Thanks, Gila. I just signed up. If you could see if you have an extra Fiddle collection, that would make Corey very happy. He needs a complete set to carry around. By the way, I think it was last week, I was singing from one of the books at bedtime and when I was done with one of the songs, Corey said, "Mommy, you used to sing that to me when I was a baby!"

Gila -
I don't even know where to begin to thank you for everything you have taught me in the last 18 months. I always knew music would be a big part of our child's life but I did not know how to participate in her music education until I began going to Music Together^®. The joy that you have brought to my family cannot be measured.


See you next month!
Love,
Julie

I am a professional flutist who has taken all 3 of my kids to Ms. Gila and Music Together including my now 2 year old who is going on Sundays with my 4 1/2 year old. My kids sing all the songs throughout the house and my 2 year old will make up words or hum the tunes in her crib when she thinks no one is listening. My 4 1/2 year old son can match any pitch and does not even know how cool that is. I give Ms. Gila all the credit.

Gila, You and your class have opened up new worlds for our entire family. I have felt embraced and empowered and affirmed as a parent from your teachings and open-mindedness and celebrating differences and developmental appropriateness. My son shows much sensitivity to the world and whenever we sing or play your music, peace washes over his whole being and he shines with smiles, freedom, creativity, joy and love! I've seen it over and over. It's been especially helpful during difficult transitions, interacting with others, separation times, developing independence. And he tries new things from dancing to tapping to drumming to vocalizations and imitations of sounds and words. I can't thank you enough for such a wonderful gift of a lifetime!

Whenever Marcus fusses while I change his diaper, I just start singing the "Hello Song", and he smiles and starts slapping his thighs. Then I can change him. It's sooo cute! (Marcus is 8 months)

Dear Ms. Gila,

I am not sure if you remember us at all.... I used to attend the Sunday class with Romil and sometimes Mitali (older daughter) would join in... I am pretty sure we did about 8 terms with you and absolutely loved it.... Well, Romil is almost 6 and Mitali will soon turn 11. (I did Music together with her in Hong Kong as well when she was small.) We moved to Singapore some time back and we continue to enjoy all our old Music Together material. Romil has been playing the piano now for a year and can play some of the songs from the books! We have fond memories of our sessions with you, making music and your newsletter prompted me to write and say THANK YOU! Your passion for making music a way of life has stayed with us and although we have moved, we think of you and remember you fondly!

Hope you and your family are doing well. We are hoping to visit South Africa next year and will contact you for some tips!

You know in one of the music together cd's the track that goes Baaaaaaa, ba ba ba ba over and over again? We were out in California and spent a lot of time in the car driving around. Thank goodness we brought our cd collection for miss J. All of a sudden out of nowhere started going baaaaaaaa, ba ba. it was a cute shreiky high "ba" but it was adorable and now does it all the time. And last weekend, J was sitting with rob and he was singing trot old joe and when he said "he rides better then any horse i know" Jordan went "ahhhhhh" where we would say "whoaaaaa joe" but in the same notes. Jordan - MT student since 4 months old is now One.

"My son has autism and has been going to Frances' class for 3 weeks now and all I can say is "WOW!" It is incredible the impact the class is having on him. He tries to talk more, the songs he is learning are expanding his vocabulary and his imitation skills have improved GREATLY. He also seems so comfortable with the other children. We feel so welcome in her class. Honestly, I never felt like my child was any different to the others and I know he feels just as comfortable. It is one of the few mainstream activities where I can take my child and be relaxed, have a lot of fun and at the same time know he is benefiting during that hour just as much as if he was in a speech or OT session. I highly reccomend it.

Gila, I am writing to thank you for leading our class (Thursday 10:30 am). Silas and I loved our time with you and the others.
Your joy and skill inspired us to register for Music Together here in our new state, NC. Thank you again for all your hard work and sharing.

I thought you would love to know that when we went grocery shopping today, Asher just started singing (and very loudly of course!) our rhthym patterns in the produce section, and it didn't take long for Kajsa to join in! This is how it started...

"Strawberry, strawberry, yum, yum!" (repeat, repeat, repeat)

"Potato, potato, potato, yuck, yuck!" (repeat, repeat)

...and lasted the whole shopping trip!

We will look forward to seeing you soon! I have really enjoyed watching Lauren's musical interest grow over the past few months. I think your program is just amazing. See you soon and Happy Holidays to you as well!

I have been going to Music Together with my twins since they were 6 months old. They are now 2 1/2 (7 sessions) We have had several different teachers. Each teacher brought unique talents to the classes. Our children got exposed to different instruments, voices, and styles. These differences allowed my children to experience music through different lenses. As a result they have flourished musically - singing and dancing and inventing instruments throughout the day. I want to encourage all Music Together families to try a new teacher.

My two year old son LOVES Music Together! We listen to it 24/7 - in both the car and the house! He especially loves to listen to the “run” song (Rig-a-Jig Jig), as we literally run circles around the house. He can’t stop talking about Gila – I think he may have a crush on her!

I just wanted to share a Music Together moment we had this week...Yesterday I was cleaning up in the kitchen and noticed the kids were very quiet, so I looked over and Ian and Ainsley were both sitting on the rug in the living room with legs crossed, patting their knees like we do in the "Hello Song"! So I went over and sat down with them and we sang "Hello Everybody" saying hello to everything in the room (Barbie, Elmo, the couch, etc.!). Ainsley patted her knees the whole time as did Ian, who also sang every word, even though he'll NEVER do it in class! Maybe this week!

Use the talents you possess, for the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except the best.

Gila is a great teacher! I really enjoyed how interactive she is with everyone. She made us feel very welcome, and comfortable. Thanks again!

Do not neglect your music. It will be a companion which will sweeten many hours of life to you.

I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy; but most importantly music, for in the patterns of music and all the arts are the keys of learning.

Music Together was so much fun and was such a wonderful influence in our family's life when our children were younger. They're teenagers now, but we're still using the lessons we learned about enjoying music together. Now, we sing and dance and bridge the generation gap with Beatles RockBand! Thanks for introducing us to the value of music in the family. Diane C ........... North Dallas