By Tom Momberg
Several famous musicians have come out of Bayside, like Nuclear Assault bassist Dan Lilker, his thrash metal counterpart Scott Ian and jazz musician and trumpeter Clark Terry.
There are many musicians that continue to bring great tunes to the neighborhood. But for the last seven years, one Northern Boulevard business has been training the future generations of Bayside musicians: Apollo Music and I Got Rhythm Studio.
Jack Kim started his music education studio in 2008 to help kids in northeast Queens explore their talents and creativity.
Kim, who has a bachelor’s degree in piano performance from the New England Conservatory, was joined in his business by his sister, Kimmy Kim, shortly after she finished her master’s degree in education from Columbia University.
Kimmy Kim developed a curriculum, which she said is ever-evolving, just like her pupils.
“I am very happy to see the progress. I have been seeing some of my students since they were 4 years old,” she said. “Before they wouldn’t be able to read anything, and now they are performing difficult pieces.”
Kimmy Kim said she tests her students at every level, and caters the curriculum to their needs. But the brother-sister pair said there is still fun to be had. They encourage their students to take up new interests, learn to play or sing pop songs they like and to explore their individuality.
Jack Kim said he started his business venture despite the hard work involved because he loves working with kids.
“They are very novel and honest,” he said. “Sometimes, it clears your mind. You know that when kids are genuinely having fun, they are living in the moment, which is something I really value.”
A major component to the studio’s music education is music performance. Twice a year, Apollo Music hosts concerts in Syosset, Long Island, to help students get comfortable with public performance — the positive reinforcement of their skills encourages them to continue to improve and explore their interests.
The studio, at 213-01 Northern Blvd., offers summer lessons and weekly 30-minute music lessons for $150 a month, which also require kids to have an hour of music theory every week.
Apollo Music also offers a more intensive approach to music education in its after school program, administering lessons five days a week or more for $750 a month, which also pair music with academics.
About 20 teachers are staffed to work with students on voice, or any string, wind or percussion instrument of their choosing, and will work with kids over four years old at any level of experience.
Jack and Kimmy Kim are still accepting new students.
For more information, visit www.rhyth
Rhythm Studio is open Monday through Friday, after school until 9 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
