My family an I moved to Tampa almost a year ago and the change has been nice. However, I have been trying to get back to work as a music teacher because I miss that part of my life. Back in the day I was teaching almost 7 days a week and had over 100 students and loved the challenges as well as the success. After having my baby and satying home for 1 1/2yr, children's music is just what I need. However, I find it to be more difficult to get a program going in my area (Land O Lakes). Is it the economic issues or do people not fully realize the benefits of early music in children? As parents, do you find yourselves holding back on your child's education or extra curricular activities or am I just letting the word out in the wrong way?
Thank you for your input.
Thank you all for your responses. Hope has been brought back to life. I decided to start a new session and offer a free month trial. Your input helped me understand what mom's are looking for in a music class, not just entertainment and am pleased to hear that.
Hi K.. You might like to contact "Aladin Music" at ###-###-####. My two boys received music lessons from them at my home and they were wonderful. Their email is ____@____.com. I've kept a business card which indicates the director is Colin Fewkes. I'm sure they are always looking for help. Good Luck. Mention the Cervantes family as a reference. God Bless. 727leonor
Katharine,
Many people have lost their jobs and are getting ready to lose their homes due to this recession, and are cutting back in whatever way they can to survive. for myself,I take offense to "skimping" on my child's education. I am a stay at home mom, and take my child to several FREE programs at local libraries that are wonderful. They incorporate music, and fingerplays and movement along with wonderful age appropriate stories. lately there has been a huge increase in attendance to these programs, both because they are good and because people can't afford $40 a month or more for play groups, music groups and gym class. My parents didn't have those options when I was a child and they still managed to teach us and help us grow into well rounded individuals. I'm sure you are a very good music teacher, maybe you could contact the local libraries and offer free demonstrations as a part of their children's program, for those who could afford the classes that could be your advertisement. Just try and be a little more sensitive about how you say things from now on, maybe the recession hasn't hit you and your family as hard as it has the rest of us, but just because mother's aren't signing up for the latest Music with Mar. class doesn't mean they aren't providing and enriched environment for their child.
Here is my delima with music for kids. I have two children, one especially, that loves music! He has a drum set, a recorder, a harmonica, and sings constantly around the house. I am a working mother with two kids (5 & 3) and I can never find a program that is strictly music - meaning it is not just a dance & playing around type of class - and that fits my schedule.
I would say that the economy has most people cutting back - including me. But, if I could find a class that focuses on music, and I don't mean that he needs to learn notes and fingering at this point, but to understand the beat and the different sounds things make and have fun doing it, I would afford it in some way.
Good luck! And if you do start doing something on the weekends or 6:00 or so, please let me know. I would be very interested.
Sam
Hi K.,
I agree with you, music and art in general are very important for our children. I wish I could afford music lessons for my 6 year old. It seems like she can not stop singing! I will enroll her in Dance lessons this coming week because, I received information from her school on classes that are affordable.
If you or anyone who reads this knows of an affordable music program, please let me know. Thank you.
I have a 10 year old daughter and she is currently taking piano lessons from an elementary school music teacher who is currently unemployed (Pasco County Schools hiring freeze). She is teaching my daughter music theory in addition to piano, so there is a textbook and weekly homework.
I searched and searched for a program for her in this area (Land O'Lakes) and fell into this one quite by accident. I was in the MOMS Club and only knew of the music class available to moms and tots at Oakstead and the one at Gymboree. I found it rather difficult to locate something close for older children.
Hope that my perspective helps some. Good luck.
