First Steps in Music

4-Day Certification Track

When: July 8 – 11, 2025

Where: Naperville, Illinois

First Steps in Music for Preschool and Beyond provides activities for children as young as three but appropriate for any aged child that needs to further develop their tuneful, beatful, and artful abilities. Folk songs and rhymes as well as classical music are the primary source materials that are used to develop their musical minds and abilities.

Enrollment in this certification track includes:

  • 4-day training with FAME endorsed teacher trainers
  • Tickets to Summer Institute Concert:
    Mark Miller and Friends
  • Tickets to Summer Institute Concert:
    Jason Max Ferdinand Singers
  • Entrance to “Beer and Hymns” with Tony Alonso
  • Access to “end-of-conference” luncheon

Cost: $500

Register Today

Conference Add-Ons

This certification course is a part of the Summer Music Institute and will be held on the campus of North Central College in Naperville, Illinois.

Additional options for campus accommodations and dining will be available when registering.

Detailed information and instructions are listed below for each option. Add them to your order when checking out to include them in your registration.

Dorm Room Occupancy

$50 per night (Double opccupancy)
$100 per night (single stay)

To order a double occupancy room, you must have a roommate. If you do not have a roommate, you must select single occupancy and pay the full fee.  Dorm room accommodations require you to bring your own bedding. Bathrooms are shared on each floor. Dorm is air-conditioned and an elevator is available.

You will receive an additional email from the Summer Music Institute with more information regarding your dorm room and you will be required to indicate who your roommate is at that time.  Dorm rooms must be ordered by May 31, 2025.

Campus Dining Service

$105 ($35 per day)

Campus dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Numerous food options are available through the North Central College cafeteria.

This additional meal plan will cover your meals throughout all 3 days of the Summer Music Institute and will be within walking distance of all workshops and events.