Music isn’t just sound—it’s the heartbeat of childhood growth. Just ask Christie Seyfarth, owner of Bravo Music Academy.
Tucked outside of the heart of downtown Denville, Bravo Music Academy has been nurturing young musicians since 2016. The academy welcomes students as young as age three, offering private and group lessons, as well as summer camps.
At the core of the academy’s approach is a belief in the power of music to shape young minds.
“When you make music, it engages multiple regions of the brain simultaneously,” says Seyfarth, affectionately known to students as Miss Christie. “It improves problem solving and strengthens neural connections in your brain while improving memory and retention.”
Beyond its educational benefits, music has the power to unite. “Music is a universal language and it brings us together in a way that nothing else can,” she added. “It’s important for developing well-rounded humans.”
Raised in a musically gifted family in Hopatcong, Miss. Christie was surrounded by melodies from the start. Her father played guitar, her mother sang and played piano, and her brother strummed both the ukulele and guitar. She herself became fluent in piano and organ—and can “pick her way through a number of other instruments as well.”
Today, she channels both her passion for music and her entrepreneurial spirit into Bravo Music Academy, where she now leads a growing team of six instructors.
“I love teaching and running the business at the same time,” she revealed.
At Bravo Music Academy, learning is tailored for every stage of early development. Children under age five are offered a free trial lesson to assess readiness for regular weekly instruction.
The experience doesn’t stop there—monthly tuition goes beyond just lessons—it also includes method books, access to the academy’s music and game lending libraries, and opportunities to perform in concerts and recitals. A favorite among students are Bravo Bashes—90-minute events the academy hosts a few times a year.
During Bravo Bashes, each student has the opportunity to perform a piece for the group in a relaxed, supportive setting—an approach that helps build confidence and provides a gentle performance experience.
“They’re part group lesson, part music party,” Miss. Christie explained. “Bravo Bashes are designed to support progress and help students stay excited about their learning, while also having a little fun along the way.”
Despite lessons being private, students are always encouraged to connect and create together. “If a student wants to do a duet, trio, or ensemble piece, we’ll work something out where they can get together and practice during lessons.”
Aspiring musicians can choose from private piano, guitar, ukulele, and voice lessons. In the summer, music camps for kids ages 3–11 offer an immersive experience, blending rhythm, melody, and movement through hands-on instrument play, singing, themed crafts, and interactive games.
In terms of what music the academy teaches, Miss. Christie proudly explained, “We cover it all. We have students who make requests and we have students who are just as happy going through a method book. We tailor [our teachings] to each student’s needs.”
And that’s not all. This fall, the academy is officially launching its modern pop kids’ choir, Glee Club, following a successful spring preview.
With a modern, all-inclusive curriculum, Glee Club helps young singers develop their voices through the songs they love—building their confidence to perform with both skill and joy. From beginner to advanced, the academy welcomes aspiring singers of all skill levels, even if this is a student’s first time singing.
Bravo Music Academy will also begin hosting one to two monthly homeschool workshops starting in September.
Whether a child dreams of center stage or simply wants to strum along for fun, Miss. Christie and her team at the Bravo Music Academy are there every step of the way, turning music into a lifelong gift.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about creating musicians. It’s about nurturing bright, curious, and compassionate humans—one song at a time.