Classical Encounters Membership for the young
& young at heart
Experience the wonder, beauty and creativity of classical music by getting access to our rich extensive library of music + art lessons.
Are you interested in enriching your home or classroom with the Beauty of classical music?
Looking for a classical music curriculum that will provide all the materials for you?
Inside the Classical Encounters Membership pianist & music Educator Sadie Hoyt tells the story of classical music - from its beginnings in medieval chant up to the masterworks of today.
With degrees in music & history and extensive experience as an educator and performer, Sadie provides a curriculum for all ages that deepens understanding of music history & theory while facilitating a connection to classical music as a powerful art form.
Included in all plans:
Music History & Appreciation Lessons:
These lessons connect the dots between history, architecture, art and music and show classical music’s ability to organize the complexity of the human experience into majestic, cohesive cathedrals of sound. Students will learn the musical contributions of each era, composer and piece of music and how to listen and identify the musical details that make each work distinct.
Drawing Tutorials from artist Elisabeth Waldstein:
Florence-based artist Elisabeth Waldstein guides ages 8+ through drawing significant pieces of architecture from the worlds of the composers. This element of the membership beautifully fuses together art, architecture & music and gives children (or adults!) the opportunity to draw the world they hear.
Flashcards + Glossaries of Music Terms
Sharpen your knowledge of classical music by printing off beautifully designed flashcards and glossary lists of theory terms and key historical, artistic or cultural events discussed in the music lessons.
Instructional Videos by music educator Sadie:
Sadie breaks down particular musical concepts and terms at the piano to deepen students’ understanding.
Playlists for Youtube, Spotify or Apple Music
In your membership playlists you'll find the works covered in the Music History & Appreciation lessons plus extra musical works from the same music period or by the same composers. This offers members the chance to become immersed in the month’s topic during the week in between lessons.
Access to full library:
No matter when you join, you can start at the very beginning to move through music history chronologically. If you get behind or want to complete these materials in a different time frame or order, no problem- you can always access and explore all previous months’ materials at your own pace.
Meet the Creator
Hey there! I’m a classically trained pianist & music educator who’s passionate about getting beautiful music into as many homes as possible.
Raised on good books, music and an inherited 1918 Grand Steinway on 50 acres of rolling hills and forests, I encountered the beauty within art and nature every single day of my childhood, and it transformed my outlook of the world.
I'm a firm believer that the more regularly we surround ourselves with Beauty, the more we will want our lives to better reflect it. I know I’m biased, but I think classical music offers one of the most powerful, direct encounters with Beauty.
I have over 15 years of experience as an educator, including as a piano teacher to a full private studio, a music appreciation teacher at an elementary school, and education assistant with the Pittsburgh Opera where I created materials used by over 100 local middle schools.
With degrees in both music & history and extensive experience as a performer & educator, my materials are grounded in academic & music excellence. and aim to draw out a child’s natural wonder and imagination while deepening knowledge.
Classical music was one of the greatest gifts I was given as a child, and I believe it is an art form that has the power to change hearts & minds.
Sadie
Give your family the gift of experiencing the transcendence, wonder, and beauty of classical music this summer!
Why is it important to include classical music in my home curriculum?
-Classical music is one of the most powerful art forms that we have, and as such, our families deserve to encounter it regularly. It is universal in its reach and capable of expressing the full complexity and majesty of our existence.
-Classical music encompasses a canon of musical masterpieces. We call it the classical repertoire because these are works that have proved capable of speaking to the heart of what it means to be human across all time periods, continents, and cultures. If we work hard to enrich our lives with the canon of literary masterpieces, why should we not also enrich our lives with the canon of musical masterpieces?
Classical music was one of the most important gifts I was given as a child and it transformed my outlook of the world. All deserve to encounter the riches of the classical music repertoire and it’s essential that we incorporate this medium into our home education.
Meet the Team
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Sadie Hoyt
FOUNDER
A classical pianist with degrees in music & history, Sadie holds a MM in Chamber Music from the Catholic University of America and has over 16 years of performance and teaching experience. She is dedicated to creating materials grounded in academic, aesthetic and musical excellence so that all can have access to the powerful art of classical music.
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Evan Brende
IN HOUSE COMPOSER
A classical composer who bridges all genres, Evan engages young audiences by showing that classical music, from Bach to the Greats of today is forever relevant and exciting. He received his bachelors in music composition at the Benjamin T Rome School of Music in Washington DC and is currently recording his first album with Plaid Dog Recording Studio in Boston, MA. Evan provides video demonstrations of complex theory concepts for our subscribers!
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Nathaniel Hoyt
CELLIST & MUSIC THEORY WIZ
Nathaniel is a cellist based in Cleveland, Ohio, where he received a MM in Cello Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music. While earning his BM in Washington DC, he was hired to perform in high-end venues including the Canadian Embassy, the Library of Congress, and the Apostolic Nunciature. With extensive background as a performer and music analyst, Nathaniel is on deck to do research, score study and fact check educational materials for accuracy.
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Elisabeth Waldstein
IN HOUSE ARTIST
Elisabeth Waldstein trained at the Angel Academy of Arts in Florence Italy, where she currently resides. Elisabeth works at a jewelry store right at the steps of Santa Croce and loves to paint the surrounding beautiful Florentine architecture. Her preferred medium is watercolors en plein air - and oil for her studio, where she paints while listening to Monteverdi or Buxtehude. Elisabeth provides our subscribers with monthly drawing tutorials on the topic of the month.
Fun fact: Elisabeth descends from the very same family to whom Beethoven dedicated his Waldstein Sonata!
FAQs
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My curriculum materials engage the entire family by providing content in a style that is comprehensible to younger ages while remaining interesting to older ages. I provide activities for the younger ages as well as listening, drawing + writing activities for older ages. My intent is to provide an all age approach so as to facilitate encounters with classical music as a family.
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When you join the membership, you’ll be given access to a password protected member area which will have everything you need to begin immersing yourself in the rich art form of classical music.
