Music for LIFE!

I saw an interview this week on "Charlie Rose" with Elliott Carter, the composer showcased above. Elliott turned 100 on Thursday. How did he celebrate? By debuting new music that he had composed! He writes every day. Simply amazing. His good beginning has never ended. Music brings happiness to his life even at the ripe age of 100.

Happy Birthday Elliott!

Click here for the NYTimes article.

Madison James Madison...

Cheer on my alma mater, James Madison University, and their marching band as they march on Thursday's Macy's Parade. They'll be on the air between 11am - 12pm EST on NBC.

I met my husband Tony while we were both students in the band - we'll be cheering on the MRDs from the streets of Manhattan.


Happy Thanksgiving!

A Radio City Christmas

I was in fifth grade when I first visited New York City with my father. It was a trip during the holidays and I quickly fell in love with the colorful windows, brisk walks in Central Park, ice skating, it was an amazing trip. On that trip we saw the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes. Their symmetry, athleticism, and beauty cannot be matched. Combine that with Christmas music and it's a pretty amazing show.

Yesterday Tony and I decided to get tickets to this year's show. It's been 22 years since my first trip to NYC and it will be the first time he's seen the show. As we stood in the Art Deco lobby of Radio City Music Hall surrounded by gilded ticket booths that bring you back to a completely different era, we realized that the show will also transport us, to a happy holiday moment.

The Rockefeller Tree is making its way into Manhattan today. The Lord and Taylor windows are open. The skating rinks are filled with children twirling and laughing. The holidays are here!

Wishing you moments of escape this holiday season. Ones that are filled with music, loved ones, old memories, or the making of new ones.

A Good Beginning Never Ends

I'm beginning to return to normalcy following a 4-6 week period of team preparation for Kindermusik International's Convnention in Raleigh, NC.

As usual, the amazing moments were the many connections made with faces that we so infrequently see.

Social Networking was a big theme this year. So I'm committing to recommit to the blog! You'll also find a large contingency of Kindermusik Educators on Facebook, so feel free to join us there!

Minneapolis

It's a rare and special day when I'm able to see Kindermusik in action. So when Helen Peterson of Kindermusik of the Valley in Minneapolis invited me to attend her training event with local Minnesota Educators, I was delighted to come.

It was a whirlwind of a day (and a glimpse of the life of an Educator). Helen and I grabbed a cup of coffee at 8:30 and then headed downtown where she and Sherry Grimsby do absolutely amazing work, full of heart. You may remember the video that Molly McGinn made that featured Helen and Sherry (minute 5):



It was a full morning where Helen and Sherry reach over 80 children on a weekly basis. And after a morning of rocking babies, rubbing backs, galloping like horses, and falling like leaves we headed over to Helen's studio where she hosted a training event that was attended by 16 educators from across Minnesota.

At the end of the event, Helen and I watched the last performance of the year of the Burns High School Marching Band where her children are in the drumline (it's her daughter's senior year).

It was a day filled with new friends and music, who could ask for anything more!

Join Kindermusik on Facebook!

Click here to join Kindermusik International on the growing community of Facebook. Educators, Employee Owners, Friends, and Families are forming a social community now!

Maintaining a Steady Beat

Do you think this little guy went to Kindermusik?

Thanks for the find Sarah!

Our Kindermusik Friend, Daniel Levitin

About a year ago, at Kindermusik International, we were heavily anticipating a convention that featured "This is Your Brain on Music" author Daniel Levitin. Well, he's back with a new book!

The Seattle Times quotes Daniel in saying, 'Music has "been with humans since we first became humans. It has shaped the world through six kinds of songs: friendship, joy, comfort, knowledge, religion, and love." The book then devotes a chapter to each song type, blending neuroscience, evolutionary biology, social anthropology, musicology and conversations with contemporary musical greats such as Sting and Joni Mitchell, who seem as enthralled with the author's six-songs thesis as he is.'

I couldn't agree more with Levitin in admiring the power of music I often think back upon my life and remember specific songs attached to the moment.

A very nice segue to say that I'm greatly looking forward to this year's Convention in a few short months. Are you registered?!?

Wishing You a Colorful Day!

I was reminded last night about the great Bravia ad campaign. It features music of Jose Gonzalez, Rolling Stones, and others. And also features brilliant colors...

“If you dream as big as you can dream, anything is possible.”

Beijing!

An estimated four BILLION people will tune in tonight to the Beijing Opening Ceremonies. I've Tivo'd the evening because I don't want to miss a minute!

Above is a beautiful picture from New York Times showing a performance of drummers during the Opening Cermonies.

Hello to Sarah Peel Li and all of our Kindermusik Educators in China! We are so excited to see your home over the next few weeks!

YEA: Youth Education in the Arts

One might say that Kindermusik is Youth Education in the Arts, but there is a stellar group, YEA, that runs the Cadets Drum Corps, a competitive marching band made of students under the age of 21. These groups compete all summer, practice a grueling show 7 days a week, all in the pursuit of perfection.

My husband marched with them when he was in college. He joined some of his friends last weekend for an amazing show in Allentown, PA. His friends, Cory and Kurt are bass drum alumni and this group (50+) traveled from across the US for this memorable reunion:




Mira! El Sistema en Venezuela



Watch this when you have 12 minutes and a box of tissues. (to view the presentation in larger screen, simply click on the icon with rectangles in the bottom of the viewer)

Rockabye Baby!

I noticed these CDs at my friend's shop in Brooklyn. If you haven't heard about them yet, Rockabye Baby rearranges rock tunes that Mom and Dad love into very pleasant music designed for little ears!

Visit the website to listen, you'll never think of Green Day the same way!  What do you think about a reverse plan to turn Kindermusik into rock albums!?!

"Let's Wake Up and Do This!"

LOVE this article in New York Times today. It features high school students who save their hard-earned money to come to summer band camp at Florida A&M.

Imagine if each of us woke up with such vigor and brought that to our families, workplace, and Kindermusik classes.

I think I could learn a thing or two from these kids.

1,2,3,4 Chickens Just Back From the Shore

Thanks Sarah for sharing this delightful video of Feist on Sesame Street (which by the way, is filmed in my neighborhood!)

Summer Fun!

Yippee! I'm headed to vacation with my family. I haven't vacationed with my parents in years - should be a Blast! And although we don't have little ones in our extended family, I hope we have this much fun!

Hope you're enjoying your summer - don't forget the SPF!

Parenting meets the iPhone

A new day has dawned.

Meet Birth Buddy - an easy way to track contractions and send e-mails to interested family members.

I am a self-professed Apple nerd but not yet a parent. I wonder if I'll use iPhone applications, like this one that debuted today!

Wow!  

TED Conference

Have you heard of the TED Conference? It's an annual conference that focuses giving presentations about 'things worth spreading'. The presenters here are among an elite group. Mostly intellectuals at the top of their field. You can find their talks online, streaming for free.

Imagine my surprise seeing Benjamin Zander here! Remember this from Greensboro in 2006? I'd say Kindermusik International was pretty spot on in getting him! 

Hope to see you this year as we make more memories and blaze more trails!

Building a Community Through Music

It seems that each summer I'm reminded of  how towns connect and become reunited with music. I lived in Greensboro, NC for six years before moving to New York City just a few months ago. Each summer I looked forward to attending MUSEP (Music for a Sunday Evening in the Park). From Bluegrass to Jazz, every Sunday in the Summer, a free concert is put on in the evening. I loved seeing the elaborate picnics that would spring up. The couples dancing, the children running. Awesome.

Jessi and I would often play these sessions together with the Greensboro Concert Band. Above is a picture that I took from one of our evenings together.

I think about these nights even in New York where the city (as you might imagine) does a great job of promoting free summertime events. Just last week while I was in Greensboro visiting the Kindermusik office, my husband and friends saw the New York Phil playing 1812 in Central Park. Wow!

How are you staying connected to your community this summer with music?

Shakira, Shakira!

Major kudos to Shakira who united Mexican telecommunications billionaire Carlos Slim Helu and Howard Buffett (son of Warren) to work together on the "Wings" project. Together they have committed about $200 million to early childhood education in Mexico.

Bittersweet Moments

Kindermusik Mom, Becky Bilby, and her FOUR CHILDREN have all gone through Sioux City, IA's Heidi Hibma's Kindermusik classes. Becky writes on her blog that she and her youngest child, Chloe, are sad to see Kindermusik end this semester.

What a beautiful relationship that has blossomed here! And here's wishing to all parents and educators that your sad days turn bittersweet and that they then turn into happy reunions in Summer sessions and this Fall!

Thanks Becky for sharing your story!

Thanks Heidi for building wonderful connections with the Bilbys and each of your other parents!

Week of the Young Child

Are you celebrating?

The picture above is from Vanderbilt's Kennedy Center which shares health information, activities, parenting tips, and events celebrating the Young Child.

Word of the Day: Mumtrepreneurs

A HUGE shout out to Kindermusik Educator, Sarah Peel Li, of Beijing, China. She is featured here in local press with her networking group formed by Mumtrepreneurs! Couldn't say it any better! As a Kindermusik Educator, so many times you are balancing the life of being a mom and self-employed. Two very challenging roles!

So today, take two minutes and pat yourselves on the back. Then hit the internet, Facebook, ning, or the coffeeshop and find other Mumtrepreneurs to share ideas!

Life's Little Details

Walking to the subway this week, I noticed this gate on my street. Life is full of music. It's in the details. Every mom, dad, and grandparent that attends your class is now more likely to notice little things like a iron gate made of musical notation.

Have a happy week!

Thanks Mr. Dad!

Mr. Dad (aka Armin Brott) is the author of bestseller "The Expectant Father" and six other how-to books on fatherhood. Mr. Dad also has a weekly syndicated column of parenting advice. In this week's column, he says that when introducing music to your young child, offer variety. And when picking a class, skip the formal lessons, but pick one that offers music, movement, and singing. Sounds like Mr. Dad could be our spokes-dad!

Do your papers subscribe to his column? If so, just think of the hundreds of parents that read this expert endorsement. Pick up the phone and make those connections for fall enrollments and re-enrollments!

Link to full article: http://www.arminbrott.com/askmrdad/blog/?p=42#more-42

Signs of Spring

I love that Google takes an artistic approach to reminding us of important days throughout the year. Happy Spring!

I am working in the Greensboro office this week. Spring is definitely inching closer. Just today I saw a robin, red tulips, green grass, and there are budding trees everywhere!

Hoping that you, your students, and families are enjoying this first day of Spring!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The Miracle Project Trailer

Save the Date

It's time to begin planning! Join Educators and some of my fellow Employee-Owners as we count down the days and announce exciting details that surround this year's Kindermusik Convention! Visit us, bookmark the site and come back often!
http://kmconvention.blogspot.com/

Autism: The Musical

Wow! I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to seeing this HBO documentary. I know I've been inspired by many of your stories about how you have welcomed children with autism into your classroom with warm, open arms. This movie is the story of a teacher who puts together a musical with autistic performers by giving them a "comfort zone in which they can explore their creative sides". Sound familiar?

Here is their website: http://www.autismthemusical.com

It airs on Tuesday, March 25th with a DVD to follow.

I believe in the power of music - do you?

Musical Diplomacy

I respect CNN's Christiane Amanpour's journalism and her focus on International Affairs. Here is one of her latest stories, titled "Musical Diplomacy".

Evidence supporting Music = Happiness

An uplifting result of music therapy. (Alan Zale for The New York Times)

I stumbled across this blog posting in the New York Times Health section. I'm certain that we didn't need proof of the power of music, but it's always reassuring to hear of the effects:

Using Music to Lift Depression’s Veil

By Tara Parker-Pope

Published: January 24, 2008

Therapy that involves listening to or making music appears to reduce depression symptoms.

Happy Valentines' Day

Even though Valentines' Day is financially driven by grown up purchases, my favorite memories of this holiday are from being a little girl.

As a child, this day was filled purely with love and it was wildly o.k. to publicly share your love with your friends, family, and teachers.

Thanks to Helen Peterson for sharing this video with us on this day.

We at Kindermusik hope that your Valentines' Day is full of love!

If I could reach your box I'd fill it with cards and lollipops~

Hello Kindermusik World!

"Think Different" is Apple's motto. It's also one I identify with - and I'm sure many of you, as Kindermusik Educators, do as well.

I look forward to sharing the colors, music, and creativity that is living in our everyday world and that can inspire us in our Kindermusik and non-Kindermusik lives.

My name is Careyanne Nicholson Deyo and I’ve been working for Kindermusik International since 2003. Kindermusik is based in Greensboro, NC, and licenses Independent Educators that teach worldwide.

My *new* focus is to develop web tools for Educators and to continue the so-very-creative blog that Molly McGinn started a few years ago.

We are always looking to introduce Kindermusik Educators, connect with Moms of preschoolers, and to highlight musical moments or just-so-cute videos that relate to the young learners that we love. If you have a Kindermusik website or something you’d like to feature, be sure to send me a message!

Hoping to get to know you better,
Careyanne Deyo

cdeyo@kindermusik.com