Welcome! Nancy Gillespie to the WeJoySing Staff

Mrs. Nancy has always loved listening to music and going to live concerts. She even played everything from the oboe to percussion in her childhood; but it was her search for something musical to do with her daughter that brought her to WeJoySing. A friendly neighbor mentioned the local class which Mrs. Nancy l
loved attending weekly with her then 8-month-old daughter Camilla.

Mrs. Nancy grew up in Northeast Ohio and went to college at The Ohio State University where she met her husband Mike. The two of them lived on the beach in Los Angeles for 5 years after graduating from college. Working, traveling and exploring California during their time there was thoroughly enjoyable. The couple moved back to Central Ohio to be closer to both families.

Mrs. Nancy and her husband enjoy date nights in the Short North and she enjoys working on little interior design projects throughout their home. She likes to do yoga and go for stroller walks and runs in their neighborhood, with frequent pit stops at nearby playgrounds for Camilla, of course!  Camilla, who is now almost 18 months old, is excited to become a big sister when her little brother is born in April of 2019!

Mrs. Nancy will be serving as our social media marketing coordinator and will be building a strong social media presence for WeJoySing. Mrs. Nancy states, “We have been so fortunate to have been in Mrs. Jo's class in Dublin since my daughter started WeJoySing when she was 8 months old - she is almost 18 months old now. I have gotten to know Mrs. Jo over the past year and this opportunity organically came up in one of our conversations before class. It was naturally a perfect fit for both of us! I'm really excited to share special WeJoySing moments from both class as well as moments captured at home!”

Mrs. Nancy is already hard a work increasing WeJoySing’s online presence, so we are excited to share that WeJoySing is officially on Instagram! Please make sure to follow us: @wejoysingmusic. We will be using Instagram with our Facebook page to share pictures, announcements, teacher spotlights, giveaways, videos and more!  We know you are already taking pictures and videos during class and we would LOVE to have our followers share their in-class and at-home WeJoySing moments with us by tagging us @wejoysingmusic and using the hastag #WeJoySing when you post your memories!

WeJoySing Welcomes Samantha Lin to Our Instructor Staff!!

Mrs. Sam is a self-proclaimed lover of singing; singing every chance she can get, both alone and with her daughter, Ellie. She and Ellie play, sing and dance a lot at home; but as a Mommy she also wanted her daughter to be with kids her age to share the music experience. She began searching for mommy and me classes and WeJoySing came up both on a Google search and in her Facebook ‘Powell Parents in the Know’ group.

“At our first WeJoySing class, Eleanor’s smiles and giggles filled my heart as we shared in the joy-filled experience together! I quickly learned WeJoySing is not only for the children, but gives moms and dads a chance to bond, let loose and be silly with their children; because let’s face it, taking care of a child is no easy task.”

Mrs. Sam’s love of music began as a child playing the piano, singing in choirs and joining orchestra and band. She could often be found putting on little shows for friends and family and singing in the car during family road trips! After high school, she majored in piano and minored in voice at Kent State University obtaining a degree in Music Education. As a Preschool teacher, Mrs. Sam incorporated music during circle time and provided private piano and music lessons to many children and centers. Currently, she enjoys sings with the Worthington Chorus!

Samantha was born in Akron, OH but lived in Texas for most of her childhood. She recalls going to three different middles schools in three different states; 6th grade in Texas, 7th grade in Ohio and 8th grade in Michigan, finally landing in Westerville.  Samantha and her husband, Alan, lived in Victorian Village then moved to Powell in preparation for their daughter Eleanor. Bo, the Yorkie dog and Dottie the cat are family members too!

In her personal life, Mrs. Sam enjoys organizing her home, she feels that giving everything a ‘home’ of its own is very satisfying! When asked where the family likes to travel, it was without hesitation - Disney was first! “We love all things Disney. I should say, I love all things Disney. It’s a huge part of our life. Alan proposed to me at Minnie Mouse’s house, we had a Disney themed wedding, I celebrated my 30th there and Ellie had her first trip in March to Disney world. We get our Disney fix by going to the Disney store.”

Locally, Mrs. Sam likes to visit the Columbus Zoo regularly with her family to see the elephants and the Christmas lights. Eleanor’s favorite thing to see at the Franklin Park Conservatory are the butterflies! Mrs. Sam LOVES Target, she says “there’s something so therapeutic just walking through it. I live very close to one, so it’s quite dangerous!”

Get to know Mrs. Samantha even more during Winter session as she joins the WeJoySing Instructor family teaching classes in Upper Arlington on Saturday mornings and in Powell on Tuesday evenings! “I believe that music and movement is second nature and an amazing way for children and adults to express themselves. Let’s get together, sing, dance, play and make new friends! I look forward to beginning this musical journey together with your family!”
       

CATCH the JOY!!

Catch the JOY!!

WeJoySing teachers are “Catching the Joy” and gearing up to SEE YOU this Fall 2018.
WATCH OUR VIDEO and LEAVE A COMMENT below for a chance to WIN A FINGER PUPPET of your choice.
Winner will be announced on WeJoySing’s Facebook page on Friday, Sept. 7 at 6:30 pm

Columbus and North Canton classes begin September 10th! Come “Catch the Joy!!”
*Contest is open to residents of the continental US only.

BABIES & BUMPS 2018 Demonstration Handout

What a JOY it was sharing the magic and delight of music and movement based learning with you and your 'little' one.  Hope to see you and your baby in WeJoySing real soon! 
"Sing"cerely, 
Mrs. Jo

WeJoySing FUN with Columbus East FIT4MOM

Today Is Monday - Come and eat it up!!

Do you know about the Columbus East FIT4MOM?  What a fabulous group of moms, children and instructors! Last week, Mrs. Jo was invited to do a FREE DEMO CLASS for the Gahanna based FIT4MOMs and their children.  The hour went so fast and was filled with joyful and fun-filled music and movement marking!   If your ORGANIZATION is interested in a FREE WeJoySing DEMO CLASS, contact Mrs. Jo or the WeJoySing office at 614-868-0107 to book a date!  We'd love to come and meet MORE WONDERFUL PARENTS and your delightful children!

The More We Get Together the HAPPIER We'll Be!!!

HAMMER TIME!!!  "Rat-a-Tat-Tat!!!"

Summer Memories with WeJoySing!

Early this summer, Mrs. Jo hosted an "end of the year" party at her home for the Music & Me Level II families.  It was a delightful evening of conversation, fabulous food, friendship, and it was "topped it off" by a marvelous musical demonstration by the Music & Me students!!  Of course, the demonstration included the parents' involvement in the games!  

The recorder demonstration by the students was the highlight of the evening!!  YEP!  Now that they can read & write "drm sl" (solfege) on the staff and have a strong understanding of "re," the students were introduced to "absolute note names" (better known as "A B C's" note names).  We were ready to perform "HOT CROSS BUNS and several other "mrd OR BAG" songs when WHAT SHOULD APPEAR OVERHEAD but a beautiful hot air balloon.

The program abruptly stopped so ALL could gaze at the balloon.  Soon it passed over and the program commenced once again.  HOWEVER, 10 minutes later, the balloon turned its course and headed back toward Mrs. Jo's home!  The EXCITEMENT ERUPTED!  The children shouted and encouraged the pilot to land the balloon in Mrs. Jo's back yard.  In the end, it landed two houses down!!   Now tell me, HOW AM I GOING TO TOP THAT NEXT YEAR!!!??  

One can never tell what will happen as friends make music together!!!  It was a glorious time!

Response to: Is Your "Emotional Bucket" Empty

This is too good to keep to myself!  I must share this response to a recent blog "Is Your "Emotional Bucket" Empty?"  Thank YOU Paly!

Thank you Mrs Jo!!!   The article describes how I feel perfectly!   I hope it encourages more families to keep coming to WeJoySing and to keep the joy going at home.  We sang "The More We Get Together" for the first time with Mary last week.  Annie and George were all smiles as we all sat in a circle together for music time.  With the birth of Mary, I haven't made the time to sit and play with them as much lately.  But I was the most excited of all of us.  Holding Mary, just one month old, in my lap and swaying back and forth to that oh so familiar song... Her head flopping back and forth as we sang and my other children grinning.  I took a deep breathe as I tried to take it all in.  And instead of feeling overwhelmed and tired as I often do, I just felt... Joyful.  And so blessed, to have these children and to have these tools you have shared with us. I hope you know that what you have created is so very special and unique.  It truly changes lives.  I am forever grateful.
With love,
aly

A Morning JUST FOR YOU!

THE MEETING IS FREE!!   FREE FOR WEJOYSING FAMILIES & FRIENDS!!

The Gift of MUSIC!!

The Wide mouth frog

LOOK EVERYONE!  Mrs. Kelly is always excited to come and loves to play with us at the St. Stephen’s Childcare and Community Center downtown Columbus!!   

At St. Stephens Childcare, Mrs. Kelly and the children’s program volunteers from the Christ Child Society work together to support and encourage the children’s play-filled learning and joyful motivation toward the development of essential early skills through music and movement experiences. It’s an exciting and fun-filled time of learning as the children play instruments, sing, read stories and dance!

Here I come with my little tom tom!

Mrs. Kelly reports that, “The children loved going to "Music Land" and their favorite activities were helping me with the voices while reading "The Wide-Mouthed Frog" and playing the drums!”

Contact WeJoySing at 614-868-0107 for more information about WeJoySing's Child Care, Preschool, and Montessori music and movement based programs. We'd love to be a part of your child's child care experience!  MUSIC, It's a JOY-FILLED way to learn