Berry Music STL
BENEFITS OF MUSIC
NEUROSCIENCE AND MUSIC
HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL STUDY ON MUSIC AND THE BRAIN
SEE LINK! https://hms.harvard.edu/news-
The many benefits of studying a musical instrument have been proven time and again to improve all areas of our lives!
Music is a language that speaks to us all, regardless of age, gender, culture, or life experience.
MUSIC HAS THE POWER TO:
-Connect us with our emotions
-Challenge our mind
-Engage us intellectually
-Remind us of specific memories
-Inspire us move when we are happy
-Soothe our sorrow
-Ease our anxiety
-Build build our confidence and self-esteem
-Help us to relate and connect with others
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When individuals embark upon a journey of musical discovery, no two paths are the same!
We all learn in our own unique way and we all express ourselves differently.
Music offers us an outlet, an escape, an identity, acceptance, and a new challenge to help us grow and persevere in many ways!
Throughout my career I have observed the positive impact that music has made in the lives many students I have taught since 1993.
Music is powerful and mysterious. I do not think we will ever truly understand it fully. It is too magnificent and vast!
I have witnessed first-hand miracles directly related to the effects of music.
Parents have shared many testimonies with me regarding how their child’s study of music with me has changed their life, self-esteem, stress-management, coping skills, creativity, study habits, coordination, mental-health, and more!
Studies show that children who study a musical instrument have these outcomes:
- Score higher in math and reading
- Improved hand-eye coordination
- Improved memory
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Less stress/ better coping strategies
- Better conflict-resolution skills/ problem-solving skills
- Improved in their athletic endeavors due to more advanced coordination skills
- Better time-management skills
- Learn healthy study habits
- Learn how to stick with things and see them through till the end(follow-through)
- Improved self-esteem and fewer episodes of anxiety, panic-attacks, or depression
- Learn to read faster at the Pre-K level/ school readiness
- Rhythm and movement coordination/gross motor and fine motor development
- New neural pathways
- Music study stimulates the same areas of the brain as one who is studying a second language
- Engages all modalities of learning: KINESTHETIC, VERBAL, AUDITORY
I could go on and on!
Let me conclude by sharing my own personal testimony of what Music has done for me.....
I was born two months early and had to play a lot of "catch-up".
From my earliest years of learning with dyslexia, ADD, speech problems, and several other diagnoses.
I struggled at first to accept the fact that learning was going to be a bit of a challenge for me. However, this never deterred me, as I've always been a bit on the persistent side.
Rather, it made me want to work harder to get ahead. Music offered many therapeutic effects and an "escape" from the daily classroom struggles throughout my childhood and adolescent years. I loved music too much to let certain aspects of my own personal learning challenges stand in my way of enjoying music to the fullest!
The biggest challenge in learning music was the reading of notation and understanding rhythms.
I recall as a child, DREADING my piano lessons for the sheer fact that reading was absolutely agonizing for me. Numbers were an entirely different nightmare.
My solution was to memorize my music! Problem solved!
This only lasted through high school before my piano teacher at that time, discovered my little trick!
With much patience and perseverance she taught me how to slow down and learn in small sections. She also taught me music theory in a way that I could understand.
I began to love music theory and sight-playing! It was miraculous! It actually seemed to be helping my symptoms of dyslexia become less and less! It was all about learning the correct strategies to overcome my hurdles and launch me to the next level of my own personal journey with music.
I am so thankful she did not give up on me and my "special learning needs". She imparted hope and inspiration.
I strive to do the same for each of my students both young and old.
Have my challenges magically disappeared?
Heavens NO!
The gift and healing of music has helped me struggle less and succeed more!
I do not know where my life would be without it.
It is with great passion that I remember my own story of "overcoming obstacles" and allow it to fuel my continued inspiration for teaching others how to do the same.
I find a way to reach every student discover and enjoy the learning process. Learning is fun and learning is for LIFE!
In conclusion, I will summarize with this final thought: Through many seasons of my life, both good and bad; music has been a joy and a comfort in more ways than I could write.
I thank my creator, God for creating music and sharing this beautiful gift with me! -Zephaniah 3:17..."I will rejoice over you with singing", Psalm 42:8..."and in the night His song shall be with me.", Psalm 143:8 ..."Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning.", Job 35:10..."but, no one says ' where is God my maker, the one who gives songs in the night.."
I am blessed as one who has reaped its many benefits and I live my life to share that blessing with others and use my music to Glorify my God and Savior!
Check out the link below!
https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/the-benefits-of-music-education
CELEBRATING 30+ YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC EDUCATION!
ACTIVE MEMBER:
Music Teachers National Association
Missouri Music Teachers Association
St. Louis Area Music Teachers Association
National Guild of Piano Teachers
National Federation Of Music Clubs
Virtuoso Club
Past Member:
Minnesota Music Teachers Association
Minneapolis Music Teachers Forum
West Suburban Music Teachers Association