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
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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

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

WE LOVE KINDERMUSIK WEEK
February 10 – 14 , 2020
Enter to win a FREE SUMMER of KINDERMUSIK CLASSES!

Dear Families,

It’s time for Kindermusik International’s annual  “We Love Kindermusik” week ALL around the world. Kindermusik is enjoyed by so many, in over 70 countries, and once again we can all share our experiences and love for this amazing 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 SUMMER SESSION of KINDERMUSIK (or $116 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:

1. Color a “We Love Kindermusik” coloring sheet complete with WHY your family loves Kindermusik. If you are enrolled, you can turn the sheet in to your teacher, or anyone can scan the sheet and post to our facebook wall 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)




2. Follow us on Instagram! First, follow our our Instagram profile. Then, comment on any of our Instagram posts and take a look at the content (not just the pictures) and learn some awesome facts about the development of your child. 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.




3. 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




4. “Like, follow and turn on notifications” for our facebook page AND facebook community group if you haven’t done so yet, or have a friend like our page and join our group. 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!) and join our group.  One entry per verified friend, so you could get your max entries right here! :) — 1 entry per friend that likes our page!




5. Post on our facebook page wall or create your own public IG story or squares post on YOUR profile (and tag us so we know!) with a fun picture and share WHY you love Kindermusik. One heartfelt testimonial per adult will be counted! –5 entries




6. MEGA BONUS entry – Post a video or photo to our facebook page of your child(ren) or family telling us or showing us why you love Kindermusik. 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 summer semester. Creativity counts!  — 4 entries in general contest  PLUS a chance to win free semester 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 10th, 2020 and will close at 11:59pm Sunday, February 16, 2020. 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. Each prize value is $116 and can be used for any of our services throughout 2020. 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 17th 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!!!!

Happy Throwback Thursday everyone! Today’s close-up reflection is sort of a “throw back in order to move forward” sort of post. As a mom of an almost 18 year old and 14 year old, business owner and wife, it’s incredible to look back and not only realize how far you’ve come, but how things evolve over time. In the case of today’s post, an evolution of a room. One single room.

We run our main operations of our business from home. In our home we have a 4^th bedroom that for most would have been simply the “guest” bedroom. For us, as business owners and parents, it’s been something else. Though it did have a beat up sleeper sofa and extra mattress to go on top when a guest came, in 2003 this room was filled with countless VHS tapes and machines, labels, printers and college students working for our then video production company. The shelves were covered wall to wall in VHS masters that our clients would order copies of. To some of you, this probably doesn’t even make sense! Then, slowly but surely, the VHS items turned into CD’s and multiple computers in which to make copies with.

As time moved on, the word digital was introduced. Digital. It’s something you know is there, but you can’t see. And so, those shelves started to empty of VHS and CD’s, and began to fill with children’s books. These books were the Kindermusik library we were creating as we started growing Grow and Sing Studios, our second company. These books were also of course for our children who basked in the large amounts of choices for story time each night. As the video production items started slowly moving out, more Kindermusik items started moving in. At about this time, the recession came. Our little video production company couldn’t keep up with the demands of quickly growing video technology so we went all in on Grow and Sing Studios and added our Funbox Photo booth Service. This meant, filling spare shelves with photo booth props and a new kind of production equipment. As our children grew and making “play videos’ became a popular hobby, this room became an explosion of toys and You Tuber equipment including tripods, ring lights and backdrops.

For 15 years, we couldn’t really ever welcome our family or friends to stay comfortably in our home as a guest. Keyword is comfortably. We finally did something about it. We dove into a ton of old memories and even some failed work projects, donated many items, and threw away many as well. As we enter into a new phase of the evolution of this room we have found a healthy balance between work and being present in our home life. Our little touches of “past work” are still there, still showing the evolution of the last 15 years, it’s failures and successes. Our shelves are filled with Kindermusik goodness, but now this room is ready to welcome in guests with whom we can be present, enjoy the little things and remember what it’s all about in the end which is a little bit of hard work, tons of passion, and a whole lot of quality time together.

Thanks for reading and happy evolving!

Holly Lesnick is a Licensed Kindermusik Educator and Studio owner at Grow and Sing Studios, a Bachelor of Music Therapy, mom of 2 and has been married to her husband Will for 21 years.  Holly is the Kindermusik International Brand Ambassador for the U.S., and always happy to collaborate with brands and businesses she believes in.

Hello Central Florida Families!

Did you know that the study, practice, and discipline of making music gives the brain and body a complete workout? Imagine activities that are designed to encourage multi-sensory learning, which employs and integrates several senses at once, stimulating multiple areas of the brain.

Our program focuses on each CHILD’S BRAIN, BODY, AND HEART.

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.

Here at Grow and Sing Studios, we use the power and joy of music-making to help children learn and grow during the years most critical to brain development. Our research-based curricula and interactive music experiences establish a foundation of early learning that supports sustained growth, confidence, and creativity throughout the life of a child.

What is Kindermusik?

Kindermusik is music-making with a purpose. Science has shown that children of any age learn more when the learning is playful and fun. Kindermusik kids laugh, smile, stomp, play, kick, clap, jump, sing, and dance. But having fun is just the beginning.

Steeped in educational theory, our programs engage the potential found in every child.

In our classes, children newborn through age 7 experience music of varying styles, genres, and cultures. They interact with other peers and engage in movement, rhythm, and vocal activities that develop far more than just music skills. Our approach to early childhood education primes children for success in school and in life.

Each class focuses on all areas of development including:

• Receptive Language
• Whole body movement
• Social-Emotional Development
• Sensory Awareness
• Musical Skills
• Fine Motor Movement
• Expressive Language
• Cognition

Our classes begin in just two weeks! Enroll now. Discover the power and joy of music-based learning by clicking here to view classes and enroll.

For a limited time, new families to our program receive $20 off their first month. So, for one month you receive all the amazing home materials included in class, plus a month of classes for $48. Only days remaining on this offer. Enter NEWFAMILY20 in the additional information field when you register here and we’ll adjust your first payment.

In addition to that all registrants previous and new, are invited to attend a SECOND class each week, FREE. Learn more about our subscriber benefits.

Have you already registered? Great! We can’t wait to see you (and look out soon for your music downloads!). Has your child aged out? That’s okay, we KNOW you know someone who could benefit from this email. We thank you for sharing.

We are ready to help you build a strong foundation for your child for a lifetime love of learning. Let’s go!

Oh by the way! We are giving away free prizes on our live event this Friday. Click GOING right now! Join us at 11am on instagram or facebook, to perhaps win a REMO hand drum, tushbaby carrier (as seen on shark tank) or a FREE MONTH OF CLASSES. See you there!

What is something you absolutely love to do? What are you good at? What is your favorite band? Who are your best friends?

Now, imagine how different your path with any of these things would be if you only went by your very first impression. Did you know instantly that you loved to do that thing? Or did you need to try a few times before you realized it was something you liked to do, or were good at. Maybe running, or dancing, or sports. What about your favorite song or band? Did you sing along the first time you heard it?

Think about it. How long does it take you to sing along to a song? I mean ACTUALLY SING ALONG. On first listen, you are most likely processing. Thinking about if you would like to hear it again. The second time, you may be tapping your foot, or humming along. The third time, maybe you are singing along to the chorus. You get the idea. It takes time to process experiences. It takes time to decide if it’s something we want to do again. It takes us time to form relationships, or skills.

As parents, we just want our kids to be happy. We want them to have fun, and feel safe. But the truth is, there’s growth in a bit of the unknown, in the processing.

Time and time again, we witness families with their babies or toddlers in a first time preview of one of our music classes. New experiences are challenging for children and adults. It takes time to process new environments and take it all in. Many times, as young children are easing into their first class, they may be quiet, cry, or even the opposite, it may overexcite them. This is all part of processing and it’s only the first impression.  In fact, what we are really talking about here is a parent’s first impression of their child’s first impression.

“She’s never like this at home”. We hear this a lot. As educators, we aren’t surprised. Why? Because Kindermusik is a sensory rich environment filled with sights, sounds, socialization, brain work, team work and the list goes on. It would be surprising to think that a child isn’t processing this new environment. To either clam up quietly as an observer, or to run around wildly as a kinesthetic learner. All of this is part of the first impression. When a parent decides to not enroll based on this first impression, could it be that so much learning and growth opportunities are missed? Imagine an environment that allows for these first impression moments in a non-judgmental way, and allows for a 2nd, 3rd or even 4th impression before making a final decision. Imagine the possibilities.

Consider giving your child the gift of time.

Holly Lesnick is a Licensed Kindermusik Educator and Studio owner at Grow and Sing Studios, a Bachelor of Music Therapy, mom of 2 and celebrated 20 years of marriage with her husband Will.  Holly is the Kindermusik International Brand Ambassador for the U.S., and always happy to collaborate with brands she believes in.

Click here for offer for new families to Grow and Sing Studios. 

Hello friends, I thought it would be the perfect day for our weekly close-up picture. It’s amazing how Easter weekend (and Passover weekend) make everything feel lighter, brighter and renewed. If you look around (at least here in Florida) things are greener, more colorful. The flowers are blooming everywhere! This flower is at our home studio. It’s a symbol of a new season. It reminds me that time moves on and we really should embrace and enjoy each season, each moment.

If there’s a moment that isn’t so enjoyable I like to say that it’s part of life. If it doesn’t serve us, we can accept it, let it go, and know we are learning and growing during those rougher times too. They make the sweeter times even sweeter, don’t they?

How we handle all of it, I believe, is in the gratitude.

I hope you enjoy our little symbol of renewal and as we head into our final few weeks of our school year of classes and into Summer. I am grateful for YOU.

Happy Earth Day!

All the Very Best,
Holly

Holly Lesnick is a Licensed Kindermusik Educator and Studio owner at Grow and Sing Studios, a Bachelor of Music Therapy, mom of 2 and this past September celebrated 20 years of marriage with her husband Will.  Holly is the U. S. Kindermusik International Brand Ambassador, and always happy to collaborate with brands she believes in.

www.funboxphotos.com
www.growandsing.com

WE LOVE KINDERMUSIK WEEK
February 11 – 18 , 2019
Enter to win a FREE SUMMER SESSION of KINDERMUSIK CLASSES!

Dear Families,

It’s time for Kindermusik International’s annual  “We Love Kindermusik” week ALL around the world. Kindermusik is enjoyed by so many, in over 70 countries, and once again we can all share our experiences and love for this amazing 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 SUMMER SESSION of KINDERMUSIK (or $110 credit towards ANY of our services)!

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 15. 

Ways to enter:

1. Color a “We Love Kindermusik” coloring sheet complete with WHY your family loves Kindermusik. If you are enrolled, you can turn the sheet in to your teacher, or anyone can scan the sheet and post to our facebook wall and/or tag Grow and Sing Studios in your instagram story or post. Click here to print coloring sheet.  — 1 entry per post

2. Comment on any of our instagram posts on our IG page. Take a look at the content, not just the pictures and learn some awesome facts about the development of your child. 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.

3. Comment on previous posts on our facebook page. 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

4. “Like” our facebook page AND facebook community group if you haven’t done so yet, or have a friend like our page and join our group. 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!) and join our group.  One entry per verified friend, so you could get your max entries right here! :) — 1 entry per friend that likes our page!

5. Follow us on Instagram! We have a very active Instagram as well and would love for you to join the fun! Like our instagram account plus comment on five photos. –3 entries
   

6. Post on our facebook page wall or create your own IG post on YOUR profile (and tag us so we know!) with a fun picture and share WHY you love Kindermusik. One heartfelt testimonial per adult will be counted! –5 entries

7. MEGA BONUS entry – Post a video or photo to our facebook page of your child(ren) or family telling us or showing us why you love Kindermusik. 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 summer semester. Creativity counts!  — 4 entries in general contest  PLUS a chance to win free semester 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, 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 February 12th and will close at 11:59pm Sunday, February 18, 2019. 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. Each prize value is $110 and can be used for any of our services throughout 2019. Maximum number of entries per adult (not per family so both mom and dad can participate!) is 15. 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 (video) contest which will be chosen by our staff. Winners will be announced sometime during the week of February 18th 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!!!!