Sandra Cathey- Kindermusik

Sandra playing the oboe

​Well, here we are! After a whole year of isolation and quiet in the woods of Vermont, we begin to come out of our cocoons.

When I think back to the beginning of my life, I think, what a “long and winding road”. But I have travelled it with pretty much a single mindedness: music and teaching.

From a very young age, music has been part of who I am. In my home, the living room was where I freely danced (in my underwear) to Tchaikovsky and Mozart. I would also often sing myself to sleep in my bed at night by going the my entire repertoire of songs from school and songs my mother had taught me. Later I learned to play recorder, clarinet and eventually the oboe. My life was filled with music.

In college, I became interested in working with small children and worked in the campus preschool. From this experience and from working with a wonderful teacher, I began the journey to become a music teacher.

From there it all evolved into teaching in the Vermont public schools. I taught both “general” music as well as instrumental music for 20 years. Along the way, I have been teaching private lessons on oboe, clarinet and recorder, 50+ years by now, and
absolutely LOVE teaching all ages!

With my own music, I have played in several orchestras and freelance groups as well as with my friends, and I still do!

A good friend, who was the first director of what is now Monteverdi (a long story for another time) suggested, and prodded me, I might add, to take on the teaching of music to preschoolers. So…I did! And this is how it all began, I started by teaching a program created by a woman from out of town, then teaching a program co-created with a friend, and eventually finding Kindermusik and becoming certified in it in 2000.

After much research, I found that Kindermusik is the most comprehensive program anywhere. Kindermusik is an International program of child development taught through music. As we travel through the world of music in our classes, the children take part in singing, playing instruments, moving, dancing, listening and discussing what we hear, reading books and experiencing them with sound and movement. Through this musical approach, all parts of the brain are exercised. The younger children are given a quiet time in class for reflection and snuggles with their caregivers as we listen to gentle music. We usually end the class with a circle dance! The activities in which we engage are purposeful and often explained to the grown-ups as we go along.

Kindermusik strives to encourage children to be creative, resourceful, empathetic and confident. As a result, we have noticed children becoming more capable and more ready to take on the world! Studies have been done that indicate that children who experience Kindermusik are more apt to excel in their studies in school. Kindermusik has Levels that are age appropriate as well as classes that are multi-age. I am offering Level 2, 3 and 4 this fall. Siblings are invited to be part of Level 2 and 3. For more information, email me!

Come join the fun, whether it be private lessons or Kindermusik! Email Sandra Cathey. Wrenwould@gmail.com

Private instrumental lessons can start now or anytime!!

Kindermusik classes start September 14!
An online class is offered as well as in-person options!

Health guidelines will be followed: air purifiers for the room, hands and instrument cleaning as well as mask requirements for those who can wear them or are not vaccinated.

​Website: Sandracathey-music.weebly.com
Facebook: Kindermusik with Sandra Cathey
Facebook: (for instrument lessons) facebook.com/scathey77

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