The Latest
March 28, 2024

Where Every Family Matters

Davidson: Arts for Kids

Open the world of arts for kids with classes in Davidson County. Check out what the area has to offer in art, dance, music and theater.

Brushfire Pottery Studio
4004 Hillsboro Pike, Ste. 150, Nashville
615-385-5334
Pottery on a walk-in basis throughout the year plus field trips for school group and homeschoolers.

Cheekwood
1200 Forrest Park Drive, Nashville
615-356-8000
Tuesdays for Tots (September – May) gives preschoolers hands-on art activities. Cheekwood offers art camps during school breaks plus workshop throughout the year. Registration is ongoing.

Children’s Corner Store
718 Thompson Lane, Ste. 104, Nashville
The art of sewing is taught through an assortment of classes for adults and children.

The Clay Lady’s Campus
1416 Lebanon Pike, Ste. C, Nashville
615-242-0346
Pottery classes for ages 16 & older throughout the year. Registration begins Aug. 14.

Craft South
2516 12th Ave. S., Nashville
Open sewing and crafting studio with a full calendar of creative workshops for all ages.

Dabble Studio
330 Harrison St., Nashville
615-678-8784  
Painting classes with accompanying adults throughout the year. Registration is ongoing.

Frist Center
919 Broadway, Nashville
615-244-3340
The Frist’s Martin ArtQuest Gallery lets kids do hands-on projects throughout the year. Special programs during the year and summer camps for ages 5 – 18. No registration needed.

Green Elephant Arts
615-679-0654
Mobile art programs for group playdates and homeschoolers 18 months and older begin Aug. 6. Homeschool classes for ages 5 – 9 begin Aug. 23. Registration is open.

Gymboree Play & Music
4004 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville
615-221-9004
The Art Class for ages 2 – 5 covers painting, sculpture, drawing, collage and more. Registration is ongoing.

Hatch Show Print
224 Fifth Ave. S., Nashville
615-577-7710  
Free Letterpress art making on the first Sunday of each month for ages 5 – 18. No registration needed.

Haus of Yarn
265 White Bridge Road, Nashville
615-354-1007
Private lessons in knitting for children and adults. Recommended for ages 8 and older, $25 for one-hour session.

Little Art House
2104 Acklen Ave., Nashville
615-933-9644
Weekly classes for ages 12 months & older, including after-school classes.  Drop-in classes and a family art-making class available on Saturdays. Registration in ongoing.

Metro Parks Art Classes at Centennial Art Center
301 25th Ave. N., Nashville
615-862-8442
Plans are in the works for developing youth art classes this fall. Summer art camps for ages 8 – 14.

Michael’s
The local craft store has ongoing art classes for kids and adults. Enter your zip code at the website for classes near you.

Nashville School of the Arts
See listing in β€œDance.”

OZ Arts Nashville
6172 Cockrill Bend Cir., Nashville
615-350-7200
OZ hosts day-long multi-arts programs for ages 5 – 15 on days when Metro Nashville Public Schools are out of session during the school year. Registration is ongoing.

Paint + Canvas
6913 Lenox Village Drive, Nashville
615-499-0513
Fall classes for ages 6 – 14, plus spring and summer sessions. Open painting for kids takes place Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. for $25. Registration is open.

Painting with a Twist
4009 Charlotte Ave., Nashville
615-647-8478
Scheduled paint classes. Ages 7 and older welcomed at morning classes and Family Days.

Plaza Art
633 Middleton St., Nashville
615-254-3368
Professional artist supply store that also offers monthly classes in various mediu from beginners to advanced.

River Art Studio
8329 Sawyer Brown Road, Nashville
615-260-2604
Art studio located in West Nashville offering art classes, parties and workshops.

Sarratt Youth Art Institute
207 Sarratt Student Center, Nashville
615-343-0491
Summer art classes for kids ages 5 – 7. Registration TBA.

Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts
A four-week residency summer program (usually in June) for high school students gifted in music, visual art, theatre, dance and filmmaking. Each January more than 1,400 students from all over Tennessee compete for the 230 available scholarships. The students selected for the School for the Arts show true talent and motivation.

VSA Tennessee
Offers an enriching array of arts programs like dance, visual arts and choir all year and throughout the state for students of all ages with and without disabilities.

Watkins College of Art, Design & Film
2298 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., Nashville
615-383-4848
A pre-college program for teens includes drawing/painting, graphic design and photography. Summer camps for kids. Registration begins Aug. 14.

615 House of Dance
2121 Gains St., Nashville
615-516-6604
Breakdancing classes for kids of all experience levels. Registration open.

Bellevue Dance Center
7097 Old Harding Pike, Nashville
615-662-8553
Ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern and contemporary β€œconcert dance” for ages 3 & older. Registration is open; classes begin Aug. 7.

Burlingame Studios of Dance
3642 Central Pike, Hermitage
615-889-6575
Ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, tumbling and all-boys hip hop for ages 3 & older. Registration is open.

DancEast
805 Woodland St., Ste. 314, Nashville
615-601-1897
Classes for ages 2 & older in creative movement, intro to ballet, pre-tap, ballet, tap, jazz, modern and breakdance. Registration is open.

Dance in Bloom
7982 Coley Davis Road, Nashville
615-662-4819
Classes run August – May (register any time) for ages 2 & older. Instruction in dance/tumbling fundamentals, ballet, tap, jazz, modern and more. Registration is open; classes start mid-Aug.

Dancity Productions
5714 Edmondson Pike 2D, Nashville
617-970-3486
Creative movement, ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern, contemporary tap, hip hop and musical theater for ages 2 – 18. Registration is open; classes begin Aug. 1.

Genas-Dance-School
327 Rural Hill Road, Ste. F, Nashville
615-361-5278
Lessons in tap, ballet, lyrical​, hip-hop, clogging and more for ages 3 & older. Registration is open.

Hermitage Dance Academy
3441 Lebanon Pike, Ste. 130, Hermitage
615-231-7100
Ages 2 & older can take intro to ballet, tumbling, ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary and Zumba. A β€œWithout Limits” class is designed for children with special needs, ages 8 – 15. Registration is open.

Metro Parks Dance Division at Centennial Performing Arts Studios
211 27th Ave. N., Nashville
615-862-8439
Classes for children, teens and adults in ballet, pointe, Afro-Caribbean, creative movement, contemporary, modern, hip hop, tap and musical theater. Operates the Centennial Youth Ballet. Classes available at McCabe Park, Sevier Park & Hadley Park community centers. Registration is open.

Moves & Grooves
2275 Murfreesboro Pike, Ste. 101, Nashville
615-953-1363
Arts-integrated learning experience for at-risk youth in grades 2 – 8. Summer camps available. Registration is open.

Nashville Ballroom & Co.
630 Rundle Ave., Nashville
615-726-8899
Classes for ages 8 and older in American and international ballroom, plus social dance lessons including two step, hustle, west coast swing and more. Registration is open.

Nashville Dance Center
11 Vaughns Gap Road, Ste. 200, Nashville
615-385-7997
Classes for ages 2 & older include pre-ballet, creative movement, tumbling, ballet, tap and hip hop/jazz, plus competitive dance for ages 6 – 18. Registration is open; classes begin Aug. 14.

Nashville Irish Step Dancers
2710 Old Lebanon Road, Nashville
615-578-7368  
Irish dance school for all levels teaches both traditional and original solo material as well as group instruction. A competition level is available along with several performance opportunities throughout the year.

Nashville School of Dance and Music
63 E. Thompson Lane, Ste. 105, Nashville
615-403-0060
Classes for ages 18 months  and older in creative movement, tumbling, ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and choreography. Registration is open.

Nashville School of the Arts
1250 Foster Ave., Nashville
615-291-6600
School for grades 9 – 12 combines academics with arts training in instrumental music, vocal music, visual art, theater, dance and literary arts. Open enrollment.

National Dance Clubs
5133 Harding Pike, Ste. A-12, Nashville
615-352-1155
Intro to Ballroom packages available for ages 4 & older. Registration is ongoing.

School of Nashville Ballet
3630 Redmon St., Nashville
615-297-2966
Dance for ages 2 & older includes a children’s division up to professional level. Creative movement and Mommy & Me available for young kids. The Young Men’s Scholarship Program provides free tuition for one year for boys ages 6 – 18. Registration open; classes begin Aug. 14.

Bandwagon Music & Repair
7639 Hwy. 70 S., Nashville
615-721-2263
Lessons in flute, clarinet, sax, trumpet, trombone, tuba, piano, guitar and voice. Parent/tot β€œMusic Together” classes. Registration is ongoing.

Belmont Academy
1900 Belmont Blvd., Nashville
615-460-6346
Music instruction for all ages in guitar, piano, strings, flute, percussion, trombone and voice. Registration is ongoing.

Blair School of Music
2400 Blakemore Ave., Nashville
615-322-7651
Home to one of the top-rated Kindermusik programs in the country and the Blair Children’s Chorus programs. Registration opens Aug. 1; classes begin in Sept.

Childbloom Guitar Program
4412 Illinois Ave., Nashville
859-448-3339
Private and small-group guitar lessons for ages 5 & older with an annual recital. Registration is ongoing.

Creative Soul Music Academy
2709 Bransford Ave., Nashville
615-678-6616
Music lessons for ages 5 & older in piano, guitar, drums, bass and vocals, plus a band program. Registration is ongoing.

Guitar Center
721 Thompson Lane, Nashville
615-297-7770
Lessons for all ages in guitar, banjo, mandolin, bass, drums, band/orchestra, vocals, keyboards and more. Registration is ongoing.

Gymboree Play & Music
4004 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville
615-221-9004
The Music Class for ages 6 – 28 months includes songs, dance, movement, games and instruments. Registration is ongoing.

Melodia Studio
1318 Seventh Ave. N., Nashville
615-953-9642
Piano lessons for all ages and levels. Also available is the β€œFirst Steps in Music” class for infants and toddlers. Registration is ongoing.

Melody Music Studios
615-510-3798
Lessons in instructors’ studios or at your home on a variety of instruments. Registration is ongoing.

Mobile Music Academy
615-301-8589
In-home lessons for all ages include piano, voice, guitar, drums, violin/viola, saxophone, cello, bass and flute. Registration is ongoing.

Music City Music Together
Available at various Nashville spots
615-730-6971
Parent-and-tot music-and-movement program for ages birth to 5 years. Registration is ongoing.

Music City Youth Orchestra
A string orchestra and chamber music program for middle and high school students. Auditions for the 2017/18 season take place Aug. 7, 12 & 14.

The Music Class/Sound Start at Gordon Jewish Community Center
801 Percy Warner Blvd., Nashville
Music Pups parent/tot music-and-movement program for ages birth – 4 years takes place in fall, spring and summer. Registration is open.

Nashville Children’s Choir
In cooperation with Belmont University, this program includes three sequenced choirs for grades 3 – 8 and the Nashville Youth Choir for grades 9 – 12. The next audition takes place Thursday, Aug. 10.

Nashville Music Academy
2716 Westwood Drive, Nashville
615-521-1937
Lessons for all ages on every instrument. Special needs program available, too. Registration is open.

Nashville School of the Arts
See listing in β€œDance.”

Nashville Jazz Workshop
1319 Adams St., Nashville
615-242-5299
Ensemble classes focusing on master artists. Additional classes include theory, improvisation and more. Some proficiency on instruments is required. Registration is open.

Nashville Youth Orchestra Program
Comprises eight student orchestras β€” including the Curb Youth Symphony β€” at different skill levels for students in grades 3 – 12. The next round of auditions take place Aug. 12 – 23.

Nashville Symphony
1 Symphony Place, Nashville
615-687-6500
Pied Piper Series of concerts for children; FREE Young People’s Concerts for students in grades K – 12 ($10 for chaperones/teachers) with curriculum. Learn more about more symphony initiatives at the website.

Pro Music Academy
2803 Columbine Place, Nashville
615-200-0604
Lessons for all levels taught by professional working musicians. Registration is ongoing.

School of Rock Nashville
3201 Belmont Blvd., Nashville
615-730-5306
Lessons in guitar, bass, piano, drums and voice with an emphasis on live performance. A β€œLittle Wings” program for preschoolers is available. Registration is open.

W.O. Smith Music School
1125 Eighth Ave. S., Nashville
615-255-8355
Music instruction for kids ages 7 – 18 from low-income families. Lessons are 50 cents each, and the school provides instruments. Fall registration is Aug. 7 – 10.

Williams Fine Violin
1218 17th Ave. S., Nashville
615-429-2927
Private lessons for ages 4 & older (depending on instructor) in violin, fiddle, cello, double bass as well as beginning piano and voice. Registration is ongoing.

Youth Empowerment through Arts and Humanities, Inc. (YEAH!)
held at Vanderbilt University
2201 West End Ave., Nashville
615-849-8140
Charitable youth arts organization. Rock camps and Rock Block, where students ages 10 – 17 learn to play music through collaborative experience. Fall sessions to be posted online this month and begin in Sept.

The 4th Wall Acting Studio
100 Taylor St., Ste. B8, Nashville
615-398-0616
Saturday classes for ages 12 – 17 includes scene study, character development and script analysis. Registration is ongoing; space is limited.

Metro Parks Theater Division at Centennial Performing Arts Studios
211 27th Ave. N., Nashville
615-880-2281
Classes for ages 3 – 14 include dramatic play, acting fundamentals & essentials, story drama and more. Plus, classes for special needs youth ages 15 & older. Register now for fall/winter 2017.

Nashville Acting Studio
2701 Greystone Road, Ste. C, Nashville
629-777-6980
Young actors classes on Saturdays for ages 6 – 18 focus on acting for the camera. Registration is open.

Nashville Children’s Theatre
25 Middleton St., Nashville
615-252-4675
NCT offers a wide range of drama classes throughout the year for PreK and older. Registration for the fall opens Aug. 12.

Nashville School of the Arts
See listing in β€œDance.”

Nashville Theatre School
615-477-1628
Brings after-school musical theater classes to preschools and schools. Registration is open.

Nashville Youth Theatre Company
Middle and high school students perform, play, write, sing, dance, act, manage and more. Performances take place at Lipscomb University. Registration is open.

Street Theatre Company’s ClassAct Dramatics
615-554-7414
Year-round opportunities for ages 5 – 18 in classes, workshops, musicals and plays. Seasonal camps. Registration TBA.

The Theater Bug
4809 Gallatin Pike, Nashville
615-818-7358
Theater training for kids. Original productions feature casts ages 6 & older. Registration opens Aug. 7.

TPAC Education
505 Deaderick St., Nashville
615-687-4291
TPAC’s Humanities Outreach in Tennessee (HOT) program brings theater, dance and music performances to school groups and homeschool families. Reservations for 2017/2018 open Aug. 1.

Save

Save

About the Author