I just wanted to send you a note to tell you how much Jaxon and I are 
enjoying class. I have really noticed a difference in him when there is 
music playing. He loves to dance and sing. Thanks Again.  -Lisa J., Rosemount

Teacher Chris,

Thank you so much for the wonderful music class.  Hunter has been so lucky to have been exposed to music in such a fun and exciting way and with such a great teacher.  When we go home and sing the songs we have such a fun time finding "instruments" around the house, making up our own verses and laughing at Hunter sing "Caw".  It has been a blast to see him grow musically in a family that was not that musical.  Thank you for the wonderful classs, your fun and energetic personality and your love for music.  It shines through everything you do.  -Dana B., Burnsville

Chris,

I think AJ is having music class withdrawal... we listened to the "Hello Song" (on repeat) the entire way to work this morning. :)  You are not going to believe how much he is chattering these days!  I meant to drop you a note before and express my thanks!  AJ has learned so much from being in your class.  Nick and I are so thankful that you have been able to enrich AJ's life in such a positive way.  He is always making music or walking around singing and dancing.  Thank you!  - Jamie P., W. St. Paul

Chris,

Orlando and I look forward to class every Monday and he is so cooperative when I say things like, "let me put on your shirt. Teacher Chris wants all the children to arrive wearing shirts."

When we started I knew Orlando would benefit from class, but I did not expect to actually see the benefits. I thought it would be one of those things that you just know in your heart that it is the right thing without the satisfaction of immediate and concrete results. I was totally wrong. There are so many things to list; I hope I can remember a few on not quite enough sleep. 

Clasroom skills: returning a borrowed item willingly; respect for the teacher; waiting his turn; constructive participation and following directions; good behavior towards other children (of course we are still working on all of these things, but I have been happily surprised at how much he is learning, even at his age)

Music skills; he can find the beat in music and can move his body or bang/shake something to the beat; class is helping to foster a love of music; he imitates aspects of singing, sometimes a note, sometimes the cadence; he sometimes sings to himself; he loves to dance

Verbal skills; he will sometimes listen with concentration on a song for a while and try to repeat a word in the song, in English or Spanish

The class give me ideas for activities at home.

Orlando comes up with creative ways to use everyday objects as instruments. 

Sometimes he sees the slightly older children do things, and then he imitates and learns. When he was learning to walk, some of his first independent steps were in class.

I could go on, if I had more time to remember the things I've noticed. 

Not only is class really fun, I consider it to be an important element in Orlando's development.

Chris, you are an outstanding teacher. Thank you for all that you do!

Sincerely,

Daphne O., NE MPLS

Chris,

I must say that I was "open minded but not expecting much" when I first signed up and attended your class. It was highly referred by a friend and I figured that everything is worth a try at least once. Brennan was about 10-1/2 months old when the class first started and spent the majority of the time "eating" the instruments but I have seen him transform so much over the past couple of months. We listen to the CD in the car every morning on our way to daycare and now I have the other CD in his bedroom. He especially lights up with a huge smile when he hears the "Hello Song" (among others). He recently started to "wiggle" and pat his hands on his legs to the beat of the music. This has been a great experience and something we look forward to every week. Thank you so much!  -Brandy G., St. Paul

"Thank you, Teacher Chris!  We listen to the CD at home and in the car, and Lizzie has even started playing piano using the music books!  We often pretend we're in music class with Lizzie as the teacher and her stuffed animals (and her little sister) as the class.  To us, music is play, music is friends, and it teaches us about people and places.  Thanks for being our guide." - Meg N., MPLS

I wanted to tell you that Sarah got her pianos yesterday. We had a big Hanukkah party at my mom's. As soon as Sarah could get her fingers on the keys, she started singing Hello Everybody, it was awesome.  Thank you for being a fantastic teacher my daughter has really benefited from it. - Terrie, Mendota Heights

Hi Chris, 

I wanted to share a story with you regarding the impact music class has had on us. Not sure if you are aware but Owen has Down Sydrome. So there are many things that take him longer to learn. One of them has been speech and all that goes along with it.

We listen to the CD you gave us daily. We happened to be in the ER one night due to a battle with croup and I was trying to keep Owen happy so I started singing the frog song, I had a little frog his name was tiny tim, etc. Once I finished Owen said ba ba ba ba ba ba ba. To the melody. It really is the first time he has figured out how to sing along. 

One of the reasons I signed up for your class was his love of music. And for that one skill alone that he picked up, it was really a great experience.

Thanks! -Krista Specht, Savage