Chamber Music Concert Featuring a Kathy's Music Teacher

Chamber Music for Piano, Voice, and Flute 

Anoush Tchakarian, piano 
Sonya Fandozzi- Caceres, soprano
Josephine Kost, flute 

Westminster Presbyterian Church Sanctuary
Sunday, February 23 4:00 p.m.


We are pleased to share that one of our teachers, Josie Kost, will be performing as part of a special Chamber Music Concert . The address is 2040 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15241.

Josie Kost teaches Kindermusik, Flute, and Piano for our school.

The concert will be approximately 1 hour.
This is an excellent opportunity for parents and our Music Artistry Students.

Please direct questions about the venue to (412) 835-6630.

A varied program of chamber music for solo piano and combinations of soprano, flute, and piano, including works by Bach, Brahms, Sibelius, Saint-Saëns, Scriabin, and Ravel.
Acclaimed pianist Anoush Tchakarian is adjunct professor of piano at Duquesne University. Winner of the Steinway Society Piano Competition and the Concerto Competition at Duquesne University, Tchakarian has performed as soloist with the National Music Conservatory Orchestra and Duquesne University Orchestra. Her numerous solo and chamber music performances include international festivals
in Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, Finland, and the United States. She has made recordings for WQED multimedia, Bulgarian National TV, and Bulgarian National Radio.
Soprano Sonya-Fandozzi Caceres made her professional debut as Lady Billows in Britten's Albert Herring on the 2002 Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Concert Series. Earlier in 2002 on the seminary’s series, she was the featured vocal soloist alongside Pittsburgh Symphony performers for Mozart’s Gala Birthday. A graduate of Duquesne University's Mary Pappert School of Music, Caceres appeared as soloist on an international tour with the Duquesne University Chamber Singers and has been featured in leading roles with the Duquesne University Opera Workshop.
A graduate of the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, flutist Josephine Kost received her Master of Music degree and Artist Diploma from Duquesne University.
In addition to performing, Josie loves teaching students of all ages. She is an adjunct professor at Duquesne, conducting the flute choirs. She is also a certified Suzuki flute and piano teacher and a licensed Kindermusik instructor. 

The Benefits of Social-Emotional Learning in a Music Classroom

By Kathy Morrison, Director of Kathy's Music, LLC

What is Social-Emotional Learning?  

Why is it an important part of a Music Classroom?

Social-emotional learning encourages the practice of mindfulness—one of several techniques used in schools to help kids gain social and emotional literacy. "Training in mindfulness—or the ability to pay attention to present thoughts, emotions, and experience without judgment—has been shown to help kids feel less stressed, get along better with teachers and peers, and pay more attention in class."

"Research on the benefits of SEL is hard to ignore. In a 2011 meta-analysis of over 200 studies, scientists found that children who went through SEL programs in their schools had higher levels of social and emotional competency, expressed more positive attitudes toward themselves and others, and engaged in more pro-social—helpful and kind—behaviors than children who didn’t have SEL programs. In addition, problem behaviors, like aggression and truancy, went down in the kids receiving SEL, while academic performance went up significantly—by 11 percentage points—a finding that surprised even the researchers."

"Some may feel that SEL is a luxury, only to be taught if the “basics” are covered. But research has shown that kids who suffer from high stress—whether rich or poor—can have trouble concentrating at school or may act out in aggressive or self-harmful ways. SEL programs help kids regulate their emotions, reduce stress, and negotiate interpersonal conflicts, all of which create safer, more harmonious learning environments for everyone."

Kindermusik has been doing social-emotional learning since it's inception over 30 years ago. With a safe environment, students can and will learn amazing things about themselves, about others, about the world they live in, and definitely about music.  Kindermusik is committed to teaching the "whole-child", which is unique compared to other curricula.  The research above validates this as a significant reason why Kindermusik is the single-best choice for early childhood music and movement.

Every week in Kindermusik class our teachers are working to develop emotional connections with children and foster positive social experiences that will form community, a sense of belonging, and positive self-esteem. For example, this week in our preschool classes, our lesson focus is "Creating Community in the Classroom for security, for learning, and for pro-social development". The lesson beautifully weaves the musical learning with the focus on creating community in a seamless way that is age-appropriate and engaging.

Here are a few highlights of this week's lesson for 3's & 4's:

• Creating Community through Playing Games Together (a charade-like game with signing, matching pitch, and movement)
• Creating Community through Acknowledgement (inviting each child to share the instrument they made at home and describe the process)
• Creating Community through Making Music Together (a parade style instrument play-along)
• Creating Community by Working Together to Tell the Story (our featured story filled with songs, movement, sequencing, beat, dynamics, and more)
• Creating Community through Community Dancing (our featured circle dance with parents)

Here's what we know to be true:
The Act of singing and dancing together creates a sense of belonging and a nurturing environment.  Creating a sense of community is an important goal for every Kindermusik class so that children feel safe, connected, and prepared for learning.  Parents are amazed by all that we can and do teach children whether it's musical, language, cognitive, social, emotional, or physical development.  It all starts with social-emotional learning.

*Quotes from http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/tim_ryan_brings_sel_bill_back_to_congress

Benefits of Teaching The Same Student Year After Year

The Benefits of Teaching the Same Student Year After Year.
By Kathy Morrison, Kindermusik Teacher and Program Director

Kindermusik is unique.  It's one of the few programs for children where a child can have

the same teacher year after year after year for up to 7 years.  I love to share with parents this amazing benefit and how this stability over time helps the child through other transitions in their life and gives the child the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe, trusted environment.

Such is the case with my friend, Liam.
I first met Liam as a baby when he started in a Kindermusik baby class. Every week, I looked forward to spending time with him and his mom. They LOVED Kindermusik and all that we were experiencing: language, instruments, socialization, beat, spatial orientation, and more using music to teach the whole child.  And somewhere along the way, as it happens with so many children in my classroom, I feel in love with Liam.

Time went on and Liam became a toddler.  He would RUN into my classroom waiting room saying "MIss Kathy, Miss Kathy" and we would make music together each week with his Mom.  We pretended to be trains and sang songs about animals.  We played instruments (especially drums!) and practiced creative movement.  We bounced, jumped, galloped, and more. Liam started singing - really singing! Everywhere he went! And we agreed that Kindermusik was making a huge difference.  At the end of class, I would get BIG HUGS and it made me smile.

The day came when Liam promoted to the big boy class for preschoolers and he started coming into the classroom without Mom.  To my delight, he planted himself next to me every week.  And I found myself sharing stories at home about my friend, Liam.  Oh the things we were learning - matching pitch, the ability to play in an ensemble, taking turns, and practicing empathy for others.  I found myself being challenged to be the very best teacher I could be.  And I loved Liam all the more. Because he WANTED to be in my classroom, doing all that we were doing.  He wanted to sing and learn and move.

In 2012, Liam's mom shared this with me:
"Kindermusik has been a part of our lives since Liam was 3 months old.  I could tell you stories that would make you laugh about how he sings his heart at home, in the car and at class.  He thoroughly enjoys classes with Miss Kathy and the benefits of this program have made an immeasurable impact on him socially, emotionally and educationally.  His love of music is immense and I truly believe every child should have the opportunity to participate in Kindermusik for the joy and pleasure it brings."

So we celebrated and I began to think about what would come next.

Soon Liam was ready to promote up to Kindermusik for the Young Child class - the BEST thing that we do: Teaching kids to read and write music. I had waited all these years to give him the very best of what I had to offer. In late spring 2012, his mom explained that their family was moving out of state starting in the summer. Oh, no. There would be no more classes with Liam and no Young Child experience with me as his teacher.  I grieved.  Seriously.  After 5 years, I couldn't believe that I would not be his teacher again.

A year went by…August 2013, I was working at my desk when an email hit my inbox.  Liam's mom had just registered him for Kindermusik for the Young Child class to start in September!  What???  Were they moving back?  I contacted her immediately.  The short story is…Mom couldn't find the class they wanted for Liam in her area.  So she decided that every Thursday they would drive from Wheeling, WV to Pittsburgh so that Liam could be in my Young Child class.  I was blown away.  I still am.

Yahoo!! Let the Celebration Begin!
So Liam is back and some amazing things are happening.
At Thanksgiving, Liam taught our whole class a new "turkey" song he'd learned at school. We learned to sing the song and then composed an accompaniment part for instruments.  WOW!  Thank you, Liam!

In January, we had a new visitor in class and I asked Liam if he would help this new student in class.  Turns out - Liam is an excellent teacher!  He showed the visitor how to hold his glockenspiel mallets and learn where "C" is on the staff and on the instrument.  He helped with each activity. Shazam!  

Then we had another new student join class recently.  This past week and before I could ask, Liam was helping her compose melodies on the staff.  She was still learning where C and A live on the staff because she's new.  But guess what?  By the end of class, she knew EXACTLY where they lived, because Liam taught her.  He was so pleased that she learned it and was proud that he'd helped.  There's that empathy again!

His mom sent me a note this week:
"I can't tell you enough how much Liam loves class and his glockenspiel.  Honestly the difference music has meant in his life in his few short years is phenomenal.  I can't tell you the joy it brings me when he sings in the car unprompted."

So while I love to share the benefits to the child for having the same teacher year after year, today I'm sharing the benefits to the teacher for having the same child in class year after year.  Liam is a great example of why I love teaching Kindermusik.  I get to see children blossom and grow before my very eyes because of the power of Music. Watching children mature like this over time affirms for me that I am doing my life's best work. PLUS, I am reminded of the amazing things that happen in our classrooms when we empower children to take what they know and share with others. 

Thanks, Liam!  I'm so glad to be learning from you!

We Love Kindermusik because….

We Love Kindermusik Week for 2014 starts tomorrow.  We'd love to hear your stories….

Here's one of ours: 
Kathy's Music started sharing Kindermusik in Pittsburgh in 2004 with 12 students, 1 teacher, and a suitcase of instruments. Kindermusik has made it possible for us to touch hundreds and hundreds of lives over the past 10 years. Now we're serving the Pittsburgh area with over 500 students in our music school, 15 teachers, and 4 locations. We're about the business of changing lives through music. Our goal is to promote learning, encourage, connect, and help every child and parent reach their potential.

Kindermusik truly has the power to do that!
It is our privilege to teach children each and every day.
We are very thankful and "We Love Kindermusik!"