Meet a Mom! I want to introduce you to Kristin Mortensen! Kristin is an amazing music teacher for Let’s Play Music – Making Musicians and I think that music, and her work with kiddos is so important, I wanted to share her with you all! Read on to see where her favorite hang outs in Phoenix are & some great tips for introducing music to young kids!
How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
I have 2 children ages 18 and 20
Are they musical? YES! They both took piano lessons for a couple of years and then switched to middle school band. My daughter played clarinet and my son played saxophone. (Mr. Hatfield at Diamond Canyon was one of their favorite teachers!) Both kids still have a great love for music.
What do you love about this community?
The weather! And living in Anthem which has a small town feel but is close to a big city with all the perks.
What are your favorite places to eat and/or shop in the area?
I’m not a huge shopper but I do like looking for treasures in thrift stores 🙂. Restaurants: Tortas CHANO in Anthem, Caramba Mexican Food, Gadzooks Enchiladas & Soup, Paradise Valley Burger Company and I recently had a pizza at Isabella’s Kitchen that I still dream about.
Tell us about your job.
I became a certified Let’s Play Music teacher in 2019 and I love it!! I teach piano/music lessons to kids starting as young as age 4. Let’s Play Music is a group music class for kids ages 4-6 that teaches complete musicianship. They learn music theory, ear and voice training, piano playing and composition and it’s all done through play, which is the best way to teach young children.
When did you start playing piano?
I started taking lessons when I was 8 years old.
How did you get into teaching?
I started my business 20 years ago when a friend asked if I’d teach her son how to play the piano. I’ve been teaching ever since.
How has this community been instrumental (pun intended) in getting you to where you are now?
I’ve made so many friends over the years at church, my kids’ schools, through my piano business and just in my neighborhood. We’ve served and helped each other. My kids have had some great teachers over the years who have helped them develop into successful adults. I’m grateful to them for that. This community has supported my business as it’s grown, too
Can you share some fun ways parents can introduce your child to music, rhythm, and sound while they’re still little?
We know a baby’s brain develops faster at this age than any other time in her life. Introducing music at an early age can help develop language and speech skills, coordination and a strong bond with parents and family. Here are 8 easy, fun ways to introduce music to young kids.
1. Create a “Kitchen Band”: Play r
hythm instruments using household items such as wooden spoons, pots & pans, whisks and bowls.
2. Get crafty and make rhythm instruments using plastic eggs and rice or dried beans, then shake to your favorite songs.
3. Find your inner diva and sing to your
child. You don’t have to sound like Beyonce for your child to love it!
4. Play songs on the radio and sing out loud while driving.
5. Get your groove on and have ‘dance parties’ with your child.
6. Turn story time into singing time with singable story books such
as “Itsy Bitsy Spider” or “Wheels on the Bus”.
7. Play clapping games such as Pat-a-Cake.
8. Join a music class like Sound Beginnings or Let’s Play Music.
Follow her here on FB Mortensen Music Studio
Learn more about this amazing program that will turn your child into a complete musician in a fun, interactive way. https://www.letsplaymusicsite.com/
