Hello, again!

A new season has opened up and we are working together again! The neck deep in diaper feeling with my two precious children is lifting and now I have found grace in my schedule to get back into teaching and learning! And even more special, we are able to be in a musical environment again! We are very thankful for each moment and treasuring the days to come!

The fun didn't stop at Graduation!

Our lives changed for the best when we received a call from Kristi from Palmetto Performing Arts inviting us to have Kindermusik in her studio. She thought it would be a great fit, and it sure is! Here are some photos of the past year in Kindermusik classes...

The Power of Mommy and Me Time..

                                                         
                                                       Circle Dances are always a winner!

                                                          Daddys are always welcome!

                                            Especially MY Mom and Dad. :) Julee Salisbury, my
                                            mother is a Kindermusik Director and Educator, and has been for
                                            30 years! We've truly been able to learn from the best.
                                              My Dad might as well be a teacher, too. :) Here they are
                                          in class, with our son Walt Lewis. A very special time by all!

                    Moving into the studio meant loads of musical instruments. (OUT of my house :)

                                          We've come so far, it's been a beautiful journey...a journey
                                         that never ends! It's a joy and honor to have Bryann in class
                                        and influencing our son. Walt Lewis will always know her, and
                                                             that is very special to me.

                                                   

           

......More to come!!

2012:

Bryann Burgess graduated from the University of South Carolina's Carolina LIFE program.

Did you know the LIFE part stands for "Learning Is For Everyone?"

&

She also completed her licensing hours for Kindermusik International!

----------

Have you ever seen a more happy graduate? 

Congratulations, Bryann!

PS: This blog is just now catching up! Mrs. Ally had her baby in September and has been slightly preoccupied! :)

Eastern PA Down Syndrome Center

Wow! Has it really been so long since we blogged?
Between speaking engagements for Bryann and Mrs. Ally's new baby boy, this year has really flown by!

Here is a little write up about a special presentation that Bryann and her Mother were apart of..

Need a motivational speaker? You'll get TWO with this fine duo. (((BIG SMILE)))


"The first two things you notice about
Bryann Burgess when she speaks are her
Southern accent and her endless enthusiasm.
She started her presentation with the opening
statement, “We are so excited to be here”. You
can tell that she meant every word of it.
Bryann and her mom, Kathreen, spoke
about her early childhood years first; complete
with adorable baby pictures. When Bryann
was entering fourth grade, Kathreen decided
to begin teaching her from home. Her two
main reasons were that she felt even with
speech therapy, Bryann was not given enough
opportunities to speak. The other reason was
that they were not teaching to her strengths;
especially her creative and musical side.
Bryann plays piano and is currently learning to
play guitar. In addition to learning at home, the
family did quite a lot of learning through travel
in the family RV.
Bryann was accepted in the two-year
University of South Carolina “Life” (Learning
is for Everyone) program in 2008. She was
a commuting student. The program was
expanded into a four-year program giving
Bryann the opportunity to live on campus
in an apartment for the last two years of the
program. She graduated in the spring of 2012.
Bryann worked for the “Life” program this
past year assisting the current students. She
is a certified instructor for Kindermusik and is
actively involved with her local theatre group.
She will be performing in “Miss Siagon” this
May.
When asked what words of advice do they
have for families their response was:
Kathreen: “As a parent, you know your
child best. Push for what you know will be the
most successful path for your child.
Bryann: “Follow what your heart is telling
you.”
From their presentation, we can tell they
practice what they preach!"

 I Remember

"Self esteem comes from doing something and accomplishing something." -Shari Lewis

I can remember first starting out with Bryann Burgess, during the very first few steps that were made to communicate with the University of South Carolina's post-secondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities. This program, called CarolinaLIFE, and the concept of these programs are becoming very popular all over the United States. I am glad to be a witness, because I have been able to see first hand how the program has enhanced student  Bryann Burgess's experiences in life to better equip her for what she chooses as a vocation.

Before we began the apprenticeship, I remember sitting down at a 'round table' with her loving parents and dedicated professors as we talked about the opportunity of a partnership between CarolinaLIFE and my Kindermusik program in Columbia, which strives to provide the best musical experience to families and their children.

"What can I expect?" "How do we go about doing this?" I asked myself.


I would later learn that nothing they would say would fully prepare me for what was to come, though the support and communication of Dr. Kathleen Marshall took flight the first year of the apprenticeship. Her mentoring me  is a gift I will treasure always. If it weren't for her encouragement, the apprenticeship wouldn't have been as strong. This goes for the close communication with her parents as well.. :)

Though I knew I wouldn't know how to structure our training sessions without actually spending time with Bryann first. It would be too hard to just assume goals for Bryann to achieve without taking time to get to know her and her learning style. So, that's what we did...we spent many hours of 'prep' time/one-on-one training..


Anyone who is beginning to learn a new skill, needs necessary components specific to them to achieve.

1) Firstly, providing a safe place where she can feel free to ask questions about our sessions and to practice different skills was one of the vital elements to this apprenticeship.

2) Secondly, providing a practical training ground where she could practice what we learned together during our one-on-one training sessions, only with the children, in their classroom setting.

Some Benefits of the Apprenticeship Model:

1) Confidence: This creates a slow but steady swell of confidence, but the build of the experience is breathtaking because she comes into the classroom knowing what to expect. She comes into the experience knowing she has something to contribute to the classroom.

2) Individual Plan: Part of the power of an apprenticeship type model is the way the program plan can be tailored by the instructor to the apprentice's needs, which propels her forward to develop her skills at a gradual and approporiate pace.

3) Setting up for Success: I remember the feeling of freedom that Bryann and I both experienced once we realized that this partnership was going to be a success. I remember noticing  Bryann's confidence level just soaring, and as a result, I began feeling more confident about the experience as a whole. I could see the benefits of our time together.


I remember mentioning this song to Bryann, reminding her that she has the freedom to choose to do whatever she sets her mind to, as long as she gives her all and tries her best!

You're free to dance-
Forget about your two left feet
And you're free to sing-
Even joyful noise is music to me
and you're free to love,
Cause I've given you My love,
and it's made you free
Free

 "Free to Dance" by Ginny Owens, a musician who is totally blind, but still chooses to sing about the greatness of her life's purpose no matter the circumstances. 

Like Ginny, Bryann continues to look at every moment in life as a gift and an incredible honor and opportunity to accomplish great and notable tasks!

What a full year we have shared teaching ABC Music & Me together! We've been BUSY reaching children in the classroom with the gift of music and movement. For our last class of the semester, we took time to celebrate the closing of another school year by taking pictures in the garden of the preschool. Bryann's professor and good friend of ours was able to join us as well. She has been one of the most important of key ingredients during our time together, has served as my mentor and friend throughout this proces. But more importantly, she has helped us so much by working to create practical experiences for Bryann through the Carolina LIFE college program at the University of South Carolina.

Thank you, K and the Carolina LIFE team! :)

Here's Bryann taking careful note of attendance one last time for Spring 2011 Semester:

Kathleen, Bryann and I-Spring Semester 2011

Onto another year.....!! :-)

Memories of the past Spring Semester 2011:

Here we are, enjoying time together. What a wonderful group we've had at the school this year! We are always so thrilled to watch the same group grow and learn together throughout the entire school year.

Here's one of our class pictures!

What a sweet pair of sisters and their mother! We will miss you!

More to come!!

We would like to share with you, a news clip from our local WLTX TV station by Lauren Talarico.

Teacher Born With Down Syndrome Breaks Stereotypes

Congratulations, to Bryann Burgess and her family!

 

“Your journey never ends. Life has a way of changing things in incredible ways.”

-Alexander Volkov

Without all of you.... this would be impossible...

A special thanks to Kindermusik International, for creating such wonderful teaching materials and classroom materials for us to learn and grow from, and to share with others the magic of how 'a good beginning' never ends.

Thank you to CarolinaLIFE, and the folks at the University of South Carolina for your support and guidance throughout this continuing process. Without you, this opportunity wouldn't exist.

Also, thank you to the parents and teacher staff at Harmony School, who so graciously shared their children with us so the spirit of the class could be captured, paired hand in hand with Bryann's passion for life, learning, and teaching.

Congratulations, Bryann! You are truly an inspiration to us all, and your passion and love for learning is outstanding. Thank you for bringing your authenticity to class, for becoming the beautiful young lady you were created to be, and thank you for teaching from the utmost compassion and from your heart for these children.

To Bryann's parents....a huge thank you to you, who have shared in this incredible journey with Bryann longer than anyone else. You are the true heroes, here. And we congratulate you both, on raising a beautiful, outstanding, and very talented daughter.

Congratulations, Bryann!! You are outstanding!!

Alison Trotter

To read the article Click here: http://www.wltx.com/news/article/121995/2/Teacher-Born-With-Down-Syndrome-Breaks-Sterotypes

Dear Readers,

Part of our journey together at Notable Accomplishments, is to share in the celebration of your story, too.  We would like to hear from you. We believe that when sharing a story about our lives, it is not truly complete unless we share about the journey along the way, about the stepping stones that have brought us to where we are today.

The first remarkable story we'd like to share with you, comes to us by way of  Jeannie Castillo, a Kindermusik director, educator and maestro all the way from the Philippines. Her love for her son, Jamie, has inspired us to continue our vision in what we do during this apprenticeship, and how we support Kindermusik International's new project for those with special needs and their families--a project called Kindermusik for Every Child.

 

Jeannie shares her story:

Click here for Jeannie's inspirational story

 Jeannie Castillo is actively involved in this new digital endeavor for Kindermusik International, and remains an inspiration to everyone not only because of her story, but for the authentic passion she shares in proactively reaching all children with Kindermusik, even with children who have special needs, great and small.

Stay Tuned to hear this beautiful story, from a very sweet family, that will unfold in just a short while...

Until then...take some time to get to know Jeannie Castillo, a remarkable mother and Kindermusik educator, whose family's story will capture your heart, and inspire your world with her passion for sharing music with all children, of all capabilities, and their loving families.

Jeannie Castillo

"I love teaching Kindermusik, because it combines my love for learning and music, while honoring parents and children, families, in the learning process . . . to me, there is nothing more beautiful than seeing a child dancing in his mother’s or father’s arms, feeling completely and totally happy and secure.  I am so blessed that I get to share in these precious moments of our Kindermusik families . . . Kindermusik is truly a magical experience that I am privileged to share with the children and families in our community.”  -Jeannie Castillo

   To find out more about Kindermusik in the Philippines, please visit:

 http://www.teacherjeannieandcompany.com/teacher_jeannie.html

Jeannie shares her story:

http://yourjourneyalongtheway.blogspot.com/2011/03/jeannie-castillo-shares-her-journey.html

To share your story, e-mail us at notableaccomplishments@gmail.com

Dear Readers,

It's hard to believe that, with nearly 60 blog posts, over a hundred classes with Bryann by my side, and hours of one on one training with her, that it's only been a year and a half. We've done so much in that time frame, and we are still making great strides and spinning forward with full force to more accomplishments!

As you may know, the purpose of this blog has not been to document the perfect about this apprenticeship, because you won't find that here, but to simply celebrate and acknowledge the progress that we've made. Of course, this isn't just an online diary of the perfect, but simply the good paired with the struggle, which makes a journey a journey. A story, a story.

  And what a beautiful one it is.

Thank you for taking part in this journey, and continuing with us as it unfolds...

Telling you here, on a blog-page, wouldn't suffice enough to mention how this process has charged me to many different levels, both personally and the way I operate as a business.  

Bryann Burgess, has stood by my side in class, with passion like no other, and a determination to learn.  She actively participates and engages in all musical activities with the children and families we serve. 

She is living her life with passion, and she is a natural at teaching.

She is leading and creating, and just like anyone else, she is filled with love and joy as she pursues her true passions.

I am honored to know her, to have her as a 'side-kick' and I'm excited for her future!

"Press forward. Do not stop, do not linger in your journey,

but strive for the mark set before you."
-George Whitefield

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams"

-Eleanore Roosevelt

"Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe."

-Gail Devers

You are doing it, Bryann! Keep following your dreams and being true to who you are and who you want to be. You're a shining star, and a beautiful example to others. I am proud of you. I'm honored to have witnessed your sheer determination to be your very best.  Your progress in teaching has astounded me, and the world, and there's no telling where you'll be next! Congratulations on all you've accomplished during this apprenticeship!

Love to you dearly,

Alison Trotter

                              Kindermusik for Every Child

Kindermusik is for EVERY child: special needs in the Kindermusik classroom

Written and compiled by Theresa Case, whose Maestro Kindermusik program at Piano Central Studios in Greenville, SC is proudly among the top 1% of Kindermusik programs world-wide.

 

At Kindermusik, we’ve known for a long time that our program is wonderful for children with special needs. The 2010 Kindermusik Educator of the Year, Ally Trotter, believes this so strongly that she is leading the way with an exciting new initiative called Kindermusik for Every Child.  Her vision is that Kindermusik for Every Child will be a collaborative compilation of resources for educators specifically geared toward reaching children with special needs and their families in the Kindermusik classroom.
 Ally’s inspiration for this project is rooted in the fact that one of the many strengths of Kindermusik is its focus on the different developmental needs of each stage of childhood. Each Kindermusik class level is designed to give every child the most appropriate and stimulating environment to nurture their developmental needs.  In fact, it is Kindermusik’s musical and developmental basis that makes the program such a natural and effective way to augment occupational, physical, or speech therapy.
Each child has his or her own developmental patterns of growth, and the special needs child is no exception.  Instead of rushing ahead, Kindermusik celebrates and explores each stage, fostering joy and creativity and respecting a child’s unique pattern and pace of growth.  As a result, Kindermusik classes provide a unique place where the child with special needs can actively participate with peers of all abilities without pressure to perform in any way.
Dr. Melissa Johnson, a pediatric psychologist and advisor to Kindermusik International, says that Kindermusik can be an effective part of the educational and therapeutic plan for young children with developmental challenges. She points out three reasons she sees Kindermusik as a wonderful resource for children with any variety of special needs.
1. It facilitates inclusion. Beyond just mainstreaming these children, Kindermusik offers them full involvement in community activities, while giving them the support necessary to succeed. For example, children with motor disabilities such as cerebral palsy or spinal bifida may not be able to participate in children’s activities that focus on developing excellence in motor skills. But Kindermusik activities are accessible or readily adaptable to these children’s capabilities.
2. It is based on a multimodal, multisensory design. Kindermusik curricula are enriched with stories, pictures, creative movement and a wide variety of interesting objects as part of activities that pull children into the interaction no matter what their preferred learning style and mode might be.
3. It nurtures the individual child’s emotional and social development. The emphasis on the joy and pleasure of music, on the sharing of this joy with one’s caregiver and peers, and the support of the child’s self-esteem make it particularly appropriate for children and families who face psychosocial stresses and difficulties.
There is one pediatric occupational therapist in particular who agrees. We recently came across her blog entry where she describes first-hand the amazing effects Kindermusik can have, and she has become a vocal advocate of the program.  “I have had many OT (occupational therapy) clients who weren’t learning to talk with just speech therapy or developmental services, but did learn to speak after attending Kindermusik classes! Now, it is not designed just for the special needs child yet these children potentially can benefit greatly.”  To read her blog post in its entirety, including a powerful testimonial about the way one little boy benefitted from Kindermusik, click here.
Children ages newborn to 7 years around the world love and benefit from their Kindermusik classes every day.  But don’t just take our word for it… try it out for yourself!  Click here to sign up for a free preview class.  We’d love to meet you!
Written and compiled by Theresa Case, whose Maestro Kindermusik program at Piano Central Studios in Greenville, SC is proudly among the top 1% of Kindermusik programs world-wide.

We are on Week #2 of Family Time at The Therapy Place!

Musical Instrument Play is fun!

Katie Burgess,  also joins in on the fun during a circle dance!

Lilly Crisp joins us with her sister and her Mother!

Bryann brings her enthusiasm for dance to class!

Beat and Rhythm...an important part of our focus today!

Always singing!

              

                     Sing your way through the week!

The Therapy Place is one of the happiest places to be in Columbia with it's charming facility filled with caring, dedicated people and beautiful murals by Suzanne Baldwin 

(http://www.facebook.com/pages/Su-Bees-Artistic-Creations/134040006609235)

Bryann continues her apprenticeship and is gaining experience by assisting me in The Family Time class at The Therapy Place. Having the parent-child interaction is a special experience not only for the families, but for us as well. Seeing a variety of children from different backgrounds, ages and abilities come together to participate in a music class with their loved ones, is a treasure. 

 Classes are held Mondays from 4:00-5:00pm at The Therapy Place.

"Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same." 

-Franz Peter Schubert

Fall Sessions 2010 ABC Ages 2-4

Fall Sessions 2010 ABC Ages 4-6

Applying the Piano Component:  

Providing Children with a hands-on musical experiences through Instrument Play:

In Every ABC Music & Me Curricula for ages 4-6, there is a 'piano component' used as a tool to introduce musical concepts like the 'quarter note' and 'quarter rest'. Here, you can find us exploring the piano keys, each taking turns before introducing a new concept. Introducing your child to musical concepts in Kindermusik is a GREAT way to prepare them for future musical instruction on any desired musical instrument.




 Leading By Example: Bringing Useful Skills and Talents
 One of the best ways to captivate a child's interest in an activity during a Kindermusik class, is to model the task before them. Bryann gracefully demonstrates her piano playing ability for the children with a song she has committed to memory, Pachelbel's Cannon in D. Stay tuned for ways we incorporate her piano playing into the Kindermusik experience for these children!

“One mark of a great educator is the ability to lead students out to new places where even the educator has never been.”  

-Thomas Groome

  

 Beginning of Apprenticeship in September, 2009

Continuation of the Apprenticeship 2010

A Tribute to my Dear Friend

As we progress and learn and grow

We've grown closer together more than we could ever know

It's funny to think of us never meeting

If our paths hadn't crossed,

or gone beyond a simple greeting

Never forgetting the journey encountered along the way

The bumpy road or simply a difference in pace

Always learning from life, being challenged and changed

Given to us both, a path is made, a way is paved

There is more to this story than words could attempt to portray

And these moments we spend together are treasures 

filled with meaning and purpose for each of our days

For it wasn't some mysterious fluke for us to have met

It wasn't an acted out event or a bet

It wasn't some made up or take it by chance

It wasn't a ready made performance or dance

It is for a reason, it is for a rhyme

I know in my heart, the plan was more than just mine

Our paths were made to coincide

We were made to have each other to stand beside 

-Alison Trotter

Not only do Bryann and I share the same interests, but we also share the same birthday. We also both enjoy Italian food, so we celebrated at Olive Garden this year and last year.

 Olive Garden, August 20th, 2009

                                                      Olive Garden, August 20th, 2010

Although, this year, when they brought out the decadent chocolate cake list with two candles, there was no singing or clapping. Our waiter brought it out quietly to us and informed us of the new rule: 

No singing to the customers. 

Know what we did?

We sang anyway AND clapped the familiar song anyway!! 

...went something like this:

"Bona Festa what a joyous day

 Bona Festa ....da ta da ta da..

sit back, relax, have fun. da dun (the Italian wayyy)

We're so glad you came to us to celebrate today"

The words were jumbled because we were so used to having it presented to us by the Olive Garden singers, but the tune and rhythm were right on par. Funny, that we both instantaneously decided to sing and clap for ourselves in celebration of our lives together.

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. 
It's the life in your years."
-Abraham Lincoln

The Family Connection brought the community together to enjoy a day filled with games, activities, and music! The purpose of the event was to gather together to support families with children who have Special Needs and to celebrate them.


Bryann and I enjoyed leading everyone during the Electric Slide community dance. She leads with her warm smile and enthusiasm. Her love for music and dance is contagious!




I was able to play a sing-a-long set for the community gathering with my friend, Dan, who played the jembay. What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday, even though the heat was unbearable for most of the time!

Connecting with the community of families with children who are apart of the Family Connection program has been an inspirational experience for Bryann and I. We are so excited about offering Kindermusik classes to these families. Most of these families will experience a Kindermusik class for the first time beginning this Fall!

There is more to come, so stay tuned!






"Our life is composed greatly from dreams, from the unconscious, and they must be brought into connection with action. They must be woven together." -Anais Nin