“Every child is heard in our Musical Moments programs.” – Mrs. D
Led by educator and performing artist Joni DeGabriele (Mrs. D), Musical Moments combines over 20 years of teaching experience with a new social-emotional music curriculum that builds character in young children.
Spunky the Monkey is our sidekick and appears at the beginning of each lesson. He helps Mrs. D introduce the lessons of the day in a fun and often silly way. He makes children laugh and helps break down barriers to learning. The children love Spunky the Monkey because he adds a lighthearted attitude, learns from his mistakes, and doesn’t give up. Adults like Spunky too! See the video.
Mrs. D has taught music, drama and movement in preschools and elementary schools throughout Marin County, California. A veteran kindergarten, first, and second grade teacher at Dixie Elementary School in San Rafael, her education and training include:
- California Multiple-Subject Credential
- California Music Credential
- GLAD training and certification Tier 1
- Kimochis™ Social-Emotional Curriculum
- Phyllis Weikart Education Through Movement
- Orff-Schulwerk training
The Musical Moments teaching approach focuses on a unique social-emotional music curriculum that only we can provide. It educates children by improving their social and emotional abilities, and makes learning fun!
“Why I created Musical Moments.” – Mrs. D
I have taught music programs, drama and movement in preschools and elementary schools throughout Marin County, California. As a veteran kindergarten, first, and second grade teacher at Dixie Elementary School in San Rafael, my education, training and experience helped me develop my skills to create Musical Moments.
Singing, movement, instruments and puppet characters (like Spunky the Monkey) have been my teaching tools in the classroom for over 20 years. During the 2013 school year, I noticed several students struggling socially. These struggles had a negative effect on everyone’s academic learning. I began implementing a social-emotional curriculum in the classroom and quickly saw positive results with all the children. The benefits of “Social-Emotional Learning” by edutopia.
Knowing how music and puppets are valuable tools for teaching and making learning fun, I now write lyrics to familiar songs to help teach social-emotional vocabulary and concepts. The results have been amazing. Children respond positively to my music programs and feedback from both teachers and parents indicate children are retaining the lessons learned. This is exactly how I envisioned Musical Moments working by “building character through music” in young children.