What is Music Together®?
At Music Together Lima, we are proud to offer the early childhood music program Music Together®. Since 1987, Music Together has introduced millions of children, parents, and teachers around the world to the joys of family music-making and the powerful benefits of having music in their lives. Today, classes for children ages birth through grade two are found around the world---including right here in Lima. From babyhood through the early elementary years, Music Together nurtures each child’s natural musicality in a playful, musically rich learning environment. Our research-based music classes are designed to be non-formal and non-performance oriented, so your child can learn at his or her own pace, in a way that’s developmentally appropriate. By enrolling in our children’s music program, you’ll experience a whole semester of classes led by one of our trained teachers. No matter what music class you take at Music Together Lima, you’re guaranteed to learn new songs and music activities to inspire you to bring music into your family’s everyday life.
We Teach the Way Children Learn
At Music Together, we know that children learn differently than adults. They learn instinctively and constantly, and teach themselves through imitation and play, through being immersed in their environment, and through interaction with adults and older children. The family-like setting of Music Together classes creates an ideal learning environment. And it’s all based in research in early childhood and music development.
Learn about the research behind Music Together at the Music Together Worldwide website.
Your Role Is Essential
You are your child’s most important music teacher right now! Young children learn through play and experimentation and by watching and listening to the grownups they love. Setting an example as an enthusiastic participator in music activities is the best thing any parent or caregiver can do to help set a child on the road to a lifelong love of music. Parents don't need to have music skills—they just need a desire to play and have fun with their children! Our teachers are specially trained to create a safe atmosphere so you can happily join in, experiment, or even get silly—and feel closer to your child while doing so.
Music Learning Supports All Learning®
Wiggling, singing, and laughing with your child is so much fun, it's easy to forget how much learning is taking place! Our research-based curriculum not only develops music skills, it nurtures creativity, self-expression, and confidence while also supporting social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Because these benefits build over time, children enjoy the fullest growth in each of these areas when they participate as consistently as possible up through kindergarten.
Our Program
About Music Together Lima
Welcome to Music Together Lima! We’re proud to be in our third year offering Music Together. Our director, Ms Johannah, first experienced Music Together while visiting a class with her children. After seeing how much they loved it, she decided to open a center and share the excitement. Here at Music Together Lima, our greatest joy comes from seeing children discover music. In time we hope to expand and offer more class times so that we can bring a love of music to even more families in the Lima area.
Meet the teacher at
Music Together Lima!
All teachers have successfully completed the live Music Together Teacher Training, which is built on research in early childhood and music development. We keep our skills fresh through workshops every semester and advanced trainings offered by Music Together Worldwide.
Center Director and Registered Teacher
Johannah Barhorst
Ms Johannah has been involved in music her whole life. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Music (Viola) from Eastern Michigan University, played in the Lima Symphony Orchestra for five years, and currently teaches violin and viola private lessons. The oldest of seven and now the mother of five, she's also been involved with children her whole life. She sees Music Together as a way to share her love of music not only with her own children, but with other children in the community.
Our Music
The Music of Music Together
Music Together Lima is proud to teach the Music Together curriculum, which includes an award-winning mix of original songs and traditional tunes from a range of musical styles, including folk, blues, jazz, and world music. The music is pitched just right for children's voices, and the arrangements are fun, sophisticated, and loved by children---and grownups! The combination gives the children of Lima a rich music experience, and makes this kids’ music enjoyable for adult listening, too!
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The Music Together songs are organized into nine collections of twenty-five songs, with three collections taught each year. Your family is welcome to join us at any time and continue for three years---and beyond. Many families cycle back and re-experience the collections as their children turn three or four. Because music-learning is cumulative, your children will experience developmental benefits that build over time. That’s why we encourage their participation in Music Together for as many years as possible from infancy through kindergarten.
We have an app!
Download our "Hello Everybody" app in the App Store or on Google Play for eight full-length songs.
Frequently Asked Questions
As a parent, what is my role in class?
Sing, dance, and have fun! You might be surprised to hear that you are your child’s most important music teacher right now—and it doesn’t matter whether you think of yourself a great singer or dancer. Young children develop dispositions for certain behaviors, including learning to love music, by observing and imitating their loved ones. Simply by participating enthusiastically during class and playing with the ideas at home, you’ll give your children the modeling they need to learn to love to make music. Please wait to socialize or use your cell phone until after class and instead help us create a music-only environment.
What's expected of my child in class?
At Music Together, children are never required to sit in the circle or expected to conform to an adult’s idea of participation. We know that children learn differently from adults. They learn instinctively and constantly, through observation, interactions with adults and older children, and through imitation, play, and, especially, movement. One hallmark of Music Together is the insight that children will naturally develop music ability simply when they are immersed in a community of families all making music.
Children’s responses depend on their most dominant learning style and temperament as well as their age and developmental level. Some might follow the teacher right away. Many will simply want to watch and absorb, particularly in the first few weeks of class. Some might crawl or toddle around; others are stimulated by the music and respond more actively, running, jumping, or dancing. All are perfectly natural responses to the new, musically rich environment. Throughout the semester, your teacher will help you tune in to how your child learns best so you can support their music development in class and at home. Feel free to ask if you have questions!
How should we use the Music Together materials?
Play your songs at home and in the car frequently, especially during the first few weeks of class. Make the music available for your child to listen to while she is playing or before nap or bedtime. Create your Family Music Zone account and download the Hello Everybody app for digital versions of the songs and more activity ideas to try!
Use the songbook to help you learn the songs and get new ideas for musical ideas to use at home. The music notation is in the book if you play an instrument and want to play along. Try using the songbook at story time instead of a regular book and sing through the songs as you go along.
What is the class size?
Each class has between 4 and 12 registered children, plus their caregiver(s).
What if I miss a class or start classes after the semester begins?
Music Together Lima welcomes families at any point during the semester! Please be advised that family materials are available for a limited time only. Make-up classes will be scheduled as available at the discretion of the teacher. If you discover the joy of Music Together late in the session, the teacher may advise that you wait until the next session to begin attending regularly.
Do you offer refunds if I change my mind?
For those who cancel up to two weeks before classes start, a full refund will be given. Cancellations within a week prior to the starting date will incur a $10 fee. For those who cancel after classes start, a credit towards a future session for unattended classes, minus a $10 fee, will be given. If materials have been received there will also be a $50 reduction of the credit. ***No cash/card refunds will be given after the session starts.***
Can we eat in class?
Please feel comfortable to nurse or bottle-feed your child in class, but we ask that you not bring food or drink into classrooms. We also provide an area to nurse privately if desired.
Will classes be canceled in inclement weather?
You will receive a communication via email, text, or the remind app (your teacher will let you know which) at least half an hour before class is due to start if it will be canceled for any reason.
Can I bring a guest or an unregistered older sibling to class?
Music Together® classes may be in session when older children have a school holiday, and it is natural to want to bring them with you to class. All guests must be prearranged with the teacher to ensure adequate space in the class.
Is it okay for more than one adult to come to class?
Yes, parents, grandparents, or caregivers are welcome to attend class at any time—no need to ask!
Why aren't there classes for specific age groups?
Classes with children of different ages have intellectual and social benefits for both younger and older children. In fact, it’s the learning environment recommended by many early childhood researchers. Older children learn empathy and awareness of others, while developing leadership qualities and gaining self-confidence. Younger children learn by imitating the older ones and often show more complex behaviors earlier than usual. Even babies benefit by being in an environment that gives them lots of opportunities to observe the behavior of children of varying ages. Plus, it allows everyone—siblings, parents, grandparents, caregivers—to share in the musical experience together!
Where are classes held?
All classes are held at 1395 N Stevick Rd, Lima. Follow the driveway around to the back for parking and then enter through the red cellar doors in the backyard.