Kids Creative Arts Groups
Teaching Values in the Wilderness
Creative Arts Workshop
For Families & Children 6-10 years
June 17-20, 2024
click below to enroll:
Americana Music Academy
Teaching Values in the Wilderness is a co-creative journey intended for children to experience a deep understanding of the values that support us all on our life journey. This original collection of stories features all kinds of characters that speak to the imagination. These unsuspecting characters lend us an opportunity to experience these valuable lessons as if they were happening firsthand. Through mindful experiences, and the state of a creatively opened mind and heart, this series gently prepares the individual to strengthen, apply and recognize the importance of individual personal values. Multi-Media Activities and Discussion Guides are included in the teaching set.
Music Immersion Groups
Musical Minds 3-6 years &
Crayons to Cadenzas 7-12 years
Song, dance, movement, rhythm, and rhyme are still among the most popular pursuits of children. As music is able to effectively capture the child’s attention, learning takes place on both a functional and emotional or imaginative level, which intensifies the educational experience. Have you ever thought about how the brain can store and recall thousands of songs? During musical activities, both hemispheres of the brain and several regions within converse and operate in harmony. The available research of the effects of music in learning and relearning show that musical activities serve as one of the most powerful avenues to memory and understanding.
Music is made up of concepts that easily adapt to further academics, listening skills, motor development, self expression, social interaction, and daily living skills. Musical Minds is designed to introduce children to musical and educational concepts through use of piano, guitar , rhythm instruments, wind instruments, and other educational aids. Musically speaking, the youngest participants should expect to gain understanding of simple rhythmic concepts, call and response songs, and musical variations, such as dynamics, tempo, and style. Older participants will benefit from learning how to recognize musical notes on the staff and keyboard, participate in improvisation, and age appropriate composition to promote expression & musicality. Educationally speaking, sessions will reinforce current academic curriculum, including letters/reading, numbers/counting, sequencing, opposites, colors, turn taking, social interaction, listening skills, and more.
Teaching Philosophy:
Musical Minds, Crayons to Cadenzas & Teaching Values in the Wilderness were created by Holly Taylor with these intentions: "Within the context of music and the creative arts, each participant is invited to enjoy the process of self expression and gain new understandings. May we all develop a love of learning and the values of caring."
Notes on the Wonders of Music:
Positive musical experiences in childhood allow children to develop an artistic perspective on life and can greatly enhance their ability to be self expressed. Learning the language of music has also shown to increase coordination of the mind-body connection. Through music, kids have opportunities to refine their spatial and organizational awareness, exercise gross & fine motor skills, refine social skills and enhance self esteem.