Darlayne Coughlin: Drumline, Band-leader, LPM Teacher!

Darlayne Coughlin, Middleton, WI

Hello!  I'm delighted to be in this month's Let's Play Music Teacher Spotlight.  My musical journey began at age 10;  I started learning to play the flute in the 5th grade band and never quit. I've been teaching music for 10 years and Let's Play Music specifically since 2010, when I stumbled upon the program in a funny way.

A short time after finishing up my degree and student teaching at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, I took on a part-time babysitting job watching a whole slew of kiddos while a music teacher taught classes to young children in her home.  Being in the room next door to the classes and a musician myself, I was always intrigued as to what was going on in that room where I heard laughter, singing, and merriment.  One day that teacher (Gina Weibel) said to me, "Hey, you're a musician, why don't you glance through my lesson plans and maybe you should become a Let's Play Music teacher too!"  The moment I read through the curriculum I was excited and, no doubt, hooked.  

I currently teach 6 classes each week and will be training soon to teach Sound Beginnings as well.  My husband is a musician too, and we recently built a home in Middleton, WI (a suburb of Madison) with a studio space designated for Let's Play Music classes, flute, and percussion private lessons.

Join the Band

In addition to teaching Let's Play Music, I am a full time middle school band director in Middleton.  When I began my career, my job included teaching general music to Kindergarteners in addition to the middle school band responsibilities.  When my teaching assignment shifted to band only, I missed my really young students quite a bit, but that's when Let's Play Music serendipitously showed up in my life.  

I can't count how many times I have talked about the program or told parents of my students that their 4 or 5 year old has a stronger foundation in music than my middle school band students (even after they have/had music classes multiple times per week every year they've been in school!).  Nearly all of my LPM students have been from my neighborhood or a neighborhood close by.  Many of my current students and graduates will attend the school I work at in a few years.  I can't wait for the day when I see my Let's Play Music graduates as members of my band class.  I know they will be the leaders and already have the skills needed to not only read and interpret music, but also know what it means to have to, "Practice everyday..." so "lots of songs they'll learn to play!" 

Rhythm Skills that Work

One of my FAVORITE things about the Let's Play Music curriculum is the way in which we teach rhythm!  The rhythmic patterns that are taught in Blue Bugs and the way in which they are transferred to "real counting" by the 3rd year is amazing!  Middle school band kids often struggle with rhythm and counting and I've spent countless hours thinking about how to adapt and adopt the methodologies behind our rhythm instruction to suit their needs.  

Miss Darlayne Rocks the Drumline

I've always enjoyed the teaching side of music more than the performing side of music (unless you count leading an ensemble of band students or kids performing at a recital performing...I really enjoy doing both of those).  But, despite my "dislike" for performing music, I do perform at every home game played by the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.  My husband directs the Tundraline, the official drumline of the team; he and I are two of the original members of the group since it's inception in 2007.  

One of my fondest memories as a member of the group was from this past winter.  A local music store brought our group in to perform as guest artists and I, of course, invited all of my students.  It was AWESOME to look out into the audience, where I saw the smiling faces of my Let's Play Music students.  They were in awe of the performance.  I could tell they had no idea Miss Darlayne could flip, spin and twirl a pair of cymbals like that and in preparation for this spring's recital asked many times if the recital was going to be just like Miss Darlayne's concert with the drumline.  Getting students and parents excited about not just being a learner or performer of music but also a connoisseur of the art form is one of my goals.

I feel so lucky to have the most rewarding job in the world.  There's nothing more fun than enlightening young minds through music.  Being a Let's Play Music teacher and teaching the Let's Play Music curriculum has not only made me a better musician, but it has also made me a better music teacher in all facets of my career.  

Register for Darlayne's classes in Middleton, WI, HERE.

Ann Cue: Exuberant Grandmother

Ann Cue: Loving Grandma, Exuberant Teacher

At an age when most grandmothers have retired from career and childcare, content with activities no more demanding than quilting, crocheting, and gardening, I found Let’s Play Music and began a new, very active, almost full-time career. (And I still find time for quilting, crocheting, and gardening, along with my other businesses of photography and distributing Sunrider herbal products.)

How did you get started?

Actually, LPM found me (read the whole story on my personal blog). My friend,
Gina Weibel, posted on Facebook that she hoped a new recruit would attend training and help teach in her studio. I had time and interest, and knew I would love teaching such fun classes. After a year of teaching in Gina’s studio, I decided to open my own home studio. Things progressed rapidly and within a year I had over 60 students!

What obstacles did you have to overcome?

Mostly, I worried about being too old, but I was motivated. I lost 30 pounds, began a workout program, and discovered I could keep up with and even outlast many of the younger teachers at training. I also learned to appreciate the blessings of experience and wisdom in dealing with the children and their immediate needs.

What is your educational background?

My MA is in English literature; my PhD studies were in Twentieth Century American Lit. (I never finished the dissertation; marriage and children interrupted that.) I have taught high school and college, and all ages in church Sunday schools. I also studied herbology, became a Master Herbalist, and founded the Wisconsin School of Natural Healing. I love teaching, and am always involved in teaching something.

Your music background?

I took six years of piano lessons back when I was in grade school. In high school I voraciously studied any musical instrument I could get my hands on, and performed on both oboe and trombone! Piano is my favorite instrument. 

About 20 years ago I decided to use my gift of poetry (I have won many awards) and my love of musical improvisation to write original songs for choirs (links here). Since I was writing for 4-part choir plus accompaniment, it was time to seriously study music theory, so I did my independent study and I'm glad I did.

What do you like about teaching Let's Play Music?

So many things! First, I love my studio. My husband has lovingly built tables, stools, easels, and anything I could think of. We turned the entire lower level of our home into the perfect place for LPM.

I love the connections I feel with the children. I am able to tune in to their needs, encourage their creativity, and figure out what makes them tick. I will frequently ask a child why he is not responding during an activity, listen to the answer, and provide a solution on-the-spot.

I love teaching the moms (and dads). They are my students too, and it is a special blessing to show them new ways to bond with their children. They know they can be called on at any time during class, and are expected to be fully involved in all activities.

I am loving what I am doing this year with the puppet shows. I am encouraging full-body movement to each of the musical themes. I let the children work these out as a class, then I tweak them just a bit, making sure that some of the actions are closer to the ground and not too wild. We call it dancing, and allow any child who still wishes to sit still and hold puppets to do so. Moms have caught a few of these on their videophones.

I love that I get to be silly, have fun, and know that I am blessing the lives of families.

Joy
If I have only one word, I sum up my LPM experience: JOY.

The world can be a scary place,

A song in minor key,

But when it’s Let’s Play Music time

I suddenly break free. 

And when that red balloon floats up

I feel my spirit soar, 

Or with a silly turtle dance,

I laugh, and wait for more. 

So even though I now beat time 

With genies and monsters galore,

They don’t scare me: I only see

The end we’re waiting for: 

That final great recital day

When fears are set aside,

And young composers take a bow

With confidence and pride. 

Then off they go, they know their chords,

The yellows, blues, and reds,

And even when there is no sound

There’s music in their heads. 

And when life brings its troubles by

Perhaps they will recall

The happy sounds of harmony

To  cushion every fall. 

So with my friendly Echo Pal

I have ONE WORD for you:

The word is JOY; it’s mine; it’s yours; 

And all the children’s too.

By Ann Cue

If you would like to read more about my classes or register, check out my music class blog.

-Ann Cue, Madison, WI

Music on the News: Gina Weibel

WISC 3 News in Madison, WI,  visited Gina Weibel's Let's Play Music studio to check out the best way to teach music, how to keep young children engaged in learning, and the importance of starting music at a young age.

Surprisingly, although the 3-year curriculum is piano-intensive, there are no pianos used in the first year.  Gina says, "We help them experience and internalize the music theory, and when they get on the piano the next year, it all comes together beautifully.  That first year, their little fingers don't quite have the dexterity for piano skills, but their ears are eager for ear-training and their minds easily connect the theory."

Gina says, "You can teach complex things to young kids if you make it fun, give them loads of experience to help them put meaning behind the concepts, and avoid abstractions (like note names and chord symbols) in the beginning."

At the finale of 3 years, each student leaves Let's Play Music with his or her very own piano composition. Gina tells us, "we teach them to understand how to put music together, how to write accompaniments, and how to change the music as well as how to read what they play.  That's empowering....and that makes creating music joyful."

The Let's Play Music total musicianship program is taught by certified teachers around the USA.  Take a moment to find a teacher near you.