Memorable Moments from Masterworks Studio of Decatur, Georgia

My New Location….

Merri Williams — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:07:45 +0000

I am very pleased and proud to announce that I am now teaching Kindermusik at the Callanwolde Arts Center in Atlanta on Saturday mornings. Callanwolde is located at 980 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30306. It is, without a doubt, the most unique, beautiful location I have ever had the privilege to teach in.

Callanwolde is a magnificent 27,000 square foot Gothic-Tudor style mansion situated on a beautifully landscaped 12.5-acre estate, filled with sculptured lawns, formal gardens, nature trails and a rock garden. Originally the home of the Charles Howard Candler family, it was built between 1917 and 1920 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

I am teaching Village classes for the very youngest, from newborn to 18 months, as well as Our Time classes for toddlers aged 18 months to 3.5 years. Beginning in 2010, I will also have an Imagine That class or possibly a Family Time class as well on Saturdays. Registration for Kindermusik classes at the Callanwolde Arts Center must be done through their website.

Come join us as we “Do-Si-Do” with the babies, and “Wiggle & Giggle” with the toddlers this fall!

Posted in Kindermusik

The hiatus is over….

Merri Williams — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:26:02 +0000

I’ve had several people writing recently to ask if I had dropped over the face of the earth. While it might seem that way, and, at times, felt that way, the answer is no.

Life intervened at the end of our spring semester with physical ailments of my own that I had to deal with this summer, and I’m just now getting back to some semblance of normalcy, whatever that might be. Thanks for the encouraging notes and emails. I do appreciate each and every one!

Posted in Illness, Masterworks Studio, On the Flip Side, Personal Experience

Til the Last Shot is Fired…..

Merri Williams — Mon, 25 May 2009 19:54:46 +0000

So many men of my generation gave their lives on the fields and in the hills of Viet Nam for a war that, at the time, made absolutely no sense to me. Even now, the horror of nightly news still resonates with me.

To all our servicemen and women, thank you for standing in harm’s way to protect our nation and our freedoms. I am very aware that freedom is never free.

For those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, words will never adequately convey the deep sense of gratefulness that comes over me whenever I try to say “thank you”.

There are no words – other than I thank you, I honor you, I cherish the fact that I live freely in the greatest nation on this earth because there were individuals who gave of themselves freely, without hesitation, throughout our country’s existence to ensure that our freedoms remain intact. You are not forgotten.

Posted in FYE - For Your Enjoyment, Holidays, Just for Grownups, People Making a Difference, Video Clips

A Summer of Music

Merri Williams — Sun, 24 May 2009 00:02:58 +0000

It’s that time of year again – hot, sunny days filled with giggles and laughter of children who live life right there in the moment!

Share the fun and joy with your children as we spend our Busy Days exploring the Creatures at the Ocean while we’re On the Road traveling Around the World!

* * *

For newborn through 18 months:

Busy Days

Set your baby’s day to classical music. With a little more Tchaikovsky in your “Twinkle, Twinkle” repertoire, you’ll discover new ways your baby benefits from the classics as you both develop an appreciation for the world’s most respected music. Each lesson features new activities and songs you can sing for all the places you go together – the store, the playground, the doctor, and more!

Take-Home materials include a Home CD , a baby board book (pictured above), a parent poster, and a beautiful, wooden cage bell especially for your little one. This is a 5-class session with classes lasting 45 minutes. For specific days and times, please check our Class Schedule.

* * *

For children 18 months to 3.5 years:

Creatures at the Ocean

“Come sailing with me” as we head for the ocean! Sing sailor songs and make the ocean count. “Five little seashells lying on the shore: Swish! Went the waves and then there were four.” Make homemade kites and fish sandwiches using fish-shaped bread and P.B. and J.

Home materials include a Home CD, a pair of seashell castanets instrument, a set of 10 story cards and 5 picture folders. This is a 5-class session with classes lasting 45 minutes. For specific days and times, please check our Class Schedule.

* * *

For children ages 3 to 5 years old:

On the Road

Re-live your childhood, with your child. Every song is likely to revive a memory from your summers’ past. Play “Eye Spy” and find shapes in the clouds to pass the time. Take imaginary trips in a bus named “Van Go” to fun-filled vacation destinations such as the carnival, a summer cottage, and the beach.

Home Materials: On the Road book, Home CD, frog guiro instrument, and poster. This is a 5-class session with classes lasting 45 minutes. For specific days and times, please check our Class Schedule.

* * *

For children ages 5 to 6 years old:

Around the World

Take an imaginary trip—explore the exotic cultures of Germany, Japan, Africa, England, and Mexico. Play the native instruments. Drape sheets over cardboard boxes and sing over the German mountain tops. Toss peanuts on the floor and bring good luck to one’s home in this Japanese custom. Send messages in Nigeria with “talking drums.”

This is a 5-class session with classes lasting 90 minutes. For specific days and times, please check our Class Schedule.

Home Materials: include a Home CD, arts and craft materials, a set of 5 picture folders, and a travel bag just right for child-sized travelers.

* * *

NEW this year

Your summer’s filled to the brim and you just can’t squeeze in a 5-class session, but you hate for your child to miss Kindermusik.

Or maybe you’re already registered for a 5-class session and you’ve got some extra time to fill this summer to keep your little ones engaged and learning.

What can you do in either case?

Come join us as we celebrate various themes for each age group in a one-time only Kindermusik playdate.

Village families will have four different playdates:

Wiggle, Waggle
Cowboy Baby
The Best of Kindermusik
Shake It Up, Mother Goose!

Home materials will vary from one playdate to another. Each family attending will receive a Kindermusik CD, Board Book and/or Home Instrument.

Choose one playdate or even all four – you can create your own summer Kindermusik schedule! Your baby will thank you with BIG hugs and grins!

Our Time families are offered four different themes as well:

Pat-a-Cake
Tub Tunes
The Best of Kindermusik
Pet and Play

Home materials will vary from one playdate to another. Each family attending will receive a Kindermusik CD, Board Book and/or Home Instrument. Choose one playdate or even all four – you can create your own summer Kindermusik schedule! Your toddler will thank you with BIG hugs and giggles!

For our older children (Imagine That and Young Child ), we are very pleased to offer two very unique playdates.

Fairy Princess Ballerinas: on July 18th at 11:30 AM

Come join us as we celebrate all the magic of being a Fairy Princess Ballerina! Your little girl will thank you with BIG hugs and a wave of her magic wand!

Each family will receive a Kindermusik CD and Hardcover Book. Each girl will also receive her own very special magic wand and pink tutu.

and

World Explorers on July 25th at 11:30AM.

Come join us as we celebrate all the wonder of being a world-class explorer! Your child will thank you with BIG hugs and maybe even take you along on an exploration!

Each family will receive a Kindermusik CD and Hardcover Book. Each child will also receive his or her own very special explorer fanny pack filled with explorer equipment.

For registration of specific days and times, please check our Class Schedule.

* * *

This summer we have something for everyone at Masterworks Studio.

Posted in Adventures, Class Schedules, Education, Family Fun, Finances, FYI, Imagine That, Kindermusik, Masterworks Studio, Music For Children, Our Time, Summer Fun, Village, Young Child

Happy Mother’s Day!

Merri Williams — Sun, 10 May 2009 19:33:02 +0000

To all mothers everywhere – Happy Mother’s Day!

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn’t worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn’t want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn’t stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn’t know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn’t know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn’t know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn’t know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn’t know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom .

May you always be overwhelmed by the Grace of God rather than by the cares of life.

Thank you to one of my Kindermusik moms, Myra Stewart, for sending this on to me. Happy Mother’s Day, Myra!

Posted in FYE - For Your Enjoyment, Holidays, Just for Moms, On the Flip Side, Parenting, People Making a Difference

The Healing Power of Music

Merri Williams — Tue, 05 May 2009 04:37:31 +0000

I realize that it’s been a long while since I’ve posted anything. Life just got extremely busy, and something had to go on hiatus else I totally lose it. After reading a blogpost from the Mayo Clinic, though, I knew I had to take time to share this.

The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is world-renown for its medical expertise and care. I found it interesting to note that they have a grand piano in the atrium of the Gonda building that is used frequently by individuals who want to share the gift of music.

Watch this video of a delightful, older couple and the joy and laughter they bring to the patients and families passing through the atrium this particular day.

Then read these words by a loving daughter who gives you a much deeper insight into the powerful gift that music provides there at the Mayo Clinic, and view this video of Jodi Hume with her mother, Sharon, as they talk about that day at the clinic and the joy that they found in the sunny atrium, watching and listening to Fran and Marlo Cowan, married 62 years, as they gave an impromptu performance.

Jodi wrote:

And then we heard the piano and the laughter. From the balcony we could see an older couple sitting side by side at the piano playing together and entertaining a host of people. Some were in wheelchairs, others were sitting with canes beside them or standing. Everyone was smiling with all burdens forgotten for the moment. The joy was absolutely indescribable. When we asked them to play one more for us, Fran and Marlow Cowan, who have been married for more than 62 years, treated us to an exceptional performance that is now a “youtube” sensation.

And watch this video of Jodi and her mom, Sharon, as they sit in a porch swing and talk about that day at the Mayo.

To read Jodi’s post in its entirety, please visit the Mayo Blog here.

Posted in Artistry, Benefits of Music, Family Fun, FYE - For Your Enjoyment, Health, Illness, People Making a Difference, Personal Experience, Video Clips

A Truly Amazing Woman

Merri Williams — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 02:25:25 +0000

I know that I’m most likely in the minority here, but I’ve never really been a fan of American Idol. (Yes, yes, I know – please don’t flame me.) However, I do enjoy the British version, “Britain’s Got Talent,” for the main reason that they seek out everyday, ordinary people who otherwise would never have a chance to share their special talent. These folks, for the most part, are there to audition because they love doing whatever their gift is. They’re not hyped or groomed or merchandised as in AI.

I especially enjoy seeing someone come onstage and totally blowing the judges away, with their cynical smiles and condescension as if they are the know-all’s and be-all’s of judging of talent.

This year’s season is already looking to be an exciting one to follow. Click on the picture below to follow the link to the Youtube video (embedding disabled) to watch an amazing seven-minute audition of one 47-year-old woman named Susan Boyle who states quite candidly that she’s never been married or even kissed. She’s *cheeky* (translate that to “sassy” here in the States) and not afraid to stand her ground on stage.

Watch as all three judges (Simon, Amanda, & Piers) and the entire audience are brought to their feet by this delightful, talented woman who is courageous enough to stand there and sing her heart out in the face of cynicism, ridicule and mockery from the judges and audience alike. Brava, Susan!

Posted in Artistry, FYE - For Your Enjoyment, People Making a Difference, Video Clips

Before there was a Cirque du Soleil….

Merri Williams — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 01:29:35 +0000

there were the Ross Sisters, Aggie, Maggie, and Elmira. In this classic footage from the movie “Broadway Rhythm” (1944), the Ross sisters, Aggie, Maggie and Elmira, sing and move in ways that don’t look humanly possible. Yoga anyone? Movie buffs will recognize the tune as one of the background instrumentals from “The Godfather.” Be sure to watch past the first 50 seconds. You will truly be amazed! Enjoy!

Posted in Artistry, Fun Stuff, FYE - For Your Enjoyment, Video Clips Tagged: 1944, acrobat, Broadway, contortionist, human body, music, video

Violin like I’ve never heard before!

Merri Williams — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:30:58 +0000

A friend and colleague of mine, Beth Magill, posted this video on her Facebook page, and I couldn’t resist sharing it here. Miri Ben-Ari is one talented artist! It gives a whole new twist to the capabilities of the violin. Enjoy!

Posted in Artistry, FYE - For Your Enjoyment, Musical Instruments, Technology, Video Clips Tagged: Apollo Theater, ashanti, beatboxing, dj, Harlem, hip-hop, Miri Ben-Ari, music, rap, sean paul, violin, violinist

Fear Itself

Merri Williams — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 01:35:32 +0000

I am usually known as an encourager, although from time to time I have been known to really wallow in pessimism and have one absolutely *terrific* pity-party with anyone and everyone invited. But with the overwhelming, frequent soundbites each day of the “free-falling economy,” the “downward spiral on Wall Street” with “no end in sight, ” it’s sometimes difficult to keep a positive outlook.

I’ve thought a lot recently about something Franklin Delano Roosevelt said in his first inaugural address in 1933: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Fear is palpable in our country right now, especially in the media who feeds it to us daily on a frequent basis.

Yesterday, thankfully, I read something so encouraging about one CEO’s decision to not give in to the mindset espoused by the media that I wanted to share it here in hopes that this choice might spread rapidly across our nation like a virus. It already did there at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

All it takes is one person making a conscious decision to look for an alternative to layoffs, being willing to give up something in order to help out others in jeopardy of their livelihood, asking other workers to come alongside and share with the load of keeping everyone employed.

Read about President and CEO Paul Levy’s alternative to layoffs here and how his staff responded to his request for sacrifice.

Their response, in my opinion, is akin to the actions shown by my grandparents’ generation in the Great Depression when extended families and neighbors reached out to help each other when there was a need.

It reminds me of my parents’ generation – the so-called Greatest Generation – when they came together as “one nation” in World War II to fight to preserve the sanctity and safety of their families here at home.

It’s about time that my generation – the Boomers – gets off their collective blessed assurance and show that we are capable of carrying that same torch to keep our nation whole and healthy as our parents and grandparents before us. Our children and grandchildren deserve no less.

Posted in Family, FYI, Just for Dads, Just for Grownups, Just for Moms, On the Flip Side, Parenting, People Making a Difference Tagged: alternatives, Baby Boomers, children, economic fallout, economy, fear, financial meltdown, grandchildren, Great Depression, Greatest Generation, job, layoffs, livelihood, loss of job, media, minimum wage earners, parents, unemployed, unemployment