Louis Armstrong - Danny Kaye

Music Together Dallas - Zumba in the house

My 1st Radio Interview

As a speech teacher I am amazed at how many Umm's I managed to put in on interview. If I was my own student I would have had to throw all my Umm's in the trash.

http://blogtalk.vo.llnwd.net/o23/shows/show_825927.mp3

Hope you enjoy it! learn from it! and start signing and dancing with abandon - you child will love you for it! EVEN IF they pretend they don't.

Next blog: why do you kiddo's pretend they don't like singing and dancing

The music instinct

I just rented the a MUST SEE documentary called The Music Instinct. I feel compelled to share this treasure with everyone I know (and don't know) who has a child or works with children. I love to sing and dance and be goofy. I really didn't know why I do but my best explanation would be: Because it makes me happy? I like being happy! I dunno.

This documentary labeled every thing for me with science, research and practical explanations any lay person can grasp. Now I know why I am happy. I also know how I have developed the ability to be sillier and goofier - in public - not just in my own private space. It's not just coincidence or that my character gradually changed. Sidebar: I have a disposition for depression and grew up with anxiety in social situations. It is because music and music making developed and changed areas in my frontal lobe, cerebellum, as well as other cortex's that I can't pronounce or spell, to facilitate this blessed consequence.

I can confidently state with intelligent definitions that I am happier, mathematically and linguistically smarter, more observant and aware since I have become a music maker and now I know why. Or to be more honest I have a minute understanding why. I am sure my enthusiasm, after stumbling across this treasure, will lead me to learn and discover even more.

I sincerely want everyone who reads this post to be encouraged to rent or buy The Music Instinct. Even more I want to hear your feedback.

Love this blog from another Music Together teacher

Once in while I get a reminder of how unusual the MT atmosphere is- today I had a visiting prospective mom and 2-year-old girl. The girl had a great time, jumped right in with the experienced kids on small and large movement, putting away instruments, concentrating and smiling in equal measure. It was a great class, ending with one of those magical lullabies when EVERYONE gets quiet and peaceful-and afterward the mom asked me nervously, "Is it always this chaotic?"

I thought back-let's see, there were kids lying in the middle of the circle, interrupting me, dancing when I wasn't dancing, and sometimes ignoring my brilliant teaching. And an experienced group of grown-ups just kept on making music together.

So I said, "No-sometimes it's much more chaotic!"

Drum Collection rolls around again

What a deja vu experience for me today. I taught my first Music Together Drum class of 220 classes for this semester and can't believe what a journey I have been on since I attended my first Drum class 9 years ago.

Firstly, let me explain that I get to 220 class by taking the 22 classes I teach per week times the 10 week semester! Sounds like a lot but that I how I bring home the preverbial bacon.

My daughter, Ariella, was only 9 months old at the time and I was only 'trying out' the class. Who could have fathomed that in 9 years I would take the class, take the training, teach a little, teach a little more, teach a lot, buy the business, be totally self actualized and on the way to keep reinventing myself. I guess G-d can fathom that and for that I have to say (in the words of Garth Brooks) "sometimes I thank G-d for unanswered prayers.

Right now I say I will be teaching and loving children until I am 90 and can't carry my sound system BUT only G-d knows!

Music for your baby and child

http://www.musictogether.com/video_parentguide
this is the most amazing podcast about being your childs musical role model.