The Kindermusik Experience....

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?

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

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

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

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!

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...

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."