RCLA - The Russian Center for Languages and Arts

Russian Language Program
Music Program

Russian Language Program
Our program concentrates on developing and implementing new methods of teaching the Russian language to native as well as heritage speakers, which combine traditional curriculum and musical activities. In our lessons we employ such activities as reading fairy tales and poetry, playing games with letters and words, and singing Russian songs. Using this approach we teach four core language courses:

Russian for Beginners that includes learning the alphabet, developing speech and reading skills
Intermediate Russian for children with basic reading skills
Advanced Russian focusing on mastering speaking, writing, and reading skills
Russian as a Foreign Language for children and adults

Music Program

Music/Choral/A Cappella Classes

Our goal is development of the basic music skills. Our students learn ear-training, rhythm, music theory, and take part in chamber performances. Every lesson consists of three parts: theory of music, exercises for development of rhythm and ear-training, and choral singing. In the first part, students learn the basic rules of pitch and rhythm notation. The second part consists of sol-fa, rhythm and ear-training that help children in recognizing and memorizing music compositions. For development of these skills, we employ various musical activities such as Rhythmic exercises, Finger-plays, Musical games. The last part of the lesson concentrates on Choral singing for development of vocal skills (breathing technique, diction, articulation). In our classes, children learn to sing solo and in ensemble by using the rhythm and ear-training skills.

Musical Theater

Musical Theater is a class where children learn how to sing, perform and express themselves telling a music story. Students do ear-training, play rhythmic and musical games for working out artistic skills necessary in musical theater. Our students successfully take part in performances and musical projects. This class helps children in developing their imagination and creativity, emphasizing singing, dancing and music.

Music Theory and Solfeggio

Music theory and Solfeggio is a combined course for children who learn playing musical instruments. This class includes but is not limited to basic music literacy, studying solmization technique for sight-singing (in which each note is sung to a special syllable), musical dictations and musical analysis. The combination of these activities provides the best way for your child to develop ability to sing, play and enjoy music. The program includes time-proved Russian and American methodologies of teaching Music history, Theory and Solfeggio.

All courses within this program are designed to enhance and complement each other and can be taken either together, in one block, or independently.