A Look Into What We Do...

Weekly Music Class for Farias Early Childhood Center with Giuliana Castellanos

It starts minutes before I turn my computer on, and I feel a rush of energy in my body and my heart pounding with excitement because I know what is coming. We connect, and all those small faces with huge smiles appear on my screen to warm my heart, and that’s when the magic begins. Their bodies start swaying side to side, their feet stamp on the floor to the beat, they clap their hands as we sing the Hello song, our weekly ritual where we sing each name and let them know we are so glad to see them. As they recognize their names, their smiles become even bigger and brighter and the energy of the room lighter and lighter.

Some may say, “it’s just a 30 minute music class, what could be so special about that?”. I’ll tell you what: Music changes the mood. It removes tension and provides an alternative way to convey a message. In 30 minutes, we not only work on developing basic music competence, the ability to sing in tune and move to the rhythm, but we also support teacher’s goals as we make sure children feel seen, heard and loved.

Every week I see all my teachers be playful with their students, I hear them singing and see them dancing, and through that I see all the love they have for what they do. In one particular class, and it happened to be on my birthday, sweet Arthur in Mrs. Meza’s class raised his hand at the end of our session and said: “Miss Giuliana, can I ask you a question: I love you!”. I can not express the joy he gave me! That is just an example of how much these kids enjoy music class and how lucky we are as teachers of the Prelude Music Foundation to be the ones who bring that to them, and in return, become associated with their love for music.

My biggest goal as a music teacher is to support the teaching goals of the wonderful and resilient teachers who show up everyday to school, whether that’s in a classroom or through a screen at home. Music can support literacy and numeracy and whatever their weekly lesson plan is. And by doing that, I aim to provide them with as many examples as possible as to how they can then use the Music Program during the week to enhance the power of music in early childhood learning.

As per the students, my goal is to bring them joy, to provide a space where their emotional wellbeing is the priority. To convey the message that they matter and that they can do great things. I strive to see them become confident leaders as they each participate and share their wonderful self with the group.

As a result, I end up each class feeling a sense of purpose, a true calling, a confirmation that I am where I need to be, and a desire to do it all over again. I am beyond grateful for the Prelude Music Foundation and honored to be a part of it.

Giuliana Castellanos,

Music Together® Specialist at Farias Early Childhood Center

Giuliana is a Mexican born biochemical engineer with a passion for music. While attending college in Mexico, pursuing her degree in Biochemical Engineering, Giuliana explored her love of music by taking vocal training, singing in choirs that brought music to hospitals and senior centers, and performing in musicals such as Fiddler on the Roof, Grease, and Les Miserables. In 2012, after living for 4 years in Italy, she moved to Houston with her husband where she found a wonderful community that cares for children and the grownups who love them, offers a powerful sense of peace and connection, and allows everyone to be exactly who they are. Giuliana is thrilled to be a part of the Prelude Music Foundation and cannot wait to share the joy of making Music Together.