Category: News
How we can be present for our kids at the holidays
Let’s talk PRESENCE. Life is busy, especially during the holidays. While we are in the same space as our children, you might find your mind is in a million other places. Taking some time to be mindful with our children, allows us to focus on the present moment only and not on things that have happened or things that are going to happen. When we are fully present with our children, they learn from us. When we are fully present, our children feel seen, heard, important and special.
How do we do this?
1. Slow down and just take in the present moment through all of your senses.
2. Observe your child without agenda. Simply watching and observing all the amazingness that is your child, will slow your mind down from expectation and future planning.
3. Sing a song. Music is a magical tool that naturally brings presence. It’s very hard to sing a song and think of much else in that moment!
4. Dance together. Moving with baby reduces stress and calms baby down. It also will calm your mind.
5. Come to Kindermusik! Well of course we are going to say that. Hee hee. But seriously, it’s very hard to come to Kindermusik and NOT be present because we do all of the above in class. We slow down, observe, sing and dance. Amazing! That 45 minutes each week is worth SO MUCH for learning, bonding, presence and mindfulness. Give it a try.
Happy Holidays!
Try a class for $5 (in-person & virtual)
growandsing.com
School Year 2022 – 2023 in-person and virtual classes registration is ongoing until May. We know you’ll find an option that will be the perfect learning experience for your child (or YOU, hint hint, private lessons…). Have questions? Just contact us.
We are currently offering in-person $5 preview class opportunities for our baby, young toddler and toddler music classes as well as a full preview week for $5 for virtual classes. Give Kindermusik a try! In-Person Central Florida Kindermusik classes held in Orlando and Volusia at UCF/Oviedo, Winter Park, Baldwin Park, Lake Nona, Winter Garden and Port Orange.
Holly Lesnick is owner/director of Grow and Sing Studios, an award winning Kindermusik accredited program. She is a proud mother of two amazing kids, music therapist and Kindermusik University Coach for Kindermusik Internation Corporate.
October Kindermusik $1 Demo Days are here!
October is here and that means KINDERMUSIK $1 DEMO DAYS at Grow and Sing Studios are coming! Have you been meaning to come try out a class, or are you just finding out about our program for the first time? We invite you to come check out one of these classes FOR ONLY $1, have some fun, make some music and hopefully fall in love with the magic of Kindermusik! Reservations are required and space is limited.
We are “traveling minstrels” so our classes are offered at different locations around town throughout the week (including virtual!).
First, choose the class you would like to preview based on the calendar above. If you do not see a class that works, you can also view all currently running classes at growandsing.com/registration (if your chosen class is full, you can always sign up to be on the waitlist). $1 October Demo Days are available in Oviedo/UCF, Winter Park, Baldwin Park, Winter Garden, Lake Nona and Port Orange. PLEASE NOTE – This is not a guarantee of availability. Once you register you’ll receive an auto generated email. Following that, we will send you a confirmation email which will let you know if your preview spot(s) are available in the class you signed up for. If that class has filled with paid members, you’ll be offered another class. If no other classes work for you, you will not be charged and your preview class will be canceled. We reserve the right to cancel your preview class should the class you signed up for reach maximum capacity with paid members. In this situation you can either choose another class or be refunded. Currently due to Covid, there are no more than 12 children enrolled per class at a time (8 in Winter Park). Spaces only count for children, all parents are included free, always.
Read about our covid adaptations and classroom tips here: https://www.growandsing.com/covid/
TO SIGN UP FOR AN IN-PERSON OCTOBER $1 DEMO DAY CLICK HERE.
TO SIGN UP FOR A VIRTUAL OCTOBER $1 DEMO WEEK CLICK HERE.
We will confirm your reservation as soon as possible!
Click here to contact us with any questions. We are here to help!
Hot of the press! Grow and Sing Studios awarded Kindermusik Top Program Award for 2022
Hello to our musical community!
Will and I own and operate Grow and Sing Studios, a small family business which was established in 2005. Since then it’s been a roller coaster but one thing has always been at the core of our motivation, and that’s passion for children’s education, passion for music and passion for independent small business. We never anticipated what would happen in 2020, and as we all know it affected EVERYONE professionally and personally.
This award is based on how many children we reach through Kindermusik. Over the last 2 years, not only did we make class sizes smaller to keep safe (therefore reducing our potential numbers), but we’ve had a complete changeover in our team. Our previous team members that were with us for years moved onto new endeavors. Will and I have spent the near part of a year interviewing and interviewing, training and training, and finally we have reached a moment in time where we have a working team again. We just finished training this team a couple months ago. So, to be honest Will and I weren’t sure if we would make the Top Program list this year. We had no idea and we were at peace with whatever happened.
I’m excited and proud to report that even through all of that, we made the list and are once again a Kindermusik Top Program. Maybe not as high on the list as we were in 2020, but still on the list! This one might be the sweetest because even through everything, we kept our heads above water (sometimes treading very very fast) and made it through. Grow and Sing Studios is pushing forward and ready to reach as many children as it can!
I would like to acknowledge all team members old and new because we ALL had a part in this award this year!
Thank you to:
Lisa Petko
Kristen Bozard
Angelyn Rhode
Marisol LaBoy
Grace Warren
Jadyn Johnson
Stefany Rodriguez
Thank you to all who have supported our mission to connect families through the magic of music over the last 17 years.
Love, Ms. Holly (and Mr. Will)
Connecting Families through the Magic of Music.
Stay Connected (and perhaps comment on our announcement on our social pages. Thank you!) facebook.com/growandsingstudios instagram.com/growandsingstudios
LINKS:
Enroll for Summer (we’ll pro-rate if you want to join us now!)
Try an in-person class for $5
Try a FULL week of virtual for $5
Visit our website
It’s happening! Summer Kindermusik 2022 is here!
Many classes are close to capacity but there is still room. Join us for a 5 week session filled with fun, learning, great LIVE music, talented musicians, instruments, amazing curriculum and brain igniting activities. Let’s do this!
How? Head to growandsing.com/classes/in-person/ and read about our classes, then keep scrolling and you can click on the class that works for you! Classes held this Summer in UCF/Oviedo, Winter Park, Winter Garden and Port Orange.
Looking for unlimited virtual classes (1 fee, access to ALL classes) head to https://www.growandsing.com/online-classes-menu/. You can try out an entire week for $5.
We can’t WAIT to meet you and your amazing kiddos!
Kindermusik Accredited Program
Kindermusik TOP program (15 years consecutively)
All educators background checked
EVERYONE WELCOME HERE
Enter to win a FREE MONTH of KINDERMUSIK CLASSES!
It’s time for Kindermusik International’s annual “We Love Kindermusik” week ALL around the world. Kindermusik is enjoyed by so many, and once again we can all share our experiences and love for this amazing enrichment program together.
“WE LOVE KINDERMUSIK” week is truly intended to be a week of happy reminders of why we all love Kindermusik and most importantly, of all the special people – educators, families, and children – who come together every week to change the world through music…. one child and one song at a time.
Read below for details on how to share the love, and enter to win a FREE MONTH of IN-PERSON OR ONLINE CLASSES AT GROW AND SING STUDIOS (or $68 credit towards ANY of our services)! Two lucky winners will be announced. One for our main contest, and another for our Mega Bonus Photo/Video contest (folks have fun with that one!)
We hope you enjoy sharing the love, and good luck! — The Grow and Sing Team
WE LOVE KINDERMUSIK CONTEST DETAILS AND RULES!
Share the love, and enter into our “We Love Kindermusik” contest! There are many ways. The more you do, the more entries you will have. Maximum number of entries per adult (not per family, hint hint!) is 25.
Ways to enter:
- Color a “We Love Kindermusik” coloring sheet complete inlcuding a testimonial of WHY your family loves our classes, or music in general or the Kindermusik curriculum. (THIS PART IS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY). Take a photo of your coloring sheet and post to our facebook page and/or tag @Grow and Sing Studios in your instagram story or post (be sure it’s set to public so we can see it). Click here to print coloring sheet. — 1 entry per sheet (1 per person)
- Follow us on Instagram! First, follow our our Instagram profile and turn on notifications. Then, comment on any of our Instagram posts and take a look at the content. Learn some awesome facts about the development of your child, enjoy our fun videos and get to know our team! We want to thank those that take time to thoughtfully comment. 3 comments equals 1 entry. Max entries in this category is 5 (which is 15 comments) – 1 entry per 3 comments.
- Comment on previous posts on our facebook page. Check out our shared articles and developmental facts. Take a look at our albums of amazing pictures and posts. We want to thank those that take the time to thoughtfully comment! 3 comments equals 1 entry. Max entries in this category is 5 (which is 15 comments!) — 1 entry per 3 comments
- “Like, follow and turn on notifications” for our facebook page if you haven’t done so yet, or have a friend like our page. Please do not UNlike and then like again as we can tell, and you won’t get credit! You are welcome to let us know the name of the friend(s) that have joined our facebook community so we can be sure to enter your name. In order to receive this entry, your friend MUST like our page (and we suggest you all click on get notifications so you can see our posts!). One entry per verified friend, so you could get your max entries right here! :) — 1 entry per friend that likes our page!
- Post on our facebook page or create your own public Instagram story or post on YOUR profile (and tag us @growandsingstudios so we know!) with a fun picture or video and share WHY you love Kindermusik, our classes, our videos, anything! One heartfelt testimonial per adult will be counted! –5 entries
- MEGA BONUS entry – Post a video to our facebook page or (or dm/email your video and we’ll post for you) of your child(ren) or family telling us or showing us why you love Kindermusik, music making, our team at Grow and Sing Studios. You will automatically receive 4 entries in our main contest, PLUS the Grow and Sing Studios staff will be voting for their favorite VIDEO and that winner will automatically win a free month of unlimited classes. Creativity counts! — 4 entries in general contest PLUS a chance to win a free month when Grow and Sing studios staff vote for their favorite video!
We will be keeping close track of entries, and submit your name accordingly. However, if you are striving to get the maximum number of entries (25), please be sure you let us know exactly how many and WHERE your entries are, so we can verify and get your amount right! Do not send us several emails to verify, just wait until you are done and then send us one complete emailing listing all the ways you entered (and how your name appears on facebook and/or IG!). Thank you! The contest begins Monday, February 14, 2022 and will close at 11:59pm Sunday, February 20, 2022. Prize may be gifted to someone else if you are not able to use it and can be redeemed for ANY service offered by Grow and Sing Studios including lessons or birthday party. Each prize value is $68 and can be used for any of our services throughout 2022. Maximum number of entries per adult (not per family so both mom and dad can participate!) is 25. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends are welcome to participate on your behalf as well! Winners for our general contest will be chosen by random draw with the exception of the bonus entry (photo/video) contest which will be chosen by our staff. Winners will be announced sometime during the week of February 21st on our facebook page and instagram story once we tally up all the votes, so be sure to like our facebook and instagram and select get notifications so you don’t miss the announcement of winners.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. ODDS OF WINNING WILL DEPEND ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ENTRIES RECEIVED EXCEPT FOR STAFF VOTE MEGA BONUS. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH KINDERMUSIK INTERNATIONAL, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM OR ANY OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLET.
GOOD LUCK!!!!
October Kindermusik $1 Demo Days are here!
October is here and that means KINDERMUSIK $1 DEMO DAYS at Grow and Sing Studios are coming!! Have you been meaning to come try out a class, or are you just finding out about our program for the first time? We invite you to come check out one of these classes FOR ONLY $1, have some fun, make some music and hopefully fall in love with the magic of Kindermusik! Reservations are required and space is limited.
We are “traveling minstrels” so our classes are offered at different locations around town throughout the week.
First, choose the class you would like to preview. You can view all currently running classes at growandsing.com/registration. $1 October Demo Days are available in Oviedo/UCF, Winter Park, Winter Garden, Lake Nona and Port Orange. PLEASE NOTE – This is not a guarantee of availability. Once you register you’ll receive an auto generated email. Following that, we will send you a confirmation email which will let you know if your preview spot(s) are available in the class you signed up for. If that class has filled with paid members, you’ll be offered another class. If no other classes work for you, you will not be charged and your preview class will be canceled. We reserve the right to cancel your demo class should the class you signed up for reach maximum capacity with paid members. In this situation you can either choose another class or be refunded. Currently due to Covid, there are no more than 10 children enrolled per class at a time. Spaces only count for children, all parents are included free, always.
Please Note: One $1 demo class per family. If you want to bring a second child, or sign up for a second demo day, the charge will be $5 for each additional child or class. To sign up your second child or for a second class, click on the $5 preview class option.
MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR ADULTS. MASKS ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR CHILDREN. Read about our covid adaptations and classroom tips here: https://www.growandsing.com/covid/
We will confirm your reservation as soon as possible!
Click here to contact us with any questions. We are here to help!
Is my child uninterested?
We are back in person which has been SO amazing! The connections, the smiles… it’s something we missed so much during our almost 18 months of being only virtual. Being in person with Kindermusik comes with some common questions from parents. These are questions we haven’t answered in a while, so we wanted to revisit this topic and see if we can reassure you that your child is thriving no matter their learning style.
Whether you are in our Kindermusik classes, another parent child class, or even getting back out there with playdates and social opportunities, you may be noticing that your child isn’t instantly jumping right in, or seemingly excited to be there. However, what you see on the surface many not be the entire story.
Children learn in so many different ways. Some learn by listening (auditory), some learn by moving (kinesthetic), and some learn by touch (tactile). Some children, especially in new environments may appear disinterested, when in reality, they might just be processing. Many times parents interpret this passive learning as their children not liking the class, activity, or experience. This might not be the case at all. In fact, when you go home, or when class ends and your child is back in their safe place, they might start showing you all that they learned. It’s quite amazing to see!
The best learning experiences are those that integrate the senses, learning domains, developmental needs, and interests of the child. For example, a great integrated activity might involve singing, language, imagination, listening, creativity, problem solving, and pretend play. This level of integration creates an optimal and meaningful learning environment for each child.
Preparing a safe and secure learning environment is a top priority. When in this type of environment, children are able to access the part of the brain which is responsible for learning and memory. With you by your child’s side, you are creating a safe, loving place to return to at any time. The key is making exploring and socializing an option, but not judging how or when your child may integrate in. Inviting them to join and participate at whatever pace they need without expectation is the best gift you can give as you both return to these kinds of activities.
I hope this eases your mind as you head back to an in-person experience. Wishing you well.
School Year 2021 – 2022 in-person and virtual classes registration is ongoing. We know you’ll find an option that will be the perfect learning experience for your child (or YOU, hint hint, private lessons…). Have questions? Just contact us.
We are currently offering in-person preview class opportunities for our baby, young toddler and toddler music classes as well as a full preview week for our virtual classes. Give Kindermusik a try! In-Person Central Florida Kindermusik classes held in Orlando and Volusia at UCF/Oviedo, Winter Park, Lake Nona, Winter Garden and Port Orange.
Holly Lesnick is owner/director of Grow and Sing Studios, an award winning Kindermusik accredited program. She is a music therapist, and proud mother of two.
We did it!
Note: this is an amazon afilliate link. If you purchase through this link, a bit comes back to help our studio. Thank you!
NOW HIRING: Early Childhood Music Facilitator
Grow and Sing Studios is seeking friendly, enthusiastic, loving musicians, music therapists, and/or educators to facilitate Kindermusik parent/child music and movement classes and lead musical birthday parties for our 15 time awarded Kindermusik top program in the Orlando area and surrounding! The benefits of music are truly transformational. When paired with movement and instrument play, it creates neurological magic, lighting up a child’s brain and positively impacting all areas of development. If music and children make your life richer, now you can enjoy them to the fullest in an opportunity that is truly rewarding, with a fun, enthusiastic and sometimes silly music team that is dedicated and passionate about what they do. Join the International Kindermusik community of teachers, music therapists and families, who all share a passion for transforming the lives of children through music. You can be part of the world’s most carefully researched, developmentally based musical learning program – and still balance the other priorities in your life. In short, it’s the easiest and most rewarding way to put your own gifts to work.
JOB REQUIREMENTS: All Grow and Sing Studios team members must have a music background, and preferably a degree in Music, Music Therapy or Music Education, or on the job experience in Music or the Arts. Strong vocal skills and ability to play guitar or ukelele is VERY important. In order to teach Kindermusik curriculum for Grow and Sing Studios, new hires must enroll in Kindermusik International’s licensing program Kindermusik University, through Grow and Sing Studios, as well as participate in Grow and Sing Studios mentoring and training alongside that with Director/Owner Holly Lesnick during Summer Virtual classes, plus at the UCF/East Orlando location THIS FALL (sometime during Sept – Dec) on Wednesdays from 10am – 1pm . Our music facilitators need to have lots of wonderful energy and enthusiasm, and be GREAT communicators! All of our team members are traveling minstrels in that they transport equipment and set up at various temporary locations so mild travel around town is required, as well as carrying/wheeling equipment in and out of locations. We do not have a standing permanent brick and mortar space. This position is flexible in that we are open to hiring someone as a part time employee at 20 hours per week if you are willing to also work behind the scenes, or an Independent Contractor for a per/hour wage. This position is a perfect supplement for a private music therapist, musician, or teacher doing private lessons or another part time job, as well as perfect for a stay at home parent who has the credentials but doesn’t want a full time position. We do not have any full time positions at this time. A background check is required as part of licensing. Please submit all resumes and cover letters to Owner/Director Holly Lesnick at . We will not respond to any job submissions sent via social media whether in comments or private messaging. We look forward to hearing from all applicants. We will be putting a lot of thought and care into hiring, so thank you for your patience.
Learn more about Grow and Sing Studios at growandsing.com, and join us on social media FB & IG at @growandsingstudios. First interviews will be conducted via Zoom, and those called for second interviews will be in person with owners Will and Holly Lesnick.
Thank a {music} teacher!
🎵This year has been anything but typical. Teaching isn’t always the easiest job in the world but it’s definitely one of the most rewarding. We, the teachers here at Grow and Sing Studios are so incredibly passionate about educating not only young children but their entire families. Sharing how music affects minds and bodies is what we love to do! We have always known that bringing families together through music is a gift like none other, but this year we learned it can be taught in MANY different ways, through many different mediums.
🎵Our team isn’t the only one that pivoted, and adapted to make the learning happen. Each and every teacher in the world has done that! But we couldn’t let this Teacher Appreciation Week go by without a HUGE shout out to team Grow and Sing for not only making it through this challenging year, but STAYING COMPLETELY TOGETHER AS A TEAM! Our team that we had in 2020 is our same team we have here in 2021. That took passion and teamwork from each and every teacher here at our studio. Now THAT is the definition of perseverance, dedication, teamwork and accomplishment.
🙌PLEASE GIVE A “WOOHOOOO” TO:
Lisa Petko
Angelyn Rhode
Marisol LaBoy
Kristen Bozard
Holly Lesnick
Will Lesnick
Aiden Amato
and a big thank you to Jasmin Vilca for volunteering her time!
🎵As we head into our 16th Summer of Music, we want to send our endless appreciation and gratitude to our Grow and Sing Studios families. Thank you for believing in us! Oh and thank you for your flexibility with our pivots!
~Team Grow and Sing Studios
#ThankATeacher #musicteachers #kindermusik #teacherappreciationday #teacherappreciationday2021 #teacherappreciation