2011/06/19

Title: Moving Music to Center Stage

Speaker: Deborah Grow

Summary: Grow admits freely that she has no formal education training. Indeed, she seemed proud of learning to teach at the "school of hard knocks". In her career teaching both in New York and Japan she has taught all ages, and continues to do so using theory and techniques gleaned from her background in musical theatre and music composition.

In her presentation / workshop, “Moving Music to Center Stage” Grow introduced Gunma JALT members to practical activities she uses in her classroom and the theory behind them. By relying on rhyme and rhythm, non-natives can use music for help with difficult pronunciation and tempos of English. Likewise, song lyrics are often sung in phrases, rather than word by word, and this chunking can aid students' memories. And music can naturally be used as a powerful motivator in the classroom.

Keeping her promise of a hands-on experience, Grow finished her lecture by leading Gunma JALT members in some music-based activities. Members beat Hawaiian rhythm sticks, played games and participated in a sing-along. While Grow has successfully made the jump from artist to teacher, it seems doubtful that any of our members will embark on a similar career change from education to music.

Grow's growing collection of self-published music-based teaching materials can be found at http://www.deborahgrow.com.