The exclusive, internationally recognized early childhood music and movement program, Music Together® is coming to the Soo Theatre in Sault Sainte Marie, MI, and will be taught by renowned opera singer Sarah Gartshore. STP/STARS, located at 534 Ashmun St, will be offering the Music Together classes starting Thursday, Oct. 20th.
Music Together is designed for babies through age 5 and their parents, and the curriculum and teaching methodology is based on the latest scientific research on how young children develop and learn. Besides its obvious benefit of being fun for children and supporting the development of music skills, music involvement at an early age supports social development, language development, fine motor skills, creativity and a healthy, positive approach toward learning. Classes are structured to allow children to learn through imitation by the model of their parents and caregivers.
Sarah Gartshore says “When children see their parents and other children in the class joyfully singing, making music with rhythm sticks, egg shakers, etc. and dancing to the beat, they respond in musical ways and develop a lifelong love of music.”The idea of supporting families so they make music together regularly is one of the hallmark traits of Music Together. Enrolled families receive a songbook and CD that corresponds with the music that is used in class; a new song collection every semester. STARS Coordinator Maggie Twining says “Many parents think they are not musical and so are hesitant to explore music education as an option for their children. But Music Together is as much for the parent as for the child. With the leadership of a trained Music Together teacher and the book and CD to support music making at home, you can’t go wrong. During the class, we teach lots of musical ways to interact within one another and show how you can replicate the fun activities at home all week long!”
Sarah Gartshore has recently relocated to the Sault area, and is currently residing in her hometown of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Sarah has been seen on the Soo Theatre stage in the opera Don Giovanni with the Soo Opera in 2015 playing the role of Donna Elvira. Sarah also teaches voice at the Algoma Conservatory of Music. A mother of two young children, Sarah understands and has a personal passion for early childhood music education. Her desire to involve her children in music from an early age is what prompted her to take the Music Together training. We are thrilled to have Sarah as our STARS Music Together instructor.
STP/STARS Music Together will hold an 8-week fall session starting Thursday, October 20th. Classes will run weekly at 10am, 45 minutes per session. Pre-registration is recommended, as class size is limited. Call STARS (906) 632-1930 or email sootheatre@gmail.com to register or for more information. www.sootheatre.org
