A couple weekends ago, Mrs. Wallyhood and Baby Z went to a two-year-old’s birthday party at a friend’s house over here in East Wallingford. The hit of the party was a Jana Vitols, a children’s music teacher who led a round of singing and banging for the chillun’ and adults alike. It was quite a hoot, as there’s nothing a kid likes more than clapping and singing (aside, of course, from the raw carnal pleasure of putting one’s own foot in one’s mouth).
So it was with her cred established that we received a note from Jana letting us know about the classes she offers for parents and children through the Phinney Neighborhood Center. From her blog:
Using songs, storybooks, puppets, games, percussion instruments and folk dances, early childhood music teacher Jana Vitols disguises music education in a costume of play. She shares her enthusiasm for music, accompanying classes on violin, banjo and guitar.
Children engage in imaginative musical activities, develop rhythmic, melodic and improvisational skills and are introduced to musical concepts such as pitch, meter, tempo, and dynamics. Music for Everyone classes are a joyful way for children to grasp the primary concepts inherent in music while discovering their own unique musical expression.
The classes start April 6 in a 10-week series running through June 15. Check out her web site for more info.
In our imagination, she’s accompanying classes on violin, banjo and guitar simultaneously.
Jana rocks!!
🙂 Forgot to mention that Jana Vitols also does weekly music classes at Wallingford Childcare Center. As a former teacher there, I had the pleasure of participating in a great many of Jana’s classes. She is an excellent musician and singer, and actively engages the kids with puppets, finger play, movement, instruments and singing along. ‘Jana day’ (Tuesdays) are looked forward to by the kids the whole rest of the week. Many kids learn to say ‘Jana’ before they master their teachers’ or classmates’ names. Kids who are shy about participating in Jana’s class are still spellbound by her, esp. when she plays her instruments. Jana herself is very kind and humble about her talents. Kids seem to sense her kindness and to open up to her very easily. I highly recommend ANY event that Jana is a part of.