Michele has been directing Music Together at My Music Room for over 8 years. She is a gifted singer and performer. For the past 20 years she has directed and performed with various singing and dramatic groups. Michele’s enthusiasm for teaching music to young children comes from a love of music, which was nurtured, by her family when she was a child. She enjoys making music with her husband, Michael, and their three talented children. She has achieved Certification Level I from the Center for Music & Young Children and is very honored to offer this exceptional music program to the community.
"I first discovered Music Together after my children were already in elementary school. I grew up in a very musical family and my husband and I carried on that tradition with our own children as well. Being a vocalist and an informal teacher for many years, I was looking for an opportunity to use my talent to bring the joy of making music to others. What I discovered was an amazing community of wonderful families that has brought so much more joy to me than I ever imagined.
The Music Together philosophy is exactly what I experienced as a child, although my parents never attended a music class. When our children were little, we made music in the living room, grocery store, church, wherever! I didn’t realize at the time that there was so much research that supported the playful, informal type of music making we were already doing. Passing on the wonders and rewards of family music is now my passion and I am so thrilled that God has blessed my family and I with a musical community.
My children, now in high school, still love music and are all studying formally. They are skilled musicians who love singing and playing various instruments. We still sing together at home and we make music with others whenever we can. Music has helped all of us grow closer to each other, and we cherish our experiences making music together.
Michele Urban, Certified Music Together teacher, Director of Music Together at My Music Room | Erin has been teaching Music Together for 6 years. She has performed in many musicals and Community Theater. She has a degree in Psychology with a minor in Early Childhood Education. Her experience teaching Pre-school for 18 years, gives her a unique understanding of the effect music can have on children's little minds, bodies and souls. She and her husband, Tom have made family music making a priority with their child, Emily, who is now a gifted singer. Erin has achieved Certification Level I from the Center for Music & Young Children. She is also the Co-Director of "Music 2 Go", a music and movement program for pre-schools. Her enthusiasm for music, creativity and playfulness are evident in her teaching style and she is very excited to bring her love of music to other families.
"As a first time mom, with a baby who cried (alot), just going to Target with my daughter was an emotional challenge! One day, I came across an ad for Music Together and thought, "I'll try it but it probably is not for us." I had decided that music was certainly going to be part of Emily's world -later- when she stopped crying! To my surprise, I found a place where Emily rarely cried, and when she did, I found myself amongst people who were also going through it- or had and understood! I found a musical community!
I saw her respond to the music immediately. Others may not have noticed but I did.
The "Hello Song" became a magic cure for fussiness in the car. I found myself singing in the grocery store to a smiling child. I'm sure that in time she would have grown into a happier baby, but I have no doubt that music played a part in getting her (us) there sooner. Music had opened up a way for me to communicate with my beautiful little girl in a powerful way.
Today, Emily is a very happy and very musical child and a skilled singer. She plays piano and we are both learning to play the ukelele too! Our whole family loves making music!
I loved our Music Together experience so much that I became a Music Together teacher, and now I enjoy helping other parents discover The Joy of Family Music® making!"
Erin Roche, Music Together Parent and Certified Music Together Teacher, Co-Director of Music 2 Go
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