Lesley Hoye loved singing as a child . She started formal voice lessons at age 12 and , when she began attending Sewickley Academy in ninth grade , she became increasingly enamored with musical theater .
That love for song and dance followed her to college at Grove City , where she had lead roles in shows such as “ Guys and Dolls ” and “ South Pacific .” She even continued her craft after college , singing at weddings and funerals .
Then , in 2007 , she took her twoyear-old son to a Music Together class and fell in love with the concept . Soon after , she took training classes and began teaching Music Together in multiple locations throughout northern New Jersey .
“ Music is universal ,” Hoye says . “ It binds us to other humans in a way not even language can . It helps us express every mood and emotion . Music learning supports all learning . It nurtures creativity , self-expression and confidence , while also supporting social , emotional , cognitive and physical development . In fact , music is very important to a child ’ s development .”
Hoye says she always knew she wanted to share her love of music with her children . And when she moved back to Pittsburgh from New Jersey in 2011 , she had two young children and was a busy mom , but also wanted to start her own business . She got that opportunity in 2014 , when she opened Notable Beginnings , with the mission of helping parents give their children the best possible beginning in music .
“ I ran through many names for my business , and when I thought of Notable Beginnings , it just felt right ,” Hoye explains . “ It ’ s a name that evokes the importance of music , as well as getting kids off to a great start in life .”
Hoye ’ s classes are geared toward children from birth through kindergarten , as well as the adults , who are also important in the children ’ s musical lives . “ I encourage adults to attend class with the child . Music is not just a once-a-week ‘ thing ’ that lasts 45 minutes . I teach adults how to bring music into the home and be active music makers instead of passive music listeners .
Joy
The of
Music
BY HEATHER HOLTSCHLAG
Lesley Hoye is nurturing and educating the next generation of musicians and music lovers .
Through her Notable Beginnings business and incorporation of the Music Together curriculum , which includes a mix of original songs and traditional tunes from the folk , jazz and world music traditions in a variety of tonalities and meters , Hoye is able to present a range of musical styles from lyrical to blues , folk to boogie , and provide the children with a rich music experience that stimulates and supports their growing music skills and understanding .
“ This format appeals to grownups and children alike ,” Hoye says . “ The broad range of musical styles keeps things interesting for listeners of all ages , and keeps families coming back semester after semester .”
Classes begin with the “ Hello Song ,” which is followed by other songs and rhythmic rhymes , including fingerplays , small and large movement activities , and various instrument play . Classes end with an instrument play-along and the “ Goodbye Song .”
“ The kids have a blast ,” Hoye says . “ It ’ s fun , silly and fantastic . They don ’ t realize how much musical learning is going on . It ’ s a relaxed , playful , non-performance-oriented classroom setting that respects and supports the unique learning styles of all participants , while creating a strong sense of community .”
Hoye explains that one of the reasons she likes teaching music to kids is because kids don ’ t have any musical inhibitions . The children throw out ideas and she just goes with it , making each class unique and unpredictable . Along the way , Hoye tries to help the adults to not be self-conscious in their music making . “ The adult is the child ’ s greatest musical role model . Parents don ’ t need to have music skills . They just need a desire to play and have fun with their children .”
Hoye suggests that anyone interested in signing up for a class visit www . notablebeginnings . us or contact her at 724.949.0088 or lesley @ notablebeginnings . us . She currently hosts classes in Venetia at St . David ’ s Episcopal Church , Arthur Murray Dance Studio in McMurray , and Beth El Congregation in Mt . Lebanon . Her Facebook page is NotableBeginningsMT . n
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