MUSIKGARTEN GIVES CHILDREN A LOVE OF MUSIC

One year ago, Paula Andrews started a Musikgarten program in Jackson to teach kids to love music.

The program helps children ages 2-6 to love music, improve language skills, learn rhythm, match pitch and learn social skills as they interact with each other in the class.

The program has grown from last year's Wednesday morning classes to Wednesday and Friday classes. Andrews said she will one day offer classes every day of the week.

The program is offered through PBA Music Studio located on Otto Drive in Jackson.

The classes are divided up according to the age of the children.

"It's not a performance type class. It is a participation class," Andrews said.

She said that 10 years ago she wanted to do this, but was unable to find the resources to start her own business.

Last year she took the plunge and was really impressed by the packet of materials sent by Musikgarten.

"I decided I was going to take the chance," Andrews said.

"I have been teaching piano for 25 years. I love music and children and this was a way to bring them together," she added.

Andrews wanted to make her classes a Christian based learning atmosphere.

She said that in the younger classes the parents come to class with the children to participate.

The classes are one hour long and Andrews has 14-17 students this year.

She said she is trying to limit her class size to six students. She also hold her classes during the school year and not during the summer.

Andrews said that the experience for the parents is new to them and some are uncomfortable in the first classes when they are called upon to participate in front of other parents in the younger classes.

But she said that the parents just absolutely love it once they get into it. The parents of the children in the older classes love the hour of free time that the class creates for them.

The children have the most fun when they get to play the instruments in the classes, Andrews said.