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Musical Pathways Foundation
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Newsletter December 4 - 10
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Dear ,
K.I.S.S. SPRING ENROLLMENT HAS BEGUN
Week #2 Begins Today (Saturday)
Week #1 Families may contiue to enroll Online, Hard Copy Mail, or in Class sign KISS
Priority Enrollment Week 2 Saturday, December 8th - Friday, December 14th Families who are switching classes - or Kindermusik Families who are registering a sibling not currently in the program. Note: In order to receive your $14/child Priority Discount your Registration Fee must be received by December 14th Click Here for Easy Online Enrollment
Click Here for Hard Copy of Spring 2013 Registration Form (we will use postmark date for mailed enrollments) From the entire Musical Pathways Foundation Team
 Betsy Flanagan
Ed Ford
Renee Frey
Martha Hansen
Andrea Kaltenberg
Amy Payne
Jen Rae
Heath Rush
Katherine Rush
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FOUNDATION DONATION OPPORTUNITIES
100% Tax-Deductible
As most of you know, we count on benefactors to keep our Foundation alive and supporting families with children of all ages. We rely on your 100% Tax-Deductible Charitable Donations, and this Christmas your support can come in the form of one of Six Gifts you can purchase as well. Three are listed above plus our adorable Kinder "Mouse" Book, Gift Bag, Stuffed Animal and CD. (Ask your teacher to purchase.)You can also encourage Grandma & Grandpa to purchase a
tuition "Gift Certificate" of any amount!
Or complete a "Gold Ornament" from our Giving Tree (100% Tax Deductible) for that feel good moment. We had one of our Kindermusik children give his Piggy Bank to help other families last Christmas. Very touching!
INSTRUMENT BOUTIQUE
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EARN
TUITION $$$$$
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REFER A FRIEND!
EARN TUITION FOR NEXT SEMESTER!
Earn Referral Credits as a thank you from the Foundation! Our Foundation exists due to the referral of your friends, neighbors, acquaintances, coworkers and family! Invite a friend to try a FREE CLASS with you sometime, or they can call us directly or email us to schedule a visit that meets their schedule.
| | All Referral $'s will be applied to tuition balances |
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Twist me, turn me!
Did you say Upside Down? How fun!
This week's class highlighted many ways you can continue to stimulate your child's vestibular system through joyful bonding playtime together!
DEVELOPMENTAL BENEFIT OF THE WEEK
The Vestibular System
The Inner-Ear is "mission control center" for coordinating information from all the vestibular helping parts of the body.
What are the parts of our body that work with our vestibular system?
- the inner ear,
- the eyes,
- muscles & joints,
- fingertips and palms of the hands,
- pressers on the soles of the feet,
- jaw, and
- gravity receptors on the skin
The vestibule to so many benefits!
The vestibular system in the brain does more than just allow us to stand upright, maintain balance and move through space.
It also adjusts
- wakes up the brain for learning,
- heart rate and blood pressure,
- muscle tone,
- limb position,
- immune responses,
- arousal and balance
Pretty important stuff eh? Stimulating the Vestibular System when your child is young provides great developmental opportunities with your help!
HOME ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS
1) Enjoy your Week #5 Activity: "Musical Meals"
- Baby learns best when emotionally involved in an activity because incoming sensory stimulation is processed first in the limbic emotion-center of the brain. So while moving baby and having baby move items this week at home, be sure to keep JOY at the center!
- To Download your Dream Pillow journal - Click here!
2) Here is a reference list of the vestibular activities from class this week.
- O How Lovely Is The Evening (Intentional Touch Massage)
- Remember those Finger and Toe Pressers
- Let's Go to the Wood (Toe & Finger Tickle)
- Show your child the "target toe" and enjoy squeezing those pressers
- Dance Little Baby (Free Dance + organized movement)
- Be sure to hold your baby in many different positions during the Free Dance (upside down anyone?)
- In The Moon (Native American Dance)
- Remember those spinning moves around our fire :)
- Gavotte in G (Maypole Dance ABABA)
- No scarves? How about pillow cases? Enjoy your sojourn through color as you See, Feel & Hear fun!
- Skinnamarinky Dinky Dink I Love You (Love Language Dance)
- Enjoy of loving and cuddly free dance and be sue to STOP, SIGN & SING "I Love You!" Precious!
3) Continue your Vocal Play/Language Activities from class this week!
- O How Lovely Is The Evening (Intentional Touch Massage)
- Let your child learn about singing through you. Remember what Arthur Joseph - vocal coach to the stars says? His mission is to have EVERY PARENT SING WITHOUT JUDGEMENT OF THEMSELVES!
- Willie Willie Winkie (Exercise)
- Enjoy your 4 different vocal play voices in our new exercise: High, Low, Varied and Whisper
- Let's Go to the Wood (Toe & Finger Tickle) Voices
- High, Low, High, Low, High + KISSES!!!
- Skinnamarinky Dinky Dink I Love You (Love Language Dance)
- Enjoy of loving and cuddly free dance and be sue to STOP, SIGN & SING "I Love You!" Precious!
4) Continue to listen to your Dream Pillow CD
- Go to play.kindermusik.com and enter your own personal code on your play.kindermusik.com card in your Home Materials.
If this is your first time to visit, just enter your email and password - it's FREE and you will receive free music credits and a FREE packet with one activity for EVERY SONG - FUN!
5) Here are 3 Sign Language Websites for your reference throughout the semester. Bookmark them in your browser! 6) Just joining us? Read the Village Class Helpful Guide: Click here for your copy of Village Helpful Guidelines NOTE: If you are ever absent from class, please check the "Pick-up Table" outside our classrooms for items distributed that week. This week we distributed your Home Materials and Informational Packet. We put your materials out on the table the same day as your class. Come by and pick them up at your convenience. The church is open Monday - Thursday 9 am - 7pm and Friday 9- 11 am. JUST FOR YOU! Final Week of Priority Enrollment Begins Today! Week 1: December 3rd - 7th Reserve Your Same Day/Class/Time (Just sign the KISS sheet & leave REG Fee info) Week 2: December 8th - 14th Moving to Different Class or Curriculum or Adding a Sibling Click Here for Easy Online Enrollment  SPRING 2013 THEMES  
Click Here to For Pictures & Descriptions
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Can you Hold His Hand? Do you Know Her Name?
"A child's social competence and satisfaction cannot be viewed as isolated from the rest of her life." Studies show that children who participate in "some type of high-level intellectual activity at some time during the day" increase the "richness and complexity of their spontaneous play." The child who engages in meaningful activities "is less prone to be discontented in other areas of her life, including her social relationships."
Fostering Children's Social Competence: The Teacher's Role
by Lilian G. Katz and Diane E. McClellan
DEVELOPMENTAL BENEFIT OF THE WEEK
Invitation to "Social" Skills
Ah - Social skills. How is "social" defined? Webster's dictionary includes the following definitions:
of or relating to human society, the interaction of the individual and the group:
tending to form cooperative and interdependent relationships with others of one's kind :
Research shows a strong relationship between social skills learned early in childhood and success as an adult. Success has many definitions in its own right, but those moms whose children have graduated from Kindermusik programs consistently tout the successes of their children in all of their endeavors. Social skills are directly related to personal and professional success. Leadership, teamwork (ensemble/conforming), empathy, listening skills, and turn-taking are just a few of the skills/disciplines your child will learn through Kindermusik play, and the opportunity for your child to begin making choices that incorporate "social awareness" begin with our Our Time curriculum.
Remember, the socialization process often takes longer for the "observer learners" as they are so aware of everything around them and they will either want to ensure they are "safe" or want to "watch and learn." This creates a need for parent snuggling and we want you to "joyfully" honor hat need. The observer learner will bound away from you soon enough, and even sooner if we follow his/her lead. On the other hand, the highly "kinesthetic" learners want to move and touch anything and everything - even other children - so social contact for them, physically, is not a stretch, but they can be challenged when someone else has "something they want to touch or keep."
The Kindermusik classroom provides a safe, age-appropriate environment where your child is presented with many opportunities for social awareness in each class and opportunities for us to teach them in a manner appropriate for their learning style. If we follow your child wherever he/she begins, then eventually your child will choose the joy that accompanies the social activities. So enjoy our safe and nurturing environment as you educate your children about "social awareness" - a LEARNED skill that lasts a LIFETIME.
HOME ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS
1) Page 22-23: "SEQUENCING FUN!"
- Cut these "baking" cards apart, shuffle and play away.
- Great opportunity for "social" family fun over the holidays.
- Great cognitive development as well.
2) Sing and SOCIAL Dance to "Shake Hands Everyone" or "Lead Through That Sugar and Tea"
- You will most likely be meeting lots of family over the next 2 weeks, and sharing "social" dances with family is IDEAL PLAY with loads of developmental benefits!
3) Just joining us? Click here for your copy of Our Time Helpful Guidelines
- Please arrive 10 minutes before class. Be prepared to enter 5 minutes PRIOR to class time. Door will open @2-3 minutes prior. There is a MARKED difference with children who enter together and have plenty of time for transitioning, and those who arrive as the class is about to begin or after it has begun. We will Review and Share our Prior Weeks Home Activity Focus as well.
- Please let your educator know if early arrival is a challenge for you and she will help you with transitioning ideas.
- Please call your educator if circumstances arise and you need to miss a class.
- Your educator's phone number and email address are attached to your information first class packet.
4) Continue Listening to Both of your CD's
JUST FOR YOU!
Final Week of Priority Enrollment Begins Today!
Week 1: December 3rd - 7th Reserve Your Same Day/Class/Time (Just Sign the KISS form and leave REG FEE info)
Week 2: December 8th - 14th Move to Different Class or Curriculum or Add a Sibling
Click Here for EASY ONLINE ENROLLMENT
SPRING 2013 THEME
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IMAGINE THAT
Hello Weather, Let's Play Together!
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 Why Play? "Through play, the child comes to understand the world and the adult comes to understand the child." Early Childhood Education, Karen Menke Paciorek and Joyce Huth Munro editors, p.88. Simply put, play is the stuff learning is made of. Play is so important to the developing preschooler that without it, a child's cognitive development may be hindered. (Developmentally Appropriate Practice, by Carol Gestwicki, p. 262) Play allows children to be creative and provides a forum in which they can demonstrate their growing understanding of the world around them. Through play, children become active learners. Any curriculum that does not incorporate play for the Newborn to 7-year-old should be considered invalid and developmentally inappropriate. Play makes music learning more meaningful by connecting with the child's understanding and inner self in the most powerful of ways.
DEVELOPMENTAL FOCUS
Play - Play - Play
Learning through Play
Play is a critical component of the Imagine That! curriculum because play is the most developmentally appropriate medium through which children learn.
- "Play provides for all areas of a child's development."
- "Play emphasizes learning as an active/interactive process."
- "Play presents highly motivated opportunities for learning . . ."
- "Play allows for differences in developmental ability, interest, and learning style."
- "Play is measurable."-
Developmentally Appropriate Practice, by Carol Gestwicki, p. 248-250
Playing to Learn
Playing to learn is more than mindless manipulation of materials, props or instruments; children must be attentively interested and actively engaged in the play in order for active learning to be taking place. Effective transitions, careful presentation of an activity, leading questions and a thorough knowledge of the 3 to 5-year-old child are just a few of the many tools the teacher or parent needs to employ in order to help a child play to learn.
In the type of guided pretend play that is typical in Kindermusik lessons, you are actually teaching your child dramatic play skills - how to use objects and gestures as symbols. It may be surprising to note that these play skills have to be learned and practiced. It is not something mother nature has provided at birth. Cognitive skills are strengthened as your child learns to build images in his/her mind, the first step to abstract thinking.
Teaching through Play
If children learn through play, then we must all teach through play. Kindermusik is here to help teach you how to do just that! Your role is that of facilitator,
" ...setting the stage for the beginning point of play and resetting it as the play unfolds and develops." (Developmentally Appropriate Practice, by Carol Gestwicki, p. 252) "Setting the stage" starts with recognizing a "focus" of the activity, and continues with sensitive presentation of the activity. "Resetting it" involves adapting the activity to the need of your child, based on your own observation and on your child's interaction and responses.
The key is to have respectful and enthusiastic attitude through play. Ideas and concepts are subtly introduced, and information is given, not by telling, but rather by modeling, questioning, inviting and discussing. Don't worry about being perfect - go for it! Play in the Kindermusik classroom offers your child the opportunity to discover, explore, create and practice making his/her own sense of music and how it relates to other learning and experiences.
AT HOME FUN THIS WEEK
1) Family Activity Book Week # 12 - Page 15
Enjoy your joyful Play as your child Learns New Skills and Strengthens others.
2) Continue to read your book Hurry Home Little Kitten
3) Continue Listening to BOTH of your Home CD's
JUST FOR YOU!
Final Week of Priority Enrollment Begins Today!
Week 1: December 3rd - 7th Reserve Your Same Day/Class/Time (Just Sign KISS Sheet and leave REG Fee Info)
SPRING 2013 THEMED UNIT  |
MEET THE MALLETS
This week's class was a very special one - your child learned the proper way to hold the glockenspiel mallets and explored playing their own glockenspiel for the very first time! I'm sure you are wondering why we only distributed the mallets this week, and not the glockenspiel.
In order to ensure success playing the glockenspiel, it is very important that each child first thoroughly understand the way to hold the mallets and the way to use them to tap/bounce the glockenspiel keys. If we were to distribute the Glockenspiels this week as well, then your child's focus would then be on the bars and the sounds verses on the proper technique for holding and striking with mallets.
Please use Music at Home 13 to review the procedures with your child. This is one of the most important home-play steps, as your child's playing habits will be developed VERY QUICKLY, and if they learn to hold the mallets incorrectly, it will be difficult to change their habit in a playful manner. Have fun! Tap tables and cans, and even Mom & Dad's hands. Perhaps your child can draw an imaginary glockenspiel on which to tap away! FUN!!!
Next week we will explore more glockenspiel sounds AND you will receive your Glockenspiels to begin our keyboard, two-handed, skill development fun!
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Ensemble - Music's term for Organized Social Interaction
The skills utilized to play in an organized ensemble are to integrated: Self-Control, Taking Instruction, Memorization,
Two-Handedness (Right/Left Balanced Brain), Eye-Hand Coordination, Listening Skills, Vocal Skills, Reading Skills, Independence (multi-part), focused attention, and so much more. Is it any wonder that children who graduate from Kindermusik consistently are leaders in any activity in which they choose to engage? Exciting!
HOME ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS
1) Music At Home Card 13 "Meet The Mallets'"
- Learn our Mallet Poem and learn to hold Percussion Mallets. This training will transfer to all percussion instruments your child will play inthe future.
- Read this Introduction to the Glockenspiel
- Decide whether to purchase a Glockenpiel Case - Read This Flyer
- Continue playing with melodies (Hi - Lo) and Rhythms (see below)
- REMINDER: Bring Mallets to next class.
2) Continue Rhythm Play (Red Envelope - 8 cards)
3 WAYS TO PLAY
- 1-2 Clap & Read (Parent writes Rhythm for child)
- 1-2 Write this Rhythm (1-2 Check your Rhythm)
- Child creates rhythm for parent to Write
- Be sure to initial the backs of each of your child's cards.
- Reminder: Everything in the "Games Bag" is a GAME. Smile, enjoy, and keep it playful and fun.
3) Write a rhythm to show everyone at class
- Children who put pencil to paper have greater integration of spatial temporal reasoning, because the process is creative and it includes fine motor, where just taking dictation or creating with cards does not engage the same areas of brain.
- Be sure to encourage your little one to use all 3 rhythms at some point: ti-ti, tah, & sh
- Developing patterns with rhythms is fabulous as well. Had a little boy turn in 8 measures. The first 4 and the last 4 were identical. EXCITING!
4) Listen, Listen, Listen & Sing Along to your CD!
JUST FOR YOU!
Final Week of Priority Enrollment Begins Today!
Week 1: December 3rd - 7th Reserve Your Same Day/Class/Time (Just sign KISS sheet and leave REG Fee Info)
SPRING 2013
Young Child 2
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THE WORLD OF DANCE: "The Nutcracker"
Literature and music are a natural duo! This year's Scripp's 2012 Spelling Bee Champion approached the microphone "Calm and Confident" said the new announcement. It is not surprise that Snigdha Nandipati plays the violin well and can speak two languages. The greatest percentage of the top spellers in the world enjoy making music as well! This week, we explore the world of literature merged with music in our first study of ballet (story told with music and dance).
Literature and Music:
- Include melodic and rhythmic elements.
- Include a balance between repetition and variation.
- Increase spatial/Temporal reasoning
- Require and develop memory.
- Include sequential and patterning elements
- Develop self-control & discipline
 This "duo" is exemplified with the classical ballet and story of The Nutcracker. The Nutcracker ballet, written by the Russian composer Peter Illich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) and based on the book by E.T.A Hoffman, is one of the most famous ballets in the world. In class this week, we learned the 5 ballet positions, the triple meter Waltz of the Flower, the Russian Dancers excerpt with the extremely difficult dance position, and the story and characters of The Nutcracker. The children learned that a ballet is a "story told with only music, dance and costumes/sets." It was fun for them to move through the entire class without using their voices. WOW - they have truly learned incredible self-control! To further your child's interest in The Nutcracker, visit your local library and check out books or DVD's about the Nutcracker. Some book titles and authors are listed on your Music at Home 43 card.
Follow this link to Nutcracker fun and info!
HOME ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS
1) Complete Home Activity #43 "Ballet - the Nutcracker" and "Mallet Dance"
- Read above and follow instructions on your MAH card.
- Play the Mallet Dance, with our new Crossing Mallets movement
- Continue to Flashcard review of NOTES
- Continue to Flashcard review of RHYTHMS
- Playing by EAR on the dulcimer, glockenspiel, and the keyboard (piano/electric keyboard)
- 5 Songs that transfer well: Lucy Locket, Bell Horses, Mouse Mousie, Go To Sleepy, Twinkle Twinkle (1st line)
If you and your child are experiencing some resistance to "play," let's chat. It is perfectly normal, and we have solutions. Research also shows that just by your child being present in the Kindermusik classroom, they have the opportunity for their IQ's to increase. Research shows a 28% increase in children who merely ATTEND vs. those children not coming to Kindermusik., and that is with NO PRACTICE! AMAZING! PRICELESS!
2) Listen, Listen, Listen to your Home CD
- This will help your child's ability to both sing on pitch and also for us to use the music to teach concepts.
JUST FOR YOU!
Final Week of Priority Registration Begins Today!
Week 1: December 3rd - 7th Reserve Your Same Day/Class/Time (Just sign the KISS form and leave REG Fee Info)
Week 2: December 8th - 14th Move to Different Class or Curriculum or Add a Sibling
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ELITE ARTISTRY
Premier Private Music Lessons
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Elite Artistry
Premier Music Instruction
Piano, Voice, Violin, Guitar
WINTER RECITAL THIS SUNDAY 2PM!
Time for final preparations of our pieces for our recital on Sunday. This is an exciting time! We had a preview of our recital at our Master class this past Wednesday. I can't wait to hear your children on Sunday. Suggested attire is dress up!
In addition to the annual Winter Recital this Sunday, December 9 at 2pm, many of the Elite Artistry students have volunteered to perform at Hyland Park Assisted Living in Sun Prairie on Thursday December 13 at 6pm. What a wonderful opportunity to gain invaluable performing experience, confidence as a musician, and most importantly, to share the joy and fun that music brings with others.
Two of our Elite Artistry teachers will also be spreading a little musical joy this holiday season. On December 14 at 4pm and December 15 at 2pm, Miss Marta and Mr. Ed will be performing at the Dane County Airport. They will be performing a fun array of music for all the holiday travelers passing through!
In addition to the many performances, Miss Marta will be showcasing and selling her upcycled piano crafts at the Waunakee Craft Fair, at Waunakee High School, on Saturday December 17 from 9am-3pm. Miss Marta takes parts of pianos that are no longer usable in a functioning piano and recycles them into lovely items. She makes shelves, necklaces, brooches, holiday art, pendants, and ornaments all out of discarded piano parts! 2012 - 2013 CALENDAR Sept: 10, 17, 24 October: 1, 8,15, Master Class, 29 November: 5, 12, 26 December: Master Class, 10, 17, Recital 9th January: 7, Master Class, 21, 28 February: 4, 11, 18, Master Class March: 4, 11, 18 April: 1, 8, Master Class, 22, 29 May: 6, 13, 20, Master Class June: Recital & Awards Banquet - 2nd
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SEPTEMBER 2012
- September 4th: Fall Semester Begins (Tuesday thru Monday week)
OCTOBER 2012
NOVEMBER 2012
- November 19th - 23rd: Thanksgiving Break
DECEMBER 2012
- December 3rd - 7th: Spring Semester Priority Enrollment Week #1
- December 8th - 14th: Spring Semester Priority Enrollment Final Wk
- December 15th: Registration Opens to Public
- December 24th - Jan 4th: Christmas/New Year Break
JANUARY 2013
- January 14th: Fall Semester Ends
FEBRUARY 2013
- February 5th: Semester Begins (Tuesday thru Monday week)
MARCH 2013
- March 18th - 22nd: Closed for Spring Break (Monday thru Friday)
APRIL 2013
- April 9th - 15th: Summer Camp Priority Discount Enrollment
- April16th: Summer Camp Open Enrollment to Public
MAY 2013
- May 6th - 17th: Fall Semester Priority Discount Enrollment
- May 18th: Fall Semester Open Enrollment to Public
- May 27th: Closed in Observance of Memorial Day
- May 28th - 31st: Final Tuesday thru Thursday Classes
JUNE 2013
- June 6th: Graduation 4:45 - 7:45 (Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall)
- June 10th: Final Monday Village, Our Time and Imagine That Classes
- June 11th: Early Summer Camps Begin
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WEATHER ALERTS
STUDIO CLOSURES
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HOW WILL YOU KNOW WHEN CLASS IS CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER?
Tune in to the following for announcement or join our VIP TEXT CLUB to receive weather notices:
TEXT: LOVEKIDS
TO: 36000
Radio: WTDY 1670 AM, WMGN 98 FM, WZEE 104 FM
TV: WKOW-27, WISC-3
- If the Waunakee Schools are CLOSED, then Musical Pathways classes will be canceled as well.
- If the Waunakee School district is having LATE START there will be no change to our class schedule.
- If the Waunakee School district calls EARLY RELEASE, then the EVENING classes will be canceled.
- If the Waunakee School District cancels their evening sports activities, then the EVENING classes will be canceled.
As is common practice, cancellations due to weather or other circumstances beyond Musical Pathways' control will not receive a credit. On the other hand, either make-up classes will be offered or credits will be applied for cancellations due to teacher illness or absence. If you would like to visit an alternate class as a make-up, please call 849-9712 or email Miss Andrea to schedule. How we will communicate: Should classes be canceled, we will send an announcement via Constant Contact email and a TEXT to our LOVEKIDS club. Want to join our TEXT CLUB, then just text LOVEKIDS and you are in. The radio and television stations are constantly updating their cancellations as well, so be sure to look for Waunakee Schools postings. Evening activity cancellations are not always listed on TV, so please do consult your email for a notice of cancellation of our evening classes. We will also consult State and County Travel Advisory's to make our decision about Evening Class Cancellations.
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Musical Pathways Foundation
DIRECTORY
We are a Charitable Foundation that exists to aid families through the education of parents, children and grandparents. Our desire is to educate the early child 0-7, youth 8-18, parents and grandparents in whole child development, childhood behavioral management, and senior quality of life attainment. We rely on the financial support of both individual benefactors and corporate contributions. If you are able to help us in our mission, please click here and we will contact you, or click here to go to our website to make a donation . If you would like to contact one of our team via email, just click their name below. Betsy Flanagan, Director 608-576-6688 Miss Andrea, Administrative Asst 608-849-9712 Miss Amy, Kindermusik Educator 608-345-6030 Miss Jen, Kindermusik Educator 608-332-2924 Miss Katherine Rush, Kindermusik Educator & Violin Instructor 608-669-2256 Miss Renee, Kindermusik and ABC Educator 608-219-9480
Marta Hansen, Piano & Voice Instructor 608-616-2563 Heath Rush, Voice Instructor 608-669-2256 Ed Ford, Piano, Voice & Guitar Instructor 517-643-1935 |
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