So what's available for local families?
Below are some of the offerings in New Westminster and Burnaby.
(Please note: All information was as current as possible at time of publication, but please check directly with studios and program providers for the most up-to-date information, as classes, times and dates can change.)
*
Music Box
Second floor, River Market, 810 Quayside Dr., New Westminster
604-553-1176
Offers Mini Music Saturday drop-in for kids aged nine months to three years, and a Music Kids Club and Drama Kids Club for three- to five-year-olds on Wednesdays.
*
Kids In Motion Creative Arts Studio
465B East Columbia St., Sapperton
778-554-1146
Offer Rhythm Kids class for 1.5- to three-year-olds, and a variety of dance option for toddlers including Pre-Ballet for 2.5- to three-year-olds, Beginner Ballet for 2.5- to five-year-olds, and Toddler Highland, Toddler Hip Hop, Toddler Jazz and Combo Boogie for three- to five-year-olds.
*
The Stage New Westminster
(operates out of Dance With Me Studio)
230-50 Lorne St., New Westminster
604-518-1291
Offers Stage Baby, for kids from zero to 18 months; Stage Toddler, for 16 (or independently walking) to 35 months; and Stage Seasons, for three to five years old.
*
New Westminster Parks, Culture and Recreation
Centennial Community Centre: 604-777-5100
Offers a variety of music and movement-related classes including Wiggles and Giggles for two- to four-year-olds, Parent and Tot Pre-Dance for one- to three-year-olds; Mom and Me Ballet for two- to four-year-olds and Music Shakers for 1.5- to three-year-olds. Check the website or pick up a city Active Living Guide at local community centres.
*
Burnaby Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
The City of Burnaby offers a wide range of programs at various community centres and facilities, including Bonsor, Edmonds, Eileen Dailly, Willingdon and Shadbolt Centre for the Arts. Among the offerings are Creative Drama, Babytime Music and Movement, Music and My Baby/Music and My Toddler, Young Tunes, Musical Munchkins, Baby's First Dance, Toddler's First Dance, Dance With Me, Baby!, Preschool Tap, Creative Dance for toddlers and many more. Pick up a Leisure Guide at local community centres or see the website for the full list.
*
Staccato Studios
4663 Hastings St., Burnaby
604-421-3753
Offers Music Together family classes for kids from infancy to four years old, with parent/s or caregiver. It's a music and movement program with song, chants, dance and instrument play.
*
Music for Young Children
This method of teaching music for youngsters runs from the toddler years through school age. It's offered in the New Westminster and Burnaby area by several different teachers and studios. Visit the website and run a search by postal code to find the teachers nearest you.
*
Kindermusik
This program includes baby music classes, toddler music classes and classes through the preschool years into school age. It's offered in various locations by different teachers and studios and may have locations in Burnaby, though none were active at time of publication. Visit the website and run a postal code search to find the teachers nearest you.
Do you know of anyone we've missed? If you know of a program or studio offering music or dance classes for babies and/or toddlers, please let us know. Email Julie MacLellan, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
