Local music center plans expansion

SPARTA — Research proves that just as we are all born with the potential to speak our native language, children are born with enough music ability to learn to sing in tune and move in time, as long as parents and other primary caregivers provide an adequate music environment during early childhood.

Local Music Together Center Director Heather Donnelly, owner of Sing A Song NJ LLC., plans to offer classes at Monkey Doodles Playroom in Lake Hopatcong.

“We teach children language by continuously talking and reading to them,” says Donnelly. “Imagine if you only spoke to your child once a month. Similarly, the best thing parents can do to support musical growth is to sing and dance with their children, as often as possible.”

Donnelly has been trying to make Music Together as accessible for both working parents, stay- at –home parents and caregivers as possible. She offers piano lessons for her Music Together “graduates” starting at age 5 to keep the active music experience going. She recently announced plans to offer classes at Monkey Doodles Playroom in Lake Hopatcong.

“All children are born with an aptitude for music,” Donnelly said. “It’s the exposure between birth and age 5 that will shape your child’s ability to participate comfortably in music throughout their lives. I want caregivers to have every opportunity to give the gift of music to their little ones. So we decided to offer classes 7 days a week at three locations starting the week of Jan. 5.”

Research suggests that even parents who cannot sing in tune can still provide their child with a positive disposition for music-making. In addition, singing and dancing together can be an important way to bond with your child.

“Keep in mind it is not about how good a singer you are,” says Donnelly, “What’s important is that you model the enjoyment of making music yourself. Some adults feel self-conscious about their own singing and dancing and some may think they need to be a great singer or musician in order to be a good musical role model.”

For more information visit www.singasongnj.com for the Music Together program in Sparta, and now Lake Hopatcong.