By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter
Westborough – Tucked away in an inconspicuous location in Westborough, the New England Music Academy (NEMA) is situated in a warm environment where children and adults can learn and explore music in a fun and accessible way. Located in the Westborough Shopping Plaza, 30 Lyman Street, Suite 50, NEMA welcomes anyone who wants to learn and experience music, to come for a visit, check out a class and “grow together in music.”
NEMA founder Deanna Wong was looking for a music program for her son who was four at the time. She wanted the best of both worlds. She wanted real music theory for her son but didn’t want it to be intimidating, heavy and complex.
“We found a music school that did just that while living in Colorado. They taught a parent-child team where the parent would learn everything with their child and it was real music,” Wong enthusiastically shared. They were learning about quarter notes and time signatures and all elements of music and it was geared toward the young child – the four, five and six-year-old.
When her family moved back to the East Coast, she wanted the same experience for her younger son.
“Every child should have this opportunity,” Wong said, adding, “To have this much fun learning about real music, its foundational.”
Wong was at a turning point in her life and knew that opening her own school was what she wanted to do. She found a curriculum very similar to the one in Colorado which was first and foremost, fun, because that’s how children learn. The New England Music Academy was born.
In business since 2005, NEMA has flourished. It continues to grow and classes fill quickly. They are also continuing to hire experienced teachers to better serve their students’ needs.
“For me music was always fun, it was an expression. I didn’t always have to be the best and win the competitions,” stated Wong who, in her youth, played the violin and bass and was musically rooted in the Suzuki movement. Her parents nurtured her love of music and it was easy, she said, because their philosophy was, “if it’s fun, let’s continue!”
NEMA embodies the same philosophy which sets them apart from other programs. Children easily learn complex music concepts in a group setting because groups are more fun. The primary instrument is an electronic keyboard. Students develop a solid foundation in music literacy through theory, composition, singing, rhythm and ensemble work. When the students near graduation they are introduced to guitar and recorder for a well-rounded experience.
“We are training the ear, we are training the voice and the little kids are learning to compose,” shared Wong. Even from the youngest students at the age of two, they are learning beginning theory concepts and playing keyboards. The teachers use a time honored, internationally known curriculum and students leave with a deep understanding of how music works, all while having fun and playing games.
NEMA has private lessons in piano, strings, voice, and guitar and now includes group lessons for all ages as well. It is never too late nor is one ever too old to have fun learning.
For more information, visit NEMA’s website http://www.nemusicacademy.com/ or phone: 508-898-3888.