Cradle Welcomes Hootenanny and Mucho Gusto Spanish classes this SPRING!

HooteNanny with Nerissa & Katryna Nields

All class information and registration is done directly through HooteNanny.  To contact the program email: hootenannymusicclass@gmail.com

When? Six classes! Katryna teaches Wednesday morning classes at Cradle at 9am and 10am. Nerissa & Katryna together teach Thursday Mornings at 9am and 10am; Thursday afternoons at 3:15 and 4:15pm. Each class is 45 minutes.

For Whom? children ages 0-5 and their caregivers.

How much? $150 for a ten week session, plus a $15 materials fee (you get a CD and songbook with the music from the current curriculem.) $100 for additional children over the age of 9 months.

Why? Many studies have shown that early musical education will enhance a child’s development and confidence.  HooteNanny will help you and your child gain basic musical competence through: movement and dance, instruments, singing and quality time spent with your child!

Who? Nerissa and Katryna Nields are national touring musicians, a part of the legendary band The Nields who toured North America throughout the nineties and into this millennium.  As a duo, they were a part of Lillith Fair, and have shared the stage with Natalie Merchant, Suzanne Vega, Sarah McLaughlin, Dar Williams, The Indigo Girls, James Taylor, Joan Baez, the Band, 10,000 Maniacs, Billy Bragg, Dan Zanes and countless others, all of whom informed and enhanced their musical repertoire. Together they are writing a book called All Together Singing In the Kitchen: The Musical Family, due out on Shambhala/Trumpeter Books in 2011.
Katryna has participated in Music Together training (and is an alum of the fabulous Hill Town group with Lui Collins in Ashfield.)  Nerissa spent four years as the musical director of a day camp of 400 kids.  They grew up listening to Pete Seeger and Jack Langstaff lead audiences in song, and fervently believe that a group of people singing folk songs together is tantamount to heaven on earth.

Mucho Gusto Spanish with Laurie Davidson

All class information and registration is done directly through Mucho Gusto Spanish.  To contact the program email: muchogustospanish@gmail.com or call 413-367-9608.

For Whom? Multi-age classes geared toward ages 0-5 with parent/caregiver

About: Mucho Gusto Spanish classes are conducted in Spanish with minimal English used when necessary to facilitate understanding.

Each session is based around a collection of songs with overlapping themes and vocabulary.  Songs include traditional Spanish songs, translations of familiar songs, and songs composed specifically to teach Spanish.  There is ample repetition of material to encourage familiarity with the language, but we also adapt the songs to introduce new vocabulary as the session progresses.  While hearing the language, children make connections as they move their bodies, respond to visual aids such as puppets and pictures, and manipulate simple props.  Mucho Gusto participants vary in language background, from parents with little or no prior exposure to Spanish to those who are raising their children bilingually.

The class follows a consistent and predictable structure.  Sitting in a circle, we start each class with our greeting song, Buenos días a todos aquí, followed by finger plays.  Next we act out a song using individual felt cut-outs or small toys to facilitate comprehension.  Then we are ready to MOVE!  We dance and move about the room, acting out songs with our whole bodies, often using scarves, colored streamers, or instruments.  After movement, we return to our circle for a closing song using gestures, picture cards, or more felt manipulatives.  And finally, we end each class with our goodbye song, Adios, amigos.

Who? LAURIE DAVIDSON holds a B.A. in Spanish from Tufts University and an EdM in Bilingual Education from Boston University.  She taught for five years in a two-way immersion program in Chelsea, MA, where she sang her way through the school day and  taught the first grade curriculum in Spanish to an integrated group of native Spanish and native English speakers.  After becoming a mother, Laurie launched Mucho Gusto Spanish to bring her love of Spanish and music to young children.  She is now the mother of three children, whom she is raising bilingually.  In addition to teaching Mucho Gusto classes, she also performs Spanish and English music at area libraries and schools with husband Tom Carroll as the musical duo Canto for Kids, more widely known as “Tom and Laurie”.

When? Mondays 9:30-10:15 and 10:30-11:15, April 5 – June 14 (no class Memorial Day) 10 week session, 45 minute classes

How Much? $135, Each additional sibling $110, Siblings under one year are free
Full payment with registration (payment plans possible by prior arrangement with instructor)