Music with James is a high-energy class where James plays a mixture of traditional children's songs, Broadway, popular and classical music on the guitar, piano, harmonica, and various orchestral instruments. The children sing along, dance, and play instruments with each song – shaking bells and maracas, tapping tambourines, drums, castanets and xylophones. Animal puppets, bouncing balls and a colorful parachute add to the fun.  

James highlights a different orchestral instrument (wind, string or brass) in each class, such as the trumpet, French horn, violin, flute, clarinet, recorder and accordion. A fter 45 minutes of music, the children rush over to the healthy-snack table, then grab a toy for playtime while parents and caregivers catch up with friends.

Unlike most children's music classes in Manhattan, Music with James is a drop-in class.