Early Birds at MusicMAP
Free Music Classes for Little Ones and Their Grown-Ups
Early Birds is a free community music program for children ages 0–5 and their caregivers. Come sing, move, play instruments, and make music together.
Music Starts Early—and Grows With Them
Early Birds is MusicMAP’s free music program for children ages 0–5 and the grown-ups who care for them.
HATCHLINGS · Birth–18 months
Music is something to discover.
Babies experience songs, instruments, rhythm and sound through listening, watching, touching and interacting with their grown-ups.
NESTLINGS · 18 months–2½ years
Music becomes something to explore.
Movement, instrument play, musical games, stories, singing and dancing invite toddlers to participate in their own way.
FLEDGLINGS · 2½–5 years
Music becomes something they can make their own.
Children experiment with rhythm, instruments and their voices while beginning to develop musical ideas of their own.
Grown-ups are part of every Early Birds class—singing, playing, moving and discovering alongside their children.
Joining Us Is Easy
Find a class
Save your spot
Register for free so we know you're coming.
Come make music
Bring your child and come as you are. We'll provide the instruments and music.
See Early Birds in Action
Singing, movement, instruments, exploration—and plenty of room to be a kid. Take a peek inside an Early Birds class.
MOMENTS FROM EARLY BIRDS
Music, Movement & a Little Bit of Magic
We LOVE this place, the teachers and the outcome of our preschooler attending the music community classes. He talks about Chauncey all week and is playing chords with intention rhythms on the piano after a single introduction. Thank you for inspiring the magic of music in a young musician!
Meet the Early Birds Teaching Team
Chauncey Mauney
Early Childhood Music Lead
Chauncey Mauney is a performing and teaching artist with more than 20 years of experience creating music, theatre, and storytelling experiences for children and young adults. His work has included Chicago Children’s Theatre, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and, locally, the Lane Arts Council. Accessibility and inclusion are central to his teaching, and he especially loves creating spaces where children can explore music in their own way.
Growing up in Mississippi, Chauncey learned music at family gatherings filled with people singing and playing together. He brings that same sense of play, connection, and everyone-is-welcome music-making to Early Birds.
Siera Kaup
Early Birds Instructor
Siera Kaup is a music educator with a BA in Music Education from the University of Oregon and full certification in Orff Schulwerk, a playful, hands-on approach to teaching music through singing, movement, instruments, and improvisation. She spent seven years teaching elementary music and loves helping children experience music through exploration and play.
A longtime Eugene resident, Siera also sings in local choirs and loves dancing, gardening, baking, traveling, and hiking with her dog.
Early Birds FAQs
Everything families need to know before joining a free Early Birds music class.
Who can attend Early Birds?
Early Birds is for children from birth through age 5 and a parent, guardian, or other caregiver. Classes are designed for different stages of early childhood, from babies experiencing music for the first time to preschoolers ready for more active musical exploration.
Is Early Birds really free?
Yes! There is no required cost to attend Early Birds. The program is offered by MusicMAP and made possible through community donations. Families who are able and interested can support the program, but donating is never required to participate.
Do we need to register?
Yes, we ask families to register so we can plan for class size and make sure there is plenty of room for everyone. Registration is free and you can choose the class time that works best for your family.
What happens during a class?
Expect lots of singing, movement, rhythm, instruments, and play. Activities vary by age and from class to class, but children might shake percussion instruments, take a turn with an instrument, move to music, explore different sounds, sing along, or experiment with making music of their own. Grown-ups join in too!
What if my child doesn't sit still or participate?
That’s completely okay. Early Birds is designed for young children, and we don’t expect them to experience music in one particular way. Your child may sing, dance, watch, wander, play an instrument, or simply listen. We encourage families to follow their child’s comfort and curiosity.
Do parents and caregivers participate?
Yes! Early Birds is designed for children and their grown-ups to experience together. We encourage caregivers to sing, move, play, and model participation alongside their child. You don’t need any musical experience—enthusiasm is plenty.
What should we bring?
Just yourselves! We provide the instruments and materials you’ll use during class. Comfortable clothes that make it easy to move and play are a good idea.
Can siblings attend together?
Yes. Siblings are welcome to attend together, and we know that bringing more than one young child is part of life for many families. Because our classes are designed for different developmental stages, check the class description to find the best fit for your family. Please register any children who will be attending the class.
Where are classes held?
Early Birds classes are held at Pavilanis School of Music – 388 E 3rd Ave, Eugene, OR. You’ll receive location details with your registration.
What if we've never done a music class before?
Perfect—you don’t need any previous experience. Early Birds is designed to be an easy, welcoming introduction to making music together. There is nothing your child needs to know beforehand, and grown-ups don’t need to consider themselves musical either. Just come ready to explore and play.
What if I make a donation but can't attend?
Donations help keep Early Birds free and support the program whether or not you’re able to attend a particular class. If your plans change, we encourage you to pass your donation forward to a future visit rather than requesting a refund. This helps us avoid transaction costs and keeps more of every gift supporting Early Birds.
Your donation is never required to attend, so you’re always welcome to join us another time whether or not you make another gift.
Will you offer classes at other times?
We hope so! One of our goals is to make Early Birds accessible to families with different schedules. Most classes are currently offered in the mornings, with a group of afternoon classes each week. As the program grows, we’ll continue evaluating additional days and times based on family interest, demand, and available funding.
HELP KEEP EARLY BIRDS FREE
Every Family Can Come. Community Support Makes That Possible.
Early Birds is free for every family. Community donations help MusicMAP provide teachers, instruments, classroom materials, and welcoming music experiences for local children and their grown-ups.
Come Make Music With Us
Ready to join an Early Birds class? Find a time that works for your family and save your free spot.