Become a Kindermusik Teacher!

The only job that loves you back

2012-02-02T05:19:00.000-08:00

To make this easy stamp heart craft, visit lilsugar.com

To make a living doing what you love, become a Kindermusik Educator.

Full Time Focus

2012-01-23T14:34:00.001-08:00

"I was a French horn player and a vocalist, but my focus was really in music education, teaching children," says Matthew Burns, Kindermusik Educator.

And for once, it's good to hear that a community isn't cutting its arts programs. The city of Clarksville in Tennessee will expand its creative reach, and has asked Kindermusik Educator Matthew Burns to lead the effort.

The former schoolteacher was recently tapped as the new coordinator for the Community School of the Arts at Austin Peay State University.

"The Community School is ready to take the next big step," Burns said of the changes he will make.

We think it's a good beginning for many great things to come for Clarksville and the arts.

Read more about the center and Brian's work there in the Clarksville Leaf.

What the Mahler 9 taught me about active listening

2012-01-18T05:51:00.000-08:00

Photo by The Inhabitant

Can you hear me? Rub the outer edge of your ears.

Will your cell phone ring while you're reading this? If so, can you turn it off?

In Kindermusik Educator training, we learn that focused listening is an active experience. It's a learned skill, and it's one of most critical lessons in early childhood. Recent events in the news remind me that listening is also an ongoing lesson - it doesn't stop in childhood. And we may be living in an era when the simple act of listening is one of the most distracting parts of our day.

If you haven't heard the recent story, the twitter version goes like this: "Concertus interruptus: unsilenced cell phone brings a New York Philharmonic performance to a halt." During Gustav Mahler's Ninth Symphony" -- a haunting piece some say the composer wrote as he faced his own death -- a cell phone started ringing in the audience," according the story in cnn.com.

"New York Philharmonic conductor Alan Gilbert reacted to the intrusion by stopping the music. He didn't melodramatically fling his arms down; rather, he merely dropped his hands, which alerted the musicians to stop playing, according to Jo.

Then, the only sound in the great room was the "Marimba" ringtone of the cell phone, Jo said.

Gilbert turned his attention to the owner of the phone, who was seated on the front row, and asked, "Are you finished?"

When there was no reply, Gilbert said, "Fine, we'll wait," and placed his baton on his music stand, according to Jo."

I loved Gilbert's calm reaction and focused listening as he waited for someone to turn off the cell phone. As Kindermusik Educators and musicians we have a unique opportunity to help families practice the art of listening - even in the midst of unnerving interruption. We learn in Kindermusik training to model active listening behaviors - to rub your ears, bend closer to the listener, and model the "your turn, my turn" response. We help families learn how music literally helps little ones "tune in" to the sounds we want to hear, and don't want to hear.

We also have a chance to help parents learn the simple act of turning off their phones for some focused listening in class. It could become the one hour a day when a child isn't interrupted by a parent's ringing cell phone.

Here are a few ways we could introduce the concept in the classroom.

1. Make it a part of your class routine. In class we learn to take off our shoes before Kindermusik, include the reminder to turn off your cell phones, too, as a part of the class ritual.

2. Remind families that listening is a learned skill. Children learn "focused listening" by watching adults model appropriate listening behaviors. When they see adults take action to listen - by showing them how we're turning off our phones to completely focus and listen to the child - we're showing them how we value what they have to say, and that we want to hear them without interruption.

3. Slip in the reminder during the "rub your ears" reminder during class. Remember to ask questions: "Is your cell phone off? Are you ready to listen?"

The idea is to learn how to live with technology - not complain about the problems. In your classrooms you have a unique opportunity to help parents learn how to better model active listening among modern day distractions. A reminder that might activate just before they go into a movie theater or to a concert symphony hall.

Can you hear me now?

Still thinking about teaching Kindermusik?

2012-01-13T09:21:00.000-08:00

Kindermusik Educator Alana Cummings in Branson, MO explains how Kindermusik helps children develop skills for a lifetime of learning.

Great job Alana!

Introducing Brian Belin

2012-01-09T19:52:00.000-08:00

“I believe in the education of the entire individual,” said Brian Belin, educator, musician, and newly licensed Kindermusik Educator. “That is why I have chosen to use the Kindermusik system with young children.”

Belin is the owner and director of VP Music Studios and soloist at Tryon Congregational Church. He has more than 10 years teaching and performi ng experience. He graduated from Coker College with a B.A in vocal performance and has participated in the graduate certificate program at the University of South Carolina – Columbia.

In 2007, Belin was invited to study and perform in Spain as well as the Rome Festival of 2011. He has taught voice, music theory and music fundamentals in general, not only in the Western North Carolina area but also in various places throughout South Carolina.

In addition to currently pursuing his master of music degree in performance from Converse College, he has also participated in studies from Boston University’s MM Music Education program. He sings as a bass-baritone concert soloist, Sunday soloist and choral section leader in the Western North Carolina area for various churches and organizations, including the Congregational Church of Tryon, Blue Ridge Sacred Chorale and Asheville Lyric Opera. He was a featured soloist at Tryon Fine Arts Center’s 2011 Do-It-Yourself “Messiah.”

Welcome, Brian.

source: Tyron Daily Bulletin

Grow your business from home, build with heart

2011-12-19T12:37:00.000-08:00

Congratulations Sarah Hames. The Kindermusik Educator has been licensed and teaching since 2001 and the Friendswood.com story talks about how Sarah grew the business from her home studio, to a brick and mortar space in Friendswood, Texas.Take a look.For one Kindermusik teacher, giggles and hugs are just part of the job.

2011-12-09T06:40:00.001-08:00

Connie Faria is blogging and teaching Kindermusik in the Middle East.

Connie holds a python. Yes. A python.

Connie Faria is putting away the GPS. For good. She's relied on the navigational device "far too much" to get around her new hometown in Abu Dhabi -- about an hour and a half from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

The GPS is in the glovebox and the new intuitive Faria Positioning System -- or FPS -- will get her to the grocery store, to the library for story time, to her kid's new playgroups, and to teach Kindermusik.

It's easy to understand why Connie would need a little extra navigational help this year. It's her first time out of the United States. And the first time she's held a python snake (you can watch it here).

"The things I do for my kids!" Connie writes on her blog about the python experience, The Faria Five.

Once the family was settled in their new home, Connie says, she started getting a little antsy. That's one reason she started teaching Kindermusik again.

We talked with Connie, the blogger, mother, and Kindermusik Educator about how she got started teaching, and why she's coming back.

When did you start teaching Kindermusik?

I started taking classes in 2003 when my first child was 5 weeks old and loved it. After two years of classes (all the Village classes and starting on Our Time) - I decided that I could do it too. I had mentioned it to the Educator and I became a Kindermusik Educator that year. I loved it!

I was teaching out of my home and loved the teaching part, I just didn’t like the marketing and drumming up business part. Teaching at a Montessori School fell in my lap and I taught there until December 2010, until they had some budget cuts and had to reluctantly let me go, which ended up working out since we found out about our move the Middle East in January and life got crazy for a while.

My husband works for the US Government and is currently working at the US Embassy. This is our first time overseas and my first time out of the country.

Musical background

I took piano lessons for 6 years as a child and sang in school choirs but never had any education/training beyond. I volunteered as a Toddler and Preschool Storytime leader at our local library for 6 years and it was filled with song/rhymes and stories. I really enjoyed that too, and I am actually starting storytimes at my children’s school in December (we don’t have public libraries here, but their school has a good library that school families can visit). I have also volunteered in the classroom with both of my children since Kindergarten. But, no formal education/training in teaching (although my mom is a teacher).

Teaching Kindermusik again

After we moved to Abu Dhabi (about 1.5 hours from Dubai) I was busy with getting settled and figuring out how to live in a new country. Then…I started getting antsy. I made some inquries about Kindermusik and found a local educator (www.paradise-music.com) and approached her about teaching.

I am teaching at preschool and my classes are ages 2-4 with several kids that barely understand English, but they respond well to music. I need to modify actions for songs or some of what I say. We might talk about Yummy Hummus or Yummy Lamb, as opposed to Yummy Apples and Yummy Peanut Butter. I need to find ways to make things relevant for my audience.

I have taught the same class three times now and it’s always fun to see the kids come out of their shell a little more each time. The teachers and aides LOVE the class and asked for copies of the lyrics last time so they could learn all the words.

Welcome back to Kindermusik Connie!

Natural Science

2011-12-06T12:10:00.001-08:00

Patricia Kuhl is in the news again. The leading expert on language and author of "The Scientist in the Crib" received a French award for her work using highly scientific approaches to understand the highly scientific process babies use to learn language.

Kuhl talks more about it -- in her own endearing words -- in the above TEDTalks video.

Kuhl is a frequent speaker and internationally-recognized expert on the topic (she has her own wiki page for crying out loud). She has a way of making science sensible and relatable. Even still, every time I read a new research report, or discover another story about a scientific breakthrough on child development or parenting, something inside me goes, "Well, duh. Yea."

Some scientists literally go around the world to discover something that in the end, seems like common sense -- in retrospect. Hindsight is 20/20, right? Science and scientists use their intuitive skills to uncover the mystery of intuition.

In Kindermusik training, we learn about the science driving a parent's natural instinct to care for their baby. We also learn about the child's developmental process, so we can match the right activities to nurture and challenge those developmental milestones.

Kindermusik makes the science of parenting, sensible. Natural.

Photo by Motorito

The result for Educators is a deeper understanding of what's happening between a care-giver and a child. It's a beautiful thing to watch grandpa play "Got your nose" with his grandson. And in Kindermusik training, we learn the natural science behind this endearing moment: Grandpa has just doubled the child's chances of learning the word "nose" because he said the word when he grabbed that cute little nose. And sitting in the arms of a loving grandfather, the chances of a child remembering that word just rose exponentially.

Not duh, but "awe." As in "awww, isn't that cute?" And "awe," as in amazing.

Some parents have a "knowing" about their parenting. Some parents want more information. In Kindermusik classes, we nurture both. We can speak to both types of learning parents.

It's a natural science.

Inspire a parent's perfect moment

2011-11-17T13:57:00.001-08:00

"My favourite legs and feet. The princess who calls her dad 'my father the king.' At Kindermusik today she and her friend Rebecca lay down next to each other sharing a blanket at quiet time and at the end hugged each other. Little puppies, what a blessing they are."

Photo and caption by Kindermusik parent, Ilse Batten
ilsebatten
Educator, Avril Flick
East London, South Africa

Sure, it's for the kids. The music, the stories, the activities. It's all for the kids.

Right? [Head tilt]

No. It's for the parents, too. No one at the office asks them remove their shoes and sit on the story blanket. No one at the grocery store sings hello. Possibly, very few people even remember their names.

That's why we love it when we come across little things like these. Photos and shared thoughts that let us know parents need Kindermusik as much as we need them.

Thank you Isle, for the picture and the poetry.

Meet an Educator: Alison Trotter

2011-11-07T12:08:00.000-08:00

Yes, she's always smiling like this. And you should see how she smiles when she sings ...

Alison was recently named one of Kindermusik's Most Inspirational Educators of the year for her work with music and children, and she was also the first educator to train and license a Kindermusik teacher with special needs.

We asked her a few questions about how she got started, and here's what she had to say:

Name: Ally Trotter
Age: 27
City: Columbia, SC
Program Web site: www.Kindermusikbyally.com
Number of students: 1-100
Number of years teaching Kindermusik: 9

Why did you become a Kindermusik educator?
Funny story. My mother, Julee Salisbury became a Kindermusik educator over 25 years ago, so I was raised in the thick of Kindermusik's concepts. I was a Kindermusik baby, but I never thought I'd ever become a teacher, like her. Never say never!

When did you first start playing music?
I was always tinkering around on the piano at home, because Mama was a piano teacher. My parents said I used to sing in my crib as an infant. I love to sing. As for instruments, as I a grew older, I realized that guitar was more my gig. I started guitar lessons in middle school. I'll never forget my first few chords, and feeling like I wanted to quit. But, pressing through the callouses paid off.

When did you first fall in love with music?
I can remember my sweet Mama's voice as she sang in a trio called the Jasmine's in Sumter, SC. She would take me to her practices, and they sang much like the Andrews sisters. Bugle Boy is my absolute favorite, even still!

I've always loved music. Thanks to God for instilling a desire in me to teach and sing, but also a huge tribute to my musical Mama who also had a hand in paving a way for me.

Why did you choose to teach Kindermusik over other programs?

From the looks of this article, you may think I didn't really have a choice, but that's not true. I never thought I'd teach, but I had the best role model as a Mom, and later to find out, the people at Kindermusik have the BIGGEST hearts. From the CEO all the way down to the wait staff that packages our materials in the warehouse.

This company is one to cherish, and one that truly stands out not only in principle, but in global outreach to those all around the world. Their perspective includes a wide range of educators who are all so different, but who are working towards one goal and one purpose: To serve ALL children and their families, no matter the special need, reaching into their homes and hearts with the love and gift of music.

Now that's a goal that charges me up, and a community that feels more like a family than anything else!

How to really love a child

2011-11-07T11:31:00.000-08:00

Via the "Joyful Mother."

Take a look around

2011-10-31T11:28:00.000-07:00

Miss Sunny asks her parents to share what's so great about Kindermusik, and we agree!

What's going on in there?

2011-10-24T11:24:00.000-07:00

Think you know what happens when music and a child play together? Take a look at this new article, "What Happens To Your Brain Under the Influence of Music." (Thank you, Isiah!)

Thank you Kindermusik

2011-10-17T11:05:00.000-07:00

From "Fionna's Mommy," on the Family Gathering Forum

Below is just one example of the benefits a parent and child receive from taking a Kindermusik class together. If you're just starting Kindermusik training, or you're discerning to teach, here's just a glimpse at what the Kindermusik Educator training program can help you accomplish for families in your community.

Thank you Fionna's Mommy!

Thank you, Kindermusik!

Remember when I posted about when to start cleanup time with a toddler? I mentioned how in Kindermusik they have a "toys away" song that we sing each time we put materials away. Well, Fiona has recently made the connection and started applying the concept to cleaning up her own toys. She will sing, "put 'em away, put 'em away" and put her toys in the basket. She is still kind of playing at it, because then she will pour them back out and yell, "oh no, Max!" or "Dragon!" - in other words, Max from Max and Ruby is dumping the toys all over the floor, and she has to clean them up all over again. But she is definitely starting to really get the concept of it, which is great!

Also, tonight she used the same strategy when she was done with her dinner. In the past, I have had to really watch for when she was finished, because she would dump it in the floor. But tonight, she started singing that song, put the uneaten food on her plate, handed it to me, and said "tank you!"

I am so proud of her - the first night of Kindermusik when she threw a fit each time we had to put toys away, I had a hard time believing she would get to this point before turning two!

Good Beginning

2011-10-10T11:02:00.000-07:00

"I have seen the amazing results that occur teaching students a second language through music and movement."

How tweet it is ...

2011-10-05T13:47:00.000-07:00

In 140 characters or less, parents, Educators, and studioowners twitter about their Kindermusik experiences. Take a look!

Parents

Cellists

New Educators

Vocal coaches

Dubai!

Community Centers

Bloggers

Face to Face Training

2011-09-20T06:21:00.000-07:00

Photo taken from Helen Peterson's Kindermusik class in Minneapolis, MN

Face to Face training
Teaching a curriculum based on years of proven and ongoing research is one thing. Learning from the experience of your peers -- sharing frustrations, road blocks, and learning from them -- is one of the greatest benefits of teaching Kindermusik.

From the first day of online training, you'll find you're instantly connected to a network of over 5,000 Educators around the world, solving problems, growing businesses, and leaning on each other for support.

And if you need solutions closer to home, you can always find someone to reach out to in a way that works with your busy life. For example, here's how Kindermusik Educator Karen Schanerberger helps Educators stay connected and learning from each other:

Sign up for the email newsletter
Attend face to face training
If you can't attend the meeting, you can Skype in

We'd love to help you get connected today. Please call and ask about how you can get started teaching Kindermusik. We're here to help.

Ready for the "new" classroom?

2011-09-15T07:37:00.000-07:00

"The classroom, as we understand it from the industrial model, where we had kids sitting in rows, with a person standing in front, delivering information to a group who was assumed to be all of the same capabilities -- and that would be tested on their memory at the end of the year, and a report given, and said, 'Well that equals "they're learning" ' -- is a nonsense in a connected online world. So that is dead.

"What we're doing now, what we're seeing now, is the emergence of a new way to go about schooling."

Greg Whitby, Executive Director of Schools

Why listen to Whitby?

In 2007 he was named the most innovative and creative educator in Australia's Bulletin Magazine, as well as named Apple's Distinguished Educator for "his contribution to the implementation of Learning Technologies in Education."

We like the way Whitby thinks.

Since its creation over 25 years ago, the Kindermusik classroom was founded on research proven techniques to honor each child's learning ability. We also created a classroom that allows children to move and learn at their own pace. And we created a training program that gives educators the information and connection to each other -- using new technology -- to help prepare parents and children for a lifetime of learning.

The new classroom Whitby describes strongly aligns with the Kindermusik method.

Agile learning space -- Movement and learning go hand in hand in the Kindermusik classroom, literally. From hands-on activities, to circle dances, to music-playing.
Sound learning "theory of practice" - a recognition that the world is different now, because of the information age, and education needs to change with it -- Kindermusik's curricula is based on over 25 years of proven and ongoing research into the way children think, move and express.
Personalized Education -- You'll receive training which allows you to recognize and honor each child's individual learning abilities.
Allows Educators to work collaboratively -- Kindermusik's online classroom connects you to over 5,000 Educators teaching in classrooms around the world.

In the video, Whitby says the campfire was the first classroom, which eventually gave way to the creation of aschools. It took a while for the campfire to give way to new innovation, Whitby says, and now it's time for the traditional classroom to make room for a new kind of learning.

We'd love to help you learn more about how Kindermusik is helping children and Educators around the world prepare for the "new classroom." Call today.

Work Out

2011-09-09T10:05:00.000-07:00

So much is happening in this Kindermusik photo right now.

This child is getting the physical movement he needs to prepare for a lifetime of reading. And the adult is getting out from behind the desk, or behind the wheel, and into a Kindermusik class, moving to a steady beat. More and more studies show that adults – as well as children – need more time to move every day.

Take a look:

“Today’s children sit more than ever. Babies spend hours confined in car seats and carriers rather than crawling, toddling or being carried. …Children have 25 percent less time for free play than they did a generation ago, and that’s before factoring in distractions like TV or video games.” GeekMom, Reading Readiness

What’s worse than that? The amount of time adults spend sitting in a chair during the course of a day.

A recent study found that we’re sitting around a lot more – we, meaning us, the adults – and reversing that trend, says the American Cancer Society, can help you live longer.

Make your move. Help more families incorporate music and movement into their lives. Teach Kindermusik.

Not bad for a day's work, eh?

2011-09-01T07:38:00.000-07:00

Helen Peterson is a Kindermusik educator based in the Twin Cities in Minnesota. In this video, she welcomes new families to her fall classes, and provides just a glimpse into what children and their caregivers can experience in a Kindermusik class:

exposure to a wide variety of music -- from Classical music to multi-lingual folk songs from around the world
activities to develop physical coordination and critical thinking skills
activities to develop a child's multi-sensory learning strengths
weekly classes to create a sense of community among new parents
experiences to develop a new parent's sense of "parenting esteem" (self-esteem)

You can do so much for the new families in your community -- and yourself! -- when you become a Kindermusik Educator.

Give us a call, we'd love to tell you more about how to get started.

The Kindermusik Experience....

2011-04-20T08:22:00.000-07:00

Some refer to it as a calling, a way of life that embodies professional experience with personal advocacy. Some see it as an entreprenuerial adventure that brings music, education, and early childhood development full circle. Some even say, Kindermusik is a learning experience for the educator, as well as, the student.

Kindermusik's emphasis is truly on the family and the importance of the child -- helping the child to unfold, giving them an opportunity to be creative. Our focus is on nurturing the joys of childhood through music and movement.

If you love children, and want to seem them blossom through the gift of Kindermusik, this rewarding career is for you. Take control of your life! Join the Kindermusik community. Set your own hours, develop your own fee structure, establish classes in a location that works best for you. Call us today.

What do you hear?

2010-11-11T08:09:00.001-08:00

This is a wonderful article posted on our Minds on Music Blog, October 15th 2010 at 2:21 pm, by Theresa Case. Theresa's Kindermusik program at Piano Central Studios in Greenville, SC is among the top 1% of Kindermusik programs worldwide. I thought you would enjoy reading it.

Pitter, patter, pitter, patter… I can HEAR the rain.

Musically speaking, rain sounds are short sounds. The musical term “staccato” refers to sounds that are separated and often short. It’s the perfect word to use when playing with – and describing – rain sounds. But did you know that being able to identify a sound as “short” (staccato) or “long” (legato) actually involves some pretty high-level thinking and listening skills?

Active listening differs from simple hearing in that we must choose it as an intentional act. Analytical listening, like the kind we will do in Kindermusik class when we explore different shaker sounds and mimic and identify a variety of rain sounds, takes the development of our music listening skills to a whole new level.

Analytical listening is an absolutely vital skill, for music class and for life because it requires children to:

Evaluate what is heard and comprehended
Contemplate and reflect
Weigh new information against what is already known
Discuss by sharing thoughts, opinions, and viewpoints

As Kindermusik teachers, it is an awesome privilege for us to be able to help shape a child’s disposition and aptitude for learning music - practicing the skills that lead to competency and enjoyment and encouraging the attitude that music is fun. Music truly is a powerful tool for representing ideas and expressing individuality, especially when a child develops the ability to listen analytically.

In the Kindermusik classroom where so many of the senses are often engaged simultaneously and where imagination can soar, musical learning truly has the potential to be the strongest and most powerful.

Meet Educator Christa Sigman

2010-09-09T07:13:00.000-07:00

Who is this amazing woman? Let me give you a hint. She’s only been teaching Kindermusik for 4 years and is already willing to take on the responsibility of being Ohio’s PKE State Representative. This woman is truly an inspiration to new and inspiring educators. At the beginning of August, she hosted the summer conference which brought in the largest donation to date for the Ruth Anderson scholarship fund. The educators got to know one another and have fun while still sharing, learning, and loving Kindermusik. She is none other than Christa Sigma. Besides just being a PKE Representative, she still finds time to be a technical wiz. She makes sure to stay in contact with her followers and friends thru her website, blogs, twitter, and Linkedln. Many thanks for all that you do and the inspiration you give!

Magical Moments with Jeannie Castillo

2010-08-10T06:25:00.000-07:00

Some see Jeannie as a dedicated educator. Some see her as an extreme lover of music and the arts. But here at Kindermusik, we recognize her for that and so much more. She has proven her dedication by becoming the first Maestro (an honor given to only the top 1% of Kindermusik programs worldwide) in her area, and was appointed the Distributor for Kindermusik Philippines for the past two years.

Jeannie began her Kindermusik program in 2003 and opened the country’s first fully-dedicated Kindermusik studio in 2006. She has since taught hundreds of children, newborn to age 7, and been an extreme advocate for music in children’s lives in her country. Her magic has spread throughout the world-wide Kindermusik community.

We would like to congratulate Jeannie on becoming the newest PKE International Area Representative and can’t wait to see how she continues to impact the lives of children, parents, and educators in the Philippines.

A Beautiful Song from the Heart of Kindermusik Educator Carol Stringham

2010-07-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

Not only is Carol Stringer ranked in the top 1% of Kindermusik studios worldwide (Maestro), but she is the true epitome of a dedicated music educator. She has been teaching for over 20 years in pre-schools, elementary schools, and children’s choirs. We welcomed Carol into the Kindermusik teaching family over 10 years ago, and as a Maestro, only 2 years after her program began. Her love for music goes beyond Kindermusik. She also has a degree from the University of Utah in elementary education, with a minor in fine arts, and has been a loyal member of the Utah Symphony Chorus for multiple years. Don’t miss the opportunity to catch a sneak peek into the classroom of Ms. Carol Stringer who’s own motto is, “to bring musical experience to children and their families; helping them to find the joy and power of music and hoping to put a song in their hearts that will last a lifetime!”

Click here to see Carol in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzRgN-Ll3m0.

One Proud Papa!

2010-07-23T11:48:00.000-07:00

On May 27, 2010, I received this letter from a proud father of a potential Kindermusik teacher. It touched my heart, and I hope it will inspire and encourage you to take the leap and join the Kindermusik community of educators that are all passionately committed to changing the lives of children through music.

To Whom It May Concern:

My daughter is a student at Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL, and is pursuing a Music/Business degree with an emphasis in management. She is a musician, plays flute and piano, and has taught in the head start program in Tulsa, OK, for several years before entering Full Sail.

I just wanted you to know how much of a positive impression your company has made on her. She first discovered Kindermusik before entering Full Sail and was looking for a pre-school for part-time work possibilities. She read about the Kindermusik school, which happens to be nearby her location, and paid a visit to learn more about it. She was so impressed by how the school uses music so much for instruction that several of her monthly projects have focused on these methods and opportunities. I think you might have a future business owner in the making.

She sent me her latest project for one of her classes. She had to post it on youtube so I could access and view it. I thought it spoke so well of your mission and her feelings about your company that I felt you might want to see it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWiwivoKmbc

Thanks for caring for children in such a wonderful way.

Ed Mosier
Tulsa, OK
Katie Mosier, daughter
Full Sail University

We're So Much More Than Music...

2010-05-05T09:45:00.000-07:00

NATIONAL AWARDS ARE MUSIC TO THE EARS OF TODDLERS
(written by Anna Smith for the Morpeth Herald, in Morpeth, Northumberland, United Kingdom)

TUNEFUL TOTS in Ponteland are certainly hitting the right notes with three national award nominations. The Kindermusik group, which provides musical education for newborns to five-year-olds, is listed in the What's On 4 Little Ones awards.

The group is in the categories for Best Baby Development Activity and Best Toddler Activity, while leader Suzanne Dunn has been nominated as Most Outstanding Class Leader for the second year running. "It is really wonderful," she said. "I was nominated last year and reached the semi-finals and now the parents have nominated me again."

"It is a privilege. It would be great to win or get to the final, but just to be nominated is wonderful." Mrs Dunn, who lives in the village, started classes at Ponteland Methodist Church Hall five years ago, bringing children and parents together to tap music sticks, ring bells, dance, sing, read and play. The 45-minute sessions are designed to stimulate children's cognitive, creative, social and physical development. There are also take-home packs for parents.

"The parents are brilliant," said Mrs Dunn."I'm there as class leader, but it is the parents and the children that make the classes. If they are not participating or being so enthusiastic they wouldn't be the classes that we all enjoy. I have so many great families in the group and they regularly email me about the wonderful things the children are doing at home and let me share the fun they are having."

Spend Your Summer Teaching Kindermusik

2010-04-12T05:46:00.000-07:00

Summer camps offered by Kindermusik educators worldwide provide an opportunity to inspire a child's love of learning in only 5 lessons. They are packed with music, stories, crafts and fun, all designed to nurture a child's curiosity; one that eventually draws them toward learning new words, new numbers, and new big ideas.

There are a variety of camp themes:

Sign Language
The Ocean
Giggles
Time Together as a Family
The Zoo
Storytelling
Your Backyard
Road Trips

Educators provide families with unique musical learning activities, paired with age appropriate instruments and music, all in one shorter session. Each research-proven, giggle approved activity is backed by Kindermusik's 30+ years experience in music and child development.

The First 3 Years Teaching Music

2010-02-18T13:32:00.000-08:00

I was reading a very good article in the February 2010 edition of Teaching Music magazine which is a publication of the MENC organization called “Advice for the First 3 Years.” It offered suggestions for what beginning music teachers can do to “gird themselves for challenges of the profession.” I think this is true for both the private music educator and the public music teacher. With Kindermusik, the first three years are also the most challenging. During this time, new teachers are still learning the curriculum and how to make magic in the classroom. They are communicating with the children, their parents or caregivers, the Partnership of Kindermusik Educators, and the home office. They haven’t yet developed personal experience to draw from in times of difficulty. Our experience, like the article, is that if the educator can come through these first 3 years with positive feelings about the experience, their achievements, etc., they will most likely remain in the profession for a while. The veteran educators in the article had this advice:

Isolation is a big issue in year one for the new teacher. Hold on to the community of people that you trained with and don’t let them go. Post blogs, start a FaceBook page, make cell phone calls, whatever works best. Make intentional efforts to stay connected.
Classroom Management can also be a major concern. Remember, sometimes it is not the children that need the fix, but the teacher. Have someone come in and observe your classes to provide open, honest and direct feedback.
Be sure to be student focused. The child should be first.
Find out what you don’t know and go learn more; be a lifelong learner.
Remember who you were at your student’s ages.
A lot can be learned by trial and error.
Mentoring is extremely important. Accept help that is provided.
Pride should not get in the way. Be willing and comfortable to ask questions. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.
Focus energy on making a difference where you can.
Be sure there is a mechanism in place to help you examine, reflect, and grow in your teaching practices that is completely separate from a formal evaluation.

With Kindermusik, we support new educators every step of the way. The experience begins with a comprehensive training program, including four practice teaching classes to gain comfort and experience before the course is even completed. During the online experience, she will learn the philosophy, pedagogy, curriculum and business aspects of establishing and running a successful Kindermusik program. The learning group consists of 15 to 20 other potential teachers from all over the world and is facilitated by a mentor who has successfully run a Kindermusik program for many years. This environment provides both peer-to-peer and mentor-to-peer learning. In fact, the mentor will partner with her as a business coach through the first teaching semester providing success steps throughout. We have an extensive library of pre-recorded webinars that will provide on-going professional development from both the masterful teaching perspective and to help build a successful program. In addition, we make marketing and enrollment easy with tools through our class scheduler and online enrollment system.

The first 3 years don't have to be difficult at all. Start today on your journey to complete your life's best work with Kindermusik.

Posted by: Terry P. Kilgo, Recruiting Manager

Now is a great time to become an Educator

2010-02-03T08:34:00.000-08:00

We currently have about 604 Kindermusik educators worldwide who are looking to grow and expand their programs. They are looking for quality teachers to join their teams. Training to become certified is more economical than ever now. If you are planning to work for an educator, you can get started for as little as $199. Feel free to visit our teaching opportunities board at http://www.kindermusik.com/Teach/KIHiringAll.aspx to see who is hiring in your community.

Reclaiming the Joyful Spirit in Life

2010-01-12T09:37:00.000-08:00

I have always loved music, and have been a musician since I was a young girl. I began playing the piano at age 7, and later added voice, clarinet, and handbells to my repertoire. Music has always brought me joy when I was feeling sad, or calmed me down when I was upset. (My family can attest that I have been known to literally “pound out my frustrations” on the piano.)After completing 7th grade, I attended a music camp at a small college a few hours from where I grew up. There I had the opportunity to take a private piano lesson from the dean of the music college. I played for him a piece that I felt I had mastered, and he proceeded to point out all of my shortcomings in a way that put my fragile 13-year-old ego through the shredder. Then he told me that if I really wanted to “do” the piece, I would have to give up the other music activities that I enjoyed (accompanying the junior high chorus, playing at church, etc.) and focus completely on practicing that piece. After the lesson, I felt incompetent and utterly dejected.As high school graduation approached, I began considering a career in music. While I knew that my musical ability had improved, that horrible music camp experience was still in my mind, and I still felt that my best efforts it would always be inadequate. There would always be someone like that music professor jumping on my every mistake, and music would become a source of stress rather than an outlet. In addition, the Midwestern work ethic with which I was raised conveyed the message that your job was just a job, and you weren’t meant to enjoy it.So, I pursued my other talents, mathematics and business, and became an actuary, working for 2 different insurance companies for a total of 16 years. I endured the stress of studying for and passing a series of extremely difficult exams, working 50+ hour weeks with no end in sight, juggling career and family, and always feeling like I wasn’t doing enough. There was very little about my career that I could call fun, and I know I wasn’t much fun to be around. What was fun was making music, as I became a church and community musician and began teaching music to children.In late 2005, I left my executive-level job to take some time off and figure out “what I want to be when I grow up.” What I figured out is that life is too short to not enjoy what you do, and what I enjoy is music. In the fall of 2006, I began teaching music at local preschools and became licensed to teach Kindermusik. Shortly after that, I formed my business and chose the word brioso, which means “with vigor and spirit.” In 2007, I began teaching Kindermusik classes and private piano lessons. And I have discovered that singing and laughing with children nearly every day is a wonderful boost to the spirit. It is my hope that all of you reading this are fortunate enough to spend your lives doing work that feeds your spirit as well.

-by Kindermusik educator Julie Bosworth. Julie owns and runs Julie's Music Brioso, a Kindermusik program in Olathe, KS.

Music Education and "a Kindermusik child"

2009-12-09T06:18:00.000-08:00

Over the thirteen years I have been attending Kindermusik classes, I have come to be able to spot a Kindermusik child a mile a way.

A Kindermusik child:

is curious
smiles a lot, even when alone
is confident in his or her own voice
enjoys hearing other children sing and play
can be calmed, excited, or centered by music
has the emerging patience to try and figure things out
enjoys – and is proud of – belonging to a group

Now imagine if EVERY child shared these qualities. Might the news headlines look a bit different every morning...?So to those who think arts education is not important enough to make a priority in our world, I say, “How would we know? We’ve never tried.”

by Michael Dougherty, CEO of Kindermusik International

Kindermusik and Babytalk's World's Biggest Playgroup Event

2009-11-11T09:31:00.000-08:00

Once again Kindermusik International participated in the World’s Biggest Playgroup event sponsored by Babytalk. This event was held on November 10, 2009, at the Mall of America in Bloomington (Minneapolis), MN. Click here to take a look at a copy of the in-book promotional page which appears in the November issue of Babytalk, where you’ll see Kindermusik and many other child-focused companies listed as sponsors. Kindermusik provided the four musical/activity sessions during the event, and we were included as a sponsor and are being recognized in all advertising (both local and national).

Maestro educator Helen Peterson (along with a few other Kindermusik educators) led the four 20 minute Kindermusik segments during this half-day event. This brought more children into the Minneapolis area Kindermusik programs and provided Kindermusik some well-deserved national attention all at the same time. 800 to 1000 children and parents were expected to attend!

Passing the Torch!

2009-11-11T09:20:00.000-08:00

It really doesn't seem that long ago that Rachel Roberts was in Kindermusik employee owner & educator Cindy Bousman's Kindermusik class at the Cultural Arts Center in Greensboro, NC. You can imagine her surprise and delight when she found out Rachel is currently in a Fundamentals Learning Group! It really feels good to be able to pass on the torch.

"Young" Rachel is the cutie on the left in the red striped shorts!

Women in Business

2009-10-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

Now is the perfect time for you to start your own Kindermusik business and add valuable income to your family budget, while bringing the gift of music to children in your community.

Did you know that within married-couple families, the typical working wife now brings home 42.2 percent of her family’s earnings? And, women increasingly are the primary breadwinners. In 2008, nearly 4 in 10 mothers (39.3 percent) were the primary breadwinner in their family—either because they were a single, working parent or because they earned as much as or more than their spouse. An additional quarter percent (24.0 percent) of mothers are co-breadwinners—that is, a working wife bringing home at least 25 percent of her family’s total earnings. Women are becoming breadwinners among all kinds of married-couple families, by income, education, and race.

Above data obtained from the Shriver Report - The Shriver Report is a product of Maria Shriver and the Center for American Progress. For more research on women and the economy, go to americanprogress.org/women.

The "Mary Poppins" of Kindermusik

2009-09-25T07:45:00.000-07:00

Kindermusik educators are called a lot of things -- creative -- musical -- warm -- friendly -- compassionate -- but Lindsay Levin of San Ramon, CA, was recently called the "Mary Poppins of East Bay" by one of her parent PROMOTERS.

Here's what was said:

"Miss Lindsay is apparently the Mary Poppins of the Eastbay. I love music and sing loudly to my 80's pop hits when I am 1000% sure no one (okay, cat excepted) is within driving distance. Miss Lindsay is pretty much the complete opposite. Actually, I think she would sing her way through her day if she could."

A Parent Testimonial..Music to Our Ears!

2009-09-04T09:33:00.000-07:00

I have always wanted to write to Kindermusik to tell you of my experience. All 3 of my children went through the Kindermusik experience and we ALL loved it.
That was many years ago, my children are now 19, 17, and 15 and they are all musical even though my husband and I are not.

The oldest plays all sorts of instruments, has a great ear, writes music, sings, and is attending college for Jazz Studies. The middle child has been playing flute since 4th grade and is now Drum Major for her high school marching band and desperately wants to continue marching in college. The youngest also plays several instruments and is in high school marching band too.

This program has touched our family's life in a big way and I wanted to say THANKS

..shared by Brenda C. whose children took Kindermusik classes in both Alabama and Virginia

Join the global community of educators who are positively impacting the lives of children with the gift of music.

2009-08-18T12:23:00.000-07:00

As I go into my 16th year of teaching Kindermusik, it feels like a good time to reflect. I remember that first semester of teaching two classes of "Beginnings" in my church basement (for you newbies, that's what we called it before it became "Our Time"). After teaching 3 years I was up to around 50 students and decided to hire a teacher....and then another. As life was good, in my ninth year, I started feeling like there was something more I was destined to do. I didn't want to give up Kindermusik, but something was nagging at me. Then I went to convention and witnessed Sandy Taylor from Denver, Colorado, as she presented us with her work with special needs children. It touched my heart so a new endeavor began. For the next two years, I worked on becoming not-for-profit so we would be eligible to apply for more grants. We received our 501-c in 2006. This part of our program has been an uphill battle ever since, and our mainstream children are still the ones we mostly serve and value so much. They are the ones who sustain us and bring us joy every day. We're up to 3 locations, 230 children, 7 teachers and a part time Administrative Assistant. Fundraising is a new part of our yearly activities, and we currently provide tuition scholarships for 6-12 children per semester. We're so excited about receiving At Home materials from the Ruth D. Anderson Kindermusik Children's Fund for the coming 2009-2010 years. We will take free Family Time classes to Sheltering Wings which is a shelter for battered women and their children. We hope to bring some positive bonding between these mothers and children and put smiles back on their faces again. We're also moving one of our locations this year due to the center we've been in for 3 years closing down. If there's one piece of advice I can give to my fellow Kindermusik Educators, it's this. Don't say to yourself, "when is it all going to settle down?" or "when I just get this done, we'll be set." It never settles down. There's always another fire to put out. A teacher quits, or a location closes down or asks you to move, you have a huge unexpected expense come up for the program, your computer breaks down, you make a big mistake. It's called "running a business" so relax and don't take it so seriously. It's all part of the journey -- so every time there's a hurdle, don't panic -- even if others around you do. You learn something with every trial. Just look at each hurdle in the face and then calmly tackle it. It will never be perfect but it can have endless rewards. Kindermusik has taught me not only about children but about myself. As we patiently wait to receive that first grant, I am grateful for the wonderful families and staff that I currently have and continue to value the new relationships I continue to make.

Have I Got What It Takes?

2009-07-08T12:47:00.000-07:00

Many of you may be asking "have I got what it takes to be a Kindermusik educator?" Well... we have some information that may help you in determining whether this is a good fit for you. According to a study published in the AMTA's Journal of Music Therapy Spring 2008 Issue, music education majors were primarily female, studied a band instrument or voice most frequently, 53% attended university on scholarship with 3.0 to 4.0 GPAs. They took private music lessons growing up, participated in sol0 or ensembles, were members of church/community groups, and volunteered. The trend was basically the same with music therapy majors, with these few exceptions: they were primarily females, who studied voice most frequently, 60.3 % attended university on scholarship with 3.0 to 4.0 GPAs. They both have a service-minded outlook, which draws them to these professions.

Personality traits include: Warmly enthusiastic, high-spirited, ingenious, and imaginative. Able to do almost anything that interests them with a solution for any difficulty. Ready to help anyone with a problem. Often relies on their ability to improvise instead of prepare in advance. Can always find compelling reasons for whatever they want. Live their outer life more with intuition, inner more with feeling. Usually more extroverted.

If this sounds like you, and you have a passion for music and love for children, this is the single best career choice that you can make!

Music and Math

2009-06-11T06:24:00.000-07:00

There is no longer any doubt that there is a significant link between early music instruction and cognitive growth in certain other, “nonmusical” abilities, such as math, memory, and spatial-temporal reasoning. In fact, studies focused specifically on music for young children even suggest that these cognitive gains increase according to the number of years that students engage in active music learning, and even that the younger children are when they begin, the greater the gains will be!

For more detail see:

The Impact of Music on Mathematics Achievement by Deanne Kells, M.A. http://www.kindermusik.com/Classes/Downloads/ImpactOfMusicOnMath.pdf

Discovering Mathematics Through Music by Heidi Gilman Bennett

Research Highlights (Toddlers) - http://www.kindermusik.com/Classes/Downloads/MusicAndMathOTFinal.pdf

Research Highlights (Preschoolers) - http://www.kindermusik.com/Classes/Downloads/MusicAndMathITFinal.pdf

Music and Social-Emotional Development

2009-06-01T08:59:00.000-07:00

Music & Social-Emotional Development Research demonstrates that involvement in music and movement activities from an early age helps children develop good social and emotional skills. Research also links social and emotional development with school-readiness and even with higher academic testing scores. It's no surprise. After all, the same skills that foster emotional security and social success - skills like confidence, curiosity, cooperation, self-regulation, and good listening - predict cognitive achievement and academic success as well. For more information visit: http://www.kindermusik.com/Classes/ClassesBenefits.aspx .

by Molia Dumbleton, M.A., M.A. and Heidi Gilman Bennett

Growth Despite the Recession!

2009-05-15T11:51:00.000-07:00

This is a lovely sentiment from one of our successful Kindermusik educators about the growth of her program.

Why does my program continue to grow, despite the recession? Well, I think that I exude an infectious passion and a strong belief about the benefits of early childhood education. Word of mouth and re-enrollments (plus the sibling enrollments) are more precious to me than any advertising that I could do!

One little girl, Ada, has taken 7 consecutive Kindermusik classes with me, and her sister is following close behind. It amazes me that her parents are willing to invest so much money into this program, but then I realize that parents will sacrifice anything to give their child the very best. And, fortunately, my program is seen as the very best in this City. I always have waiting lists!

What advice can I pass on? Well, although advertising and enrollment incentives are important (and I do those, too), your focus has to be in the classroom! Parents will pay the tuition if they see the benefit in the class. Even when you are thinking, “I’m too tired to teach 3 Our Time classes in a row”, go into the classroom and have all of the energy of a 2 year old (that means crawling, rolling and hopping if little Oliver suggests it!). Smile for the entire class, and be more excited than the mother when little 5 month old Chloe waves for the first time.

It’s really all about the relationship that you form with families. If you are like a friend, they will do all the advertising for you! So, my advice is to attend that 4 year olds birthday party!

Reassure the parent that thinks her child is too shy. Have all the patience in the world as little Brody takes forever to pick out his sticker and make a special effort to sit beside a different child each week. Talk to parents after class about the unique and special things that you notice about their child, and how they have changed over the course of the Kindermusik classes. And, most importantly, use those FOL tips in your guide! As much as the child likes your classes, it is the parents that you have to convince.

Show your appreciation for re-enrolling with gifts (I use the Pick A Song, Sing Along CD – it is fantastic!). Recommend concerts and activities going on in the City that are appropriate for your Kindermusik kids (I have an email list and recommend children’s concerts as they come up). Anything that you do that goes above and beyond will show your dedication to the program, and to the children.

A old highschool friend recently asked about teaching Kindermusik, and I spouted off a zillion reasons why it is the best thing I have ever done with my life. She said “are you sure you are not in Kindermusik marketing?”, and I realized that I have never been as passionate about anything as I am about Kindermusik!

To new educators, old educators and everyone teaching Kindermusik: You can do it! No matter what state our economy is in, a parent will always want the very best for their child, you just have to prove to them that Kindermusik is the “good beginning that never ends”!

by Breeanne Fuller / Lethbridge, Alberta

The Whole Family Is Important

2009-05-06T11:56:00.000-07:00

January marked my 10th year as a Kindermusik educator. My current focus now is much different than the focus I had when I first began this Kindermusik journey. Maybe it is age or maybe it is the times we live in, I don't know, but I have shifted my focus from predominantly being on the children to now being focused on the families as a whole. I see so many hurting people every day walk into my studio and somehow when they leave they feel better. Or at least I hope so. I want my families to know how much I care for them and I do this by talking to every family one by one every week, sending notes to mommy and child with stickers for the child if they are absent, sending individual emails to those I know need encouragement and sometimes just picking up the phone and saying, "Hey, I was thinking about Johnny. How's he doing this week?". Yes, it takes time. Lots of time. More than I have ever spent in my 10 years of teaching. But you know? It makes me a better person and teacher to care for others. Music is so healing and I want to share my love of others and my passion for music every day of my life. I encourage you to take a look at your business...is it just for the money or do you see it as an investment into other people's lives?

shared by Michele Mulder

2009-04-17T13:52:00.000-07:00

My Success Story

For my intents and purposes, I am going to call this my Success Song. I know, it sounds corny and sentimental. But after all, that is who I am. I am sentimental. And being a musician at my very nature, it seems only natural that it be called something musical.

When I was asked to share my success story (song) I immediately said to myself, “Oh yeah, sure that’s easy. It’s the three ‘p’s (ppp).” No -- not the musical dynamic marking Pianississimo meaning very, very soft, but the three ‘p’s with which I “live” my business. Passion, Persistence and Patience. These three ‘p’s are at the core of my belief system regarding my business, and I believe they have contributed to my success as a Kindermusik Educator.

PASSION
First of all, I have a passionate commitment to the cause…to bring the gift of Kindermusik into the life of every child.

I believe in Kindermusik. Why? Because it makes a difference! And I know that nobody wins until we all do. I love Kindermusik! I truly love what I do and have adopted a motto for myself. I even went so far as to add it to my email signature. “LOVE WHAT YOU DO, DO WHAT YOU LOVE.” I am passionate about the cause.

I believe in Kindermusik’s philosophy: Kindermusik is a community of families and educators passionately committed to bringing music to children's lives through developmentally appropriate curricula, CDs, books, instruments, and activities.

Kindermusik's philosophy is founded upon rigorous research and our fundamental beliefs:
• A parent or loving caregiver is a child’s first and most important teacher
• All children are musical
• The home is the most important learning environment
• Music nurtures a child's cognitive, emotional, social, language, and physical development
• Children flourish in a child-centered environment where activities are developmentally appropriate
• Educators value the learning process—not the performance—of music making
• Every child should experience the joy, fun, and learning that music brings to life

I believe in Kindermusik’s brand promise. It is what sets us apart from the other options that are out there.
• Exceptionally talented early-childhood music educator
• Quality home materials to continue the learning throughout the week
• Parent education about the development of their child

A leader (or educator) who is passionately committed to the cause will draw much commitment from others. I believe in and can see the difference it makes in the lives of children. I have a passionate commitment to the cause. Do you? If so, let me ask you a question then. How do you show your commitment? I show mine through Persistence and Patience.

PERSISTENCE
I remember when I was first starting out several years ago. I did everything right. I advertised in all of the right places. I held demos in all of the right places. I walked neighborhoods with flyers, I wrote articles hailing the benefits of Kindermusik, I had a website up and running. I offered sibling discounts and early bird specials. I did it all. I even held a demo at the library that had no less than 50 people in attendance! Yet, when it came time for my first class, only three families registered. Where were all of the people? I had no explanation. I was so discouraged.

Despite my discouragement, I traveled from Denver to attend my first Kindermusik Convention in Greensboro, NC. (which was WONDERFUL, I might add!). And I made a very dear friend, Amy, who happens to live out east. Amy and I became fast friends, and I learned that she and I had “opened our doors” at about the same time. Amy had 50 students instantly. Go figure! Kindermusik is Kindermusik, right? And besides that, I did everything right too!

Then, really being confused and discouraged, I remember talking with my mentor, Kim Denney about it. I will never forget what she said. “Offer it [KM classes] and they will come. Just keep offering.” Persist! Don’t give up. Well, I listened. I didn’t give up, I kept putting myself out there and I kept putting Kindermusik out there and it paid off. I’m happy to say that I now have full and nearly full classes. (I still have some small classes too, but they are coming along.) My business is growing. As a matter of fact, I have experienced my first “wait list” class as of yesterday! Now that is a great feeling!

“Your program looks great, Lisa but , no. …” I learned something about myself when I heard this. I found that I don’t take “no” for an answer for very long. While running Kindermusik classes through a recreation center may not be for everyone, it has been a boon for me. It took me three people and three “no” answers to get to the “yes” I needed. I didn’t give up and kept trying and I’m glad I did. Getting into the rec center in my community was the turning point in my business. Persistence was the key.

PATIENCE
The waiting paid off. Word of mouth is a powerful thing, but sometimes it takes a bit of time for the word to travel. I had to plant the seed, care for it, and wait for it to grow. It takes patience to nurture a business. That is a tall order when trying to put food on the table and pay the mortgage, I know. Especially now. But for me, it has been worth it. I love what I do.

Sure, I have done some practical and tangible things to help the business along as well. I have offered classes at different locations on different days at different times, including weekends. I have offered Adventures Summer Camps. I approached preschools with ABC Music & Me and have added ABC Music and Me to the “core” curricula. I even recognized a need for parents wanting & needing some time for themselves in my community and offered a class I called ABC Music & Me: Parents Day Out. (It is a two hour class in which we have music time, snack time, craft time and play time together. The parents are welcome to stay or go run errands or go take a nap! This class has proven to be very successful for me.) I make myself very visible in my community—library story times, demos at Barnes and Noble, etc. I even began wearing apparel with the Kindermusik logo on it. You would be surprised at the conversations that has started!

I have also learned from my mistakes. I have done some really dumb advertising things, but the important thing is that I didn’t do them again. I had to be patient with myself and be willing to admit my mistakes. There was a lot to be learned from that particular ground that I covered.

So, this is what has worked for me. It is the tune I have sung to myself since day one. Hopefully you can find something here that can help inspire you to keep the faith—to keep the commitment to the cause. Kindermusik does make a difference. It has made a difference in my life, that’s for sure. That’s my song and I’m singin’ to it!

shared by educator Lisa Fultz from Aurora, CO

Three Different Career Paths

2009-03-26T11:32:00.000-07:00

Having trouble determining what to do? Kindermusik now offers several career alternatives when you become a licensed educator. You can choose to be your own boss by establishing and nurturing your own program. You have the option of going to work for a local teacher that is interested in expanding her program. Or, the third choice is to go into preschools, daycares, and montessori schools to teach ABC Music & Me!

A new tool on our class locator features this button:

Educators that have teaching opportunities available have this logo posted on the class locator service we provide. To check for opportunities in your area, visit http://www.kindermusik.com/Classes/ClassesFind.aspx.
Enter your zip code and then contact them directly about job availability.

We are excited that we can now match employers to employees, in order to build the Kindermusik community, and reach more children with the gift and power of music.

Today's Economic Conditions Require Tough Decisions

2009-03-12T12:28:00.000-07:00

In difficult times such as these, things often come into sharper focus-we remember what's really important, and what goals in life are really worth pursuing. And in times like these, Kindermusik stands out as a source of joy, growth, and strength for young children and their families. What more important time than now to help families come together?

The investment a parent makes in a child's early years, by enrolling them in a Kindermusik class, has lasting benefits. In fact, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002, states, "Studying music encourages self discipline and diligence traits that carry over into mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history and geography." Research supports that music helps prepare the mind for specific disciplines of learning; skills learned through music carry over into study skills, communications skills, cognitive skills and abstract reasoning skills useful to all parts of life, according to a 1997 article in Neurological Research.

Join our worldwide community of educators as we change the lives of children and their families with the gift of music.

Kindermusik ... A Way of Life

2009-02-25T12:22:00.000-08:00

Kathy Cain attended the Kindermusik educator convention in Raleigh, NC this past fall, and had these wonderful words to say about her teaching experience. Hear her story along with her other Kindermusik colleagues. Truly, a good beginning never ends.

Music Gets Children Ready For Reading

2009-02-23T05:28:00.000-08:00

When it comes to literacy, how does Kindermusik fit in?

Researchers believe that music instruction helps children build active listening skills. By “tuning in” to music and other specific sounds carefully, one at a time, and with full attention, children hone their listening skills. Through songs and chants, children develop an ear for the patterns of sounds in words, phrases, and sentences. And as children listen to and sing words set to music, they become familiar with other sounds, rhymes, rhythms, and patterns in language.

The kind of learning children do in Kindermusik—engaging in active, focused listening exercises; building both receptive and expressed vocabulary; expanding awareness of phonemes, the building blocks of language; and exploring an awareness of how the printed word works to communicate—has been proven repeatedly and convincingly to be the kind of learning that is specifically linked to success in school.

For more details, please go to www.kindermusik.com/benefits

Bubbles, Butterflies, and Paper Monkeys

2009-01-30T12:15:00.000-08:00

Inspire a child's love of learning in only five lessons this summer, teaching Kindermusik Adventures.

As you know, research proves that early integration of music into the daily routine means improving a child's ability to think, create, reason, and express. Adventures' summer camps provide an opportunity to continue their love of learning in an environment that is both fun and educational, during a time when most are on vacation for a 2-3 month period.

In a Kindermusik summer camp, they blow music bubbles, play parachute, and kite games. Make yard art from a glue jar. Sing. Say hello in 5 languages when they visit a new country each lesson: Germany, Japan, England, Mexico, and the continent of Africa. All these great summer camp activities -- the music, stories, and crafts -- are designed to nurture a child's natural curiosity, one that eventually draws them toward learning new words, new numbers, new cultures, and new big ideas.

Earn some additional income this summer by teaching a few 5-day summer camps. Imagine, offering only 4 classes with 8 children each, over a 2-week period, and earning as much as $2,500.

(This is a great opportunity for members of MTNA, MENC and NAEYC.)

School Teachers Needed

2009-01-30T11:50:00.000-08:00

As a preschool, kindergarten, or elementary school teacher, you play a vital role in the development of children. What they learn and experience during their early years, shapes their views of themselves and the world. It also affects their success or failure in school, work, and their personal lives. As you know, preschool children learn primarily through play and interactive activities. You are responsible for introducing them to math, language, science, and social studies, and successfully do so with story telling, rhyming games, music, and art, as well as other basic teaching tools.

Well, that's Kindermusik! We are the world's leader in using music and movement to foster whole child development (social, emotional, language, physical, and cognitive) and instill a lifetime love of learning in children world-wide, ages newborn to 7.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, job availability is only expected to increase about 12% between 2006 and 2016 for public school teachers. Most public school teachers must be licensed, which typically requires a bachelor's degree and completion of an extensive approved teacher education program.

With Kindermusik, you can begin fulfilling your life's best work today. All you need to do is complete our Fundamentals of Kindermusik training course. It is all done online from the comfort of your own home in 8-10 weeks. Just in time to earn summer income.

And... you get to be the boss! Set your own schedule, determine your own tuition, and tailor your program around the needs and responsibilities of your own family.

We support you with lead distribution, class scheduling on our international website, E-Z online enrollment for your families, a customized path for your business' success, and free professional development and on-going training.

Call us today to get started on your journey to teach!

(This is a great opportunity for members of MTNA, MENC and NAEYC.)

by Terry Kilgo
Recruiting Manager
(using report from the U.S. Department of Labor)

SHARING MY LIFE'S BEST WORK WITH YOU

2009-01-16T13:44:00.001-08:00

Over the past 10 years, I have had the distinct privilege of helping hundreds of people just like you fulfill their dream of becoming Kindermusik educators. There is nothing I enjoy more than getting acquainted with all the wonderfully talented and motivated people who are looking to touch the lives of children and their families through music. I help them get started on their Kindermusik journey as they start the fabulous training experience that will lead them on the path to becoming a successful Kindermusik educator and business owner. It takes courage and determination to embark on a new adventure, and everyone at Kindermusik University is committed to helping each student succeed. The online support starts in the classroom and continues after licensing and teaching. I have never regretted my decision to become an educator. It has brought me so much joy that it is a blessing to share that with others.

by Julee Kowallis
Lead Mentor and Senior Fundamentals Advisor

A New Year ... Perhaps a New Career?

2008-12-31T12:39:00.000-08:00

I love the beginning of the New Year - the reflection it invites and the dreams and goals it generates. I feel so fortunate that I focus my time and energy helping Kindermusik educators develop as masterful teachers and successful business owners who make a profound and joyful difference in the lives of children and families in their communities. I reflect on the thousands and thousands of families who sang, danced, cuddled and played in a supportive Kindermusik community this year – a bright spot in the midst of turbulent times. My goals for the coming year are to support current educators in doing their best work and to make becoming a Kindermusik educator easy and rewarding. The world desperately needs and wants the very contribution Kindermusik educators offer: growth, learning, bonding, community, support, and fun. My dream is to change the world….one child, one family, one hug, one song at a time. Kindermusik is my path. I hope it will become yours.

by Carol Penney

Director of Education

The Partnership of Kindermusik Educators = true friendship

2008-12-29T11:49:00.000-08:00

The Partnership of Kindermusik Educators or the PKE is not just an educational association that supports your professional goals but a group of individuals that are rooting for your success in business and in life.

Running a Kindermusik business has many facets. Not only are we trying to be the best possible educator we can but we are tasked to be a sales person, a business manager, an accountant, a buyer, a web designer, a marketing department, and more! Having a partnership of educators who understands your challenges, supports your endeavors and celebrates your accomplishments is profound.

Kindermusik Educators do not compete with one another, rather we rejoice in the successes of others. There is plenty of children and families who love them for everyone to thrive, and it feels great to be a part of a larger community of professionals who all share the same goal.

In my community, two educators, Allison and Karla are both expecting babies this winter. Karla, is expecting TWINS! She had to cut back on her teaching hours as her pregnancy progressed, and Allison, stepped in to help finish teaching her final classes before the babies were born. Now, they are both getting support from a third Kindermusik educator, Deb, who will be covering their teaching until they are both ready to return to the class room. Three new Kindermusik babies are snug at home, many families around them continue to receive the benefits of Kindermusik each week and we as a community of educators are uplifted by the cooperation of these three.

There are countless examples of educators sharing their time and talents with their colleagues. There is a website that is based completely on the idea of sharing ideas, tips, hints, material, instruments, and moral support. There is a grass roots association where a new educator can find support locally, on the state, regional and international levels.

The Partnership of Kindermusik Educators has been called many things in the past, but this is the name that truly speaks its mission, to be a PARTNER to all Kindermusik educators around the world.

by: Helen Peterson

Advisor of Communication for The PKE Board

Becoming a Kindermusik educator is well within YOUR reach! – A few more things.

2008-11-10T09:42:00.000-08:00

Over the past couple of weeks we’ve been discussing what it takes to become a Kindermusik educator. We’ve already covered the musical must haves, how training works and what it means to operate your own Kindermusik business. Here are a few other things you may not know:

· You must maintain a valid email address and internet access during training and after you begin teaching. This allows you to complete Kindermusik training and fully benefit from the support, personal communication and teaching tools the Kindermusik community provides.

·It’s required that every family enrolled in Kindermusik purchase from you a set of Kindermusik At-Home Materials. You buy the materials from KI and resale them to your participants.

· You must use the Kindermusik materials exclusively for Kindermusik classes. These specially designed lesson plans and recordings are not to be used in other instructional settings.

*You should adhere to your Kindermusik License Agreement. You'll get a copy of this during training but if you would like to read it before hand, let us know. We'll be glad to send you an email copy.

If you're still reading this, you must have what it takes. Owning your own business and doing something you love is only a phone call away. One of our recruiting specialist would love to help you make your dream a reality. Call us today at 888-442-4453.

Becoming a Kindermusik educator is well within YOUR reach! –training and what it means to own your own business.

2008-10-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

If you’ve visited the blog lately you know we’ve been doing a little “Q &A.” We want you to know how simple it is to get started with your own Kindermusik business. This week we’re gonna talk about how training works and what having your own business means.

Q: How long is the training and where does it take place?

A: Training is completely online and takes 8 to 10 weeks to complete. If you have the time you can expedite your experience by working ahead. This allows you to complete the training faster so you can get started ASAP. Keep in mind, that in addition to studying and quizzes, there are three chat sessions and one conference call. These events are the only scheduled activities besides your vocal review and are planned and facilitated by your mentor. These meetings usually happen after 9:00 pm EST to accommodate different time zones and attendance is required.

Q: This will be my own business? What does that mean?

A: Kindermusik is a business opportunity. That means this will be your own business. YOU choose when, where, and what you teach. You also choose what to charge and since KI isn’t a franchise we don’t take a percentage of your earnings. But don’t let that idea overwhelm you, there’s a portion of the Fundamentals Training Class refereed to as Business Basics. This portion of class will cover how to get started, set your fees and provides tips and ideas for marketing and running your business successfully

If the opportunity of learning new things and incorporating your love of business and music excites you, call us today. 888-442-4453. We’d love to talk further with you about all the possibilities Kindermusik has for you.

Becoming a Kindermusik educator is well within YOUR reach! – The musical “must haves”

2008-10-21T08:13:00.000-07:00

You’ve been to http://www.kindermusik.com/ and are familiar with what Kindermusik is and are aware that you need to complete a training class that cost $399. Now you're wondering “What’s next?” Great question!

We’ll spend the next couple of posts doing a little “Q &A” so you can see how simple it is to get started with your own Kindermusik business.

Let’s start with the musical “must haves.”

Q: I don’t have a music degree. Can I still teach Kindermusik?

A: While a music degree is not required; you must pass a vocal review and feel comfortable enough with your singing abilities that you can lead a class without instrumental music.

Q: OK, what’s a “vocal review?”

A: The vocal review involves you memorizing and singing several assigned songs to your mentor, over the phone in order to become a licensed Kindermusik Educator. We aren’t looking for opera divas but the ability to match pitch and keep a steady rhythm is a necessity.

If you’ve got what it takes or have more questions about what we expect from you musically give us a call. 888-442-4453. We’d love to answer your questions and help you get started today.

Here, There, and Everywhere

2008-10-01T12:59:00.000-07:00

Did you know that there are limitless options of locations to hold Kindermusik classes in your community? Unlike franchises or businesses with rigid specifications, each Kindermusik teacher can choose the place or places where they teach.

Possibilities include:

Music/performing arts schools
Dance/music/martial arts studios
Churches/synagogues/temples
Home studios
Enrichment /educational centers
Recreation/community centers
Gyms/fitness centers
Colleges/universities
Assisted living/senior centers
Park programs
Children’s museums
Preschools/daycares
Libraries

Existing businesses are typically receptive to offering their facilities, since they will reap the benefits of new families coming in their doors. This is especially true because many locations cater to school-age children and are vacant during the day. The online Fundamentals of Kindermusik training provides detailed instruction and business tools to find and secure the location that would work best for you.

Be Bold... Your Life's Best Work Awaits You!

2008-09-18T10:25:00.000-07:00

If you’re reading this blog posting, it most likely means that you’re eager to learn a bit more about Kindermusik and the Kindermusik opportunity. This could be the day that you join thousands of Kindermusik educators all over the globe who transform children’s lives with music each and every day. With our online training program, you’ll find becoming a licensed Kindermusik educator is a breeze – you learn online from home at the times that work best for you – AND – you will have an experienced Kindermusik educator who will mentor you all along the way. We know that being new isn’t always easy, and it is our goal to make it as easy as possible for you as you begin your Kindermusik journey.

Nurturing children with music is a fabulous accomplishment for which our 5,000 educators in the United States and in 63+ other countries are so very proud. I encourage you to join the Kindermusik team today – this is an extraordinary opportunity for you where you can build your own successful Kindermusik program while sharing the gift of music with the children in your area.

Be inspired – take the bold step today in becoming a Kindermusik educator. I know I’ve found my life’s best work here at Kindermusik, and I’m convinced that you will as well.

Musically yours,
Michael Dougherty
Chairman and CEO
Kindermusik International

Kindermusk Is All About Community

2008-09-08T13:06:00.000-07:00

We are a global community of educators, parents, and employee-owners who are passionately committed to bringing the gift of music to children world-wide.

2008 is the year we celebrate 30 years of excellence, and sharing this magical, musical learning experience with 1.5 million children and their families in 66 countries.

Teachers from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, Philippines, South Korea, Italy, Dubai, and all around the world, will converge on Raleigh, NC the week of November 5th – 8th for the annual Kindermusik convention. It is an experience like none other.

Enjoy the video footage from a previous Kindermusik convention and visit us at kiconvention.blogspot.com to get a feel for the fun, fellowship, and educational opportunities that will be available to all who attend.

Highlights are below:

Connect with educators who share your passion and challenges in reaching and teaching children with music.

Learn from industry experts on best practices in the classroom, customer loyalty, and more!

From Village, to Family Time, to ABC – learn educator’s most successful practices.

Get to know Kindermusik’s fun, friendly, and knowledgeable staff.

Experience the power and joy of hundreds of Kindermusik educators from around the world coming together to celebrate!

… It’s just another great reason to consider becoming a licensed Kindermusik educator today.

A Good Beginning Never Ends

2008-08-18T13:48:00.001-07:00

A Good Beginning Never Ends

Since this is Kindermusik’s 30th year in business, we are finding a number of parents who took Kindermusik classes themselves as a child. One such parent is Eddie M., a native of Greensboro, NC. He fondly remembers his mom taking him to Kindermusik at Greensboro College in the 1970’s. He learned to read music while participating in the Kindermusik for the Young Child class for 5 to 7 year olds, and went on to play the piano and recorder. More importantly, he gained an overall appreciation for music and its effect on his everyday life and decided that if he ever had kids he would want them to benefit from the Kindermusik experience.

True to his word, years later Eddie enrolled his daughter Madeleine in Kindermusik classes so she could have the same “hands on” experience with music that has stayed with him throughout his life. He kept his glockenspiel and books from his own class, so when Madeleine advanced to the Kindermusik for the Young Child curriculum they were able to play music together. By carrying on this tradition, Eddie is a great example of Kindermusik being a good beginning that never ends.

The Joy and Magic Continues

2008-08-13T05:53:00.000-07:00

I often think back to a choice I made 26 years ago. I enrolled in the Kindermusik training course and in the Fall of 1982, taught my first Kindermusik class. It changed everything. I had always been passionate about teaching, about children, about music, yet never imagined I could put them together as my vocation. I had enjoyed many jobs such as teaching public and private school, but I never imagined the joy and magic I would experience teaching Kindermusik to preschoolers. 26 years later, I am still passionate about teaching, about children, about music, and I am still reaping the rewards (and hugs) that come with changing the lives of children and families through Kindermusik. My dream is that others can experience the same joy and magic and look forward to 26+ years of a career that’s aligned with passion and makes a huge difference in the world.

Carol Penney
Director of Education
Kindermusik International

Not ready to go back to work?

2008-08-11T10:10:00.000-07:00

Before having children you enjoyed your job, you paid a lot for that college education and you were passionate about your career. Now you are a mother and your baby will only be a baby for so long. The question “Do I really want to go back to work?” comes up over and over. That’s a struggle for most mothers. You want a career, you enjoy having adult interaction, you want to continue to pursue the things you love and having a second income is a necessity but, you want the time with your children more. Consider teaching Kindermusik.

Kindermusik enables many women to pursue the musical careers they love and spend precious time with their children. Kindermusik allows you to combine your two passions, music and family and helps you make that extra money you need. With a flexible schedule you create, you are able to make soccer games, trips to the grocery store and have time to spend with your family and friends while having a career you enjoy. If you are interested in teaching music and staying home with your kids, let us know. We would love to help you not have to compromise your career or your time with your babies.

Kindermusik Community

2008-08-08T07:17:00.001-07:00

This was an article that was published in the latest issue of E-Notes which is a publication that goes out to all licensed Kindermusik teachers around the world.

Educator Article: A Kindermusik Community by Mary DiCesare

Kindermusik Community

One of the most important things I experienced from this first year of teaching was the beauty of the Kindermusik community created over the course of the semester. Initially, I had prepared a "Class Policies" sheet that included gentle language culled from many other Class Policy forms I had viewed at various websites online. It seemed that all of them included a reference to parents not talking during class. Some were worded more harshly then others, but they all included the "no talking" rule in one form or another. So I included it in mine and was prepared to enforce it as needed.

After three or four classes, however, I soon came to see and appreciate the need to allow a little informality here and there throughout the class for talking, as it was the path to communing and creating a beautiful place to be. I was particularly taken with my Village classes. As I observed the moms bonding, the friendships forming, the laughter, smiles, and overall relaxed atmosphere, I came to appreciate what was happening on many levels. I got to know the parents (and grandparents) in my Village class and began to learn the many different reasons these parents had come to Kindermusik Village. As I learned the different goals and expectations of my parents, I became more aware of my role as facilitator, realizing that there was a careful balance I needed to maintain.

I have many new mothers, with their first baby, who are looking to connect with other mothers. I hear them talking with the more experienced moms about bits of behavior that puzzle them or health related topics, only to be reassured that that's normal, or to be given a piece of advice to try. I hear these same new mothers relating with the other new mothers about how hard it is to be at home alone with an infant all day, or how hard it is to get out of the house and get anywhere on time.

Several of my new moms work at a local bio-tech company known for its long hours, but flexibility for family. I had these new mothers join during their maternity leave and then continue with me after they had gone back to work, having made arrangements to take this morning hour as their "lunch" hour to attend Village with their infant. I see how valuable and meaningful this 45-minute class is for them to be with their baby for this precious bonding time. I also see how eager they are to connect with other moms who have same age children. This is an opportunity for them to leave the very "adults only" work world and be part of the very child-centered stay-at-home moms' world.

I have many stay-at-home moms. Several attend with friends they are already very familiar with and they look forward to seeing each other each week. Often these moms have several children and are running in many directions each day, making it hard to always see their friends. This class gives them that time to look forward to. These same moms find it hard to get "uninterrupted" bonding time with their new infant because so often schedules and activities are based upon the older siblings, and the newest family addition gets taken along to the older siblings sports, music, scouts, etc. These moms are really happy to find a special activity appropriate for their new baby and that one-on-one time they have been craving with this infant.

One of my moms last year had four children, the last two being twins. She told me that someone had given her advice while she was still pregnant to be sure to schedule one activity alone with each twin. One of the activities she chose was Village. The first 8-week session she brought one of her twin boys. The second 8-week session she brought the other twin, so that they both enjoyed the benefits of Kindermusik. While she was telling me this story, another mother joined in to tell her that she also had twins, now full grown, and that that was wonderful advice, encouraging her to continue giving each of the twins his own one-on-one time with mommy.

I also had new moms who had recently moved to the neighborhood and were able to make new friends in my classes. I watched as week after week they grew to know each other and began making plans to get together outside of class. Having moved myself to California from New York, and having my first child that first year here, I could really appreciate those connections that were happening.

There was only one time when I felt the need to include a note in my weekly e-newsletter reminding parents to be sensitive to talking so that everyone is able to participate in singing and are able to hear the Foundations of Learning. It was during this class that I became aware of the community we had created. Rather than be upset that too much talking was going on, it made me aware of how much these parents were enjoying themselves! However, I did see one or two of the newer moms straining to hear my FOLs so I felt the need for a reminder. It seemed to do the trick. Usually, though, the chatter occurs at the start and end of class, and during transitions such as object exploration or instrument play.

Overall, I feel the experiences of my first Village classes have made me more aware of my role as facilitator to create a well-balanced environment where one-on-one bonding time is respected and protected, while still fulfilling the adults' need for support and friendship. Getting to know parents on a personal level, and utilizing the new Kindermusik Loyalty Survey, will provide me with candid on-going feedback as that classroom experience will change with each new class semester. Using both approaches provides parents the opportunity to give me direct feedback face-to-face, or anonymously through the survey.

I am located in an area where Word-of-Mouth has an enormous impact on local business. Knowing what my parents want and using their feedback to improve my own skills as a facilitator will help me to grow professionally, retain families, and gain a competitive edge through referrals.

BUREAUCRATIC BURNOUT!

2008-08-04T06:49:00.000-07:00

Every day, our team has the privilege of speaking with women and men from all over the country who have a great degree of frustration because they are unable to use the gifts and talents that they have to share their passion and love of music with the children in their public school classrooms. Too much of their time is spent with designing lesson plans, monitoring test scores, classroom assessments, and shuffling the many mounds of paperwork required by their districts.

They chose a teaching career so that they could open a magical window of discovery for the children using music as the vehicle. What they find disappointing is that too little time is being spent in actually teaching and sharing this gift.

With Kindermusik, teachers have the opportunity to captivate the children and affirm their parents - with the extraordinary power of music.

In fact, Shawna Gordon of Lincoln, NE says "I am passionate about the power of music in a child's life. I believe I can make a difference with the children I reach by offering them an enriching and loving learning environment."

Few jobs will give you this kind of satisfaction.

Changing Lives with the Power of Music

2008-08-01T14:04:00.000-07:00

For 30 years, Kindermusik has helped over a million children and their families discover how music can enrich their lives and lay the foundation for a lifetime love of learning. But the children, parents and teachers will sum it up in one word: Fun!

Babies as young as three months smile and babble as their parents rock and sway with them to the beat of the music. Toddlers light up as they guess the animals they hear on a recording and then proudly do their own imitations. And pre-schoolers giggle with delight as they flap their arms, pretending to be birds. From birth to seven years of age, children can grow with Kindermusik without the pressure to perform, just the encouragement to explore, express and discover.

Recognizing the primary role of parents, we involve them at every stage of the child's Kindermusik experience. Home Materials extend the fun and discovery of our classes to foster special times of connecting between parent and child. That's why more families are enrolled in Kindermusik classes than in any other early childhood music program in the world. To meet the growing demand, we're looking for the right people to join us.

Our educators say that teaching Kindermusik classes is the perfect blend of their love of children and their passion for music. Kindermusik educators have an incredible support system which empowers them to do the work they believe in with the freedom of being their own bosses.