while celebrating teamwork, creativity, and the joy of live performance.  

From the moment the show began, audiences were transported into Jack's whimsical world of daring adventures, magical beans, and a towering beanstalk. Our students, ranging from beginners to seasoned performers, took on the challenge of embodying colorful characters like Jack, his loving mother, the mysterious bean seller, and, of course, the fearsome giant.  

Weeks of preparation went into making this production a success. Rehearsals were filled with laughter, determination, and a growing camaraderie among our students. They worked tirelessly to perfect their roles, whether it was memorizing lyrics or mastering choreography. 

The performance itself was a true spectacle. The stage came alive with vibrant costumes. Each song brought a new dimension to the story, with Mayron Cole’s music providing the perfect backdrop for the operetta’s heartfelt and humorous moments.  

Parents, friends, and community members filled the audience, applauding the hard work and talent on display. Many remarked on how the production captured the spirit of Starr Music Academy: fostering a love for music, encouraging personal growth, and building a strong sense of community.  

We are incredibly proud of our students for their dedication and creativity. Productions like Jack and the Beanstalk are not just performances—they are opportunities for students to grow in confidence, express themselves, and share their passion for music and storytelling.  

As we look ahead to next summer’s musical production, we’re reminded of the magic that happens when we combine music, teamwork, and imagination. Thank you to everyone who supported this year's operetta, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for Starr Music Academy!

Celebrating Lyzzette’s Inspiring Senior Recital and Journey Through Starr Music Academy

This past June, Starr Music Academy hosted Lyzzette’s senior recital, a performance showcasing a heartfelt and stunning dedication and versatility as a musician. Her recital featured her violin, piano, and voice skills, captivating the audience with her expressive interpretations and technical artistry in each discipline. For Lyzzette, this milestone event represented a celebration of her senior year and the culmination of years of passion, practice, and accomplishments.

Since beginning her journey with Starr Music Academy in 2017, Lyzzette has taken private and group lessons in violin, piano, voice, and guitar, developing a well-rounded foundation in music. Her enthusiasm and drive have helped her excel in recitals and studio performances and as a member of the Texas Music Teacher’s Association (TMTA) Student Affiliate. Throughout her high school years, Lyzzette earned medals in both theory and music history, and she has been awarded superior ratings each year for her solo performances at the Magic Valley Music Teachers Association (MVMTA) Festival. Her impressive achievements led to her participation in TMTA Conference activities, including the All-Star Festival, Chamber Music, the Conference Project, and as a Student Page. This year, her dedication was recognized with the prestigious TMTA Student Affiliate State Participation Award.

In addition to her achievements in music, Lyzzette has been an inspiring leader in her school and community. She served on the Roma High School color guard with the marching band and performed at the TMTA Convention in San Antonio as part of the RHS Percussion Ensemble. Her commitment to excellence extends beyond music: She excelled in UIL academics and graduated as a certified Patient Care Technician. 

Lyzzette plans to pursue a music major at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, where she will continue to make her mark. We are so proud of Lyzzette’s dedication, resilience, and accomplishments, and we look forward to seeing where her talents and hard work will take her next. Congratulations, Lyzzette!

Starr Music Academy Rocks the Brewhouse with Spring Recitals
May 16-18, 2024 | Rio Grande City, TX
Starr Music Academy’s spring recitals, Jamming at the Brewhouse, took place from May 16-18 at the Brewhouse Café in Rio Grande City. Young performers, ages 4 to teens, took the stage to showcase their talents, delivering an unforgettable musical experience.
Students delighted the audience with a wide array of musical performances, including vocal numbers and instrumental pieces on piano, violin, guitar, and ukulele. The setlist featured crowd-pleasing covers of contemporary hits, with students performing songs by Taylor Swift, JVKE, and Peso Pluma, among others.
"This was more than just a recital—it was a celebration of our students' hard work, creativity, and love for music," said Corine Maldonado, Director of Starr Music Academy. "Our students got the chance to perform their favorite songs in a unique, community-centered venue."
Starr Music Academy, a local music studio, is committed to fostering a love of music through creative, student-centered approaches. The academy’s recitals are designed to empower students to share their passion with the community, building confidence and honing their musical skills.
For more information on Starr Music Academy and future events, visit starrmusicacademy.com.