“Start now. Have fun. Take lessons. From me.”

A working musician, David teaches music because he loves to do it… and it lets him practice. A Beverly resident, David has been teaching for four years, two of them at World Music Company.

Dave Waterman is one of the most fun loving guitar and piano teachers at WMC. Dave’s weird and wonderful character is easily one of his best teaching tools. Ask anyone around WMC and they’ll tell you he has a knack of connecting with and reaching his younger students need for a fun and dynamic lesson each and every week. Dave also understands that some of his students need special encouragement to practice, “One student of mine gets a 5 minute karate lesson if he practices the week before.”

Originally posted 2009-07-17 17:17:57.

Class meets once a week for 45 minutes; classes are available Mon-Sat. $90 for 8 consecutive weeks. Monday 9:30am opening soon

Tuesday 10:30am Debbie Parks

Wednesday 9:30am Jennifer Collins

Thursday 9:30am Jennifer Collins

Originally posted 2009-07-20 18:21:58.

Rita Fields- Director of Finance

Lea Giblin- Student Coordinator, Store Manager, Graphic Designer

Originally posted 2009-07-22 00:45:32.

By Kris Cullum

Music can be a motivating and fun way to teach all children and in particular children who have special learning needs. It is unquestionable that through the medium of music many essential and enabling life skills can be learned and the benefits that playing and learning music can have on a child’s growth and development are immeasurable.

All children have the same need to express themselves and playing a musical instrument can provide an outlet for creative and emotional expression. When we think of music we don’t often think of it as therapy. But it can be.

The playing of good quality percussion instruments during music therapy sessions can be of inestimable value for children who have difficulties in hearing, seeing, moving, thinking or responding; each can experience the music in their own unique way. The music is not the goal of music therapy. Cognitive stimulation, self-expression, self-awareness, or increased motor movements are some of the goals that music therapy can focus on and the music itself is simply a tool to achieve these goals.

Listening to music for enjoyment is very beneficial but active participation is even better. For children and adolescents with cerebral palsy, playing music may be an effective way to stimulate speech development and communication skills, express emotions, develop a sense of rhythm and provide opportunity for physical, cognitive and motor development whilst creating an environment for socialisation and fun.

Every child can be helped to learn to enjoy and to become involved in music to some degree and instruments tuned to a harmonic pentatonic scale which produce a soothing sound straightaway, makes playing them an instantly gratifying experience.

Playing music and music therapy has proven to be a very effective method in dealing with autism and aspergers syndrome. Most children diagnosed with Autism or Asperger’s lack the social skills that enable them to participate fully in play and other social situations. Interestingly, many children with autism show a heightened interest in music. While they may be unable to easily communicate verbally with others, music is an avenue for many autistic people to express themselves and communicate in a non-verbal, non-threatening manner. Playing music puts the individual at ease, allowing for strides in social interactions to follow.

Easy access to musical instruments may provide an outlet that encourages children to use music to deal with emotional issues, especially when they are unable to express them through speech. Where words fail, music may be a medium through which to explore one’s inner world and experiences. Often people with developmental delays and learning disabilities such as Down’s syndrome will respond to music. The easy, non-challenging way in which pentatonic instruments can be played offers opportunities for response and expression to children and adults with such developmental delays.

Musical instruments in the classroom or playground offer blind or partially sighted children the opportunity to explore and musical sound and awareness. Instruments, which are simple to play and enable creative experimentation and tactile exploration, encourage the use of motor skills, thus developing coordination whilst stimulating the imagination.

Music is a tool that is used in pain management and healing for children undergoing medical procedures and as a comfort for those who have suffered a traumatic experience. Music can be a powerful distraction, turning the patient’s attention away from pain and promoting relaxation as well as to help ward off depression, promote movement and ease muscle tension.

The use of music in group therapy has long been advocated and practiced in the music therapy profession, in addition to the purely musical benefits, playing in an ensemble is useful for working on concepts such as cooperation with others, coordination, and a sense of accomplishment. Making music and singing songs together in a group can build a harmonious cooperative spirit of support and encouragement for everyone. Children who experience severe obstacles in forming relationships with other children, adults and their environment can achieve security and joy in making music. Music making involves many of the fundamental elements of social interaction; turn taking, listening and responding to another person can all be augmented in music therapy.

To see, hear and play musical instruments at school or in community programs is an important cultural experience for every child. While music therapy is an important discipline, you can also achieve benefits from making music on your own. Successful projects include sensory or music gardens where musical instruments have been installed outdoors, making them accessible at break times as well as for use with the curriculum. Playgrounds and outdoor spaces should be viewed as therapeutic settings and an outdoor music centre or garden could enhance learning and development for both children with and without special needs.

Kris Cullum represents Outdoor Musical Instrument suppliers Freenotes, instruments that create enchanting music that anyone can play and are also proven to contribute to Music Therapy.

Call us at 773.779.7059 or read more about our special needs music classes.

Originally posted 2009-09-05 14:45:27.

Drums and Percussion

“Get ready to practice. None of this is going to come easy, but if you work hard, you’ll love the results.”

Music is a mission for Logan, who has been teaching for 7 years. Why? “easy- to spread the passion,” he says. “The more people we have the world who have a true appreciation for music, the better off we are.”

A South Side resident, Logan joined the World Music Company faculty nearly three years ago. He has eclectic musical tastes- he likes funk, soul, jazz, hip hop, Latin , African, Indian, classical, and well, you get the idea.

Logan teaches private drum lessons as well as a Little Folkies class for aspiring young drummers.

One thing he looks forward to is the opportunity to challenge students with pieces that force them to raise the level of play. ” I have a student who entered a multi-city competetion inwhich she was to play the snare drum,” he says. “I gave her a piece which was clearly unusual for this type of competition. Instead of focusing only on technique, this main focus of the piece was musicality. She came back with a first-place medal.”

Originally posted 2009-07-22 13:22:01.

Suzanne O'Shea teaches Children with Special Needs

Saturday Mornings at 11:00am

There is no charge for the class. Donations are graciously accepted.

Please support our programs. Donate today.
[paypal-donation purpose="Charitable Donation" reference="Music Education"]

Originally posted 2009-07-22 19:39:36.

GUITAR, DRUMS, and PIANO

“You are never too old for anything you may take an interest in. Always go for it!”

Music has always been a part of Cheryl’s life, and she’s wanted to pass along her love for music since her days of musical education in college. Cheryl has learned that students need to be patient- and willing to be “bad” long enough to get good at their instrument.

Cheryl also leads the Girls Rock Band Class. “I’ve seen the challenges that young girls have growing in the rock world,” Cheryl says. “And I’ve always wanted to be part of helping young girls grow in the World of Rock ‘n’ Roll.”

A music teacher for nearly 5 years, Cheryl joined the World Music Company faculty in September of 2008. She says that she has been “amazed and inspired by how quickly my students pick things up.”

Originally posted 2009-07-22 18:44:43.

TRUMPET, BRASSWINDS, RECORDER, and PIANO

David Maller has dedicated a good portion of his life to teaching his private students as well as, working as a music teacher for the Chicago Public Schools. He has taught classes in General Music, Choir, Instrumental Music, Music History, a Baroque trumpet ensemble and a Special Education reading class.

David received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Northeastern Illinois University in 1992. He also studied historical and modern manufacturing techniques including Machine Shop classes at Triton College

David has also played historical and modern trumpets for many Chicago land bands and orchestras, including the Lakeshore Symphony where he was the principal trumpet for 8 years and the Lincolnwood Chamber Orchestra to name a few. Mr. Maller has also made the final rounds of the Historic Division of the National Trumpet Competition in Fairfax, VA for the last several years.

David Maller also started Maller Brass Instruments (formerly known as Maller Baroque Brass Instruments) in 2000.

www.mallerbrass.com

Originally posted 2009-07-20 18:46:19.

The presenter and pricipal actor, Becker, has taught in Chicago Public Schools for over thirty years, has been a musical performer for about the same time, and has been a Lincoln scholar for his entire life. The performance begins promptly at 2pm with a fanfare of “Hail to the Chief”, and tickets are only $3. This program is designed to be entertaining for children, adults, scholars, and the curious. Call 773.779.7059 for tickets and information.

Originally posted 2009-09-22 13:59:56.

Alan Gresik is a renowned piano player and orchestra leader, noted for creative renditions of all styles music, “rocking swing tunes and swinging rock tunes”. He is the leader of the famous “Swing Shift Orchestra” that appears weekly at Chicago’s Green Mill.

Equally as creative in his teaching approach, Alan tailors exercises, activities, and repertoire to best suit the learning style and goals of his students. Whether students want to “Jump with Symphony Sid”, or present award winning renditions of the classics, Alan very capably takes every student down a path of positive musical growth.

View a video of Alan’s Swingshift Orchestra below.

Originally posted 2009-07-29 14:18:11.