Forest Hills Music School Offers Lessons, Music Therapy

Hug Music, a music school for kids in Queens, recently opened in Forest Hills. The Forest Hills music school offers early childhood music, private lessons, and music therapy.

Hug Music offers private piano lessons.

Kana Kamitsubo-Markovic and Sasha Markovic founded and opened Hug Music in September. The Forest Hills music school introduces students to music through creative and nurturing lessons and provides a place where children can express themselves through making music. While it teaches students of all ages and abilities, Hug Music specializes in three categories: early childhood music, private music lessons, and music programs for children with special needs.

The early childhood classes are designed for four to five students and have a 2-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Live music is played for the duration of the class, and teachers observe children’s reactions and responses.

Private music lessons are customized to each student, and are offered in piano, guitar, and songwriting. Other lessons include Hug Medoly Solo, in which children learn to play an instrument as well as ear training and music theory, and ABRSM and NYSSMA exam prep.

The music programs for children with special needs are taught by Kamitsubo-Markovic, MT-BC, a board-certified music therapist. Kamitsubo-Markovic created her own method of teaching called Musicreative, which blends music therapy and music instruction. The method works to help children expand their communication skills and attention spans through music.

“We believe that learning music must be fun and should be used to help students grow as a musician and as a student,” Kamitsubo-Markovic says.

Starting in February, Hug Music will also offer group guitar lessons for children ages 5 and older.