In this month’s issue of Beyond the Classroom, we are proud to present to you, Huzzy and her wonderful team from Our Music Studio. Let us find out how this group of amazing ladies reinvent the way music and movement are being taught to newborns and preschoolers. Read on to find out more!

1. Describe yourself and what you do?

We are a team of early childhood music educators from Our Music Studio. It started in May 2012, helmed by 7 ladies who have a total number of almost 120 years of experience in teaching music and movement for newborns to kindergarteners. Many of the OMS teachers are qualified musicians, composers & music arrangers with a passion for imparting the joy of learning music to the young ones.

 

2. Is there a story behind WHY you do what you do? / To what extent have your talents/passions led you in any way to do what you do today?

Apart from being musicians or early childhood educators, many of us are mothers who have seen the benefits of attending classes first hand, when our kids were younger. Not only in terms of music development, but it has also helped them in their social, cognitive and physical development. We believe that the process of learning, done in a loving and positive environment will create lasting memories for our students.

Music has always inspired us and when we created this programme, we had to brainstorm not only on the curriculum but the music as well. Being the first in Singapore to produce, record and arrange our own thematic albums which also feature local languages for our students has helped us to push our creative boundaries.

3. Share with us what you were like as a student and how school was like for you. In retrospect, how do you think that played a part in what you do now and who you have become?

OMS partners have pondered on it during one of our discussions… when we look back at ourselves during school days, we realized that we had inspiring teachers who made learning music a joy for us.

4. How do you reinvent yourself? What motivates you?

Through research and development, constant upgrading, discussions and brainstorming sessions.  When we see both our students and parents bond through the process of learning not only music but life skills as well.

5. What’s the best piece of advice you ever received or given? Or Share ONE life lesson and how it changed the way you approached life.

“ It takes a village to raise a child”- An African proverb

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6. The future-ready educator should…

Be passionate about what they do, always learning new skills and be open to new ideas and developments.

7. What have you just learnt recently that blew you away? /Share an example of a life that you impacted.

Witnessing the transformation of certain students in our music class. These 5yos were *not* interested at all in the beginning. They would lie on the floor n pretend to sleep. After 3 weeks, they are among the best and most focused musically.

8. How do you hope your business might do its part to transform or add value to the educational scene in Singapore?

Being the pioneers in Singapore to add in local songs apart from English songs, we believe that our future generation will not only learn music, but they will also appreciate our local languages and roots. It brings back the community or “kampong” spirit.

Also to enrich/engage a child’s cognitive and affective domains, through introducing and helping the child appreciate the various music genres, beyond preparing for major exams.