Category: Toddlers
My biggest challenge yet…
Hi there, I’m Holly, founder, owner and director here at Grow and Sing Studios. 15 years ago, when my son was 6 weeks old, I created my studio which offered a very simple TWO Kindermusik classes per week total. I had previously taught Kindermusik and worked as a music therapist but had been on a break to have my second child.
I began my Kindermusik journey because I yearned for connections with other parents. I discovered Kindermusik through my first passion, music therapy, and it seemed like the obvious fit because Kindermusik is about how music affects a child’s development. I found Kindermusik to be a happy, smiley, positive place, and I wanted to create that for as many families as I could.
Even during the 2008 recession, Grow and Sing Studios thrived. It not only thrived, but won awards. Lots of awards. Through the years, I’ve added various classes, a wonderful staff, birthday parties, piano lessons, voice lessons… frankly, the list is VERY long because not all things I tried stuck.
Yet, throughout it all, the goal was simple.
Though I’m not sure I saw it for a long time. On the surface it was to have a career and support my family. I wanted to be the best I could be in my field. But it was also to make music and inspire my own children. However, it took many years to realize that the ultimate goal was to help inspire laughter, smiles, and connections.
So, I finally figured it out. It’s the constant Kindermusik joy guarantee in a life full of variables.
And boy has 2020 thrown us some major life variables!
I am always trying new things, testing the waters, figuring things out. Due to Covid-19, I’ve had to think WAY outside the box so that the laughter, smiles and connections didn’t stop.
That is where our Kindermusik Virtual program comes in. Back in March, I had NO idea what I was going to do. I had to take a step back, breathe, and remember that the ultimate goal was to create joy through music. Thankfully, we have an incredibly talented and DEVOTED team of teachers who were ready to try anything I put in front of them.
Our Kindermusik Virtual program has been a complete success over the past several months. A community of families from ALL OVER have embraced this new way to learn with their young children. I can’t express enough how heartwarming it is to witness! Friendships are being made between parents, between children, and even closer connections are forming between our teachers.
I’m starting to realize that if you can find a constant that makes you the happiest, you WILL succeed even in the middle of a pandemic. So, I finally figured it out. HAPPINESS is my dream. LAUGHTER is what I long for. CONNECTIONS are what I strive to create each and every day.
Mission accomplished.
So, what’s your story? I’d love to know more about YOU!
May your day bring you much happiness, peace, and many giggles.
Thanks for reading.
Love, Holly
CLICK HERE FOR YOUR UNLIMITED TRIAL WEEK
60 classes for $80. Yes, you read that right!
Dear Parents,
As we move through our summer, it is evident that we must continue our online only Kindermusik program so that we can do our part in slowing the spread of Covid-19. The good news is that everyone is having a BLAST! If you joined us for Session A or are currently in our Bilingual Birdies program, we thank you for being part of our Grow and Sing Studios family. If you are already enrolled in our upcoming session B, we can’t wait to see you. We are sending this email out to everyone in the hopes that you will either learn about our upcoming session B and consider signing up, OR share the info with a friend or family member (anywhere because it’s online!). We are SO excited to begin the second half of our summer programming next week, July 20th.
Here’s an overview. Our award winning program is recommended for children newborn through age 7. Summer session B is 5 weeks long. Each week we offer 12 virtual interactive zoom classes and events that you are welcome to attend. Summer B is $80, TOTAL. This fee covers your entire household. So, for $80, you have unlimited access to 60 classes. PLUS you’ll receive digital online resources (music, e-book, activities) to enhance the learning. Just to make sure it’s clear, this program is UNLIMITED. You can attend ALL classes each week if you want to (and some folks do!). We have been told by parents that our virtual enrichment program is making life easier and enhancing their family’s days together during a very difficult time.
I went live yesterday on Facebook and Instagram to further explain how this works, and to unveil our upcoming themed units. So to learn more, click on this youtube video.
If you ever have any questions or need any help signing up, don’t hesitate to touch base with us. Sign up today and you’ll receive a welcome email with login info soon after.
Wishing you health, safety, and beautiful musical moments together,
Holly Lesnick, Director/Owner
Session B online Kindermusik program | Online Bilingual Birdies | Online Birthday Parties | Online Voice Lessons | Online Piano Lessons | Online adult beginner tap classes
P.S. Did you miss our 15th anniversary celebration? It was a sing along celebration like no other. Check it out here, and enjoy!
A message from Ms. Holly
If you are of the opinion that it’s a bit too soon for you and your young baby or child to attend group classes, please keep reading.
Our studio philosophy is to follow a child where he or she is developmentally. A one, two or three year old needs to have the freedom to move around, explore, hug, kiss, pick up things, put objects in their mouth, drop things, hold hands and be free. That is what is developmentally appropriate.
In order for a child to participate in these developmentally appropriate things, a child needs to feel safe. Can a child feel completely safe in a situation where they are being pulled back to their “spot”, wearing a mask, told not to touch things and told to keep distance from their friends? At this point we don’t think so and that isn’t our developmental goal.
To truly meet our goal which is to connect you as a family through the magic of music, we feel this can best be accomplished at home, with our licensed (and very talented) educators leading you the entire way online. Our entire team brings their strengths and talents to you each and every class. We can safely interact with your family without any limitations for your child. We have seen firsthand during our online classes that children are able to learn alongside their parent the things that we strive to teach whether in person or online. Elements such as parental bonding, eye contact, singing, rhythm, dancing, steady beat, exercise, language. All of which can be accomplished at home with full exploration and freedom. At such time that we can feel we can deliver a developmentally appropriate in person experience, we will do so.
SO, we are REALLY EXCITED to start our online UNLIMITED Summer house party. Pick a track for one fee, and attend each and every class and event we offer each week. Those include classes, dance parties, sing-a-longs, puppet shows, themed events, instrument demos and so much more. Come and go as you please, and enjoy connecting through music together. Thank you so much for your time, and we can’t wait to make music with you! Click here to learn more.
FREE Virtual Kindermusik Demo Days
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Here’s our schedule for this week, May 18 – 22, 2020.
Welcome to another week of our Kindermusik virtual online house party. So many fun things in store this week including an age appropriate TAP DANCE class! We plan to continue our Spring house party until May 31st since schools have now closed for the remainder of the year. If you wish to participate, you can enroll here for a pro-rated fee of $50. It’s one flat fee for the rest of our unlimited online May classes. Online Summer enrollment is open as well! We are welcoming new families each and every day from all over! Here is all the information you need to join in this week!
Here’s our schedule for this week, May 11 – 15, 2020.
We plan to continue our Spring house party until May 31st since schools have now closed for the remainder of the year. If you wish to participate, you can enroll here for a pro-rated fee of $50. It’s one flat fee for the rest of our unlimited online May classes. Online Summer enrollment is open as well! We are welcoming new families each and every day from all over! Here is all the information you need to join in this week!
7:00 pm – Lullabies and stories with Ms. Angelyn
Summer Kindermusik Classes Announcement!
Hi Parents! We KNOW it’s been a hard time for you. As much as we would LOVE to return to the classroom in person we aren’t quite ready yet. After much reflection, we came to the decision to continue our very popular ONLINE CLASSES through Summer. Here’s why. We want to be sure our classroom is as safe as possible and the only way to do that is to educate ourselves and our team on best practices. We want to see what happens in the first phases of the state’s re-opening. Most importantly, we want to keep YOU and your young children in mind. Babies, toddlers and preschoolers do not understand social distancing. They are all about the hugs and kisses! They do not yet understand sharing. We teach that in class! They also tend to put things in their mouths which is developmentally appropriate. In addition, we have learned that an environment where there is singing, creates an aerosol that goes much further than speaking, and lasts in the air much longer. We care about you, and we want you to stay safe and healthy. We want to protect those that are high risk as well. We will be working behind the scenes to learn and prepare for our return. In addition, the locations we rent from have not yet opened, so our hands are tied.
In the meantime, we have an AMAZING lineup of online Summer programming! There are many options based on budget and session length needs. All programming includes UNLIMITED classes each week. We know our families have enjoyed being able to pop in any time they want. Whether it’s for a Kindermusik class, or a special event like a sing-a-long, puppet show or themed party. All programming includes digital at home materials to help enforce the learning at home.
We adhere to child protection laws, so we do not record classes. All programming is live.
The following links will lead you to our website for all our online fun. Please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help!
To view our online options click here.
To view our Bilingual Birdies + House Party Option click here.
To view our House Party Options click here.
To view our private piano or voice lessons click here.
To view our online Adult tap class a la carte option click here.
To view our online birthday party option click here.
Here’s our schedule for this week, May 4 – 8, 2020.
We plan to continue our Spring house party until May 31st since schools have now closed for the remainder of the year. If you wish to participate, you can enroll here for a one time fee of $68. It’s one flat fee for unlimited online May classes. Online Summer enrollment is open as well! We are welcoming new families each and every day from all over! Here is all the information you need to join in this week!
To enroll just visit growandsing.com/classes/house-party, scroll to bottom, click on “enrolling” and the form will drop down.
Here’s our schedule for this week, April 27 – May 1, 2020.
To enroll just visit growandsing.com/classes/house-party, scroll to bottom, click on “enrolling” and the form will drop down.
Here’s our schedule for this week, April 13 – 17, 2020.
Welcome to another week of our Kindermusik virtual online house party. We continue to be inspired by the smiles and excitement of the children and the adult interactions together with them. Their lights are shining through during each class.
We plan to continue our Spring house party until May 31st if schools remain closed. If you wish to participate we would LOVE to have you join us. To enroll click here. It’s one flat fee for unlimited classes. We are welcoming new families each and every day from all over! Even England! This one time fee is keeping our business running and helping us compensate our amazing educators during this unprecedented time. Thank you.
Weekly disclaimer: This is NOT the kind of activity where your child watches and you go cook dinner. The program has been designed in the same spirit as our classes, where the teacher is the facilitator to your engagement with your child. It is designed for you to be very hands on with your child(ren), while familiar faces are on the computer singing and guiding you along through the amazing Kindermusik curriculum.
SCHEDULE
Below is our schedule for the week of April 13 – 17, 2020. Music is healing so you are welcome to participate in or listen to any and all programs below regardless of the typical age range. All children in your household are invited!
MONDAY – APRIL 13
10:00 am – Kindermusik Dance Party with the Grow and Sing Studios team
This has now become a weekly favorite! Dance with us to some Kindermusik favorites! If just joining us, get acclimated to our online Zoom Platform, test your sound, and make sure you know how it works so you are ready for classes.
12:00 pm – Musical Pirate Party with Ms. Lisa and Ms. Mari
Ahoy Me Hearties! It’s time to sing, dance, and play as we have a pirate party! We invite you to bring or wear any pirate things you have. If you want to get creative, you can even make a pirate hat and show us during our party.
7:00 pm – Lullabies and stories with Ms. Holly
Join Ms. Holly for 15 – 20 minutes of relaxing lullabies and bedtime stories as you head into your bedtime ritual with your little one.
TUESDAY – APRIL 14
11:00 am – Mixed Age Kindermusik class with the Grow and Sing Studios team
Typical age range is newborn through 7 years old. Activities will include Hello, Goodbye, and Quiet time rituals along with rhythm play, dancing, story time and active listening.
12:30 pm – Foundations Kindermusik class with the Grow and Sing Studios team
Typical age range is newborn to walking. Activities will include Hello, Goodbye and Quiet time rituals, along with massage, exercise, and story time.
WEDNESDAY – APRIL 15
10:00 am – Mixed age Kindermusik class with the Grow and Sing Studios team
Typical age range is newborn through 7 years old. Activities will include Hello, Goodbye, and Quiet time rituals along with rhythm play, dancing, story time and active listening.
11:30 am – Level 3 Kindermusik class with the Grow and Sing Studios team
Typical age range is 3 – 5 years old (but tons of fun for the older kids too!). Activities are part of the Toys I Made, Trips I Take curriculum. This week is all about boats and the sea!
THURSDAY – APRIL 16
9:30 am – Foundations Kindermusik class with the Grow and Sing Studios team
Typical age range is newborn to walking. Activities will include Hello, Goodbye and Quiet time rituals, along with massage, exercise, and story time.
11:00 am – Bilingual Birdies with Ms. Marisol
Typical age range is 2 – 5 years, but everyone is welcome to learn some Spanish! Bilingual Birdies is a super fun foreign language and music program where we teach basic vocabulary and short phrases in Spanish through music, dance, and puppetry.
FUN FRIDAY – APRIL 17
Join us in some 20ish minute activities for our Fun Friday!
10:00 am – April Birthday Celebration with the Grow and Sing Studios Team
Guess who has a birthday TODAY? Ms. Angelyn! It is time to celebrate ALL who have a birthday in April! If you or your kiddo have an April birthday we want to celebrate you. So join us in celebrating Ms. Angelyn and all April birthdays with some Kindermusik fun!
12:00 pm – Sing along with Ms. Angelyn
7:00 pm – Lullabies and stories with with Ms. Angelyn
Here is all the information you need to join in this week!
To enroll just visit growandsing.com/classes/house-party, scroll to bottom, click on “enrolling” and the form will drop down.