Our Story
Music Comes Alive was born out of a desire to make it easy and delightful to add music to your homeschool. How?
By harnessing the joy of reading with your children.
Founded by Dr. Emma James, Music Comes Alive is a literature-based curriculum designed to be easy to teach, to engage multiple learning styles, and best of all, to foster connection between you and your children as you learn about music together through books.
"Emma truly has cracked the code on teaching music to homeschoolers!"
~ Jenn S., NY
From Emma: I am a homeschooling mother of two, a wife, and a musician who holds a PhD in Music Theory from the Eastman School of Music and a Bachelor of Music from Houghton University. With a background in teaching piano and college-level music theory, I came to homeschooling with a desire to help my children cultivate a life-long appreciation of music.
While learning an instrument is an indispensable part of learning music, I also wanted to bring music history to life for my children. Enter picture books! Paired with great music, picture books have captivated us as we've learned about many musicians and musical styles. Books wake up our senses to other times, places, and people. In addition, reading books together fosters deep connections between parents and children, which is one of the best benefits of homeschooling.
A few years ago, I began teaching music appreciation for our local homeschool co-op, and I realized that most parents want their children introduced to musical concepts, instruments, and composers, but many do not know where to begin. I wondered: What if there were a way connect deeply with your children while learning about music together? What if you simply had to turn the page and begin?
The inspiration to create a simple but comprehensive, literature-based music appreciation curriculum came out of these two experiences: the joy of reading about music with my own children and the need for a music curriculum that parents can teach. This is why I founded Music Comes Alive: to help you bring the joy of music to your homeschool.
Emma R. James
Emma R. James, PhD
Soli Deo gloria
Read more about Dr. Emma James on the Music Comes Alive Blog, or subscribe below!
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"As a veteran homeschooler of 18 years, finding quality and engaging music education offerings has always been a challenge. Music curriculums and co-op classes were few and far between and were often boring or too watered down. My son took a music class with Emma at a co-op and I was very impressed. The class incorporated listening to a variety of musical genres with music history and theory on a level that was rigorous yet fun and engaging. Emma truly has cracked the code on teaching music to homeschoolers!"
~Jenn S., NY