Congratulations to Krista Wansbrough, winner of a Musicalia "Invitation to Play and Explore" - a facilitated play session in the studio, including a child's CD, instrument and Musicalia t-shirt - a value of $125! Krista won by entering a contest exclusive to members of the Victoria Baby Fair e-Newsletter. To be included in future contests you can sign up here!

We also gave away a prize package this week to Twila Thompson, who took the time to fill out our survey after the Victoria Baby Fair. She won a night's stay at an Accent Inns hotel anywhere in BC, a $25 gift certificate for Prairie Child Photography, spices and seasonings from Epicure Selections and a photo keeper from Shelley Wright, Creative Memories consultant. Twila's opinions, along with hundreds of others, will help us bring you an even better event next year!

MUSICALIA - Music immersion for babies & children
At Musicalia's beautiful, fully-equipped music & movement studio, your child can have fun singing, dancing, improvising and playing instruments. Children of every age are able to experience hearing, touching and playing instruments of many kinds - from drums of all sizes and percussion instruments from all parts of the world to violins, piano, ukuleles and guitars. Every week includes dancing and lots of singing. This is a place where families who love music and love children make music and memories together.

Research supports early childhood education through music and movement

Music has been shown to have many benefits, including enhancing intellectual, social and emotional development in children. Baby music programs involve parents and they are structured in a way in which every person enjoys making sounds and playing rhythm. Parents do not have to be musical to be a positive musical influence in a child's life. Musicalia teacher Susan Russell leads the way and everyone has fun!

Activities are creative, playful, involve drama, puppets, creative movement, vocal play and much more. Susan engages children and parents in ways that build a solid foundation for confidence and success in learning at later ages. By the time your child is 9 or 10 years old he or she can be a happy and talented singer and multi-instrumentalist playing fiddle, recorder, guitar, piano and percussion.

About Susan Russell

Susan is a confident, dedicated and fun-loving teacher. She has over 30 years experience as an instrumental teacher and more than 20 years in early childhood, primary and intermediate age classrooms as a generalist teacher and specialist music teacher and movement educator. She has worked with thousands of children of varying abilities (special needs, gifted and "typical" children). Susan also teaches teachers. For more information about Susan and Musicalia, visit the website at www.Musicalia.ca

This month, members of the Victoria Baby Fair e-Newsletter had a chance to win a Musicalia "Invitation to Play and Explore" - a facilitated play session in the studio, including a child's CD, instrument and Musicalia t-shirt - a value of $125! To be included in future contests, you can sign up for our e-Newsletter!