Registration is now open for Katy’s Musikal Magik.
The early childhood music classes are the most popular offering at the Green Lake Community Center (7201 E Green Lake Dr N), according to Jeff Skinner, the facility’s former Coordinator.
Green Lake classes include Infant Music Development, Toddler Music Development, Preschool Music Development, World Music Appreciation for Kids, Spanish Music with ASL, and Musical Sign in ASL. The program’s second winter session begins this week. Class information and registration details can be found on Katy’s website.
In addition to Green Lake classes, you can find the program at the Phinney Neighborhood Center (6532 Phinney Ave N), the Ballard Community Center (6020 28th Ave NW), and the Northgate Community Center (10510 5th Ave NE).
Green Lake mom and marketing professional Cat Burns is a fan of Katy’s Musikal Magik. She shared the following video with us, as well as a short interview she did with teacher Katy Webber.
*What started your career teaching children?
In my senior year at Cornish College of the Arts I answered an ad posted on the job board at school for a music club teacher at First Place School in the Central District. My contact was Gretta Harley, now a friend of mine, and she walked me through my first experiences of putting a music class together. She also introduced me to Dalcroze Eurhythmics, a type of early childhood music education, and I ended up interning for a couple of workshops. It was amazing watching the teachers work with toddlers teaching them the fundamentals of music through dance and song using classical music! I had to have more!
Immediately after graduation I began teaching toddler music class at the North Kirkland Community Center and became a visitor service coordinator at the Seattle Symphony’s, Soundbridge, Music Discovery Center. The first day I was there I had a crash course in Musical Storytelling where I learned about 3 or 4 never heard before songs in 5 minutes. Taking me on this adventure was Bryan Stratton, the lead music teacher there at the time, my mentor, and one of the best early childhood music teachers I know. He encouraged me to pick up my guitar after not playing for 10 years and I haven’t put it down since. Now all of my classes have live guitar and piano!
*What do you love most about your classes?
The people! Everyone is there for one purpose, to enhance their child’s musical experience. Since I’m there to do the same thing we have a wonderfully instant connection.
*What makes your classes stand out from other children music classes?
Live instruments and a professional musician. It’s rare, but not impossible, to find a music class that doesn’t relay heaviliy on recorded music and a person who is not only a early childhood music teacher but a working artist with a degree in Jazz Performance.
Also, the Spanish Music classes are not only rich in vocabulary but include ASL so one is really learning two new languages for the price of one. :) These classes are taught by myself along with Betsy Dischel, a fluent Spanish speaker and ASL interpreter who formally worked with children with special needs in Southern California.
*How many years have been teaching/working with children?
I’m going on my 8th year.
*Whats your favorite musical instrument?
The human voice.
For more information, contact Katy Webber at katywebber [at] gmail.com or (206) 729-3412.
Thank you, Cat and Katy!
