Robert’s Music Together
Robert Bernstein of Robert’s Music Together
Our production of In My Granny’s Garden celebrates togetherness, music, movement, story, and love. Metro Theater Company’s Content Marketing Manager Jennifer Lin recently reconnected with St. Louis music teacher Robert Bernstein of Robert’s Music Together. Jennifer and her toddler (now teenager!) loved participating in Robert’s music classes years ago. If you are looking for ways to experience the joy of music and movement with the little one in your life, consider trying a music class with Robert.
Can you describe a Robert's Music Together class?
It is a fun and comfortable atmosphere of singing and moving to music for 45 minutes a week over a ten week session. The adults are really the teachers for their children and I am the guide leading them through the songs and movements. It is a great way to engage and stimulate a child’s brain development while sharing joyous and memorable experiences with them.
What kind of songs are shared?
The music has been carefully curated and is a great combination of traditional folk songs, children’s classics, international folk/traditional songs as well as original music. There is also a wide range of styles and moods – from folk, blues, jazz and classical styles to lullabies.
What ages are best for your classes?
Families can bring the youngest infant through 5 years old. The classes are no less relevant for a baby as for a toddler.
What do you love about teaching these classes?
It is a tremendously rewarding experience to engage with families and be able to help the adults (parents, grandparents, caregivers) that attend the classes to really connect with their children through music. It is a special experience to make music in a situation that is not just performance, but really sharing the music with each other. Also, there can be a real sense of community that forms in a class during a ten week session – both for me with the families for them with each other.
How do music and movement affect a child’s development?
Music Together is researched based, and one of the of the most important aspects of the program is that music learning supports ALL learning. Also, all children are musical and the earlier you introduce music and movement in child’s life the more they can benefit from it. Another important aspect is that children model after the adults in their lives from birth, so they will especially respond to and imprint the experience of having a parent, grandparent or caregiver singing and making music for and with them.
You've been teaching Music Together classes in St. Louis since 2004! What are some of your favorite memories?
MUNY 100th Year Anniversary Sing-a-long at the Missouri History Museum – I put together a program of music for a family sing-a-long incorporating songs from musicals performed in 100 years of the MUNY (from The Wizard of Oz to Annie). It took a lot of time to prepare – it was a fun and rewarding experience!
Kids Stage performance at St. Louis Arch Concert Series
University City Public Library annual Music/Storytime performances with Ms. W (longtime storyteller at the University City Library)
The many classes I have taught at schools around St. Louis (including Ethical Society Nursery School, Washington University Nursery School, Together We Can Preschool, Oak Hill School, Family Center of Clayton, Flynn Park School, and The Julia Goldstein Center among others)
Running into Robert’s Music Together families around St. Louis who come up to say hello – I LOVE to get a chance to talk and reconnect with them!
Jennifer’s last class with Robert in 2012!