ABC Music and Me!

I've been teaching the ABC Music and Me program at the Asheville Arts Center South location on Thursdays this fall. During October we've been saying this cute little poem:

Frog kiss, frog kiss.
Such a special thing.
When you kiss a frog
The frog begins to sing.
Ribbit, ribbit, ....................

This past Thursday was their day to celebrate Halloween together as a class and they all came to the ABC music time dressed up!!! I grabbed the story blanket and made a long skirt, draped a green humongous scarf over my hair and donned a spare witch hat. Here we go!

Witch kiss, witch kiss.
Such a special thing!
When you kiss a witch
The witch begins to sing
Cackle, cackle, cackle!!!!

There was Maddie, dressed as Thomas the Tank Engine:
Train engine, train engine.
Such a special thing.
When you kiss a train
The train begins to sing:
Choooooochooooo Chug, chug...(Maddie did not miss a beat; he and Samantha jumped right in with the train sounds.)

Aiden was a Builder; "Bang, bang, bang....."
Samantha was a '50s Sock Hopper, "dance, dance, dance...."
Nora was a ballerina, "Twirl, twirl, twirl..."
Camilla was super girl, "Fly, fly, fly....."
Ben was a dinosaur, "RRRROOOOAAAAR!"
We did them all.
But Dorothy, I mean Sophia, with her ruby slippers, took me away.

Dorthy kiss, Dorthy kiss.
Such a special thing.
When you kiss a Dorothy
The Dorothy begins to sing.

Sophia, in the blue gingham dress and perfect Dorothy hair, took a deep breath.
Her eyes began to sparkle and she began to sing:
"Somewhere, over the rainbow.............."

It was a beautiful moment. I have a feeling we were in OZ.......just for that moment.
But I'll have that memory forever.
Thanks Sophia.

All tuckered out....

All this hopping like frogs and dancing like elephants has me completely wiped out this week.....
I tried to study up but just couldn't keep my eyes open.

Conscious listening.

Every Kindermusik day I help children and adults with conscious listening skills. Today in our Village class (newborn to 18months) we modeled wonder and attentiveness when listening to something specific. Our faces held wonder and our bodies were still as we listened. The babies right away were curious! They "froze" wide-eyed. After hearing the recording of the squirrel, bee, and owl we then mimicked the sounds vocally. If we continue to do this then the children will imitate us both with acute listening skills and with vocal play. It's a big job to help our brains to know exactly what to listen to and what to filter out......listen to this informative (5 minute) talk about listening:

Kindermusik at Biltmore Park

Met some new friends this afternoon at Biltmore Park Festival. It was cold but very friendly. (Most did not even know that the Asheville Arts Center has a south location in Arden JUST FOR THEM!) We drummed up some music for curious George to dance to.


I also saw some of my students from Kindermusik at the Asheville Arts Center...they enjoyed the Curious George stories and the instruments....and my favorite: the cute little "toddler dance".

Like a rock star to me: Gustavo Dudamel

If you click on his picture above it should take you to the conductor's game. Good luck. I need more practice....I ranked at "Student".

He is the new Los Angeles Philharmonic conductor. And his goal:
Music for everybody

Not just for the old folks who can afford to by the concert tickets.......

I keep looking at "El Sistema" as if I were a kid passing a store window seeing something I really really want. I really want to see this right here. Wouldn't it be fabulous? Wouldn't it be fabulous for the children? For the community?

Dream with me.

What good is fun?

Can going up stairs make you smile? Oh, YES.

Mommy and Me class in Asheville!

Kindermusik Village: a precious moment.
Newborn to 18 months and their adult.
Tuesday October 13 at 9:30
North on Merrimon, under the Atlanta Bread Co.
RSVP 253-4000 or singandtwirl@gmail.com

Last week in our Village class we had baby drummers echo a pattern, a no longer clingy nine month old sing "Caw" like a crow, a 5 month old respond to a descending vocal line, and many adults overwhelmed by a loving moment with their babies.

Meet other first time moms, parents of 2nd and 3rd children, and families of twins and triplets!

You have to try it to believe it.

Come.

Do you envision any of these for your child?

• She's a violinist winning concerto competitions.
• He's applying to engineering schools and receiving great scholarships.
• She's a poised dancer or a skilled basketball player.
• He's a confident CEO.
• She remains very clear minded even late in life.
• He has a talent for music that has given him enjoyment all through his life.

You must be dreaming!!! and we at the Asheville Arts Center say "Dream BIG!"

Kindermusik makes achieving these goals even more of a possibility. It's an investment that won't ever devalue. Take advantage of Kindermusik at the Asheville Arts Center. Students who complete the Kindermusik for the Young Child class (ages 5-7) will more likely enjoy and therefore succeed in taking private music lessons. They will be valued members of music theater groups because they can read music, keep a steady beat with a group, and move in creative ways to musical cues. They will be team players and leaders because of the music ensemble work they have been doing. They will be smarter. That's what the research says.

Free Kindermusik Young Child Demo Class
Saturday October 10
1:30pm
Soli Classica 1550 Hendersonville Rd.(just South of the Blue Ridge Parkway)
Call Karen Sams

p: 828-277-4111

f: 828-277-4112

International Day of Non-Violence

International Day of Non-Violence coincides with Ghandi's birthday: today. I shall celebrate by being joyous with the Babies in my Village class. I can think of no better way!

If we do not TEACH our children non-violence someone will teach them violence.