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What is Spirit Week?

Tuesday, March 30, 2021 | Uncategorized

Spirit Week is an event hosted by the Let's Play Music company to celebrate accomplishment throughout the company. My studio Spirit Week will be April 19-24th, culminating with the Drum Bus and open house on April 24th. Here are some highlights from the company wide event:

   


Inspiring Podcast

Thursday, March 25, 2021 | Presto

I just finished Shelle's latest podcast episode featuring Annalee Dinkle, the creator of Presto! It was a real treat to hear these two creators and colaborators sharing their creative process and the early beginnings of Presto for the older beginnger!

2021 Spirit Week

Thursday, March 18, 2021 | Drum Bus


Lucky you! The Drum Bus is coming! Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 24th, 11:00-2:00 right outside my home studio! We will follow current social distancing requirements (at publication: 10 people allowed on the bus at any given time) -- with sanitizing in between. So bring your family and friends to hop on the Drum Bus! Tired of waiting in line? I'll have the studio open with celebration day activities set up and surely there will be a snack too! Tickets are not required, just show up for your turn to make some noise! 

I believe music education surrounded in love, joy and fun is an essential childhood experience. I hope you will all come enjoy my Spirit Week party! To all of my students and families (past and present), THANK YOU for being a part of my studio -- it is my great privilege to work with you.<3


 

How it all began

Tuesday, March 16, 2021 | About Me

Welcome! I'm so happy you stopped by! I LOVE teaching Let's Play Music, Sound Beginnings and Presto! Here is a recent picture with my family:


Twelve years ago this month, I discovered Let's Play Music for the very first time through a newspaper article in the community section of the Arizona Republic -- that's right, Arizona. I first taught in Gilbert, Arizona and I fondly remember my first studio families during those years. At that time (2009) Facebook had just expanded to include regular people not currently enrolled at a university and instagram hadn't been invented yet. When I started teaching Let's Play Music, I also started blogging. Watch for a fun walk down memory lane:


An Arizona native, I moved to Utah in 2015. I love seeing the mountains every day. I have seven amazing children, two of whom are Sound Beginnings and Let's Play Music graduates.  For the last 9 years, teaching Let's Play Music and Sound Beginnings has given full expression to my love for music, children, and lifelong learning. I love it! I also thoroughly enjoy my job as an Associate Trainer with the company training and mentoring new trainees.  Read on for my childhood music stories.

I cut my teeth listening to Daddy practice.  Dad insisted a violin produced the purest sound.


Wieniawski Violin Concerto with the University of Idaho Symphony, 1978

I have warm, happy memories cuddled up with Mom before bed as she paged through My Picture Song Book (Dalton, Ashton, and Young) and sang song after song for us.  I specifically remember the thrill I felt when I looked at the train illustration and listened to her sing, "Choo!  Choo!  Choo!"

Mom could often coax us to stay in our beds at night by promising to play her viola from the nearby family room.  The number of times I fell asleep listening to "Pop Goes the Weasel," I can't possibly count.

Although my own violin years were short lived, at 8 years old I began lessons with Pop, my paternal grandfather.  He was passionate about exactness and demanded excellence.  I remember how hard he pressed his pencil for "Every Good Boy Does Fine" more than the note names he wrote.  Yet Grandpa instilled much of the music theory I carry with me today.  I find I am often transported to those long ago lessons as I prepare to teach.  I feel a great love for him as I remember and honor his teaching legacy.

It was a 7 am lesson slot with Helen Larkins where I found my piano experience. Each May, a perfected, memorized recital piece was performed for parents and guests followed by proper cake and punch served by students on glass dishes.  My greatest joy at the piano came playing duets with my big brother, Eric, and my dear friend, Belinda.

I consider it a privilege to teach children Let's Play Music and Sound Beginnings and I look forward to speaking with you.  Please contact me: rosalynfrancis@letsplaymusicsite.com