Baby Music Group Take Two!

Our Fall Semester begins in just 2 weeks!

Babies birth to 2 years, bring your Mama's for a swingin' time of listening, playing, and moving to the music!

Class is on Tuesday mornings. Contact me for more details!

Caitelen@gmail.com

Music and Movement Class for Mom's and Babies!

Now that I am a Mommy, I am so excited to share my love of music with my daughter, Aria, and I'm also excited to offer this group class for other moms and their sweet babies! Here are the details:

Music connects. It crosses language barriers and stimulates the brain in countless ways. It is a powerful, God-given tool for teaching and bonding with children early on, and further stimulates developmental skills as they grow. God designed us to love music, and the scriptures are full of His commands to “make a joyful noise unto the Lord!” In this fun and relaxed setting, we encourage our babies (birth to 2 years) to actively explore melody and rhythm through moving, dancing, singing, and playing instruments together.

*You will need to bring a small blanket, towel, or yoga mat, wear comfy clothes, and arrive a few minutes early to ensure that you have time to get settled before class begins.

When: Tuesdays from 11:00 - 11:45 AM, June 7 - July 26

Cost: $8/per class (or sign up for all 8 classes by June 7th and pay only $60 for all 8 weeks!)
Families with more than one child: each additional child is only $3/class, and only $20 for all 8.


Where: The Youth Room at Desert Springs Church

Contact: Caitelen@gmail.com, 505-681-9374

*May 31st is the deadline to sign up for the first class! Space is limited, so please call or email to reserve your spot!

The Flavor of Guatemala...

Greg and I traveled to Guatemala over the summer. Guatemalan's sure know how to make a joyful noise with their voices and instruments. Here are some of our friends playing the marimba's.

The Craft of Vocal Performance

I recently attended a craft seminar at Ashland University with well-known performance poet Michael Salinger. He taught a workshop on vocal performance. His emphasis was more on public speaking, however, I was reminded as I participated in the workshop that many of the same principles apply in musical vocalization. Along with making good use of your breath through correct breathing techniques and using the diaphragm, here are a few more key points about the craft of vocal performance:

1. You Must Use Your " PIPES! "

Projection
Inflection
Pacing
Eye Contact
Stance

Projection: Resonance, think of it as 'moving the air', not yelling. Project from your diaphragm! (Remember: when you inhale, let your tummy expand like a balloon, and when you exhale, use your gut to expel the air till your tummy is flat against your spine again).

Inflection: The emphasis you place on certain words or syllables. Gives the piece you are singing dynamics and variables. Can change the meaning of a phrase depending on where you place emphasis. (In music, this often corresponds with the changing notes).

Pacing: Speed, dynamic pauses, slowing down or speeding up (singing a bit on the "front" of the beat, or hanging more on the back of the beat).

Eye Contact: If you have a sheet in front of you, don't cover your face with it. Think of the page as a plate, not a mirror. Connect with your audience. If you must, look a little above their heads, but it's most effective to pinpoint people and make eye contact now and again.

Stance: Feet shoulder width apart. If you're sitting, sit up straight, shoulders relaxed, use that strong spine to support your diaphragm!

* Remember: Singing is more than just technique, you want to perform your piece in a way that draws in the audience, gets them to feel the meaning of the words you're singing. You get the meaning across in the way you present your piece! Think of using your "PIPES" when you perform--weather it's a song or a school paper or lines in a play!