How do you go about it? Let me help! I’ve been a Kindermusik Educator for a few years now, but have a degree in Vocal Performance studying opera. Just last year I performed with the Tacoma Opera company. I love children and I love music. Getting to introduce my love for opera to children is a passion for me. In fact, I did several operas in elementary schools while I was in college. They loved when we performed short Opera scenes for them, and they were the best audience a performer could ever have.

They laugh when it’s funny, show concern when it’s sad, and if there happens to be a big bad wolf in the story, they make sure to let the piggies know he is close by!! If you have school-aged children you might look into Northwest Opera in Schools, Etcetera (NOISE), and other groups that bring opera into the schools (Seattle Opera has had a program). You can set it up for them to come to your school!

For preschoolers, there are lots of ways to introduce them to opera. If you allow your child to watch a little TV during the day, there is a great show called Wonder Pets on Nick Jr. This is a show for preschoolers that has the feel of Operetta -a lighter version of opera with a frivolous story and some spoken dialogue. In Wonder Pets there is orchestral music throughout the show, and most of the dialogue is sung, rather than spoken.  You can watch it right here:

Since it’s not easy or wise to take a 2-5 year old to the opera, you can find videos of operas to watch at home, or books to read. Your children will be entranced by the big sets and costumes. They can dress up like the characters and use different voices for different singers – all things preschoolers love! Here is a link to a list of operas your children might enjoy and recommendations of productions to view.

The most practical way to introduce children to opera is through CDs. Now don’t just sit and listen, get up and let the music move you! There’s music in every opera that will make any child want to get up and run around the room. So, get up and move with them. The Humming Chorus from Madame Butterfly will have you flying like butterflies. There are softer musical moments that are fun to “fall asleep” to; snoring is a must! Here’s a great compilation of operatic works to march, dance and fly to.

You can also teach and experience emotions through music; a sad musical motif  can have you and your child weeping and wailing oh so silly-like. Use a scarf to dance around the room and weep and wail. Don’t forget to blow your silly noses! Light and happy sounding music will get you on your tip toes bouncing around the room. Of course, there are plenty of intense musical moments in opera that can be scary (show them your best scaredy-cat face), or creepy (creep around the room as if you are going to sneak up on someone). So don’t be afraid to move to the music, be silly and have a great time instilling a life-long love of music!

-posted by Miss Stacey, who leaves you with this quote: “To be completely and comprehensively educated means having a background in the arts. By introducing students to opera, we build and sustain cultural intelligence. … Passing on knowledge and understanding about the power of opera to communicate universal themes, ideas, and emotions ultimately enhances and betters our society….” – Dr. Joseph Piro, Associate Professor Curriculum & Instruction, Long Island University

I bought this lovely “device” called The Freedom Trainer. You can find it online at their website or any retail site like Amazon or Diapers.com. We had a small/portable potty seat, but he likes this toilet better. Why? I believe there are many reasons, but the most important is that Isaac can use the same potty Mommy uses! Our children love to do what we do; cooking (all those toy kitchens out there), cleaning (toy vacuums), etc. I guess even pottying makes the list.

Isaac also love that he can climb up and down on his own, and he relishes that independence! There are handles on the sides to help him feel steady. He’s so confident on it, that when it is time for him to poop (which he has done several times already) he says “bye-bye” to us, to shoo us out of the bathroom. We shut the door, and he uses the potty all by himself. Isaac yells at us when he is done (“help please!”), and he’s so proud of his accomplishment! 

Now, we may have a magical child that is able to be trusted in a bathroom by his lonesome, but I am sure he is not the only one. That is why I thought I would share our new favorite potty with you. Isaac didn’t like the tiny portable potty. He didn’t like the potty books, but he does like the Freedom Trainer! 

I love it because I don’t have to clean out a potty chair. We just flush the toilet and are done!

-posted by Miss Stacey, who hopes potty training will continue to be a breeze (HA!).

We always have spirited music playing in the background, and we love to bring out instruments to play along. Sometimes you’ll find bubbles, scarves, exploring centers, and crafts (for the preschoolers) at Open Play.  It’s always a good way to spend a couple of hours, meeting new friends in a warm, safe, clean and dry spot.

Open Play is open to the public. You don’t have to be a Kindermusik student to come! It’s just $5 for one child up to two hours, and $4 each for two or more children.

You can find our schedule online at www.meetup.com/studio3music. Come play with us soon!!

While you’re at the RTC you can grab a coffee at Tully’s Café and let your children play in the Sensory Garden. There’s lots of shopping and restaurants available too. Come play with us at Open Play and then head over to Ruby’s Dinner for a meal. Children eat free every Tuesday.

-posted by Miss Stacey, who looks forward to playing with you!

It turns out this book has become a favorite for many. In fact, there’s a musical version performed in libraries and theatres across the U.S.  It’s a real hit. Why? Put simply, it rhymes.  Rhyming is so pleasant to hear, especially when you use silly words like Llama and Pajama!

When a book makes a child giggle from a wonderfully funny combination of words, there is fun, learning, and growth in the best possible way. I know I am more passionate about things that make me giggle. When I am having fun, I learn and grow the most! In the midst of all the fun, children develop a love of language, build listening skills and increase their attention spans.  Basically, priming them for success in school and beyond.

I think it’s exciting to know that as we sit in our favorite rocking chair and pull out “nam nam” to read and giggle through, there is such an impact on my son’s life. I have so much fun and he has a blast. Then there’s the one on one attention he receives each time we sit down to read about that baby Llama and his Mama. Isaac feels safe and secure and I know that has so many benefits.  The most important benefit in my book?   Building his self-esteem!

-posted by Miss Stacey, who is going to go read “nam nam” for the 12th time today!

It is with great excitement that, I (Miss Stacey) announce that I will soon be in an Opera production!  You are all invited to attend.  You probably have ideas of what Opera is like.   You picture very loud, humdrum singing with overly dramatic vocalists portraying the most unrealistic characters and storyline imaginable.  Well, you’re partly correct, but it’s not humdrum by any means. It is very enjoyable! The show I’ll be in is especially audience friendly and full of variety.  We will

I dream of one day standing on the open stage of a big name Opera house singing the glorious role of Carmen.  Really, any role they might give me at first would be great!  At the end of this month, I come one step closer to that dream. I will perform with the Tacoma Opera Company in a production of A Midwinter Night’s Dream on January 31^st at 8PM and February 1^st at 2PM. Buy tickets online or call 253-627-7789.

Parents, I do have lofty dreams of filling a ginormous Opera theatre with only the sheer strength of my own organic PA system (diaphragm, lungs, etc). But that dream will not take me away from your adorable children for many moons, if ever (my employers breathe a huge sigh of relief).J

I do hope you’ll come and enjoy a laugh or two. You’ll see your teacher play the roles of Juliet and Romeo in various versions of Romeo and Juliet. How can I play them both, you wonder? You’ll just have to come and see!

-posted by Miss Stacey, who offers you “comedy and tragedy, tears and laughter, darkness and light” through Opera.