September newsletter - Ramsay Community Association in Calgary

New Music Classes for Young Children at Ramsay Hall
Heather Johnson • heather@rattleandstrum.com
Looking for a way to involve your little
one in music? Starting September 12th,
parented music classes will be held for the
first time at the Ramsay Hall! “Together
with Heather” music classes allow children
to explore music by singing, dancing, and
playing instruments together. Repetition
of familiar songs is important at a young
age for learning, but Heather also keeps it
fresh and interesting by introducing new
songs every week, adding visual props and
puppets! Music is live (i.e. played on guitar
and sung in session, not recorded,
except for special situations) and
adapted to suit the abilities of the
children in the group, as well as
the energy level in the room from
moment to moment. Many original
songs are
“Me! Me! Let me!
It’s my turn!
included,
that have
been
written
specifically
for young children, based on
experience working with this age
group.
Parents/caregivers will be encouraged
to help the children to participate
to their fullest ability, and will learn
many songs and activities that can be incorporated
into routines at home.
My background includes university
degrees in classical music (piano, Brandon
University) and music therapy (Florida
State University), many years of experience
as a music therapist, entertainer (for
children and adults), and songwriter and
workshop leader (songwriting, using music
in the classroom for teachers, etc.). I have
presented at several conferences for teachers
and healthcare professionals about various
topics regarding music, education, and
wellness. Over the past two years, I have
steadily provided an interactive music program
at several large daycares in Calgary,
seeing about 800 children a week!
I also function as one-half of the children’s
music duo, Rattle and Strum, and we have
just released our first album (with graphic
design by Ramsay’s own Fred Holliss)! We
will have a CD release party at the National
Music Centre on September 28th, but all
participants who sign up for the Thursday
morning music classes will receive a free
copy on the first day of classes.
Classes will run every
Thursday, 10:00 am-10:45
am, from September 12th to
December 5th (except for October 31st).
More information can be found online at
http://rattleandstrum.com/togetherwithheathermusicclasses.html,
as well as a link
to register through PayPal or with a credit
card. The class is open to children ages 1-
to 5-years old, the second child from the
same family is half price, and babies who
are too young to walk can attend for free
with their sibling(s)!
Feel free to also check out my blog about
using music with young children: http://
heathersmusicforkids.wordpress.com.
Photo: Steven Hazlett
page 16