About Musicaliti
Musicaliti was created to offer an alternative musical activity
for young children to parents, nurseries and schools, catering to
the unique needs of the United Kingdom. With such a rich and
versatile history of musical development, from John Curwin and his
original Tonic sol-fa singing using hand signs, to our timeless folksong
tradition, a
child's earliest years are the perfect opportunity to proudly pass
on our extensive heritage through song. Children are introduced to a
range of musical styles according to their developmental ability,
giving them a wide spectrum of variety that they may not otherwise
encounter, and preparing them for more advanced tuition, should
they wish to develop their musical interests later.
About Frances
Frances is a skilled and
passionate educator, with an instinctive ability to connect with
children.
Sheila is the first teacher that
I remember. She had the amazing ability of really listening to
children and spoke to children the same way that she spoke to other
adults, with respect and understanding. She was never
forceful, never untruthful, never angry, never upset - or if she
was, she didn't show it! Sheila had many outstanding
qualities, particularly skilled creatively, but most of all,
Sheila encouraged me to follow my individual interests, not the
crowd. At the age of 5, I knew then that I wanted to pass
on that same respect and understanding that she had shown me.
While still at nursery, a musician came to play
nursery songs on a guitar. I was too transfixed by the
sound to join in because it sounded so different to the synthesized
tapes and recordings, so original, so special. I spent
the next 25 years searching for that job.
While
still at school, I became involved with leading children's
singing in my church and school groups, teaching myself to play
the guitar, melodica and basic piano, and
developed these skills during high school and uni, when I trained
as a high school maths and science teacher.
Going straight into administrative
positions, I gained valuable business skills, leaving only to
immigrate from South Africa to the UK into the teaching
profession. Disillusioned with the uniformity of the system, I
moved into education administration until getting married and having
my own little girl, and looking for activities for her.
In 2006,
when Alex was barely 6 months old, I began teaching music programmes
at primary schools and nurseries, watching children literally blossom before
me and hearing regular comments from parents about their child's increased confidence
and musical abilities. Taking my
initial training further by joining professional
societies and attending specialist weekend and holiday
classes has polished my skills both as a musician and as an
educator, illuminating and delving deeper into areas of music
and cognitive psychology, informing my students to the very
youngest, and ensuring that there is no better choice for your
child!