Best Performance Opportunities for Kids in Cornelius, Davidson & Mooresville
If your student can’t get enough of the stage, we’ve got you covered with the best performance opportunities for kids in the Lake Norman area!
Whether your child loves to sing, act, or play an instrument in front of an audience, there are so many great ways for young performers to gain confidence and experience locally.
1. Open Mic Nights (Family-Friendly!)
Several local spots around Cornelius, Davidson, and nearby communities host family-friendly open mic nights — great low-pressure stages for young performers to try out their songs or just enjoy watching others. Summit Coffee Basecamp in Davidson hosts a regular Open Mic on Wednesdays, where musicians of all ages are welcome to sign up and play in a relaxed, supportive environment.
These kinds of gigs help students learn how to sign up, interact with an audience, handle basic sound setups, and build confidence one performance at a time. We’re planning our own family-friendly open mic nights right here at Learn Music, designed specifically for students of all ages and experience levels — so stay tuned for our upcoming open mic schedule!
2. Theater Companies
The greater Charlotte area is home to several wonderful community theater programs that welcome kids of all experience levels and focus on learning and participation rather than competition.
Families in the Lake Norman area may want to explore Davidson Community Players, Community School of Davidson, and Mooresville Community Children’s Theater. These organizations provide youth-friendly theater classes and productions that allow students to act, sing, and build stage confidence while collaborating with peers.
Theater is a fantastic complement to music lessons, especially for students interested in musical theater or vocal performance.
3. Youth Orchestras and Choirs
If your student loves the stage but prefers ensemble performance over solo work, youth orchestras and choirs are excellent options.
The North Carolina Youth Orchestra (NCYO) offers comprehensive music education programs for young musicians, including orchestral ensembles with weekly rehearsals and multiple performances throughout the season. Rehearsals take place in Cornelius, and students have the chance to progress through levels as their skills grow.
NCYO also includes a Youth Choir that helps young singers develop healthy vocal technique, musicianship, and ensemble skills in a supportive group environment.
Participating in orchestra or choir builds teamwork, discipline, and performance experience — plus it’s an encouraging way for kids to make friends who love music too.
4. Farmer’s Markets
Local farmer’s markets are often filled with energy — and music! For example, the Davidson Farmer’s Market on Saturdays regularly features local singers and instrumentalists performing while families shop and enjoy fresh produce.
Performing at markets like this can help students get comfortable playing for varied crowds and managing shorter, informal sets. If your child is interested in these kinds of opportunities, it can be very beneficial to reach out to market organizers in Davidson, Cornelius, and Mooresville and ask if they’d like to include youth performers on their schedule — many markets are thrilled to highlight young local talent.
5. Learn Music Live and Legends
At Learn Music, performance is a core part of what we do. Our programs are designed to give students regular, structured chances to play in front of supportive audiences:
Learn Music Live events happen six times a year at local community venues like Waterbean Coffee in Huntersville and The Cain Center for the Arts in Cornelius. These are student-focused showcases where learners can perform solo pieces or duets in relaxed, family-friendly settings.
Our Legends rock band program brings students together in collaborative bands that rehearse once a week and perform four times a year at festival-style events held at Primal Brewery in Huntersville. These shows give band members real stage experience as they play full sets and work as a team — just like a real band! If you’d like to check out one of our events, we have a Legends Block Party coming up on March 8th at Primal Brewery! Click here for more information and to RSVP.
Support Your Child’s Love for the Stage
No matter how your child loves to perform — whether singing, acting, playing an instrument, or rocking out with a band — the Cornelius/Davidson area offers so many ways to help them shine.
About Learn Music
Learn Music was founded in January 2014 with the mission of building a custom curriculum for each student, incorporating the music they love. The school helps students become exceptional musicians through private instruction, performance, and collaboration. It is owned by Cornelius native Adam Wilson and his wife, Rachael.
We would love the opportunity to teach your child music. Whether you’re interested in in-person or online lessons, our team is here to help your student grow and thrive. Schedule a trial lesson by clicking here.