LaShawn Giesbrecht, Kindermusik Abbotsford

I was born and raised in Winnipeg, MB and decided when I was 21 years old that I needed a little adventure.  So, I picked up and moved to BC and settled in Kelowna.  Wouldn’t you know, 9 years later,  I met my wonderful significant out there and gave birth to our beautiful daughter in 2008.  The three of us made Abbotsford, BC home last summer and I officially opened my Kindermusik studio in September.

What inspired me to open Kindermusik with LaShawn was the amazing experience my daughter and I had with music and movement. When my daughter was a baby I started reading about the benefits that music and movement education has on the developing brain and body.  We joined a class and I was so thrilled at how quickly my little girl responded to the environment.  She began progressing so fast, specifically physically, cognitively and emotionally and I could clearly see the connection to what she was learning in her class.  Of course, the only thing my daughter REALLY cared about was that she was having so much fun singing, dancing, and playing with mom.

I love how Kindermusik has maintained a level of uber hip-ness since it’s inception in the 1960′s.  I’m especially excited about going “digital” this spring with quick, creative educational online tools to help  parents to bring the Kindermusik learning home!  We even have an iPhone app with 5 themed radio stations and animated instruments to play along!

My secret joy is when I see other mommies connecting with one another before or after class.  I know how hard it is for many moms to make time to be social.  When “community” happens in the studio (which it often does) I feel like something really special is accomplished.  The children master their skills that much more when their parents are enthusiastic about being there with them.  My own challenge in my first year of business, however, is to make sure that I “walk the talk” at home and find a healthy balance in between work, social and family time.