Ends Today- Early Registration Special!

Enroll in a Kindermusik Sign & Sing or an ABC Music & Me class by Today, Monday 12/19, and receive on the first day of class either

- a free CD (a $15 value),

- an E-music card (to download 10 songs, a $10 value) ,

or

- discount off* of the Home Materials!

Register for two classes and receive any combination of the three options above!!!

Email-ing me at KindermusikWithMsEmily@gmail.com your enrolled child's name, class, and recreation location is required after registration. Thank you!

Winter Group Piano for 7- 14 Years Old at

Arcadia Recreation
Simply Music is a revolutionary piano learning method that has students of all ages playing great-sounding contemporary, classical, blues and accompaniment pieces from the very first lessons! Please bring a black and red pen to class and a parent needs to be present. A $15 materials fee is due and payable to the instructor at the first class meeting. Materials include a DVD, Keypad (printed keyboard) and Reference Book. For more information please email: KindermusikWithMsEmily@gmail.com

Instructor: Emily Chang

Place: Arcadia Recreation Community Center

Days/Dates: Thursday, 2/9-3/22, no class 3/1

Time: 5: 10- 5: 55pm
Class: #5862
Fee: $45/6 weeks

Winter Group Piano for Children 4- 6 Years at

Arcadia Recreation

"Play-a-Story" is a musical journey in which students travel through a storybook world. It uses the piano as its mode of travel, creating sounds, melodies, harmonies and rhythms to express the story... literally, students create their own musical soundtrack. Using the piano, students learn to interpret mood, color and nuance as the story unfolds. Play-a-Story teaches this by providing a foundational, systematic and creative experience that harnesses children’s intuitive, musical appreciation and interpretation.

A $21 materials fee is due and payable to the instructor at the first class meeting. Materials include a book and a CD. Students need an adult to be present in class, and for playing at home, a piano or a keyboard with pedal. For more information, please email: kindermusikwithmsemily@gmail.com

Instructor: Emily Chang

Place: Arcadia Community Center Activity Room

Days/Dates: Thursday, 2/9-3/22, no class 3/1

Time: 4-4:30pm
Age: 4-5 years
Class: #5861
Fee: $42/6 weeks

Time: 4:35-5:05pm
Age: 5-6 years
Class: #6062
Fee: $42/6 weeks

Register!

Young Children Show Improved Verbal IQ After 20 Days of Exposure to Music-Based Cognitive Training ‘Cartoons’ - Association for Psychological Science

Young Children Show Improved Verbal IQ After 20 Days of Exposure to Music-Based Cognitive Training ‘Cartoons’ - Association for Psychological Science

D-PAN ASL Music Video

Kindermusik Classes at South Pasadena

Register online, walk-in, or call-in.


City of So. Pas. Parks & Rec. Dept.
815 Mission St.
So. Pas, CA 91030
626-403-7380
M- F 10am- 6pm


For questions about the classes, please email or call me!

Day & Time	Course	Unit	Ages	Price
Mon @ 11:15 AM starts 12/5/11	Playdate, 1- Day Class	Movin' and Groovin'	0-7	$15 Home Materials included	Register!
Wed @ 5:30 PM starts 11/16/11	ABC Music & Me, 4 wks	Out and About	19m-4	$54+ $22 Home Materials	Register!

Fall Youth Group Piano at

Arcadia Recreation
Simply Music is a revolutionary piano learning method that has students of all ages playing great-sounding contemporary, classical, blues and accompaniment pieces from the very first lessons! Please bring a black and red pen to class and a parent needs to be present. A $15 materials fee is due and payable to the instructor at the first class meeting. Materials include a DVD, Keypad (printed keyboard) and Reference Book. For more information please email: KindermusikWithMsEmily@gmail.com

Instructor: Emily Chang

Place: Arcadia Recreation Community Center

Days/Dates: Thursday, 10/27- 12/15, no class 11/24 and 12/1

Time: 4-4:45pm Age: 5-6 years
Class: #5503 Fee: $45/6 weeks

Time: 4:50-5:35pm Age: 7-14 years
Class: #5504 Fee: $45/6 weeks

Register!

Live Music Helps Disabled Children with Social and Motor Skills

from http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/body-soul/live-music-helps-disabled-children-with-social-and-motor-skills/story-e6frfou0-1226052774645

Nicky Park From: AAP May 09, 2011 6:25PM

SINGING, dancing, drumming and playing the guitar to children with disabilities helps improve their social and motor skills, Australian therapists have found.

For one hour each week, Queensland University of Technology's Kate Williams and a team of music therapists would sit on the floor with a group of disabled children under five years old, joined by their mothers.

"We have a guitar and we use our voice ... and bring along a whole lot of instruments that are accessible and motivating," said Ms Williams.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/body-soul/live-music-helps-disabled-children-with-social-and-motor-skills/story-e6frfou0-1226052774645#ixzz1QcNaNpnJ

Music Party

On Monday, 5/30, we had a fun, Music Party featuring 15 students plus family members, including siblings singing and Dads accompanying on the piano and guitar!!! I'm so proud of them, especially my mom, who played Fur Elise!

Summer Kindermusik Class at Arcadia Recreation!

Registration has started for Arcadia residents, non-resident enrollment begins Monday 5/9.

Spaces are limited, so please register soon!

Day & Time	Course	Unit	Ages	Location	Price
Mon @ 5:30 PM starts 6/27/11	Playdate, 1- Day Class	Our Kind of Day	0-7	Arcadia Recreation Department	$15.00	Register!
Mon @ 5:30 PM starts 7/25/11	Playdate, 1- Day Class	Movin' and Groovin'	0-7	Arcadia Recreation Department	$15.00	Register!
Mon @ 5:30 PM starts 8/22/11	Playdate, 1- Day Class	Here, There, Everywhere	0-7	Arcadia Recreation Department	$15.00	Register!

Summer Youth Group Piano at

Arcadia Recreation
Simply Music is a revolutionary piano learning method that has students of all ages playing great-sounding contemporary, classical, blues and accompaniment pieces from the very first lessons! Please bring a black and red pen to class and a parent needs to be present. A $15 materials fee is due and payable to the instructor at the first class meeting. Materials include a DVD, Keypad (printed keyboard) and Reference Book. For more information please email: KindermusikWithMsEmily@gmail.com

Instructor: Emily Chang

Place: Community Center Activity Room

Days/Dates: Thursday, 7/21- 9/15, no classes 7/28, 8/4 and 9/8

Time: 4-4:45pm Age: 5-6 years
Class: #4594 Fee: $45/6 weeks

Time: 4:50-5:35pm Age: 7-14 years
Class: #4595 Fee: $45/6 weeks

Register!

Which is Better, Upright or Grand Pianos?

from http://livingpianos.com/piano-myths/which-is-better-upright-or-grand-pianos/

Grand pianos are generally better than upright pianos. However, there are 2 reasons to consider an upright piano:

• Limited space
• Limited budget

Although an upright piano may be considered because of space restrictions, because of its design, a baby grand may be easier to place. The back of an upright piano is ugly. This is why it is almost always placed on a wall. So you need about 5-feet of wall space to accommodate an upright piano (even a short one).

However, a baby grand piano looks good however you place it. The flexibility allows for placement in a corner or even the middle of a room. So in some instances where space is at a premium, a baby grand may be easier to place than an upright piano. (Continue reading...)

Dual Language Immersion School

This isn't music-related but is about child-education.

If you live in or around the Pasadena area and are interested in having your preschool child enroll in a dual language immersion public school (English and Spanish or English and Mandarin Chinese), here's the website about this program:

http://elementary-education.pusd.schoolfusion.us/modules/groups/group_pages.phtml?gid=938990&nid=75152&sessionid=b7b50bed0c8a69c776c9e2c8ae3fb92c&sessionid=b7b50bed0c8a69c776c9e2c8ae3fb92c

A Caucasian piano student of mine went to this school, and her parents have many positive feedback about it.

She's currently in 1st grade, and the percentage of the languages used are 80% Mandarin and 20% English. Last year was 90%- 10%! She had two Taiwanese teachers previously and now has a Chinese teacher. The school uses pinyin and simplified Chinese.

Non-Pasadena residents would need to apply for a permit to enroll.

How Long Does a Piano Last?

Spring Youth Group Piano at

Arcadia Recreation
Simply Music is a revolutionary piano learning method that has students of all ages playing great-sounding contemporary, classical, blues and accompaniment pieces from the very first lessons! Please bring a black and red pen to class and a parent needs to be present. A $15 materials fee is due and payable to the instructor at the first class meeting. Materials include a DVD, Keypad (printed keyboard) and Reference Book. For more information please email: KindermusikWithMsEmily@gmail.com

Instructor: Emily Chang

Place: Community Center Activity Room

Days/Dates: Thursday, 4/21- 5/26

Time: 4-4:45pm Age: 5-6 years
Class: #4594 Fee: $45/6 weeks

Time: 4:50-5:35pm Age: 7-14 years
Class: #4595 Fee: $45/6 weeks

Register!

SIMPLY MUSIC- PLAY PIANO IMMEDIATELY

Simply Music is a revolutionary, Australian-developed piano and keyboard method that presents a breakthrough in music education.

Students of all ages are playing great-sounding blues, contemporary, classical and accompaniment pieces -immediately - from their very first lessons.

Simply Music sets a new standard in music education, and explores learning piano, playing piano and teaching piano from a completely different perspective. It presents the possibility of a new era in music education, learning and self-expression.

To learn more, visit www.simplymusic.com

Funny and with Great Singing!

I saw this video on my former flute teacher's blog and thought it's just so funny that I'd like to share!

In Case You are Interested

in registering to win a new Boston UP118S upright piano, here is the link:
http://steinwaywesthollywood.com/win

Enjoy 30% Off and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society gets 5% of what you spend!

Click here for details.

New Simply Music Video Blog

There's a new video blog posted. Check it out to hear the latest about what's going on with Simply Music.

Spring Kindermusik Classes

If your child isn't at least 5 years old but would still like to have some musical fun, come to Kindermusik! Below is our spring schedule for this wonderful music and movement class.

Day & Time	Course	Unit	Ages	Location	Price
Sat @ 5:45 PM starts 4/30/11	Village 6 weeks	Cock-a-Doodle Moo	0-18m	South Pasadena Senior Center	$117.00	Register!
Fri @ 11:15 AM starts 4/29/11	Village, 6 weeks	Cock-a-Doodle Moo	0-18m	Temple City Recreation- Live Oak Park, Live Oak II	$117.00	Register!
Mon @ 10:15 AM starts 4/25/11	Sign & Sing, 5 weeks	Unit 1	6m-3	South Pasadena War Memorial Building	$107.00	Register!
Fri @ 10:15 AM starts 4/15/11	ABC Music & Me (2-4) 4 wk	On the Go	24m-4	Temple City Recreation- Live Oak Park, Live Oak II	$77.00	Register!
Fri @ 10:15 AM starts 5/13/11	ABC Music & Me (2-4) 4 wk	Family & Friends	24m-4	Temple City Recreation- Live Oak Park, Live Oak II	$77.00	Register!
Sat @ 4:45 PM starts 4/16/11	ABC Music & Me 2-4, 4 wks	On the Go	24m-4	South Pasadena Senior Center	$77.00	Register!
Sat @ 4:45 PM starts 5/14/11	ABC Music & Me 2-4, 4 wks	Family & Friends	24m-4	South Pasadena Senior Center	$77.00	Register!

Simply Music Medley (Level 1-4)

arranged by a wonderful teacher, Laurie Richards, to share with her piano students.

Music & Language

from http://www.childcareexchange.com/eed/news_print.php?news_id=2689


12/20/2010

Music and Language

If you think you can do a thing, or think you can't do a thing; you're right.
Henry Ford

In her Exchange article "Early Brain Development Research Review and Update," Pam Schiller notes new thinking on the link between music and language...

"Linguists, psychologists, and neuro-scientists have recently changed their long held opinion about the relationship between speaking and singing. The latest data show that music and language are so intertwined that an awareness of music is critical to a baby’s language development. As children grow, music fosters their communication skills. Our sense of song helps us learn to talk, read, and even make friends.

"Brain areas governing music and language overlap. Music and language have much in common. Both are governed by rules and basic elements (word and notes). In language, words make phrases, which combine to make larger phrases and eventually sentences. In music, notes combine and grow to form a melody.

"The neurological ties between music and language go both ways; a person’s native tongue influences the way he perceives music. The same progression of notes may sound different depending on the language the listener learned growing up. Speakers of tonal languages (most Asian languages) are much more likely than Westerners to have perfect pitch. All languages have a melody that is unique. Infants echo the inherent melodies of their native language when they cry, long before they speak."

Music, Culture, and Early Childhood Development

Roger H. Brown, President of Berklee College of Music, discusses the importance of music as a form of communication throughout history for families, groups and civilizations, and ties this to the ways in which music is central to the social and mental development of very young children.

Simply Music 2011 San Diego Symposium

had a wonderful time at the symposium last month, meeting many wonderful teachers and learning so much from them all!

A World Where Everyone Plays

from http://www.simplymusic.com/NewBookAWorldWhereEveryonePlays

A World Where Everyone Plays. What would that look like? What does that mean? How would it change us? “World” and “everyone” is all encompassing – all human beings. “Plays” insinuates action. Am I saying that every single human being should become piano players? Play a musical instrument? That would be an ideal world, but, alas, we don’t live in a perfect world. But there is a way… Continue reading...

Kindermusik RADIO has Arrived!

Kindermusik Radio has ARRIVED, and there is an app for that!! The Kindermusik Radio app offers a parent-child activity for every song, and each activity is designed to engage and entertain young listeners as well as stimulate early childhood development.

The Kindermusik Radio App is available for iPhones and iPod Touches for $1.99 in the iTunes store. Try out the Kindermusik Radio App TODAY! You'll be glad you did! Need a little more convincing? Try out Kindermusik Radio LITE which offers one station with ten songs only for FREE.

Best of all, this new Kindermusik Radio app also includes a find-a-class function!!

Get ready to sing, move, listen, share -- ANYWHERE!

Benjamin Zander: Classical music with shining eyes

A wonderful message from this talk:

Winter Youth Group Piano at

Arcadia Recreation
Simply Music is a revolutionary piano learning method that has students of all ages playing great-sounding contemporary, classical, blues and accompaniment pieces from the very first lessons! Please bring a black and red pen to class and a parent needs to be present. A $15 materials fee is due and payable to the instructor at the first class meeting. Materials include a DVD, Keypad (printed keyboard) and Reference Book. For more information please email: kindermusikwithmsemily@gmail.com

Instructor: Emily Chang

Place: Community Center Activity Room

Days/Dates: Thursday, 2/17-4/7; no classes 3/3 and 3/31

Time: 4-4:45pm Age: 5-6 years
Class: #4310 Fee: $45/6 weeks

Time: 4:50-5:35pm Age: 7-14 years
Class: #4311 Fee: $45/6 weeks

Register!

How Group Drumming May Improve Low-Income Student Behavior

from http://healthland.time.com/2010/12/09/how-group-drumming-may-improve-low-income-student-behavior/print/

How Group Drumming May Improve Low-Income Student Behavior
by Meredith Melnick Thursday, December 9, 2010

Students in poor communities are among the most vulnerable to social and behavioral problems, often caused by environmental stress. These same kids often lack adequate access to emotional health care, and their schools don't typically have the resources to offer individual counseling.

What's more, in many poor communities, researchers say, psychological counseling often carries a stigma--something for "crazy" people--and can be viewed with suspicion, as a gateway to potential legal trouble.

To help improve social and emotional behavior in disadvantaged students--who account for some 40% of children under 18 in the U.S.--Ping Ho, founder and director of the UCLArts and Healing Center, teamed up with some unlikely partners, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) and drum-maker Remo Belli, to create an arts-based behavior therapy. (Continue reading...)

Simply Music Program vs. Traditional Note-Reading Method

For those you who are wondering what the pros and cons of these two learning approaches are, here's a brief overview:

The benefits of the Simply Music program is that it keeps the students' interest because students can play great-sounding songs right at the beginning, covering a wide variety of styles including classical, contemporary, blues, gospel, and accompaniment songs. Its main goal is to allow students to have fun playing, and have music as their lifelong companion.

The traditional note-reading method can be less interesting for students at first, since they can only read so many notes at the beginning, and the repeated playing of the same notes doesn't sound very interesting. The only style that students play would be mostly classical-only, but students can become more technically deft if they are willing to practice a lot.