Mini Music Makers | ZU Arts Initiative

Made Possible By

81321 Launch LOR Foundation
A Program of ZU Arts Initiative

MINI MUSIC MAKERS

Free Music Workshops for Children Ages 4 to 10

Quality instruments. Paid local musicians. No cost to families. Mini Music Makers gives children ages 4 to 10 in Cortez and the surrounding region their first real experience with music, and gives working musicians a paid gig doing what they love.

FREE
To All Families
6
Sessions
PAID
Local Musicians

What Is Mini Music Makers?

A grant-funded music program for children ages 4 to 10, with plans to grow. No experience required. No cost to your family. Just kids, quality instruments, and local musicians who get paid to share what they know.

Who It's For

Mini Music Makers is designed for children ages 4 to 10, with plans to expand as the program grows. Workshops are free and open to families in Cortez and the surrounding region.

  • No musical experience needed
  • No cost to attend
  • Registration required to reserve a spot
  • Approximately one hour per session
  • Held at ZU Gallery, 48 W Main Street, Cortez

What Kids Will Experience

Each session is hands-on and playful, led by a paid local musician. Kids get to touch and play real instruments designed for young learners.

  • Xylophones and glockenspiels built for small hands
  • Rhythm, movement, and listening
  • Learning through play, not drills
  • A real musician leading every session

The Instrument Library

Mini Music Makers was funded through 81321 Launch, a program of the LOR Foundation. The grant purchased a permanent instrument library including quality xylophones, glockenspiels, and recorders that will stay in the community long after the first session wraps up.

These instruments belong to the community. They will be used for future Mini Music Makers sessions and other youth programming for years to come.

Every Kid Deserves To Grow Up With Music In Their Life.

How It Works

Sessions are free but space is limited. Registration will be required so we can plan for every child attending. Details coming soon.

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Step 1: Register

Sign up to reserve your child's spot. Registration is free and only takes a few minutes.

Session dates and registration details coming soon.

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Step 2: Show Up

Bring your child to ZU Gallery at 48 W Main Street in Cortez. No instruments, no supplies, nothing to prepare.

Just show up ready to play.

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Step 3: Make Music

Your child will explore real instruments with a paid local musician leading the way.

Every session is hands-on, playful, and designed for young learners.

Musicians: We Want You

Mini Music Makers pays local adult musicians to lead sessions and pairs them with Young Emerging Artists ages 13 to 21 who are learning to teach. If you love music and want to share it with the next generation, we want to hear from you.

Adult Musician Leaders

Adult musicians lead two one-hour workshops per engagement — one for younger children ages 4 to 6 and one for older children ages 7 to 10. You bring the music knowledge and the enthusiasm. We handle the rest.

  • Paid $250 per engagement (two one-hour workshops)
  • Most leaders will lead one engagement. Those who are interested and available may be invited to return
  • Sessions held at ZU Gallery, 48 W Main Street, Cortez
  • No formal teaching degree required. Just a love of music and comfort with young children
  • We work with you to design the workshop activities so you can focus on the music
  • All sessions supervised with a background-checked adult on site

Young Emerging Artists: Learn to Lead

Mini Music Makers is also a mentorship opportunity for Young Emerging Artists ages 13 to 21. YEA participants assist the adult musician leader across both workshops, gain hands-on experience working with children ages 4 to 10, and build toward leading their own sessions in the future.

This is real arts education work, not just volunteering. YEA participants are paid $50 per engagement and mentored by the adult musician they work alongside.

  • Paid $50 per engagement (two one-hour workshops)
  • One YEA participant per engagement
  • Work directly alongside a professional musician
  • Build skills in music leadership and youth engagement
  • Part of ZU Arts Initiative's Young Emerging Artists program
  • One YEA participant per session

A Safe Space for Every Child

The safety of every child in our program matters deeply to us. All Mini Music Makers sessions are supervised by a background-checked adult on site at all times. We take this seriously so families can feel confident bringing their children to every session.

How to Apply

Email grow@cortezarts.org with the subject line that fits you best.

Adult Musicians: Use the subject line "Mini Music Makers Session Leader" and tell us your name, your instrument or musical background, and why you want to be part of Mini Music Makers. That is all we need to get started.

Young Emerging Artists: Use the subject line "Mini Music Makers YEA" and tell us your name, your age, what kind of music you make or play, and why you want to be part of this program.

Questions? Same address. We read everything.

Musicians and Young Artists: We Want You

Are you a musician or a Young Emerging Artist who loves music and wants to share it with the next generation? We are looking for people ready to make an impact. Every leader is paid.

Questions? Email grow@cortezarts.org

Stay In The Loop

Workshop dates and registration details are coming soon. Sign up below and we will let you know the moment spots open up.