A music curriculum

Kids fall in love with music when they write their own.

Gradus teaches your child to compose from the very first lesson — turning practice into pieces that are truly theirs. This is the surest path to a lifelong love of music.

Begin Your Journey See a sample lesson →

A complete curriculumEar training, notation, theory, and composing — not an app.

ESA-eligibleParent-reimbursable, with the paperwork ready to file.

Follow along your wayA dashboard anytime — or a daily note in your inbox.

Ages six and upThree tracks: Young, Junior, and Gradus Composers.

Alongside their lessons

Gradus doesn't replace piano lessons — it adds to them. Their teacher keeps them playing; Gradus adds the composing, and with it, an appreciation and love for music.

The Practice

Not videos. Not a game.

Gradus builds the real discipline and craft of composing — through simple daily practices, a few focused minutes at a time. Ear training, notation, theory, and writing their own music, one small step a day.

Hear it

Ear training

The ear leads every lesson — they hear it before they name it.

Read it

Music notation

Real notes on the staff — reading and writing music by hand.

Know it

Music theory

The why behind the music, taught the way it was discovered.

Write it

Composing

Every lesson ends with a piece of their own. That’s the point.

One method, three stages

A track for every age — and it grows with them.

Gradus meets your child where they are and matures alongside them — the same method, three stages, from a six-year-old's first melody to a teenager writing real counterpoint.

Ages 6–9

Young Composers

First melodies, rhythm, and reading music — composing by ear, the joyful way in.

Ages 10–13

Junior Composers

Two voices, harmony, and the composer’s real tools, at a faster pace.

Ages 14+

Gradus Composers

The full Gradus method — counterpoint, form, and the masters, bar by bar.

For the Parent

You don't have to be a musician.

Maestro — your child's personal tutor — guides every lesson. He reads what they write, answers their questions, and nudges them forward, the way a good teacher would. The teaching never depends on you knowing music.

"Lovely — that leap up to the high note is the heart of your phrase. Next time, try landing it a step gentler and listen to how it settles."

— Maestro, your child's tutor

Progress sent to your inbox each day

The dashboard · anytime

For ESA Families

Ready for your ESA.

Most ESA states reimburse curriculum at the parent level — you submit your own receipts, no vendor approval needed. Gradus arrives with everything your file needs, so it drops straight into your submission.

Scope & sequence — Young (6–9)Scope & sequence — Junior (10–13)Scope & sequence — Gradus (14+)Download the high school credit guide (PDF)See a sample invoice (PDF)

When you enroll, your ESA kit includes:

Course syllabus
One-page syllabus
Scope & sequence
Sample lesson
Invoice & paid receipt

When the music is theirs, they can't wait to play it.

Music in their own hand, from the very first lesson.