Ankeny Academy of Music

Classes and Ensembles

Pre-Piano: Designed for the 6-year-old, it has been much enjoyed by beginning 7-year-olds as well. Original materials are based on research in the perception of rhythm and the work of Paul Fraisse. This is a unique introduction to music notation that involves much creativity. It can precede study of any instrument. Its main purpose is to develop a foundation for music literacy and establish motor and auditory imagery—the real meaning of music notation.

Creative Musicianship Classes

Organized by age and two-grade levels: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, and 10-11-12-adults. This teaches the essentials of scales, key-relationships and harmonic functions. These are taught sequentially through creative exercises. This includes an introduction to our history of Western World music styles at the higher level courses. Classes meet from the first of October through April. Al registered (for private lessons) students are welcome and urged to participate.

Flute Choir

This is an opportunity for registered flute students to develop skills through ensemble experience. Area students and adults are welcome. Please contact the academy. Vicki Mignona Niebuhr as an outstanding teacher.

Iowa Youth Chorus

The Ankeny Academy of Music is pleased to welcome Kristen Staunton, director, and to provide the rehearsal space, Suite 206 Neveln Center, for the North Area levels 1 and 2 students ages 8 to 14; levels 3 and 4 are selected by audition. To audition please contact the Iowa Youth Chorus directly. For levels 1 and 2 any students who would like to take advantage of this splendid opportunity are welcomed. Rehearsals for the North Area level 1 and 2 are held on Monday evenings in Neveln Center 206. The Iowa Youth Chorus is to perform a Guest Concert as part of the Academy Public Concert Series –“Second Sundays at Two”

Language Delay

The Language Delay Project has been conceived for the children who are past two years old but have not yet developed speech in the normal fashion. It is a study to examine the effects of music to encourage, to stimulate the language area of the brain. Parents become partners in the study.

To date, the best outcomes have been for small classes, groups of 3 or 4 children close in age with one or both parents involved with each child.

If you know a child who could benefit, please call the Academy.