Music Center continues to teach importance of music

SPARTA — Research proves that just as we are all born with the potential to speak our native language, we are all born with enough music ability to learn to sing in tune and move in time, as long as parents and other primary caregivers provide an adequate music environment during early childhood.
Local Music Together Center Director Heather Donnelly, owner of Sing A Song NJ LLC., has made it her mission to spread the importance and pure joy of music making for families after taking over the Center in 2014.
Donnelly has been trying to make Music Together as accessible for both working parents, stay-at–home parents and caregivers as possible. She even offers piano lessons, guitar lessons, voice lessons and acting classes for her Music Together “graduates” starting at age 5 to keep the active music experience going.
“All children are born with an aptitude for music,” said Donnelly. “It’s the exposure between birth and age 5 that will shape your child’s ability to participate comfortably in music throughout their lives. I want caregivers to have every opportunity to give the gift of music to their little ones. So we decided to offer classes 7 days a week at three locations starting the week of Jan. 9.”
Research suggests that even parents who cannot sing in tune can still provide their child with a positive disposition for music-making. In addition, singing and dancing together can be an important way to bond with your child.
“Keep in mind it is not about how good a singer you are,” says Donnelly, “What’s important is that you model the enjoyment of making music yourself. Some adults feel self-conscious about their own singing and dancing and some may think they need to be a great singer or musician in order to be a good musical role model.”
Donnelly has also started providing a live Story time to her families and any family who would like to participate on the Sing A Song NJ Facebook page.
“It was one of those things that I wanted to try”, admits Donnelly. I was worried no one would tune in, but by the end we had over 1.9K views, 20 shares, and 120 comments. It is truly humbling when families are essentially inviting you into their home to be a part of a nighttime routine.”
For more information visit www.singasongnj.com for the Music Together program in Sparta, and Hampton, or call 973-400-8719 about piano, voice, guitar and acting lessons.