Growing up, my mother exposed me to Classical Music. Perhaps, intentionally, as she was a piano teacher. She taught at home so there was always a piano lesson in the afternoon hours. She brought me to Piano Recitals where I listened to Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata & “Golliwogg’s Cakewalk” by C. Debussy. I recall sitting quietly in the audience as a 7 year old, not really paying attention, but taking it all in.
My Mother and Father were also a members of a choir that sang Choral Art Pieces or, as my mother called them “Kundimans.” Because I attended all her rehearsals and performances, I internalized these Art Songs and can still recall them to this day.
At age 10, I discovered Broadway…My favorites were Phantom of the Opera & West Side Story.
At age 16, I discovered Opera…and joined the group, “Teen Opera” in Palo Alto, CA.
Fast forward to adulthood… When my husband’s job relocated us to Hong Kong in April of 2014, I found work as the “English Music Teacher” at a preschool called, "Rightmind Kindergarten” (RMKG). RMKG prides themselves on focusing on developing the “Right Brain” in children at a very young age. Right Brain thinking would include creativity and artistry. To accomplish this goal, MUSIC was a heavy part of their curriculum. This is where I honed my skills to teach music to children as young as 2 to 6 years old. I began to understand how and why, children as young as 2 could respond excellently, with DAILY practice, to pitch and rhythm. These young children were able to sing and perform complex songs with ease and confidence! This was an experience I never had in the USA.
Children are remarkable. Presented with the task, and with the correct guidance from parents and good teachers, every child, has the ability to accomplish great things.
