Funhouse begins early music classes

The Funhouse introduced Orcas Island Music Together this spring and now the youngest islanders have something just for them. Music Together® is an internationally recognized early childhood music education program. It was founded on the premise that all children are musical and can develop their musical potential within a supportive learning environment. A Music Together class inspires children and their parent/guardian with song, dance, instrument, and rhythm play. The whole idea is to bring more music into everyday life experience.

Mary Wachter is the registered teacher at The Funhouse. Wachter, a graduate of Boston College, began playing the violin 20 years ago, learning to develop her ear for music though the Suzuki Method at the acclaimed Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. She grew up in a musical family where she learned to improvise in a folk music setting. She continues to develop independently though improvisation, performance, and teaching. “Music has always been at my center, in my heart,” Wachter says. She is the mother of three-year-old Elijah who is her inspiration for teaching.

New classes will begin July 10 and are open to all children from birth to age five years and their parents/guardians. The summer series will run for six weeks. Each participating family will receive a CD and book to continue the Music Together process after the class has ended. For more Music Together information go to www.musictogether.com or call (800) 728-2692.

There will be two free demo classes; Tuesday, July 1, from 10 to 10:30 a.m., and Thursday, July 3, from 6 to 6:30 p.m, at The Funhouse. Calll Mary Wachter at 360-376-3154 for class price and to register.