Dear MacPhail Community, With a full heart and deep gratitude, I would like to say thank you to all who supported the Back-to School Drive. While this marks the end …
Update on the Back-to-School Drive
First Avenue Ensemble Prepares for Taste of MN
Check out this sneak peak of the Global Music Initiative’s First Avenue Ensemble as they prepare to take the Jazz88 stage at Taste of Minnesota, Saturday, July 5 at 2:15 pm. …
McKnight Fellowships for Musicians Announces 2025 Recipients
Now in its 29th year at MacPhail Center for Music, the McKnight Fellowship for Musicians honors four outstanding Minnesota artists with $25,000 awards recognizing their artistry, achievements, and impact. Learn …
A MacPhail Journey to South Africa
This past April, a group from MacPhail’s Global Music Initiative traveled to South Africa with the goal of growing as educators, deepen our craft, and bring something meaningful back to …
Michael Cain Appointed Vice President of Music Education
MacPhail Center for Music has appointed Michael Cain as its new Vice President of Music Education. An internationally recognized pianist, composer, and educator, Cain brings more than 30 years of experience in …
Electronic Hues: A MacPhail Mixtape New Student Album Release
MacPhail Center for Music’s Electronic Music and Recording Arts (EMRA) program is excited to release Electronic Hues: A MacPhail Mixtape, a collection of 14 original tracks created by current EMRA …
Take a Vocal STAYcation with MacPhail!
MacPhail’s Music for Life has a wonderful option for those who are interested in the Madeline Island Vocal Retreat but don’t want to be away from home: Take a short …
MacPhail Launches New, No-cost “Learning with Music” Resources
This month, MacPhail Center for Music will introduce new, evidence-based music resources to help early childhood educators promote school readiness and self-regulation. Educators can access “Learning with Music” resources at …
Spotlight on Shonte Carter, Project Amplify Teaching Artist
This past year, MacPhail added teaching artist Shonte Carter to the roster of Project Amplify, a program to bring no-cost residencies outside of the classical canon to Minnesota schools. Carter …
Spotlight on Sara Langmead, Coordinator of the Women’s History Month Performance Festival
On March 8, students and families attending lessons and events at MacPhail Minneapolis will be treated to an array of music by women and non-binary composers, performed by faculty and …
A Symphony of Vitality featuring MacPhail Teaching Artist Andrea Leap
“There are many cognitive benefits of studying and learning something new, especially when it comes to music…” Andrea Leap sat down with Sue Baldani of Minneapolis Lakes Lifestyle magazine to …
MacPhail Music for Life™ Manager Kristyn Rupp on Alzheimer’s Speaks
Kristyn Rupp talks with Alzheimer’s Speaks about dementia chorus, Connecting Voices.
Mysticism, Legends, and Traditions…Q&A with Miryana Moteva
“…all they need to do is open their hearts and ears for an immersion in a multicultural, sonic experience.” Miryana Moteva, Curator & MacPhail piano faculty The 2024-25 MacPhail Presents! …
A MacPhail Story: Julie Schneider
Sometimes we must fight for what has been lost or taken from us. Hope comes when others join our battle. Restored joy is the result. As I sat in the …
Finding Their Beat: Empowering Youth Through Music
Terrell Woods, a dedicated and innovative music educator, brings beatboxing to youth who might otherwise miss out on music education.
Bridging the Gap Between Classical and Electronic
The EKWE app enables students to explore global musical traditions, develop composition skills, and collaborate on projects. MacPhail students receive one free year.
Nurturing Tomorrow’s Suzuki Teachers
The Suzuki Piano Teacher Training Program at MacPhail, launched in January 2023, addresses the critical shortage of qualified Suzuki piano teachers in the Twin Cities and beyond. This initiative nurtures …
Music Therapy at MacPhail Center for Music- Austin
“…But seeing him respond to that music was our way of knowing he was still right there with us.” Photos by Sophia Helen Photography Emma Evans-Peck admits that she never …
Samarth Nagarkar and Michael Cain in Conversation
Internationally Acclaimed Vocalist Samarth Nagarkar and World-Renowned Pianist Michael Cain joined MacPhail Social Media and Design Specialist Syne Barr over zoom for a Q&A Preceding their Upcoming Concert – Ragas …
5 Ways to Incorporate Music for Wellness
Practice deep breathing and stretching along to music Choose a song as your anthem to stay motivated during long days Take a 5-minute dance break! Play a piece of music …
Minnesota Music Therapy Week Fun Facts!
Check out these fun facts from MacPhail’s Director of Music Therapy and board-certified music therapist, Jessica Nagel as we celebrate Minnesota Music Therapy Week at MacPhail! What is music therapy? …
Introducing… Paula Lammers, Director of the NEW Connecting Voices Chorus!!
As director for Connecting Voices Chorus, I look forward to being a conduit to help individual participants connect to the music, their singing partner, to the community of singers, and …
Intergenerational Connections
A Harmonious Blend: Music, Friendship, and Learning A Fantastic Partnership between MacPhail Center for Music, The Pillars of Prospect Park Senior Living, and The Pillars Child Care Center Imagine a …
The Beauty of the Suzuki Philosophy
Suzuki Music Education with Annette Lee Annette Lee, a Suzuki piano teacher and Suzuki teacher trainer at MacPhail discusses the benefits of Suzuki Music Education and the principles of the …
Teaching Music Creation: the Studio & Equipment
This is a guide for music educators. It offers lots of tools and advice for setting up your studio and/or classroom. Created by MacPhail’s EMRA
Teaching Music Creation: Approaches Tips & Tools
This is a guide for music educators. It offers teaching tools and methods for students to create their own music. Created by MacPhail’s EMRA
Summer Family Dance Party
Here are some songs you can sing and dance to with your family from Sing Play Learn with MacPhail®! The Benefits of Dancing in Early Childhood – Toddler Benefits of …
Pride Playlist by Rainbow Space
What is Rainbow Space? Led and founded by Kallysta Morgan, MacPhail Student Services Representative, Rainbow Space embodies MacPhail Center for Music’s mission by offering the surrounding LGBTQIA+ community and allies …
MacPhail Presents… Native Spirits Sing
Q&A with curator, Pinar Başgöze The Native Spirits Sing will be in Antonello Hall at MacPhail Minneapolis on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. (pre-concert discussion at 6, performance …
EMRA Director Michael Cain collaborates with Boston Ballet
MacPhail Percussion Teacher Steve Roehm on Star Tribune’s Scene Makers
MacPhail percussion teacher Steve Roehm was featured on Star Tribune’s Scene Makers Q+A to talk about his new album and group, The Neighborhood Quartet. Read the article here… Photo by …
Play for Paws!
Minneapolis Animal Shelter and MacPhail Center For Music announce Play for Paws Music students can play instruments for an animal audience March 19, 2024 (MINNEAPOLIS) Minneapolis Animal Care & Control …
The Benefits of Music Integration to Emotion Regulation Development in Young Children
This tip sheet, developed in conjunction with MacPhail Center for Music and the University of Minnesota, introduces how music in the classroom can be used to support emotion regulation and …
Engaging in Musical Play with Young Children
This Tip Sheet, developed in conjunction with MacPhail Center for Music and the University of Minnesota, gives ideas for using music in the classroom to help with emotional regulation and …
MacPhail and Smart North – A Powerful Partnership
On a weekday afternoon last month, Terrell “Carnage” Woods walked into a community tech hub for youth in downtown Minneapolis. A beatboxing instructor at MacPhail Center for Music, Terrell had …
A Concert for Peace: Q&A with Michael Cain
This season’s MacPhail Presents! includes a special performance, A Concert for Peace, featuring all original compositions. Michael Cain answers questions.
Music is Good for You!
A study conducted by researchers at Exeter University in the UK has shown that music helps older adults maintain memory and problem solving skills.
The Outsized Benefits of Playing with Small Groups
MacPhail Center for Music President/COO, Paul Babcock, writes about the benefits for individuals that come from playing in small groups.
Next Steps for Ages 3 & Up in Sing Play Learn with MacPhail®
What’s next? If you are wondering what steps to take next, here are a few class offerings to continue your child’s musical exploration.
Former MacPhail Student Reiki Hall to perform at First Avenue
MPR’s Carbon Sound Hosted by Macie Rasmussen features Reiki Hall, one of MacPhail’s former students, who will be playing in First Avenue’s Best New Bands show this Friday.
The Importance of Accessibility in Music Education
Discover the transformative power of inclusive music education through the inspiring journey of Brian and David Muhs as told by music educator and MacPhail President/COO, Paul Babcock.
Parenting Pickup with Dianna Babcock
Dianna Babcock, Director of Sing Play Learn with MacPhail® and host Cara Johnson-Bader of New Horizon Academy talk about why music is essential in a child’s life.
Sing Play Learn: Crossing the Midline
Bailey Cook teaches a movement-based activity using The Syncopated Clock by Leroy Anderson. This activity is a wonderful movement activity to practice what we call “crossing the mid-line”.
A MNYO Halloween
Check out this special clip from MacPhail’s Northside Youth Orchestra (MNYO). Do you recognize the tune?
Fostering Music Creating with Michael Cain
MacPhail Electronic Music Recording Arts (EMRA) Director, Michael Cain discusses the wave of content creation, creativity, and improvisation among teacher and student.
Autumn Scavenger Hunt
Learning about contrasts helps prepare children to think about details, sort and classify objects, and promotes organizational skills!
Spotlight Virtual Concert Series: A City, A Belonging featuring the poetry of Sasha Suarez
MacPhail Center for Music presents a SPOTLIGHT VIRTUAL CONCERT SERIES performance A City, A Belonging. This piece is part of a musical film trilogy that evolved from the 2021- 2022 Spotlight Concert Series.
Spotlight Series Musical Journeys: Tell Chapel
MacPhail Center for Music presents a SPOTLIGHT VIRTUAL CONCERT SERIES performance William Tell Chapel, a musical travelogue, featuring Richard Tostenson on piano.
A Vital Angle in the Suzuki Triangle: Parents
When Suzuki created his instruction method he envisioned three sides of a triangle. The student, teacher, and parent would each play a part.
Jean del Santo’s Teaching Philosophy
“Singers are the only musicians that are simultaneously the player of a musical instrument and the instrument itself”. -Professor Glenda Maurice, Mezzo Soprano, UM faculty mentor When Glenda first …
Prelude: Singer-Actor Lab Alums Perform Into the Woods at the Guthrie Theater
Former Prelude students began a two-month run of ‘Into the Woods’ at the Guthrie Theater on June 17, 2023. The cast and crew featured three of the program’s alums: Andy Kust (’06), Cat Brindisi (’07), and Anna Hashizume (’11).
MacPhail Music Therapy Recommended Book Resources
Curated by our very own board-certified music therapist (MT-BC) Melissa Wenszell, this list contains their recommended (and some of her favorite) resources! Learn More about Music Therapy at MacPhail
Sing, Play, Learn with MacPhail®: The Finger Family
A well-known song in our SPL curriculum is Finger Family. This song is fun to do with children at many ages and stages of development. There are several areas of …
The Space Where Words Fail: Asha Belk
This season’s MacPhail’s Spotlight Series joins important visual artists with our accomplished musicians in special performances. Our culminating performance brings the narrative photographer Asha Belk to Antonello Hall on Saturday, …
Teaching BIG Feelings to Little People Using Music and Literacy
Learn why Sing Play Learn with MacPhail® teachers do what they do. There’s an end goal- getting our children ready for school.
Engaging in Self-Care
It seems that everyday, we are inundated with tragic or disturbing news. The intensity continues to grow. We carry so much stress and anxiety from our own lived experiences it …
Giving Voice Founding Artistic Director Jeanie Brindley Barnett featured in Star of the North: “Sing for Life! Music for Life!”
Congratulations to MacPhail Music for Life™ Co-Founder & Senior Teaching Artist, and Giving Voice Founding Artistic Director, Jeanie Brindley-Barnett for her feature in Star of the North. “…Everyone can sing …
Sing, Play, Learn: Why We Do What We Do
Learn why Sing Play Learn with MacPhail® teachers do what they do. There’s an end goal- getting our children ready for school.
Alexandra Sapan: Three Greek Songs
Alexandra Sapan, MacPhail voice faculty, presents three original Greek songs in a project supported by Macphail Center for Music and McKnight Foundation. (Accompanied by Dr. Jonathan Tauscheck, MacPhail piano faculty)
A MacPhail Story: Matt & Crosby
Diana Bearmon, piano instructor at MacPhail, strives to make her lessons student-centered because she believes that their learning experience should be uniquely about them. With 30 plus years of teaching …
A MacPhail Story: Claire Miller
Twenty years ago, before Claire Miller was an accomplished violinist, pianist, orchestral performer, and chamber musician; before winning numerous competitions, and earning several academic degrees in music, she was a …
The Power of Performance with Austin Wahl (guitar & mandolin)
This third article of the performance series features Austin Wahl (guitar, mandolin) as he discusses his experience with the power of performance.
A Winter Wonderland Scavenger Hunt
This winter scavenger hunt will encourage venturing outside and listening for musical concepts in the environment!
The Power of Performance with Ellie Dehn
This second article of the performance series features Ellie Dehn (voice, opera, musical theater) as she discusses her experience with the power of performance.
Suzuki Talent Education: a “mother tongue” approach to teaching children music
Download Full Article Here How does a child learn a native language? Nurturing adults speak to (and around) the child from the moment of birth, naturally repeating the words and …
Tune Tools Episode 3
Tune Tools is a podcast hosted by Krysta ‘K. Raydio’ Rayford. Krysta interviews musicians, music educators, students, and shares her own experiences to help us learn about the tools of electronic music and recording arts. In each episode, you’ll hear real life examples about the tools of making music in the digital age.
The Power of Performance with Shane Cox
This first article of the performance series features Shane Cox (trumpet/cornet, trombone, tuba, jazz, theory) as he discusses his experience with the power of performance.
The Art of the Playlist
an educational perspective by Isaac Rohr Overview: This article is written for music educators within K12 (general music or academic music). College-level music educators interested in curriculum development and research. …
Scratch DJing for Beginners
This unit (1 of 3), Scratch DJing for Beginners, includes the history and evolution of DJing and DJing tools of the trade.
A Four-Class Music Curriculum (Ages 11-18)
This after-school curriculum is designed for music educators to help their middle or high school students explore ways of creating music to visual images. Designed to be 5-6 classes. Uses DAW (digital audio workstation) and other tools.
Requiem for Frankie Silver
Requiem for Frankie Silver is a NEW musical drama for singers, players, and storyteller to honor the life of Frances Stewart Silver (1815-1833) and to reveal her tragic story of injustice.
What is Suzuki Stars in Sing Play Learn with MacPhail®?
Musical Explorations in Spectral Colors: the 2022-23 MacPhail Spotlight Series
To experience art—through a canvas, or a symphony, or a screen—is a transporting experience. It can open doors to beauty, to new understanding, to wonder. So, what happens when you …
MacPhail Story: Dee Meisner
Beginning her musical journey at the age of 3, Dee Meisner has now carried her love of playing and singing to the Giving Voice Chorus in MacPhail’s Music for Life …
Early Childhood Vocal Exploration Activity
Why is vocal exploration important? Vocal exploration helps children find their singing voices and learn how to better control them. It is a vital part of early childhood music-making. Try …
On Location: MacPhail School Partnerships
On Location: Songwriting Workshop
On Location: Madeline Island Chamber Music
“Connections and Transformations – the MacPhail music special” wins a Silver Telly Award
KSMQ Public Television partnered with MacPhail Center for Music to produce “Connections and Transformations.” This special was developed by Mischa Santora, the MacPhail Center for Music’s Spotlight Series Artistic Director. …
Songwriting Activity at Home with Adam Marshall
Does your child make up songs at home? Join us in taking your child’s songwriting skills to another level. Students will create lyrics from familiar tunes, compose new music, venture …
FREE FAMILY-FRIENDLY CONCERTS
SUMMER 2022
Keep the music alive in your family by attending some FREE family-friendly concerts this summer. This year, MacPhail featured some outstanding groups at our Free Family Concerts; The Bazillions, The …
McKnight Musician Fellowship Grants Four Top Musicians with $25,000
MacPhail Center for Music is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022-23 McKnight Fellowship for Musicians: Jaye Sinkfield aka DIVAJ, Rebecca Merblum, Paula Gudmundson, Lewis McCaleb akaLewiee Blaze. …
Duo Harmonia: Storytelling through Music & Narration
Harmonious: together, in agreement, in tune. A perfect word to describe the aptly named Duo Harmonia. Two artists from different parts of the world, who after discovering each other, now …
Friends of MacPhail Performance
The Michael Steinberg & Jorja Fleezanis Fund will present the world premiere of its third commission by composer Jessica Meyer at 4 pm on Saturday, May 14 at Westminster Hall …
MacPhail Faculty Performs Sarah Miller’s Composition “Aquatic Animals” for Piano, Woodwinds & Brass
Aquatic Animals Program Note – Sarah Miller The creative seed for this composition came from a remark by Mark Sullivan, one of my major professors at Michigan State University. He …
When Marian Sang, a book that sings!
Presented by Opera Oriented Projects of Minnesota, Mikalia Bradberry reads aloud and performs excerpts from “When Marian Sang,” written by Pam Muñoz Ryan, illustrated by Brian Selznick, and published by …
MacPhail Tips & Tricks: 2 Octave, G Major Scale Exercise
With Richard Kriehn
The Wonder of Stevie
by Mikalia Bradberry “Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand.” Stevie Wonder One of the most prolific and widely known musicians in the world, Stevie …
Teens Find Confidence with Music
MacPhail Northside Youth Orchestra The laughter’s free, the smiles, and so is participation in the MacPhail Northside Youth Orchestra (MNYO). For 5 years now, the orchestra has graced venue stages …
Early Risers Podcast from Little Moments Count and Minnesota Public Radio
Early Risers Podcast George Floyd’s death was a tragedy and a wakeup call — expanding a global conversation about race and racism. And young children have been watching it all. …
Reflections: Julius String Quartet on their MacPhail Fall Residency
A short interview with the Julius String Quartet and Beth Nault-Warner, MacPhail Director of Marketing As part of the 2021 Madeline Island Chamber Music Emerging Artist Quartet-in-Residence, this year’s program award recipients, the Julius …
Barbara Cohen, Intro to Scoring for Film and Visual Media
Imagine the opening credits of a movie. The musical score begins with plucky strings, light drums, and a bouncy glockenspiel. What genre of film are you about to see? Judging …
Prelude: Singer-Actor Performance Lab
“Never pass up an opportunity to tell the story.” For voice and acting teacher Manon Gimlett, these are words to live by. As the program director of MacPhail’s Prelude: Singer-Actor …
The Mandolin Mantle | Richard Kriehn
“It’s not just about a right or wrong note,” Richard Kriehn explains. He believes music is about expressing yourself – expanding your vocabulary and giving the world a glimpse of …
GMI Artist In Residence: Greg Byers
A Chance to Play Modern Music As a longtime video gamer, cello teaching artist Greg Byers wanted to explore modern styles of their music for his Artist-in-Residence project, a video game music orchestra. “We talked …
An Electronic Approach to Music Making…with MacPhail’s EMRA Director Michael Cain
How many ways can you make music? At MacPhail Center for Music, we believe there’s no limit. Playing an orchestral instrument is one method. Programming digital technology is another. We’re …
How to Make a Monolin at Home
How to make a Monolin (single-stringed instrument) at home. Items needed: Large Milk or Juice Carton (one with a screw top works best and can act as a sound hole) Fishing …
Bluegrass Rhapsody with Poet Anthony Ceballos
As music genres go, bluegrass is all its own. Its melodies and messages spring from a particular soil: the hardscrabble land of rural Appalachia. The poet Anthony Ceballos hails from …
The Story of a Young Boy and His Ukulele
During the pandemic, as was the case with so many children, one of our young students (we will call him O) missed starting pre-kindergarten. O spent weekdays with his grandparents …
When Little Things Lead to BIG Possibilities | Sophia Kickhofel
The little things. That’s what Sophia Kickhofel enjoys most about life. If she could trace all the little things back to childhood, she would realize they brought her to where …
Blooming in the Desert
By Sue Ruby As educators and performers, many of us lack exposure to and knowledge of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) composers. Even before the pandemic and death of George …
MacPhail Center for Music’s “Light in the Well”
Five years ago, Ferol Grode showed up to her first day of music therapy in a “Life is good” T-shirt. Her mother, Patty, had one on, too. To a stranger, …
Alternatives to Problematic Children’s Songs
The Sing Play Learn department at MacPhail Center for Music has been busy revamping parts of our curricula for the last couple of years. Our goal was to research the origins of the songs …
Executive Functioning and the Role of Music
Executive Functioning is a term that describes a set of mental skills which includes: Working memory. Flexibility in thinking. Self-control, or impulse control. As children develop so do their executive functioning skills, however, sometimes …
Next Steps
As the summer Sing Play Learn with MacPhail® classes have come to a close, you might be wondering what next? If you are, you are not alone; we have created this guide to aid you in your next …
‘Music never really stops’ – Austin Daily Herald
MacPhail Austin student, Blake Zimmerli, has been using the extra time during COVID-19 to work on his symphonies. He’s currently working on his eight symphony and describes the hobby as, …
Community Pride Award from Lavender Magazine
Timothy De Prey, Director of Individual Instruction, is the recipient of a Community Pride Award from Lavender Magazine. Timothy believes that “through music, one can create change, justice, tolerance and …
Preparing for Sleep and the Role of Music
Sleep is one of the most talked about topics for young children. We live in a society that tends to be sleep deprived. Around 25% of young children have sleep problems. …
The Importance of Group Class to Suzuki Learning
Compiled by Ruth Bergman Some points are borrowed from Helping Parents Practice: Ideas for Making it Easier, by Edmund Sprunger Group class is one of the central components of Suzuki …
Adding Fuel to your Practice Parent Engine
By Kamini LaRusso Transcript from 2019 Suzuki Association of the Americas: “Parents as Partners Videos” Hello! My name is Kamini LaRusso. I live in Minneapolis, MN. I am a Suzuki …
Children and Separation Anxiety
Children and Separation Anxiety Separation anxiety is something that most, if not all, children experience at some point in their lives. There are a wide range of symptoms may manifest at different stages of development. Mostly, …
How to Strengthen the Adult Voice
When vocal teaching artist Jerry Rubino works with older singers in MacPhail’s Voices of Experience choir, he’s noticed that many times singers new to the group don’t know what part …
Play and Creativity Using Music: Musical Games/Creativity Play
How can music activities at home encourage play and creativity in children? Play is one of the most important parts of early childhood. When a child is engaging in play they are building their brains …
Play and Creativity Using Music: What Can Become an Instrument
How can music activities at home encourage play and creativity in children? Play is one of the most important parts of early childhood. When a child is engaging in play they are building their brains …
Play and Creativity Using Music: Explore New Music
How can music activities at home encourage play and creativity in children? Play is one of the most important parts of early childhood. When a child is engaging in play they are building their brains …
Play and Creativity Using Music: Sing
How can music activities at home encourage play and creativity in children? Play is one of the most important parts of early childhood. When a child is engaging in play they are building their brains …
Three Easy Ways to Beat Cabin Fever with Music
Simple musical activities to use at home with your kids. Music is fun, engaging and can motivate even the most stir-crazy kids. You don’t have to have any musical training …
Why You Should Enroll Your Kids in Piano Lessons, According to Science
Director of Individual Instruction, Timothy DePrey’s favorite article about enrolling your child in piano lessons.
Small Moments, Big Accomplishments
Beth, age 12 , Music Therapy Student Stories: Beth When Diene’s twelve-year-old daughter Beth continually expressed a passion for music, constantly asking it to be played throughout the house, Diene …
Black History Playlist
with Mikalia Bradberry Hello my name is Mikalia Bradberry and Happy Black History Month! I’m so glad to be able to share some works with you that are near and …
Talking About Race
What we believe and how we talk about race is of the utmost importance. The National Museum of African American History & Culture asks How do we teach such challenging subject …
Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children’s Books
Representation matters – it’s important and affirming for kids to see characters who look like them and the people in their families in the books they read. It’s equally important …
Playing with Music at Home
Music making doesn’t need to be formal at all times – it’s easy to incorporate music into the daily routines with your child, in fact, you may find you already …
Support Math Readiness Through Music
The teachers in our Sing, Play, Learn! with MacPhail® department know that music class isn’t just fun and play. Music learning can build a child’s math skills. Check out this …