As a three-year-old in 1998, Emma Young went to USC’s morning Music Play program with her parents. Now, after graduating on May 31 from Brookland-Cayce High School, Emma will be attending the USC School of Music on scholarship.

The Music Play program certainly had an impact on Emma’s musical development. At age eight she was playing violin – she now plays piano, pipe organ, violin, clarinet and guitar. She will be attending USC and majoring in music education this fall. Emma is taking her passion for music and paying it forward – she wants to become an elementary school music teacher or an upper level choral director.

About Music Play

Music Play classes at the USC's Children's Music Development Center are part of an innovative program designed to develop the music potential of young children from newborns to five-year-olds.

Music is best learned if informal music guidance is begun as early in life as possible. Children are guided by their teachers, parents and caregivers to develop music skills through fun, playful, socially interactive music activities that include singing, chanting and moving.

Older children are introduced to a variety of music instruments. The goal of the program is to help children increase their music aptitudes and develop initial music skills that prepare them for a lifetime of music enjoyment and appreciation.

For more information about USC's Children's Music Development Center, email Dr. Wendy Valerio or call 803-777-5382.