It is well known that Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a child prodigy who began composing music at about age three.

So it is little surprise that hundreds of years later, children under the age of five are starting to pick up and learn instruments.

Kitty Skeen is opening a Mini Maestros franchise in Bendigo.

Mini Maestros sees children aged between six months and five years old learning music in fun and educational music classes.

The program has been operating in Melbourne for 30 years but has never reached regional areas before.

“There certainly haven’t been (Mini Maestro) classes in Bendigo but I think there have been some in Geelong,” Ms Skeen said.

“I did do classes (with children) in Macedon and they were wonderful it felt like (Mini Maestros) was a right fit for Bendigo that is such a cultural and vibrant musical town.

“When I did Mary Poppins in the new theatre, I thought using that space for school concerts and other things gives so much scope for everyone to enjoy (music).” 

Ms Skeen has been teaching music since 2003.

“I love music. I sang with the Bendigo Youth Choir when I was a kid,” she said.

Mini Maestros doesn’t see young children immediately picking up clarinets, violins of trumpets.

They start with percussion instruments and get chimed bars and tuned instruments when they are four years old.

Children participate in a carefully planned and sequential program.

As well as introducing musical concepts such as beat, rhythm, dynamics, form and notation, our program develops the whole child by encouraging children's speech development, listening skills, social skills and physical skills.

“Children are born with an innate musical talent but they can lose it when they get to school and get lessons in other things,” she said.

“Sometimes you can a two year old singing along with natural ability.

“Kids can pick a pitch or tap along. Give them an instrument and they will bang it and play with a natural ability.”

Ms Skeen is offering a three-week trial for age groups 6 months to 24 months and two to four years on Wednesday and Friday mornings.

“People are familiar with the brand and are certainly finding us on Facebook,” she said.

Mini Maestros classes will be held at St Paul’s Catherdral from March 4.

To enrol your child or for more information email kitty.skeen@minimaestros.com.au