Music and Dance at School

Art and Soul is becoming a fully integrated arts curriculum.  Art making has always been at the heart of our program, but as we grow, I am so excited to add Creative Movement and Music into our daily routine.  The children have always had music, yoga, and dance during circle time, but they now get a half hour of Creative Movement with Dance Instructor Erika Russo, and live music from Music Teacher and Teaching Assistant Kate Boyer. 

I love this series of pictures as the children warm up with traditional stretches that soon become the children taking off in flight!

It is hard to get a clear picture as the children take their turns in the dance circle, but I actually love the movement of this young dancer as she thrills in the joy of her movement.

Choosing dance moves to do along the beanbag path.

 

Creative movement has even traveled outside to talk about paths, then creating their own pathway through drawings that later became a dance pattern on the ground to share with everyone.   Below is a brief clip of some of our young dancers in the Kindergarten class.

The children have also delighted in Kate's music.  She writes many of her songs, and is currently gathering little expressions and requests from the children, and together they will write future songs.  Kate has also been teaching the children about breathing while they sing and  high and low notes.  I am excited to see where the dance and music will go, there is so much potential for collaboration and expression.

Trying out notes on the guitar

"Sherman the Horse" an original by Kate Boyer and her niece.

We have even had the opportunity to have a guest performer come in and do music with the children.  Joni Bishop brought in her Dulcimer and handmade cookie tin banjo for us to enjoy.  You can hear more of Joni's music at  http://jonibishop.com/

 

Joni with a captive crowd while she shows the children her Dulcimer. 

Joni playing a tune on her handmade cookie tin banjo which features one of her paintings.

Joni gave each of the children a chance to play a little Dulcimer themselves.

The children doing a little dance as they walk around the room following Joni.  Excuse my videoing abilities.

So many wonderful experiences for the children and staff.  We even have another performer lined up in the next couple weeks.  Stayed tuned:)