Camps starting this week: Music, Voice and pre-K!

Summer camps and classes continue this week at the Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center.

Today, we started three new camps, Intro to Performing Arts, Showstoppers Musical Revue and Vocal Arts Academy: Jr. Division.

Our half-day mini Intro to Performing Arts camp helps little ones in preschool and kindergarten explore their imaginations through games and storytelling.

Students in our Pre-K Mini Intro to Performing Arts camp
had a fun first day of camp!

Space is still available in our Intro to Performing Arts camps July 1 - 5 for preschoolers through eighth grade.

In the Musical Revue camp, students in grade five through college will polish their solo and group musical theater skills. They’ll research, rehearse and perform classic Broadway show-stopping musical numbers. We welcome Michael Raabe as our music director for this show. Raabe is a vocal director and music arranger for shows at Busch Gardens, and has done shows with Freefall Theatre and American Stage in the Park.

Students in our Showstoppers Musical Revue acquaint themselves with their songbooks.

Come re-live some of your favorite Broadway showstoppers as they perform Jun. 27 and Jun. 28, 2013 at 7 p.m. in the Jaeb Theater at the Straz Center.

In our Vocal Arts Academy: Junior Division, singers in grades five through eight will work on various vocal techniques. Through daily rehearsals and group voice classes, they’ll have the opportunity to sing in parts, sing in English and other languages, read music, develop a character and work on performance skills. These students will perform Fri., Jun. 28, 2013 at 3 p.m. at the TECO Theater.

Students in our Vocal Arts Academy work on choreography for their performance.

Space is still available in our Vocal Arts Academy: Senior Division for grades nine through college , which will be Jul. 22 through Aug. 2, 2013.

Our ballet Junior Intensive also continues this week and will culminate in a performance this Friday, Jun. 21, 2013 at 4:30 p.m. in Morsani Hall at the Straz Center.

Spotlight on Allison Novak

Instructor Allison Novak, right, teaches music classes for ages two and up.

Think about your favorite song, and how it makes you feel. Think about how music permeates our lives every day without us thinking about it.

Whether you crank the tunes on the radio to minimize stress while you’re stuck in traffic, or if you enjoy a live Broadway or opera performance at a theater, music has a way of touching our lives, says Allison Novak, music department manager for the Patel Conservatory.

“Music is something that everybody can relate to. It’s in everyone’s lives whether they realize it or not,” said Allison.

For Allison, music has been a major part of her life as long as she can remember. She listened to big band and orchestra music with her grandpa when she was little, sang in her school and church choirs throughout her school years, and was active in musical theater productions in high school.

“Music is just something I’ve always been doing,” she said.

Allison received her Bachelor of Music in vocal performance and commercial music from Millikin University in Illinois. She has performed professionally as a member of The Orlando Chamber Singers and spent five years working at Walt Disney World where she performed daily for thousands of guests.

She is currently a member of the Opera Tampa Chorus and can be seen this weekend in Opera Tampa’s A Masked Ball, playing Feb. 7 - 10 in Ferguson Hall at the Straz Center.

As the instructor of our preschool through fourth grade music classes at the Conservatory and music classes at our partnership schools, Allison says the classes encourage academic learning as well as creative thinking.

“Music lets your mind explore places and opens up new ways of thinking,” she said.

In addition to teaching kids about music terminology, pitch, rhythm and other music concepts, Allison tries to incorporate other academic subjects into her classes.

For example, in the preschool classes, she includes songs about the alphabet sounds and seasonal activities.

“In one of my older classes, we took math problems and turned them into music notes...adding quarter and half notes,” she said. “I try to do something different every week and make it fun for them.”

For more information about the Patel Conservatory’s music classes for ages two and up, please click here or call 813-222-1002.

Preschool classes at the Patel Conservatory

Help develop your child's imagination, social skills and creativity with preschool classes at the Patel Conservatory!

Introducing your little one to the performing arts at a young age sets the stage for a lifetime of learning.

Whether they’re banging on a drum or acting out a story, exploring music and movement, helps kids develop language, coordination and critical thinking skills. Some indications even show that students who study the arts are more successful on standardized tests such as the SAT. (see more info here)

At the Patel Conservatory, we offer classes for kids as young as two years old.

With more than 100 classes in dance, music and theater, you can make arts education a fun part of your child’s life and teach them lessons that last a lifetime!

MUSIC

Tots and Tunes

Ages 2 and 3

Tuesdays, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.

Thursdays, 4:15 - 5 p.m.

Saturdays, 10 - 10:45 a.m.

Children partner with an adult (parent or guardian) to strengthen their bond through musical experiences that lay a foundation for all future learning. Class activities include group singing, musical development, exercises to develop large and fine motor skills, creative movement and group games.

Suzuki Violin

Ages 3 and up

Call to schedule times

A parent-child program that includes both a weekly private lesson and weekly group lesson. This violin program is based on the Japanese violin teacher Shinichi Suzuki's beliefs that every child has talent, talent is developed rather than inborn, and with a supportive parent and a good, nurturing teacher every child can learn to play an instrument well.

Kindersong

Pre-K4 - Pre-K5

Tuesdays, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Children develop their musical skills through singing exercises and instrumental activities. This class focuses on nurturing each student’s musical development to ensure readiness for future musical experiences. This class prepares students to enter KidSong and beginning instrumental music instruction.

Kidsong

Grades K - 2

Wednesdays, 4 - 5 p.m.

In this group singing class, children continue their development of the basics of music through song. Students learn pitch, rhythm, harmony and good singing through the study and performance of music that is appropriate for their age. This class helps to set the stage for a lifetime of singing and music enjoyment and prepares the students to move into choral and solo singing.

THEATER

Creative Drama

Pre-K3 to Pre-K4

Mondays, 4 to 5 p.m.

Saturdays, 9 to 10 a.m.

K - 1

Tuesdays, 4 to 5 p.m.

Saturdays, 10 to 11 a.m.

Children are introduced to the theatrical world of storytelling through activities that include the visual arts, music and imagination to interpret classic stories and create their own dramatic scenes and plays.

DANCE

With our young children’s dance classes, children are introduced to structured movement and the demands of serious ballet study. Each level is designed to challenge students within the context of their increasing physical, emotional and cognitive development. Formal barre work is introduced as the students mature, typically during the Primary level.

Dress Up and Dance

Pre-K3

Thursdays, 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.

Saturdays, 9 to 9:45 a.m.

Creative Movement

Pre-K4 to Kindergarten

Wednesdays, 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.

Saturdays, 9 to 10 a.m.

Saturdays, 10:45 to 11:45 a.m.

Young Children’s Tap

Kindergarten

Tuesdays, 5:15 to 6 p.m.

Introduces young children to the basic steps and rhythms of tap dance. Students are placed by age and put steps together in combinations they find both challenging and fun.

For more information, or to register, please call 813-222-1002 or visit patelconservatory.org.

Playtime meets learning time

Last month, the Patel Conservatory offered free classes at the John F. Germany library downtown as part of the library’s Thursdays Toddler Time.

Instructors Allison Novak and Karyn DeLoach led the children and parents through our Tots and Tunes and Creative Movement classes.

Many parents, toddler and even babies had a great time singing and learning rhythm and movement patterns.

Make a weekly date for your playgroup where toddlers can play and explore music, creative expression and movement!

For more information about our preschool classes, please call 813-222-1002.

Tots and Tunes now offered Saturday mornings

The Patel Conservatory in Tampa has added a new section of our preschool music class on Saturday mornings.

Tots and Tunes is a fun, interactive class for toddlers and parents to enjoy exploring music and movement together.

Tots and Tunes is offered:

Tuesdays - 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.

Thursdays - 4:15 to 5 p.m.

Saturdays - 10 to 10:45 a.m.

The new Saturday class is immediately after the Creative Drama class (from 9 to 10 a.m.), an introductory theater class for preschoolers. Students who register for both Saturday morning preschool classes will receive a 10% discount on tuition for both classes.

The Patel Conservatory offers a variety of music programs for toddlers through adults, including Suzuki violin, private piano lessons, voice and more. For more information about our music programs, click here, or call 813-222-1002.

Registration is available online, or by phone.

Pre-school classes teach lessons that last a lifetime

If you think toddlers in our preschool classes like Tots and Tunes are just having fun, think again.

Preschoolers enrolled in our music, theater and dance classes at Tampa's Patel Conservatory are not only having a great time, they’re actually learning developmental skills that will help them for the rest of their lives.

Learning to play an instrument, for example, helps reinforce self-discipline and confidence as kids realize the rewards of consistent practice, said Catherine Michelsen, Associate Conductor of the Patel Conservatory Youth Orchestra.

"The necessary concentration and attention to detail (required for learning) any instrument, transfers to anything in life," said Michelsen.

She added that kids learn social skills and team-building when playing together in an ensemble, which is true for all arts education including dance and theater.

According to the Children’s Music Workshop, a resource for music educators, “Students of the arts learn to think creatively and to solve problems by imagining various solutions.”

Whether kids are banging on a drum or acting out a story, exploring music and movement helps children develop important language, coordination and critical thinking skills.

“...brain development continues for many years after birth,” the site says. “Recent studies have clearly indicated that musical training physically develops the part of the left side of the brain known to be involved with processing language...

Some indications even show that students who study the arts are more successful on standardized tests such as the SAT, according to the site.

At the Patel Conservatory, we offer classes for kids as young as two years old. Through our Tots and Tunes, Dress Up and Dance, and Creative Drama classes, preschoolers can start developing an appreciation for the arts and a solid foundation for future academic success.

Preschool classes in music, theater, and dance offer fun and learning! Fall classes begin Sept. 4! Online registration is available.

For more information on the benefits of music and arts education, check out this helpful link: Music Advocacy’s Top Ten for Parents.

To learn more about registering for classes at the Patel Conservatory in Tampa, please call 813-222-1002, or visit patelconservatory.org.

Spotlight on Catherine Michelsen

Catherine Michelsen, Associate Conductor
of the Patel Conservatory Youth Orchestra

As a little girl, Catherine Michelsen had taken piano lessons for years.

But her musical journey took on a new direction when she was saw a student violin performance at her elementary school.

“I saw a Suzuki in the Schools group perform. Watching them play together, I was mesmerized by it,” said Michelsen.

She soon began taking violin lessons and it wasn’t long before Michelsen knew she’d major in music and become a professional violinist.

Michelsen is now the Associate Conductor of the Patel Conservatory Youth Orchestras (PCYO), String Specialist and a Suzuki-trained violin instructor. She's also a performer who has played frequently with the Florida Orchestra, Opera Tampa, the Orlando Philharmonic and many other professional orchestras.

While she’s always had a passion for music and violin, she didn’t realize she wanted to become a teacher until she took a Suzuki training class while at the Boston Conservatory working on a master’s degree in violin performance.

“When I did my first Suzuki training in 2003, I had taught private lessons before, but I hadn’t taught small children or started students on first lessons...The idea of totally starting from scratch with kids as young as three was a little scary.”

But the Suzuki method clicked with Catherine and she continued her training throughout her years of pursuing another graduate degree and a doctorate degree.

The goal of Suzuki (violin) training is “to make better human beings through music,” explained Catherine.

She feels that music lessons help children learn to focus, especially in today’s society where children are often overbooked with activities from the time they’re in preschool.

“The necessary concentration and attention to detail for Suzuki violin, or any instrument, transfers to anything in life,” she said.

Working in tandem with the parents, Catherine feels that Suzuki violin lessons provide consistency, discipline and rewarding social benefits for kids.

“The idea is that children learn to play an instrument the way they learn to speak...through repetition and continually building on their vocabulary, or repertoire,” said Catherine.

As they grow with the program, kids gain valuable skills through joining an orchestra.

“Playing in an ensemble adds a whole new dimension to music lessons. You have to be aware of everyone else’s parts, not just your own, and you have to get used to seeing a conductor in front of you.”

As the associate conductor of PCYO, Catherine prides herself on the personal attention given to our students.

“I started with the goal of trying to get to know every student and working with them individually,” she said. “I feel like I have a great rapport with the students and the parents. It’s become like a family."

Being in private music lessons or a youth orchestra can be a big time and financial commitment, but, she says, “It’s absolutely worth it. In the end, whether that’s in elementary school, high school or college, the journey stays with you.”

What is Suzuki violin?

You've probably heard of Suzuki violin, but perhaps you're not really sure what that means.

The Suzuki method of teaching violin is based on the teaching philosophy of Shinichi Suzuki, a self-taught Japanese violinist and instructor.

Learn more about his philosophy and how it applies to music education in a free orientation: An Introduction to Suzuki – the language of music.

The Suzuki method of teaching violin focuses on training children as young as three to play the instrument.

“The method is based upon the way in which young children learn language. Essentially, a child hears his parents repeating words and eventually imitates them, gradually building his vocabulary.  In a musical context, the child hears music and imitates it, building his repertoire,” said Catherine Michelson, Patel Conservatory Suzuki violin instructor.

The free, informational presentation will be led by Michelson and will include a demonstration from Patel Conservatory Suzuki violin students and a video about the program.

If you've considered violin lessons for your child, this session can answer all your questions.

Join Michelson on Sun., Jan. 9 at 3 p.m. in the TECO Theater at the Patel Conservatory. For more information, call 222-1002.

Kids aren't the only ones who learn from our outreach classes

Siegler enjoys playing for the kids.

Last week, Patel Conservatory instructor Audrey Siegler began teaching her Creative Storytelling class at Sulpher Springs Elementary. Once a month, she teaches a group of 3 to 4-year-olds in the Head Start program.

“We read a story together, then do an activity based on the story. It usually relates to their classroom theme of the week.”

The Creative Drama class introduces theater concepts to small children. Siegler uses visual arts and music to help the kids create and act out stories.

At her first class for the Head Start kids last week, “we played a get-to-know-you game and sang a hello song. Then we did warm up exercises to warm up our bodies, and a vocal exercise to play with pitch and volume and tone. This will help when we start introducing different characters in later classes.”

Siegler uses the analogy of waking up in the morning to stress why it’s so important for performers to warm up.

“You don’t open your eyes and immediately start going. It takes a few minutes to stretch and get your body moving. It’s the same thing before you perform. Warming up gets us ready to start moving and helps you feel more awake and give a better performance.”

After their warm-up, the kids played an improv game where they acted like different animals. As the children pretended to be lions and tigers, and even zebras and flamingos, they then had to add emotions, like happy, hungry or sleepy.

“The most original idea was when one boy had to act old, he yelled, ‘Get out of my yard!’ It makes you wonder where he got it from, and makes you appreciate that kids are so observant,” said Siegler. “They really do pay attention.”

Siegler says she enjoys teaching outreach classes at various schools and organizations because she learns something from every class, from preschool to middle school.

“Each child and their reactions are so completely different. And they each have something to offer.”

Seeing is believing!

At the Patel Conservatory, we can tell moms that we have the best facilities and the best instructors. But why take our word for it when you can hear it directly from another mom?

“I have nothing but rave reviews for the program and all the teachers,” said Dianna McHugh, whose 5-year-old daughter Kaitlin started in the Dress Up and Dance class and is enrolled in Creative Movement. Both classes are introduction classes for the Patel Conservatory Youth Ballet.

“As a parent, I like that [the Patel Conservatory] has a more structured way of teaching dance,” said Dianna. “I know the kids are little, but [the teachers] take it seriously. They talk about ballet as an art form, even at the young age of 3.”

Even though kids are learning proper techniques from the start, they’re having a great time.

“Kaitlin got to dance with the bears and the dolls, it was so fun for the little ones, but at the same time, you can see their progress. And once you get through it, you see the approach is perfect.”

As Dianna put it, what better place to take your kids for classes than a performing arts center? With the Patel Conservatory’s location at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, and our exceptional music and dance studios and theaters, students truly feel like they are a part of something greater. They develop an appreciation for and become a part of a cultural community.

For McHugh, who commutes from Westchase, being a part of that performing arts community is priceless. “You can’t compare that to anything else.”

She appreciates the fact that beginners and advanced students alike get the professional experience and exposure that can only be found at the Straz Center.

“You try to explain it to people, but you just don’t understand until you see it,” she said. “Last spring, Kaitlin had her first experience on stage in the Little Mermaid, and we were just blown away.”

Registration is currently open for preschool classes in dance, music and theater. So take it from another mom, and come see for yourself!