Music Together Brings Family Music Classes to Scotch Plains, Westfield, and Cranford

Michelle Wyrwa walked into a Music Together class twenty years ago as a parent, bringing her daughter Emily as a baby. She never left. Now the center director of Music Together of Union County, Wyrwa runs classes across three locations—Scotch Plains, Westfield, and Cranford—seven days a week, alongside two other instructors.

The program is built on the idea that children are born with musical abilities that grow through exposure to rhythm, melody, and beat. Unlike traditional sit-and-perform classes, families sit in a circle, sing, play instruments, and dance together. Wyrwa says that if a child wants to wander the room, watch other families, or handle an instrument without joining in, that is fine. "If they want to wander and explore the room, that's a good thing," she said.

For the youngest children, learning happens through hearing, movement, and physical contact. Parents might tap a beat on a baby's body, dance while holding the baby, or sing face-to-face. "It's an opportunity for them to learn to speak to them musically," Wyrwa said.

The program is designed to ease any pressure adults feel about their voices or musical ability. "It's not a performance-based class," Wyrwa said. "It's a learning process where we're giving them tools to continue to learn." Some songs are deliberately silly—the Sad Little Puppy song, for instance, invites children and parents to howl together. "Even reluctant parents participate in that one," Wyrwa said.

Each nine-week semester features roughly 25 to 28 songs, plus Hello and Goodbye songs, and families receive a music book and access to recordings to use between classes. A new collection is introduced each semester, so families can participate for up to three years without repeating material. The current collection includes children's songs, lullabies, folk music, rhythm-stick activities, music from different cultures, and original compositions.

Wyrwa describes herself as a facilitator rather than a performer. She recalled a grandmother who recognized a Japanese song, Hotaru Koi, from her home country when she heard it in class. She also recounted a family from her classes who later moved to Singapore; at a park there, they began singing a Music Together song and another family recognized it. The two families became friends.

Wyrwa has seen families return with second and third children, and she has encountered former students years later whose parents say their children still love music. "I hope they remember being joyful together," she said. "During these 45 minutes each week, parents and their children are giving undivided attention to each other."

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Music Together Union County: Family Music Classes in Scotch Plains, Westfield, Cranford

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Music Together of Union County offers family music classes for babies and children in Scotch Plains, Westfield, and Cranford. Classes start Sept. 14-20. Nine-week semesters.
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FAQ

Q: What is Music Together?
A: Music Together is a family music program designed to help young children discover their natural musical abilities through exposure to rhythm, melody, and beat. Classes feature singing, instrument play, and dancing in a supportive, non-performance environment.

Q: What happens in a Music Together class?
A: Families sit in a circle, sing together, play instruments, and dance. Children may wander the room, watch other families, or participate as they feel comfortable. The focus is on shared experience rather than performance.

Q: How long are the classes?
A: Each class is 45 minutes long. During these 45 minutes, parents and children give undivided attention to each other.

Q: What ages can participate?
A: Music Together offers classes for babies and mixed-age groups. Classes are designed for young children and their families.

Q: Where are Music Together classes offered in Union County?
A: Classes are held in three locations: Scotch Plains (Dance 2000, 377 Park Ave), Westfield (Del Martial Arts, 340 South Avenue East), and Cranford (Beyond Dance, 123 N. Union Ave). Classes meet seven days a week with multiple time slots.

Q: How long is each semester?
A: Each semester runs for nine weeks. A new collection of 25-28 songs is introduced each semester, so families can participate for up to three years without repeating material.

Q: What does a semester include?
A: Each semester includes songs, music books, access to recordings for use between classes, and introduction to children's songs, lullabies, folk music, rhythm activities, music from different cultures, and original compositions.

Q: When do classes start?
A: New sessions begin September 14-20, 2026 across all three locations, with multiple time slots and instructors available.