Somites are precursor populations of cells that form during embryonic development and turn into unique cell and tissue types, such as skeletal muscles, bones, and cartilage of the vertebrae. We developed an efficient way to make somite cells from human induced stem cells in culture. Additionally, these cells could then generate bone precursor cells such as skeletal myocytes, osteocytes, and chondrocytes. This work improves our understanding of how human somites grow and generate muscles, bones and cartilage and may enhance our ability to treat diseases that affect these tissues.