Hello amazing families far and wide,

It’s Ms. Holly. I woke up this morning and had a realization that it was time for me to open up with you about how things are going over here at Grow and Sing Studios. Here’s what’s on my mind, I’m going to keep it real. Here we go.

Over the last bunch of months I have had to make tough decisions. There were times when I thought maybe, perhaps, we could go back to in person in a safe way. Time and time again the answer to not return in person quite yet was very clear. The most recent was the harsh reality of one of our educators turning up positive for Covid. First of all, she is okay. I just wanted to be sure I told you that! BUT, the reality is that if I had made a different choice, I could have been responsible for passing the disease along to a Kindermusik family. They could have brought it home to a loved one who then may not have been okay. The answer was clear to me that we must wait.

There are also some really specific business things that are contributing to this choice as well that I know most people don’t quite think about. Each time we hold a class out in the community, we have to pay our teacher (who deserves to be paid well), and we have to pay rent. There are many other expenses too, but those are the big ones. In order to even “break even” we have to have a larger number of families per class than we are comfortable with in these conditions. In Kindermusik it isn’t just the kids, it’s the parents with the kids. So even in a small, barely break even class with 5 kids, we have at least 10 people plus the teacher in the room. Then there’s the conversation of how to keep everyone separate and protected. There are babies who are just starting to walk, toddlers who don’t know how to slow down, and young children who are putting things in their mouths (which is developmentally GREAT). It’s all so much and all opposite of how to keep Covid from spreading. We have considered doing some outdoor classes, but currently we are in the deep heat of Florida Summer, mixed with random rain and thunderstorms at every turn. How do we plan and schedule anything right now for outside without a strong possibility of needing to scramble to cancel? We can’t.

Okay, so the biggest thing that is on my mind outside of the fact that we miss seeing you in person, is my staff. What can I say about them? They are amazing! My hubby Will, Angelyn, Kristen, Marisol, Lisa, Jasmin, Aidan Amato and even our daughter Anna who does some of our social media. We care about them so much. This may sound really dramatic, but each day I wake up just praying I can keep them all in work with our online classes so we can easily bounce back from this when we can get back to “normal”. So far, Will and I have found a way to keep them all going and remain a strong unit. It has come at a cost because our enrollments have been lower than normal which means lower pay. Even with that reality, they have stayed loyal, strong, committed, and dedicated to keeping our little Grow and Sing ship afloat. Huge thank you to all of them. I honestly couldn’t be more blessed to have such an amazing group of people to work with.

So where are we now? Today is the day before we begin our school year program. It’s a day when I would already normally be nervous, but today I’m REALLY nervous hoping that many of you will consider taking a leap of faith with us and sign up for one of our online programs. I can say that our online experience isn’t less quality, it’s just different than what many families are used to. Is it exactly what you want? Perhaps yes, perhaps no, but it’s still Grow and Sing! You may not realize it, but each registration means the WORLD right now. Each time one comes in, I let out an exhale because it means that maybe my small business won’t become a statistic in the many businesses that have already had to shut down.

I’ve noticed in our communications with families that there are about four different responses we’ve been getting.

1. There’s the family that has been having the time of their lives in our Virtual Classes. They’ve been asking if we would continue virtual even after the pandemic ends and we return to the classroom.
2. There’s the family that believes in what we are doing, and knows even though virtual may not be the optimal option for their child, they are committed to our program and their child’s learning. They know that keeping connected with us online for now is still an amazing way to learn. They look forward to our return in person, but are thrilled to connect with our educators virtually right now. This is the family that believes in what we do and wants to keep the amazingness going!
3. There’s the family that is on the fence. They want to sign up but don’t know if their child will really be into it, or really learn much.
4. The family that just wants to wait until things are back to normal. This could be for many reasons including financial. If you fall into this category, there isn’t any judgement from me. I completely understand.

So, I just want to make sure you know a few things. The first is that our enrollment is never a contract. If you sign up for one month and realize it’s just not working for you, you’ve paid either $68 (for Virtual+) or $80 (for Bilingual Birdies+), received home resources, downloadable music and tried. On the other side, you may sign up and realize it’s what will become the best thing for routine and ritual in your home. Our programming is unlimited. I like to think of it like when you go on a cruise, you get your schedule under your door each day, and can attend whatever you want. We’ve never done that before and people LOVE it! Our programming also includes all children in the family. So again, using that cruise analogy, it means if you have a baby, toddler and preschooler, everyone can go to their own activity! So while yes, it’s very different, there are some definite perks to being online. Paying $68 to give our program a try doesn’t seem like a big risk, but on our side, it’s a HUGE message to us because you are helping keep this Grow and Sing ship sailing.

If you haven’t been keeping up with what we’ve got going on, be sure to view our menu above. As you can see we have two tracks for families which include all the children in your home. We have online private lessons. We also now have some classes for the adults (Yoga and Tap Dance) because self care is crucial. Finally, we have online Birthday Parties!

Being a small local business owner has never been easy but now it’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I am not giving up, in fact, I’m more committed than ever to connect families through music. It’s just in a different way for a while. Consider us. Thank you.

Wishing you health, safety, and beautiful musical moments together,

Holly Lesnick, Director/Owner

Kindermusik Virtual+ online program | Online Bilingual Birdies | Online Birthday Parties | Online Voice Lessons | Online Piano Lessons | Online adult beginner tap classes | Online All Levels Yoga Flow

P.S. Please share this blog post with your friends far and wide.
ONE MORE THING: if you don’t have children, but want to help, you can enroll in a class, and we can gift it to a family in need. Just contact us and we’ll get that set up. xo

Dear Parents,

As we move through our summer, it is evident that we must continue our online only Kindermusik program so that we can do our part in slowing the spread of Covid-19. The good news is that everyone is having a BLAST! If you joined us for Session A or are currently in our Bilingual Birdies program, we thank you for being part of our Grow and Sing Studios family. If you are already enrolled in our upcoming session B, we can’t wait to see you. We are sending this email out to everyone in the hopes that you will either learn about our upcoming session B and consider signing up, OR share the info with a friend or family member (anywhere because it’s online!). We are SO excited to begin the second half of our summer programming next week, July 20th.

Here’s an overview. Our award winning program is recommended for children newborn through age 7. Summer session B is 5 weeks long. Each week we offer 12 virtual interactive zoom classes and events that you are welcome to attend. Summer B is $80, TOTAL. This fee covers your entire household. So, for $80, you have unlimited access to 60 classes. PLUS you’ll receive digital online resources (music, e-book, activities) to enhance the learning. Just to make sure it’s clear, this program is UNLIMITED. You can attend ALL classes each week if you want to (and some folks do!). We have been told by parents that our virtual enrichment program is making life easier and enhancing their family’s days together during a very difficult time.

I went live yesterday on Facebook and Instagram to further explain how this works, and to unveil our upcoming themed units. So to learn more, click on this youtube video.

If you ever have any questions or need any help signing up, don’t hesitate to touch base with us. Sign up today and you’ll receive a welcome email with login info soon after.

Wishing you health, safety, and beautiful musical moments together,

Holly Lesnick, Director/Owner

Session B online Kindermusik program | Online Bilingual Birdies | Online Birthday Parties | Online Voice Lessons | Online Piano Lessons | Online adult beginner tap classes

P.S. Did you miss our 15th anniversary celebration? It was a sing along celebration like no other. Check it out here, and enjoy! ‌

If you are of the opinion that it’s a bit too soon for you and your young baby or child to attend group classes, please keep reading.

Our studio philosophy is to follow a child where he or she is developmentally. A one, two or three year old needs to have the freedom to move around, explore, hug, kiss, pick up things, put objects in their mouth, drop things, hold hands and be free. That is what is developmentally appropriate.

In order for a child to participate in these developmentally appropriate things, a child needs to feel safe. Can a child feel completely safe in a situation where they are being pulled back to their “spot”, wearing a mask, told not to touch things and told to keep distance from their friends? At this point we don’t think so and that isn’t our developmental goal.

To truly meet our goal which is to connect you as a family through the magic of music, we feel this can best be accomplished at home, with our licensed (and very talented) educators leading you the entire way online. Our entire team brings their strengths and talents to you each and every class. We can safely interact with your family without any limitations for your child. We have seen firsthand during our online classes that children are able to learn alongside their parent the things that we strive to teach whether in person or online. Elements such as parental bonding, eye contact, singing, rhythm, dancing, steady beat, exercise, language. All of which can be accomplished at home with full exploration and freedom. At such time that we can feel we can deliver a developmentally appropriate in person experience, we will do so.

SO, we are REALLY EXCITED to start our online UNLIMITED Summer house party. Pick a track for one fee, and attend each and every class and event we offer each week. Those include classes, dance parties, sing-a-longs, puppet shows, themed events, instrument demos and so much more. Come and go as you please, and enjoy connecting through music together. Thank you so much for your time, and we can’t wait to make music with you! Click here to learn more. 

To enroll just visit growandsing.com/classes/house-party, scroll to bottom, click on “enrolling” and the form will drop down.

To enroll just visit growandsing.com/classes/house-party, scroll to bottom, click on “enrolling” and the form will drop down.

Welcome to another week of our Kindermusik virtual online house party. We continue to be inspired by the smiles and excitement of the children and the adult interactions together with them. Their lights are shining through during each class.

We plan to continue our Spring house party until May 31st if schools remain closed. If you wish to participate we would LOVE to have you join us. To enroll click here. It’s one flat fee for unlimited classes. We are welcoming new families each and every day from all over! Even England! This one time fee is keeping our business running and helping us compensate our amazing educators during this unprecedented time. Thank you.

Weekly disclaimer: This is NOT the kind of activity where your child watches and you go cook dinner. The program has been designed in the same spirit as our classes, where the teacher is the facilitator to your engagement with your child. It is designed for you to be very hands on with your child(ren), while familiar faces are on the computer singing and guiding you along through the amazing Kindermusik curriculum.

SCHEDULE

Below is our schedule for the week of April 13 – 17, 2020. Music is healing so you are welcome to participate in or listen to any and all programs below regardless of the typical age range. All children in your household are invited!

MONDAY – APRIL 13

10:00 am – Kindermusik Dance Party with the Grow and Sing Studios team

This has now become a weekly favorite! Dance with us to some Kindermusik favorites! If just joining us, get acclimated to our online Zoom Platform, test your sound, and make sure you know how it works so you are ready for classes.

12:00 pm – Musical Pirate Party with Ms. Lisa and Ms. Mari

Ahoy Me Hearties! It’s time to sing, dance, and play as we have a pirate party! We invite you to bring or wear any pirate things you have. If you want to get creative, you can even make a pirate hat and show us during our party.

7:00 pm – Lullabies and stories with Ms. Holly

Join Ms. Holly for 15 – 20 minutes of relaxing lullabies and bedtime stories as you head into your bedtime ritual with your little one.

TUESDAY – APRIL 14

11:00 am – Mixed Age Kindermusik class with the Grow and Sing Studios team

Typical age range is newborn through 7 years old. Activities will include Hello, Goodbye, and Quiet time rituals along with rhythm play, dancing, story time and active listening.

12:30 pm – Foundations Kindermusik class with the Grow and Sing Studios team

Typical age range is newborn to walking. Activities will include Hello, Goodbye and Quiet time rituals, along with massage, exercise, and story time.

WEDNESDAY – APRIL 15

10:00 am – Mixed age Kindermusik class with the Grow and Sing Studios team

Typical age range is newborn through 7 years old. Activities will include Hello, Goodbye, and Quiet time rituals along with rhythm play, dancing, story time and active listening.

11:30 am – Level 3 Kindermusik class with the Grow and Sing Studios team

Typical age range is 3 – 5 years old (but tons of fun for the older kids too!). Activities are part of the Toys I Made, Trips I Take curriculum. This week is all about boats and the sea!

THURSDAY – APRIL 16

9:30 am – Foundations Kindermusik class with the Grow and Sing Studios team

Typical age range is newborn to walking. Activities will include Hello, Goodbye and Quiet time rituals, along with massage, exercise, and story time.

11:00 am – Bilingual Birdies with Ms. Marisol

Typical age range is 2 – 5 years, but everyone is welcome to learn some Spanish! Bilingual Birdies is a super fun foreign language and music program where we teach basic vocabulary and short phrases in Spanish through music, dance, and puppetry.

FUN FRIDAY – APRIL 17

Join us in some 20ish minute activities for our Fun Friday!

10:00 am – April Birthday Celebration with the Grow and Sing Studios Team

Guess who has a birthday TODAY? Ms. Angelyn! It is time to celebrate ALL who have a birthday in April! If you or your kiddo have an April birthday we want to celebrate you. So join us in celebrating Ms. Angelyn and all April birthdays with some Kindermusik fun!

12:00 pm – Sing along with Ms. Angelyn

7:00 pm – Lullabies and stories with with Ms. Angelyn

Here is all the information you need to join in this week!

To enroll just visit growandsing.com/classes/house-party, scroll to bottom, click on “enrolling” and the form will drop down.

Welcome to another week of our Kindermusik virtual online house party. We are SO HAPPY to see you you dancing, playing, singing and connecting with your children. As we continue on, our hope is that our activities and songs lift you up while igniting all areas of your child’s brain! YAY Kindermusik! As we expressed last week, this isn’t easy, and we are honored to be in this together with you. Thank you for choosing us to enrich your home.

Weekly disclaimer: This is NOT the kind of activity where your child watches and you go cook dinner. The program has been designed in the same spirit as our classes, where the teacher is the facilitator to your engagement with your child. It is designed for you to be very hands on with your child(ren), while familiar faces are on the computer singing and guiding you along through the amazing Kindermusik curriculum.

Here is all the information you need to join in this week! If you wish to enroll, it’s easy. Just visit growandsing.com/classes/house-party, scroll to bottom, click on “enrolling” and the form will drop down.

SCHEDULE
Below is our schedule for the week of April 6 – 10, 2020. Music is healing so you are welcome to participate in or listen to any and all programs below regardless of the typical age range. All children in your household are invited!

MONDAY – APRIL 6
10:00 am – Kindermusik Dance Party
Dance with us to some Kindermusik favorites! If just joining us, get acclimated to our online Zoom Platform, test your sound, and make sure you know how it works so you are ready for classes.

12:00 pm – Woodwind Instrument Demonstration Class
Put on your listening ears! Join Ms. Kristen (flute), Mr. Will (saxophone) and “soon to be” UCF School of Music student Anna Lesnick, (clarinet) in an educational demonstration of each instrument, along with some beautiful playing from all three musicians.

7:00 pm – Lullabies and stories with Ms. Holly
Join Ms. Holly for 15 – 20 minutes of relaxing lullabies and bedtime stories as you head into your bedtime ritual with your little one.

TUESDAY – APRIL 7
11:00 am – Mixed Age Kindermusik class with the Grow and Sing Studios team
Typical age range is newborn through 7 years old. Activities will include Hello, Goodbye, and Quiet time rituals along with rhythm play, dancing, story time and active listening.

12:30 pm – Foundations Kindermusik class with the Grow and Sing Studios team
Typical age range is newborn to walking. Activities will include Hello, Goodbye and Quiet time rituals, along with massage, exercise, and story time.

WEDNESDAY – APRIL 8
10:00 am – Mixed age Kindermusik class with the Grow and Sing Studios team
Typical age range is newborn through 7 years old. Activities will include Hello, Goodbye, and Quiet time rituals along with rhythm play, dancing, story time and active listening.

11:30 am – Level 3 Kindermusik class with the Grow and Sing Studios team
Typical age range is 3 – 5 years old (but tons of fun for the older kids too!). Activities are part of the Toys I Made, Trips I Take curriculum. This week is all about boats and the sea!

THURSDAY – APRIL 9
9:30 am – Foundations Kindermusik class with the Grow and Sing Studios team
Typical age range is newborn to walking. Activities will include Hello, Goodbye and Quiet time rituals, along with massage, exercise, and story time.

11:00 am – Bilingual Birdies with Miss Marisol
Typical age range is 2 – 5 years, but everyone is welcome to learn some Spanish! Bilingual Birdies is a super fun foreign language and music program where we teach basic vocabulary and short phrases in Spanish through music, dance, and puppetry.

FUN FRIDAY – APRIL 10
Join us in some 20ish minute activities for our Fun Friday!
10:00 am – Sing along with Miss Marisol
12:00 pm – HOP TO IT Bunny Party with Miss Angelyn
It’s time to celebrate Spring! We invite you to perhaps wear some bunny ears, dress up like a bunny, share your stuffed animal bunnies (or real ones?)or even dress in your Easter clothes if you would like. This fun activity will include dances, stories and songs about all things BUNNIES!
7:00 pm – Bedtime Sing-a-story with Ms. Lisa

To enroll just visit growandsing.com/classes/house-party, scroll to bottom, click on “enrolling” and the form will drop down.