Gina Samardge: Classes, Workshops and Parties

Musical Stew

A 45 minute long music and movement class for children up to 4 years-old and the grown-ups who love them. Rooted in music education approaches such as Orff-Schulwerk, Kodaly and Dalcroze, the classes are ideal for little ones to begin their musical journey. Attention is paid to developmental needs, both physically and emotionally.

Gina will guide you through various activities, beginning with a play along to allow the children a chance to settle in and get comfortable. From there, you are taken through rhymes, finger play, bounces and tickles, to movement activities using scarves, finger puppets or other props. Children get to try a wide range of percussion instruments, from simple shakers and bells, to hand drums and a variety of world music instruments like gongs, gankogui and kalimba. Class is typically ended with some parachute play, riding on it, dancing under it and bouncing balls and other objects on it.

Musical Chefs

Takes Musical Stew to a whole new level for children 3.5 - 6 years old! Musical Skills are further developed, including pitch matching games and very basic rhythm reading. Movement and the creative mind are explored through storytelling and some basic theater games. These 45 minute long classes are the perfect way to continue the musical growth of your child that began in Musical Stew. Child input is incorporated into every lesson, giving each child the opportunity to lead and create in some capacity and a certain level of organic development is allowed for in each class, seizing child generated ideas instead of a strictly followed lesson plan.

Cup of Stew

For the littlest learners. This class focuses on babies, ages 3-8 months. Most of the same material used with Musical Stew is applied to Cup of Stew, but adapted to also address development, such as tummy time, tracking, rolling over, reaching etc. While the very little ones gain an immense amount from just watching toddlers and older children engaged in an activity, Cup of Stew provides a space to focus on the little ones and their own developmental needs.

Gina's background and continued studies in music and movement education are evident in these well crafted classes. She had taken the time to carefully select or write materials to serve the educational, physical and emotional needs of the young child. Her nurturing approach and understanding of the young child create an atmosphere of creative exploration and fun and her lively energy is engaging and welcoming. Parents and caregivers are invited and encouraged to sing and play along, often times learning more complex rhythms or ostinato patterns with which to accompany, allowing for exposure to  more intricate, live music. This level of adult and child involvement during class brings everyone in the room to a deeper, richer musical experience, something that will stay with each person, big and small, throughout their lives.

 Have Gina play at your next birthday party or family event.  Gina's energetic, interactive sing-a-long parties have earned her Time Out NY Kids Top Choice for Birthday Party Entertainment on a Shoestring, as well as numerous raving reviews and 5 star ratings on both Go City Kids and Park Slope Parents.  As a family music entertainer, she has performed at numerous family functions for schools, festivals, block parties, street fairs, synagogues and churches, as well as venues such as The Brooklyn Children's Museum and The Bowery Poetry Club Family Series.

Just Gina - 30 or 45 minute options are offered.  Gina plays guitar and sings, getting children and adults singing, dancing and laughing along in her highly interactive program fashioned after her popular music and movement classes.  Egg shakers, scarves, bubbles and a parachute are all part of the act as Gina captivates and welcomes all into her world of music making!

The Band - Gina can add 2 or more of her band members to the program for larger events!   These highly skilled musicians combined with Gina's energetic performance are the perfect addition to your event!  Contact Gina for specs and band info.

Rates - vary by location, length of program and number of band members.  Please email Gina @ info@ginasing.com for rates and information.

Come Together with Gina for a fun filled workshop using music, movement and simple games to get your students thinking creatively while still meeting content standards. Using the songs from her Parents' Choice Approved CD, Together, along with her background as an actress, improviser and clown, Gina takes you through a series of activities that will have you and your students up and moving and creating in the moment, all while crossing into State Content Standards for Pre-K and Preschool education. Gina's energetic and open approach allows for ideas to develop organically and for each person to participate on their own comfort level. You won't be able to help yourself, you'll have to sing, dance and play along!

Gina has presented for chapters of the Association for the Education for Young Children in Ohio and for the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music Professional Development Workshop series for Music Specialists and Elementary School Teachers. Please contact her for workshop specifics. info@ginasing.com