Mommy & Me (And Mozart Too!)

So a couple of months ago I spoke to the owner of the performing arts studio where I teach voice and I mentioned that I was thinking about writing a Mommy and Me class that centered around classical music. Not only had I reached the peak of my patience for the wheels on the bus (my daughters favorite song); but I wanted her to grow up with an appreciation for classical music. I won't bore you with the statistics about the relationship between studying, playing and listening to music and math and science. However I will say that a great many people who are smarter than I am all agree that there is a great connection between them, and I knew that in a world where music and art programs are getting cut in schools left and right, it was going to be up to me to foster a love and understanding of music. She may only be 10 months old, but that was precisely the point. Every book says she can understand many words even though she may not be able to communicate with them, as well as understanding tone of voice. In other words she already understands the music of language and I want  the love of both music and language to be instilled in her from the start. Classical music is NOT just elevator music (although there is something to be said for a genre chosen to calm people in an uncomfortable situation) and somewhere along the way that's how we are taught to view it. Don't get me wrong in my house we listen to EVERYTHING. Addison dances to the Alphabet song, Justin Timberlake, Mumford & Sons, and Handel. I am in no way saying that it's classical or bust. But when every toy made for babies is singing a tune that I was tested in in a conservatory, I thought that just maybe people were looking for something that wasn't out there- something that they might not have been given themselves- exposure to classical music.

And that's how this newest baby of mine came to be! It's not a study of classical music, but rather exposure to pieces that you may have never heard and a great many you probably think Bugs Bunny wrote :-) There will be dancing, bonding, cuddling, bouncing and maybe just maybe you'll find yourself asking me at the end of class where you can find a recording of that song! ;-) Of course despite the title being Mommy & Me, Daddy, Grandma, or babysitter extraordinaire are all welcomed to be baby's partner. I hope I'll see you there!