MUSICAL STEW
Musical Stew is a 45 minute music and movement class for children up to 4 years-old and the grown-ups who love them. Rooted in music education approaches such as Orff-Schulwerk, Kodaly and Dalcroze, the classes are ideal for allowing little ones to begin an integrative musical journey that lets music work its magic--helping children develop both cognitively and emotionally.

Class goers are guided through various activities, beginning with a "play along" to allow the children a chance to settle in and get comfortable. From there, they are taken through rhymes, finger play and other games, to movement activities using scarves, puppets and other props, all accompanied by a carefully crafted musical backdrop. Children get to try a wide range of percussion instruments, from simple shakers and bells, to hand drums and a variety of world music instruments like gongs, gangoqui and kalimba. Class typically ends with some really fun parachute play.

Musical Stew is an experience that is more than just sing-along fun and more than just developmental rote. It is a synesthesia of experience that will stay with your child for a lifetime, provide an avenue for adult to child communication and immerse children in the lifetime benefits of an early appreciation of sound, space, rhythm, pitch and timing.

MUSICAL CHEFS
The Musical Chefs class takes Musical Stew to a whole new level for children 3.5 - 6 years old! Musical Skills are further developed, including pitch matching games and very basic rhythm reading. Movement and the creative mind are explored through storytelling and some basic theater games. These 45 minute long classes are the perfect way to continue the musical growth of your child that began in Musical Stew. At this level, child input is incorporated into every lesson, giving each child the opportunity to lead and create in some capacity. A level of organic development is allowed for in each class, seizing child generated ideas instead of a strictly followed lesson plan.


CUP OF STEW
For the littlest learners, this class focuses on babies, ages 3-8 months. Most of the same material used with Musical Stew is applied to Cup of Stew, but adapted to specifically address development, such as tummy time, tracking, rolling over, reaching, etc. While the very little ones gain an immense amount from just watching toddlers and older children engaged in an activity, Cup of Stew provides a space to focus on the little ones and their own developmental needs. Cup of Stew is a fun, musical experience that helps parents, caregivers and babies develop the language of learning while having an immense amount of fun.


Gina's background and continued studies in music and movement education are evident in these crafted classes. Material is carefully selected, written and adapted to serve the educational, physical and emotional needs of the young child. Her nurturing approach and understanding create an atmosphere of creative exploration and fun and her lively energy is engaging and welcoming. Parents and caregivers are invited and encouraged to sing and play along, often times learning more complex rhythms or ostinato patterns with which to accompany, allowing the children exposure to more intricate live music. This level of adult and child involvement during class brings everyone in the room to a deeper, richer musical experience, something that will stay with each person, big and small, throughout their lives.