We have launched Best Music Heroes to reward our students and their families for their unstoppable support and loyalty for our Music School. A few months have passed and now we have found our first Hero of our School, the Tee Family! We're truly delighted and we wish the best for them and looking forward to spend more time with them! On this special occasion we've asked the family, Therese and David to tell us a bit more about on children's progress in music and how it effects their daily life.
Why did you choose to let your Children learn music?
What's life without music!? It was never a question of if our children were going to learn music, but which instruments would they learn and which one would be first!
We grew up with very musical backgrounds and loved all genres of music and dance. As parents, we hear about how learning a musical instrument can boost academic achievement, stimulate parts of the brain that help with emotional development, lowers stress, develops discipline and a strong work ethic...we wanted all that for our children. But more importantly, we wanted them to know that they could create music, engage others around them, and to appreciate what music has to offer. You always hear that people wish they played an instrument; no one ever has regrets about learning an instrument. We are blessed to have the children as a part of the BMA community where they can be encouraged to explore and create in a supportive environment.
Which benefits did you observe in your children after they started to learn music?
The sense of joy, pride and accomplishment that we see on Brianna and Alanna's faces are priceless. Our eldest daughter, Brianna, who started violin at BMA at 5.5 and is now 8, is dedicated to her practice sessions because she can see that she is making progress as the weeks and months go by. To have that discipline in putting in time from your daily life to learn something that really is quite challenging, is admirable in a young child from whom its really quite challenging! Her younger sister, Alanna, always hummed along to the Suzuki pieces whenever her big sister practiced. Now that she is also playing the violin, you can tell that she has really developed her aural skills just by listening to her older sister play! The familiarity of the songs really makes her feel like it's something that she can also accomplish.
The BMA recitals are a showcase of the culmination of all their hard work. It has really boosted their self-confidence by being on stage. They don't get stage fright and know with confidence that they have put in the time and effort to get to share their favourite piece with family and friends. That sense of confidence is priceless!
What was your most memorable experience at Best Music?
We very clearly remember the challenges of learning a string instrument with Brianna when she started. It was at the start of Suzuki violin book 2, and Brianna was really pushing the boundaries and really did not want to practice, let alone practice daily. We thought it was a phase that would never end! But with patience and guidance, and a safe, loving, and nurturing environment created by Charliah, we managed to overcome and Brianna really understands the value of practice today! We say "we" because we as parents really didn't think we could get through it either but there's light at the end of the tunnel! The inspiration and encouragement and attentiveness to helping the children learn to really love and appreciate music is something special that Charliah helps to encourage. She knows that each child can play an instrument and really holds them to a high standard knowing that they can! And through that, the children are able to gain confidence in knowing that they can play!
What were your most memorable moments as a parent learning a music instrument alongside your children?
We know that by learning alongside our children, that our girls really appreciate the time and effort we put in with encouraging them during practice. They respect that we are learning something alongside of them instead of being just a bystander. To know that they have the emotional support and guidance at home really makes a difference in how they approach their practice sessions. Practices are also time for us to get to know our children and to be an active part of their learning and development. It may not feel like the most special or well spent family time for some, but any time we spend with our kids is special and should be appreciated. We hope that our children will remember these special times and the mini recitals that we get to enjoy at home will certainly be remembered by all!