THE PARENTING BIZ
Is Your Child Singing The Winter Blues? Then Change Their Tune With Fun After School Activities FEATURE STORY By Jim Murphy
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t’s a new year! It’s time for a fresh start and some new activities for your little ones. Whereas going to school and working on school projects is important (being a regular, day to day part of life), it’s also important for kids to spend time after school and on the weekends doing something fun, meaningful and productive. Whether they’re musically inclined, athletic or artistic, we fill you in on lots of extracurricular winter activities and the area businesses willing to help keep your child educated and entertained!
Sing, Sing A Song
Located at 3244 Walker Road, Unit 1 in Windsor, Verellen Music Academy offers unique musical training such as professional song writing lessons, recording sessions and lessons on how to pitch original music to radio station executives! “We have expert early childhood music teachers and have group classes for young children, based on developmental stages of growth,” says Jacqueline (Jacqui) Verellen, Co-Owner of Verellen Music Academy along with Joey Tyler. “Along with that, we teach vocals, piano, guitar, drums, bass, flute, ukulele, musical theatre classes, rock band classes and more.” The Rock Band youth program is one of the more exciting classes as kids seven to 15 years of age (Tuesday nights at 7 p.m.) can learn guitar, drums, bass or piano and how to play rock music with others! (Note Rock Band adult classes for those 15 and up are also on Tuesday nights at 8 p.m.) Verellen and Tyler have more than
If your child dreams of being a rock star as a lead singer (six year old Violet Verellen, left) or a member of the band playing instruments such as guitar (eight year old Kailee Labute), drums and bass, then Verellen Music Academy’s Rock Band program is the perfect choice! Photo courtesy of Joey Tyler.
two decades of teaching and performing experience between them. Tyler works with Universal Records and both hold honours degrees in music. “Having music on Canadian radio, both Joey and I started teaching students outside of our performing and touring,” Verellen explains. “We discovered we absolutely loved working with children. After studying childhood psychology and music, I realized children seem to learn best through fun; that is proven neuro-scientifically.” (For more information see: The Power Of Play, in the American Academy of Pediatrics journal, Vol.142, Issue 3, September 2018).
Verellen Music Academy Co-owner Jacqui Verellen teaches a Music Munchkins class for children aged three to seven. In this photo, the students are learning musical rhythm by clapping along and learning about quarter notes and half-notes. Photo courtesy of Joey Tyler.
That’s why Verellen Music Academy and their staff of 12 follow the motto — “learning music should be fun!” “We specialize in helping students learn the music of both Bach and Billie Eilish in one fun and dynamic lesson!” Verellen informs Biz X. “We can guide students from early childhood music, through to a full musical career.” Since opening in March 2021, Verellen Music Academy has also offered a wide variety of fun programming. They have weekend camps with music, arts and crafts and various themes. They also have private lessons for beginners and advanced musicians. All ages are welcome, even babies! During the pandemic, Verellen Music Academy is taking every precaution to ensure families feel safe in their studios. They have all families pre-screened, sanitized, wearing masks and social distanced. And they have a large spacious theatre that allows students to be a part of a community and meet new friends in a safe way. For more information, visit the website: VerellenMusicAcademy.com.
Let’s Dance
Edmunds Towers School of Dance offers dance lessons in ballroom, ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, pointe and hip hop for
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