-39280bd.png/:/rs=h:170,cg:true,m/qt=q:95)
Welcome New Families!
What is Tots with Tempo?
Tots with Tempo is Accelerando Music’s award-winning early childhood music program for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers in Alexandria and Arlington. Through joyful singing, movement, and instrument play, children imagine, explore, and grow in an engaging, research-based environment.
We proudly offer:
- Mixed Age Classes for Ages 0-5
- Age-Specific Classes
- Music and Art Themed Classes
- Convenient Summer Drop-In Classes (no weekly commitment!)
- FREE TRIALS
- Sibling Discounts
- Two convenient locations in Alexandria & Arlington
Alexandria @ The Barn:
2001 Sherwood Hall Lane Alexandria, VA
Arlington @ Lyon Village:
1920 N. Highland St. Arlington, VA
Free Trial Class
We’d love to welcome your family for a free trial class!
To book your FREE TRIAL:
- Choose any eligible class on the schedule.
- Complete the registration form.
- Select “FREE TRIAL” from the drop-down menu labeled “Pick Your Payment Plan.”
Please note:
Free trials are available for all classes except our Sing, Shake & Create music-and-art events. Age-specific classes are only at our Alexandria location. Arlington offers our signature Tots with Tempo Mixed Age class for 0-5.
Which Class Is Right For Me?
Mixed Age vs. Age-Specific
Choosing between a mixed age class and an age-specific class really comes down to personal preference, your child’s personality, and the type of experience you think they will enjoy most. There is no “wrong” choice — all of our classes are designed to support early musical growth through singing, movement, rhythm, instruments, creativity, connection, and play.
Tots with Tempo Mixed Age Classes (0-5 Years) ***MOST POPULAR***
Our Tots with Tempo Mixed Age class welcomes children ages 0–5 and is a great fit for families who enjoy a lively, community-style class experience. Mixed age classes are especially helpful for siblings, families with children in different stages, and little ones who benefit from observing and learning from older or younger peers. Younger children often love watching and imitating the “big kids,” while older children build confidence as they model participation, leadership, and musical play. Because every child engages at their own developmental level, the same song or activity can offer something meaningful for a baby, toddler, or preschooler.
Sing, Shake & Create Music and Art Mixed Age Classes (2-6 Years)
For families looking for an extra creative experience, our Sing, Shake & Create events are another mixed age option for children ages 2–6. These one-hour themed classes include a 40-minute interactive music class followed by a 20-minute art activity inspired by the same theme. Children might sing, dance, play instruments, explore rhythm, and move through an imaginative musical adventure, then bring the theme to life through a hands-on art project. It’s a wonderful choice for children who love creativity, pretend play, sensory exploration, and a little extra time to settle into the theme.
Our age-specific classes are a wonderful choice for families who prefer a class tailored more closely to their child’s current stage of development. These classes allow us to focus on the needs, energy level, attention span, and emerging skills of a narrower age group. For example, baby classes may include more bonding songs, sensory exploration, lap bounces, and gentle movement, while toddler classes may offer more opportunities for movement, repetition, language development, independence, and hands-on instrument play. Age-specific classes can be especially helpful for children who feel most comfortable with peers close to their own age.
Some children thrive in the variety and energy of a mixed age class, while others do best in a class designed just for their age and stage. Some families even enjoy mixing and matching both formats! Whether your child joins an age-specific class, a mixed age Tots with Tempo class, or a themed Sing, Shake & Create experience, they will be welcomed into a warm, playful, research-informed environment where they can sing, move, explore, connect, and grow.
Early Childhood Class Offerings
Babies with Beat
Toddlers with Treble
Toddlers with Treble
Babies with Beat for 0-16 Months is a gentle grown-up-and-me baby music class for infants and young toddlers. This class is designed for babies from birth through 16 months and focuses on bonding, sensory exploration, caregiver connection, early listening skills, vocal play, rhythm, movement, and musical interaction.
Through lullabies, lap bounces, finger plays, gentle movement, baby-safe instruments, scarves, shakers, and playful songs, babies begin to experience music as a joyful way to connect, communicate, and explore the world around them.
This class is a wonderful first music class for families looking for baby activities, infant music classes, parent-and-baby classes, or early childhood music classes in Alexandria, VA.
Toddlers with Treble
Toddlers with Treble
Toddlers with Treble
Toddlers with Treble for 12-24 months is an active grown-up-and-me toddler music class. This class supports toddlers as they begin walking, moving, exploring language, imitating sounds, following simple directions, and participating more independently.
Children sing, dance, play instruments, explore rhythm, practice steady beat, move creatively, and engage in playful repetition that supports language development, coordination, listening skills, and social-emotional growth.
Toddlers with Treble is ideal for families looking for a toddler music class, mommy-and-me music class, caregiver-and-child class, or early childhood enrichment class for young toddlers in Alexandria.
Tots & Twos
Toddlers with Treble
Munchkins with melody
Tots & Twos for 18-36 months is a lively music class for older busy toddlers. This grown-up-and-me class is designed for children who are growing in independence, movement, imagination, language, and social awareness.
Through singing, dancing, rhythm games, movement activities, instruments, scarves, drums, shakers, and playful musical routines, toddlers build early musical understanding while developing coordination, confidence, listening skills, expressive language, turn-taking, and body awareness.
Tots & Twos is a great fit for families searching for toddler music classes, two-year-old music classes, parent-child music classes, or developmentally appropriate toddler activities in Alexandria, VA.
Munchkins with melody
Munchkins with melody
Munchkins with Melody for 3-4 years is a joyful drop-off preschool music class for children ages 3–4 who are ready to explore music with a little more independence. This class gently bridges the gap between grown-up-and-me music classes and more structured preschool enrichment.
Children sing, move, play instruments, explore rhythm, engage in imaginative musical play, practice early listening skills, build classroom readiness, and develop confidence in a warm and supportive environment.
Munchkins with Melody is a wonderful choice for families looking for a preschool music class, drop-off music class, preschool enrichment class, or independent music class for 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds in Alexandria, VA.
Tots with Tempo
Tots with Tempo Mixed Age for 0-5 years is our signature mixed age music class for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and grown-ups. This class welcomes children ages 0–5 and is especially wonderful for siblings, families with multiple young children, and children who enjoy learning in a lively, community-style environment.
In each class, children sing, move, dance, play rhythm instruments, explore musical opposites, practice steady beat, listen, respond, imagine, and connect through music. Younger children benefit from watching and imitating older children, while older children build confidence and leadership as they model participation. Each child participates at their own developmental level, making this class a flexible and meaningful option for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Tots with Tempo Mixed Age is a great option for families looking for a mixed age music class, sibling-friendly music class, early childhood music class, baby and toddler music class, or preschool music class in Alexandria or Arlington.
Sing, Shake & Create
Sing, Shake & Create for 2-6 years is a special themed music and art class for children ages 2–6. Each one-hour class includes a 40-minute interactive mixed age music class followed by a 20-minute hands-on art activity inspired by the same theme.
Children sing, dance, play instruments, explore rhythm, move creatively, and participate in an imaginative musical adventure before creating a themed art project. Themes may include Under the Sea, Patriotic Playtime, Bug Boogie, Barnyard Beats, Sensational Superheroes, Zootastic Tunes, Dinosaur Stomp, Outer Space Jam, Rainbow Rhythms, and more.
Sing, Shake & Create is perfect for families looking for a creative kids’ music class, music and art class, preschool art and music activity, toddler art and music class, themed children’s event, or drop-in enrichment class in Alexandria, VA.
Meet The Teachers
Katie Kraft - alexandria
Bethan Stackhouse- Alexandria
Brynn StClair - Arlington
Katie Kraft is the founder and creative director of Accelerando Music, a community-centered music school serving Alexandria and Northern Virginia. Music has been part of Katie’s life since infancy—she grew up playing piano, guitar, and viola and singing in her church choir. She went on to major in Music at the University of Virginia, earn
Katie Kraft is the founder and creative director of Accelerando Music, a community-centered music school serving Alexandria and Northern Virginia. Music has been part of Katie’s life since infancy—she grew up playing piano, guitar, and viola and singing in her church choir. She went on to major in Music at the University of Virginia, earned her teaching certification through Montclair University, and completed Orff Schulwerk training at Boston College, specializing in playful, movement-based music learning.
In 2009, Katie founded Accelerando Music to share her belief that music helps children grow emotionally, cognitively, and creatively. In September 2024, she opened The Barn, a welcoming studio that now hosts private lessons, group classes, community events, and her signature early childhood program, Tots with Tempo. As the writer and creator of the entire Tots with Tempo curriculum, Katie designed a research-based, developmental approach that helps young children imagine, explore, and grow through music and movement.
Outside the classroom, Katie performs with her husband, Logan Kraft, at weddings and local venues. They live in Alexandria with their children, Holden (11) and Jovie (8), and their Aussiedoodle, Chloe. When she isn’t making music, Katie loves to bake and decorate cakes—a creative passion that mirrors the imagination she brings to every class she teaches.
Brynn StClair - Arlington
Bethan Stackhouse- Alexandria
Brynn StClair - Arlington
Brynn StClair is a dynamic educator, singer, and composer who loves sharing the joy of music with children and families across Alexandria and Arlington, VA. She began her musical journey as a violinist before discovering her true passion for singing and classical voice. Brynn earned her Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance with an emph
Brynn StClair is a dynamic educator, singer, and composer who loves sharing the joy of music with children and families across Alexandria and Arlington, VA. She began her musical journey as a violinist before discovering her true passion for singing and classical voice. Brynn earned her Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance with an emphasis in opera from the University of Utah and went on to complete a Master’s degree in Musicology at Brigham Young University, where she deepened her understanding of the history and culture of music.
Brynn currently serves as the lead teacher for Accelerando Music’s Monday-morning classes in Arlington and the Strums and Smiles ukulele and general music class for ages 4.5–6. She also teaches the beloved Tots with Tempo program at several schools and daycares throughout Alexandria and Arlington, bringing her signature energy, warmth, and creativity to every classroom she visits. Her lessons emphasize connection, imagination, and the idea that every child can find their unique musical voice.
In addition to teaching, Brynn is a professional singer, composer, musicologist, and poet. When she isn’t performing or planning lessons, she enjoys crafting and quilting—she even made a queen-sized quilt for her own wedding on the same sewing machine her mother used for hers. Brynn lives locally with her adorable dog, Miso, who shares her love of cozy music and colorful fabrics.
Bethan Stackhouse- Alexandria
Bethan Stackhouse- Alexandria
Bethan Stackhouse- Alexandria
With a degree in Early Childhood Education and 12 years of experience as a nanny, working with children has always been at the heart of what I do. I love bringing fun, energy, and creativity into music while helping children express themselves and build confidence. Watching kids light up through music and thrive while learning is the best part!
Subscribe to our email list
Don't miss updates on classes, free community events, open mics, camps, lessons, and more!
We don't spam or share your information...just send you the good stuff!