Rolling enrollment open. Courses prorated.
Explore now.*TAKE THIS COURSE AND GET COLLEGE CREDIT! *ONLY OPENS FOR ENROLLMENT ONCE A YEAR Does your student have a passion for music and the determination to succeed on the AP Music Theory exam? This AP Music Theory is designed to prepare students for the exam with a focused, intensive review of key concepts, techniques, and strategies. This course will build confidence, sharpen skills, and ensure your student is ready to perform at their best on test day.
Are you eager to learn more about the infinite history of your favorite genre, or the complexities of music theory? Have you ever wondered why certain songs make you want to dance, and others make you feel intense emotion? Then join us in Music Appreciation, where every note is a key to unlocking the magic of music.
Whether your student is a seasoned musician looking to expand their horizons or someone who simply wants to understand more about the art form we hear every day, this course is for them. We break down different musical styles, from classical melodies to hip hop and everything in between.
The course dissects melody, harmony, rhythm, and form, exploring how these elements come together to create captivating compositions. Through guided listening exercises, students gain insight into the songwriting process and become more informed listeners.
From Beethoven to Beyonce, we shine a spotlight on influential musicians and movements that have left a mark on the world of music. Students journey across continents to explore the rich tapestry of global music traditions through immersive listening experiences, broadening their horizons and gaining a newfound appreciation for the diversity of human expression.
From symphonies to cyphers, we examine masterpieces across centuries and genres, unraveling their artistic complexities and uncovering the stories behind the music. Through close listening and discussion, students deepen their understanding of what makes a song a classic.
Students cultivate a deeper appreciation of music as a dynamic art form that reflects the human experience, foster critical listening skills and analytical thinking, and explore the intersections between music and culture, history, society, and personal identity. Most of all, they cultivate a lifelong passion for music and a sense of belonging within a vibrant community of fellow music enthusiasts.
This course does not just prep your child for the AP Music Theory exam. It builds genuine understanding of how music works at a structural level. That combination of test readiness and real comprehension is what earns strong scores and lasting confidence. Parents tell us their kids walk into the exam feeling prepared, not panicked.
Music theory is the language behind every genre, instrument, and composition. Whether your child pursues music in college, auditions for ensembles, or simply wants to compose and arrange with confidence, this foundation makes everything else in music more accessible and more rewarding.
YSA is a UC-registered online publisher and WASC-accredited Supplementary Education Center, which means our courses can count toward official college credit requirements. State schools can recognize the courses your student takes here, adding real legitimacy to your homeschooling journey or building on top of your student's existing transcript. That unlocks two ways to enroll: For Credit -- Your student earns official, accredited credit toward their transcript. For-credit students complete weekly assignments that build toward their transcript grade. Outside-of-class work ranges from 1-2 hours per week. Perfect for families who want documentation that reflects what their child is actually capable of -- to show the world how brilliant they are. For Enrichment -- Your student takes the very same course purely for the love of learning. No grades, no outside-of-class work, no credit attached. Just the content, the community, and the growth. Same course. Same mentor. Same experience in class. You choose what fits your family.
If you homeschool, this works seamlessly. If your student attends another school full time, we create a report card and transcript that we share with you, and you share with the school. It is up to your primary school to accept it and add it to your student's official transcript.
Master the fundamentals of music theory, from scales and chords to harmonic progressions and ear training 
Develop practical skills in music analysis, sight-singing, and melodic dictation that prepare directly for the AP exam 
Practice alongside peers who share their passion for music, building confidence through guided exercises and mock exams 
Gain the deep theoretical understanding that separates casual musicians from students who truly grasp the language of music 
Katie is a highly experienced music industry professional whose diverse inspiration is reflected in her varied body of work. She is a recipient of the American Prize in Opera Performance, has toured the country with her rock band, and has collaborated with well known rappers. Katie has also been teaching in a variety of settings for over 5 years, from virtual public schools during Covid, to one-on-one music lessons. As a former 2e student, and lifelong learner, she understands the complexity in all people, and the importance of not forcing anyone into a box. Her teaching style is one of adaptability and innovation, allowing each student's unique strengths to flourish.
WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING
Parents don't just see happier kids. They see sharper thinking, stronger friendships, and a child who actually wants to log on.
★★★★★
"Ms. Katie made music theory click for my daughter. Scales and chords finally make sense, and she practices without being asked."
Sasha D.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son was intimidated by theory. Ms. Katie broke it down so patiently that he now teaches it back to me."
Warren H.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. Katie made music theory click for my daughter. Scales and chords finally make sense, and she practices without being asked."
Sasha D.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son was intimidated by theory. Ms. Katie broke it down so patiently that he now teaches it back to me."
Warren H.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. Katie connects every concept to the music my teen actually listens to. That is what made theory stick."
Imani B.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"The ear training with Ms. Katie changed how my daughter hears music. She catches things in songs none of us notice."
Gordon L.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. Katie connects every concept to the music my teen actually listens to. That is what made theory stick."
Imani B.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"The ear training with Ms. Katie changed how my daughter hears music. She catches things in songs none of us notice."
Gordon L.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"We tried a theory workbook at home and it was a battle. Ms. Katie turned the same material into something my son looks forward to."
Talia N.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. Katie is patient and encouraging, and my daughter's confidence with notation and harmony grew more than I expected."
Marcel P.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"We tried a theory workbook at home and it was a battle. Ms. Katie turned the same material into something my son looks forward to."
Talia N.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. Katie is patient and encouraging, and my daughter's confidence with notation and harmony grew more than I expected."
Marcel P.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. Katie made music theory click for my daughter. Scales and chords finally make sense, and she practices without being asked."
Sasha D.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son was intimidated by theory. Ms. Katie broke it down so patiently that he now teaches it back to me."
Warren H.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. Katie connects every concept to the music my teen actually listens to. That is what made theory stick."
Imani B.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"The ear training with Ms. Katie changed how my daughter hears music. She catches things in songs none of us notice."
Gordon L.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"We tried a theory workbook at home and it was a battle. Ms. Katie turned the same material into something my son looks forward to."
Talia N.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Ms. Katie is patient and encouraging, and my daughter's confidence with notation and harmony grew more than I expected."
Marcel P.
YSA parent
If you’re not 100% in love with the course, you have options depending on how you enrolled:
You can switch to another course of equal or lesser value that’s a better fit or get a credit to use toward a future course.
You can either get credit toward a future course, switch to another course of equal or lesser value that’s a better fit, or stop all future payments after a 30-day processing period.
No risk. No stress. Just the learning and belonging you have been looking for.
We can offer this because we know what we do works for thousands of other families. Kids become more self-confident. They find their people. And families tell us this is the place where their student finally feels welcome. We know it will work for your family, too.
All-Access Passes have separate terms and conditions. Please see the All-Access Pass pages.
It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway... to qualify for the satisfaction guarantee policy, you have to actually attend the classes. This is not a cancellation policy. It’s a satisfaction guarantee. You can’t be satisfied or dissatisfied if you don’t attend.
Young Scholars Academy is a virtual village that offers one-of-a-kind, engaging enrichment courses and community for 5-18-year-old bright, quirky kids to empower them to develop their strengths, make like-minded friends, cultivate life skills, build confidence, and feel great about themselves under the loving care of expert mentors. description2: >- Picture a place where your child fits in, is celebrated, mentored, and loves learning the unique content their beautiful brain craves. That happens every day at YSA for over 1,200+ families, and it can happen for your family, too.
WASC Accredited · 1,200+ Families · 93% Re-Enroll · 47+ States, 17 Countries, 6 Continents
Learn more about YSAQUESTIONS ABOUT THIS COURSE
Everything you need to know before enrolling your child.
No formal training required. Our music courses are designed for curious minds who want to explore music deeply - whether that means theory, history, production, or appreciation. Gifted and 2e students often have intense musical interests but lack peers who share them. This course gives them that community and the knowledge to go deeper.
Yes. YSA families join from 47+ states and 17 countries across 6 continents. All you need is an internet connection. We schedule sections across multiple time zones so families worldwide can find a time that works.
Music Theory meets once per week for 50 minutes, every week from August through December. Your child joins the same tight-knit group of up to 8 students and the same mentor all semester long. Same friends, same mentor, a new challenge every week.
Our gifted and 2e students experience such asynchronous development that hard age limits rarely tell the full story. If your student should be aged up or aged down, contact us at support@youngscholarsacademy.org or click the chat in the bottom right corner of the screen. We do this all the time.
Please don't confuse reactive distance learning with what happens at YSA. When a kid is engaged in a course they chose, with a mentor who gets them and peers who share their interests, the screen disappears. They're not on a screen. They're with their people. Parents tell us their children fight to log on to YSA.
If your child isn't loving a course by the end of the first week, swap into a different course. Same semester. No questions. Not the right fit within the first month? We'll stop payments, switch courses, or issue credit toward any future course. The credit never expires. And you keep every bonus you've received. Over 93% of YSA families don't just stay. They add more courses.
No. Cameras are always optional. Always. Many of our students start with cameras off and turn them on when they're comfortable. Our mentors engage every student equally, cameras on or off.
No. If you're here, you're in the right place. We don't require paperwork, evaluations, or labels. Whether your child has been formally identified as gifted or twice-exceptional, whether you suspect it but haven't pursued testing, or whether you just know your kid's brain works differently and nothing else has fit, they're welcome here.
Yes. YSA is an approved vendor with 10+ state ESA programs including Arizona ESA, Utah Fits All, ClassWallet, My Tech High, Florida Step Up, and others. Enroll directly to secure your child's spot, submit the invoice to your ESA, and your payment method is refunded when funds transfer. Many families pay zero out of pocket.
Click "See Available Times" on this page, pick the section that fits your schedule, and your child's spot is secured immediately. No phone call. No placement test. No prerequisite.
Right now, a kid who thinks like your kid is in a course they chose, with a mentor who was once just like them, surrounded by friends who don't think they're weird... they think they're interesting.
Your child is one click from finding out what that feels like.
A great internet connection and an open mind!