Homeschool Programs
Virtual Opportunities Available
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Programs for Groups of Any Size
Homeschool Days
Offered once a month, Homeschool Days provide interactive, engaging educational programs based on themes relevant to our one-of-a-kind collection. All programs are led by Museum staff and volunteers who facilitate unique experiences designed specifically for homeschool students. Advanced registration required to participate. Each Homeschool Day program costs $15/family for non-museum members and $10/family for family-level museum members. A minimum number of students is required for programs to take place. Recommended for ages 8 and up, but all are welcome. Each Homeschool Day program is approximately one hour long and includes an optional one-hour tour afterwards. Program start times are listed below.
Please email schools@countrymusichalloffame.org with questions and concerns.
Homeschool Day Programs
Discover DeFord Bailey
Join us for a music-making program and learn about one of the Grand Ole Opry’s most popular early performers, DeFord Bailey. Known as the “Harmonica Wizard,” DeFord was an influential harmonica player in both country music and blues and was country music’s first Black star.
February 3, 2023 | 2:00 p.m.
Hatch Show Print Tour (SOLD OUT)
Learn how the oldest surviving letterpress print shop in the U.S. thrives in the digital age. At Hatch Show Print, students learn the letterpress printing process, from initial sketches to the final pass through the press. Students explore the shop’s connection to Southern entertainment and the history of graphic design, and discover how this 19th century print shop thrives in the digital age. The program culminates with students hand-inking and printing their own limited edition poster.
March 1, 2023 | 1:00 p.m. | (SOLD OUT)
Is It a Fiddle or a Violin? (SOLD OUT)
In this partnership program with the Nashville Symphony, students tour both the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. They hear from live instrumentalists who compare and contrast the fiddle and the violin by sharing their history and playing several musical examples. Through tours and musical performances, this program will challenge you to think about both country and classical music in new ways.
April 5, 2023 | 10:00 a.m. | (SOLD OUT)
Discover Ray Charles
Join us for an interactive music-making program all about Ray Charles, an iconic soul musician who is also a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. His hit 1962 album Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music reimagined popular country songs with his unique soulful style and introduced country music to a broader and more diverse audience.
April 20, 2023 | 2:00 p.m.
Dazzling Designs
In this interactive art-making workshop, students create their own designs after reviewing design elements found in stage costumes, accessories, and instruments from the Museum’s collection. This program explores representations of culture, symbolism, and individuality in style while highlighting different eras of American and country music history.
May 3, 2023 | 2:00 p.m.
Words & Music for Homeschool
Homeschool students can strengthen their creative writing skills by participating in the Words & Music songwriting program. Through five weekly classes, students in grades 3-8 are guided by a museum educator and songwriter to create their own song lyric. The course culminates with a performance workshop that features a selection of student lyrics set to music by a professional songwriter. For students in grades 9-12 interested in participating, please email schools@countrymusichallofame.org.
Advanced registration required. Family-level museum members receive a course discount. A minimum number of students is required for this course to take place. All classes will be held virtually on Zoom (a link will be shared via email). The final performance workshop will be held at the Museum.
Pricing:
Family-level museum members: $40; Non-members $60.
Price includes all five lessons.
2023 Dates: Coming soon
All sessions will be held at 1:00-2:00pm CDT
Referrals: Families may receive one complimentary home school program (following Words & Music) for each referred family that registers for Words & Music. Offer valid through the 2022-2023 school year.
Meet Your Instructors
Aaron Helvig is the Words & Music Program Manager. He helps develop education programs and curriculum, presents workshops to teachers, and serves as a staff songwriter for various songwriting programs. Prior to joining the Museum’s education team in 2019, Aaron taught band, guitar, songwriting, and studio production at Isaiah T. Creswell Middle School of the Arts in Metro Nashville Public Schools.
As a music educator, he has served as a guest instructor, clinician and judge for various music festivals, camps, and organizations in Tennessee and his native Arizona, as well as an education curriculum consultant for Quaver Music. Aaron performs regularly in Nashville with his acoustic duo, Emberland. As a trombonist, he has performed with notable artists including Randy Brecker, Danny Gokey, The Jacksons, and The Temptations. Aaron earned a Bachelor’s in Music Education and a Master’s in Music from Northern Arizona University.
Annie Adams is the Words & Music Program Coordinator. She assists with Words & Music, Songwriting 101, and occasionally serves as a staff songwriter as well. Prior to joining the Museum’s education team, Annie taught voice, piano, guitar, and songwriting to students of all ages.
Annie has been an active member of Nashville’s music scene since she arrived in 2009, writing and performing original country/Americana music regularly under the stage name Annie Kennedy. In 2016, Annie was featured in the “Rockin’ Boots” campaign for RocketBuster Boots and named one of four women “Trailblazers.” She has performed all over the US and internationally, booking a solo tour in Amsterdam in 2017. Annie continues to write and perform today, also working as a professional studio vocalist and ensemble singer. Annie holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Commercial Music from Millikin University.