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Hatchling Community Music Program

Music education is larger than formal K-12 classes. The Hatchling Community Music Program (HCMP) provides a space for parents and caregivers to musically engage with their children (ages birth–seven). The HCMP consists of weekly caregiver and child music classes that expose parents to developmentally appropriate musical practices to use with their children both in class and at home.

Spring Registration is now open!

A child’s first musical experiences begin at home when their caregivers sing to them. Expanding upon these musical encounters can have positive developmental impacts on cognition, motor skills, expression, language and speech, and musical processing, especially when experienced with a parent or caregiver.
 

We currently offer two different classes: Music Play (birth–five) and Music Explorers (five–seven)

Music Play is an informal guided experience for children and their caregivers. Through singing, movement, and a wide variety of materials, children will be offered a pastiche of music experiences designed to build musical awareness and play. Activities are designed to be repeated at home 

Music Explorers is a guided exploratory experience with weekly participatory performances for children and their caregivers. Large and small group instruction includes singing, instruments, and movement. Weekly musical themes will be presented through child chosen repertoire.
 

Hatchling Community Music Program

Purpose

The HCMP aims to create a nurturing environment where caregivers and their young children can come together to engage in a weekly early childhood music course. Designed for children from birth to age seven, this program not only teaches caregivers effective musical methods for interacting and engaging with their children, but also fosters a supportive and collegial community among participants.

 This program is not a drop-off program, and a caregiver must be available to stay with your child for the duration of the class.

For more information, please read the Program Philosophy and Program Policies.

Eligibility

Children must be between birth–seven years old by September 1st. Infant classes are defined as birth to 2 years. Toddler classes are 2-5 years. Sibling classes are for families with multiple children in different age groups.

Tuition

Music Play:                      Music Explorers:

$150 for the semester                          $200 for the semester

A 10% discount can be applied for the second child. Tuition assistance available to families who apply for support. Please email the coordinator for more information about this. 

Schedule of Classes

Classes will take place on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the spring semester. Please see below for relevant dates and times. 

Spring:


Saturdays:

2/3, 2/10, 2/24, 3/2, 3/9, 4/6, 4/20, April 27, 5/4, 5/11

Sundays:

2/4, 2/11, 2/25, 3/3, 3/10, 4/7, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5, 5/12

Class Sections

Music Play classes will take place in room 2170. Music Explorers classes will take place in room 2160.
Saturdays Sundays
Music Play (0-5)
    Infants (0-2) 8–8:45 a.m. 8–8:45 a.m.
    Siblings (0-5) 9–9:45 a.m. 9–9:45 am or 12–12:45 p.m.
    Toddlers (2-5) 10–10:45 a.m. 10–10:45 am or 11–11:45 a.m.
Music Explorers (5-7) N/A 10–10:50 a.m. or 11–11:50 a.m.

Teachers

Robin Giebelhausen, Ph.D.

Dr. Giebelhausen is an assistant professor of music education at the University of Maryland, College Park specializing in general music. Dr. Giebelhausen taught in private and public schools for nine years (preschool-8th grade). Prior to her appointment at UMD, she was an associate professor and coordinator of music education at the University of New Mexico where she also taught early childhood and adult community music classes. Dr. Giebes loves to sing and play piano along with her husband, Reid, stepkids, Ella and Bubba, and twins, Wren and Gable. 

Amy Sierzega

Amy Sierzega (she/her/hers) is a Ph.D. student in music education at the University of Maryland. Her current research involves intersections of culturally responsive education, developmentally appropriate practices and trauma-informed pedagogies. Specializing in early childhood and elementary general music teaching and learning, Amy received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music education from Michigan State University. Prior to moving to Maryland, she taught pK-5 elementary general music and beginning band for eight years through the Ann Arbor Public Schools in Ann Arbor, MI. During that time, she also served as a saxophonist, assistant conductor and interim conductor for the Washtenaw Community Concert Band. Amy has over ten years of experience teaching early childhood music classes for children (birth-5 years old) through Michigan State University’s Community Music School, Eastern Michigan University’s Community Music Academy, and, most recently, the Hatchling Community Music Program at the University of Maryland! Amy enjoys singing, playing ukulele and talking with preservice and practicing teachers about music, education and music education.

Bri’Ann Wright

Bri’Ann Wright has over 18 years of experience teaching music in various capacities that include private lessons, extracurricular music and musical theater classes, pk-12 school music, preschool and undergraduate education and music education majors. Wright received her Bachelor of Music from Augsburg University in piano performance, her Master's of Education degree from Teachers College, Columbia University in music and music education and is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Maryland in College Park. At Teachers College, Wright focused on early childhood music development and providing developmentally appropriate musical experiences for young people. Wright’s current research interests include music and arts education policy, creativity and issues of equity and social justice in the music classroom. Wright enjoys Friday night dance parties and singalongs with her partner, Peter, and their two children, Magnus (5) and Georgia (1).

Allison Durbin

Allison R. Durbin is a Ph.D. candidate in Music Education at the University of Maryland. Before coming to UMD, she taught early childhood classes, general music, ukulele and violin. Allison holds a Master of Arts and a Master of Education in music education from Columbia University's Teachers College and a Bachelor of Music in violin performance from the University of Maryland. Her research interests include caregiver and child musical relationships and equity and access to music education programs. Allison loves to sing and dance with her husband, Patrick, and toddler, Michael.