Well, the last Bija Children's Choir performance in October was a well-received success. I heard that the Grandmothers planned to watch us on video during their council in Brazil. Thanks again to all of my wonderful choir families who participated-- I miss seeing you weekly and hope that new music activities have come into your children's lives.
There have been some nice reviews on my latest album with Blue Brazil: Gema in various jazz magazines over the past few months. Challenge Records has been giving it a good push. Winter bookings are underway-- please check back!
Meanwhile, things are settling in with my classes at River Montessori Elementary School in Petaluma. I've really enjoyed getting to know all of my new students and their classroom teachers, and I see a promising and fun year ahead. I've also been working with my daughter's 5th grade Expeditionary Learning class at Apple Blossom School, teaching a few choir songs for a Gratitude Evening performance for their families in November.
What always excites me in working with any group of kids is their overall craving for movement, dance and personal expression anytime they get the chance to. They are so ALIVE! (And full of ham, lol.) The challenge is to harness that energy from potential chaos to something productive and artistic, which begins with Listening. Good listening skills are so paramount to musicality, and to life in general, that this is my number one agenda in classes. More on that great subject next time~