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Ask any child or young adult how music makes them feel, then sit back and wait for the floodgates of emotions to open! As a pathway for feelings we experience deeply, there is no better medium.
By definition, music creates powerful sensations that range from indescribable elation to deep despair and all that lies between. Our youth instinctively gravitate toward the freedom of expression which music not only encourages, but demands! How often do we recall a time in our lives simply by the recollection of the music that colored it?
Music as a foundation for learning has been repeatedly proven to be unsurpassed in its magnitude. By providing our children and youth with opportunities for musical expression, we give them permission to explore the depths of their feelings and send to them a clear and supportive message that their individuality matters. We open an ordered, lyrical world of possibility for them that will become the foundation for each and every adventure into learning they choose to explore. It is a well-established fact that those children and young people who have participated in musical training of any and every sort from an early age, enjoy a far richer academic experience, and transition through the stages of cognitive development with far greater ease.
Ask a child or young person how music makes them feel and what will you hear? Listen closely and you will hear adjectives of every kind….happy, sad, silly, passionate, carefree, blue, lonely, excited, relaxed, sleepy, wiggly, inspired, compassionate, alive…
Alive…
Alive….
Alive!
Come up with your own! Embrace music as the mortar holding together the building blocks of each child’s development. It provides us with the rhythm to be ALIVE. Let the journey begin for each and every child with a loving appreciation for the wondrous world of music!
Ann Engberg, Musikgarten Instructor
“My child is 5 years old and is reading. I think she’s ready for
private lessons.”
Before you rush out and buy that baby grand piano, STOP!
There are many elements that comprise readiness for private instrumental lessons. Remember, music learning is a cognitive, emotional, physical and social experience. Here are some things to consider before taking the leap:
This is why I value the Musikgarten Musik Makers sequence for ages 4 -9 years. The program encompasses all of these aspects, giving children the room to grow and hone the above skills. In my experience, pushing a child before he/she is ready will only backfire later. The consequences of a premature start may not be seen until later years when they experience frustration, a declining interest and essentially burnout. So RELAX! Take the time to ENJOY the music. In order to create a lifelong lover and learner of music, READINESS IS KEY.
Every year we ask our families to participate in a brief survey. Though we maintain
close contact with our teachers, students, and families throughout the year, this survey provides an additional forum for participants to let us know how we are doing as an institution. In our ongoing efforts to improve our programs and meet the needs of our students, we want to find out in which areas changes need to be made, and of course, we also enjoy receiving "pats on the back" and knowing where we have exceeded expectations.
The results of this year's survey are in and as in previous years, have been extremely positive. Judging by the responses, Hunterdon Academy of the Arts is on the right track in so many ways. We are extremely delighted to hear that we have provided our students and families with a music program that many respondents characterized as "far better than other music schools." This is wonderful news indeed! Below are only a few of the glowing testimonials our families shared with us:
"Being a member of HAA has opened many opportunities for us as a family to enjoy music!! Thank you for always finding innovative ways of communicating with families with all current HAA musical events and news."
"Can't think of a way to improve the school!"
"Our class is a big highlight of our week. :-) Thank you."
Musikgarten Educator Ann Engberg ("Mrs. E") is a "wonderful teacher, my child LOVES her. She has a wonderful gift and shares it so expressively!"
Musikgarten Educator Francesca Panfilo-Milza, "Mrs P, is a fabulous teacher! She is energetic and fun and it is evident that the children respond positively to her teaching methods."
Musikgarten Educator Michele Collins is "approachable....Friendly....upbeat....prepared....structured....informative"
"[Our daughter] has learned more with [violin teacher] Dr. Hoffman than with any other teacher."
"Mrs. Peare has been a pleasure throughout our Keyboard Group class years"
"We're very satisfied with Mrs. Schmidt's [piano] teaching methods. She has been flexible when needed, recommending the appropriate grade level for taking the Trinity exam, providing sufficient material for practice and continuing to make lesson and practice time enjoyable. "
"I love the Bel Cantos Program and Mrs. Nagy is an amazing director."
"Not only is [guitar teacher] Laura [Oltman] very talented, but she builds a wonderful rapport with her students. She's warm, patient, supportive, and knows when and how to push without discouraging her students. She's wonderful!"
Of course, there is always room for improvement, so there were a few honest concerns expressed by some of our parents. To find out how we are addressing them, read "'Ins and Outs' of Music Practice: Spring 2010 Survey Results (Part 2)."
Hunterdon Academy of the Arts provides Music and Acting Lessons and Classes to students of all Ages and Levels of Ability. To offer you easy access to our services, we have two convenient locations--in Flemington and Lebanon--with large parking lots. We specialize in tailoring our instruction to your individual strengths to help you progress quickly and reach your goals.
4 Minneakoning Road
Flemington, NJ 08822
AND
148 Main Street
Lebanon, NJ 08833
P: (908) 782-4943