I have always condsidered myself "musically challenged," so I thought it was important to get my son involved in a music program. I thought that would allow us to learn together. The Music Together^® program has enriched our lives immeasurably, and the teachers are great. We have had both Miss Betty and Miss Colleen; they are both fabulous. My son and I now sing and dance together on a daily basis. During class I have always felt absolutely comfortable participating despite my initial shyness, and my son has really opened up. At first he just liked to observe - now he dances, runs around, squeals with delight, and taps to the beat. Quite simply, Miss Betty's class has brought so much joy to our lives. I cannot recommend it enough!

Betty's Music Together has changed my life. I know that sounds rather dramatic since it is a children's music class but it is true. I grew up understanding that I had no musical talent and was frequently told to "just mouth the words" at school events. My mother apologized for passing her lack of talent down to me. Somehow I managed to love music despite this and when I became a teacher I tried to create a different environment for my students. I used recorded music and other adults to help me create a classroom where children could sing and be musical. However, I would never sing myself, I was too ashamed and certain that I couldn't do it. When I had my own children I knew I wanted something different for them. My husband is a musician but I didn't want to rely on just him to develop their love for music. Then, we stumbled into Betty's music class and everything changed. I laughed and danced and acted silly right along with my little boy. We took the cds home and sang along with them all the time. I began to hear myself singing along with my son without them. Betty encouraged me by frequently reminding us that parents don't have to be perfect they just have to have fun with their children. Kids want to hear their mom and dad sing, it doesn't matter if they are in tune or not. A lullaby is most special when it comes from the mouth of someone a child loves. This information grew inside of me and blossomed. I now have two boys who love music and Miss Betty. We sing all the time at our house. I make up songs and the boys sing along. We make up verses to songs we know. We use music to mark transitions in our day and to get us through long lines at the store. It is the way that I have always imagined a family could be but never thought I had the ability to carry off. The thing is, I don't think my ability has changed much at all (although my husband insists that I have improved since starting Music Together!) but my confidence has. Betty and Music Together have given me a shining example of the joy that music can bring to life and my whole family is so grateful for that.

Reading your newsletter reminded me of how Music Together helped Sue at work one day. She was substitute teaching for a group of 6-1-1 emotionally disturbed non-english speaking kids who had never met her before. She had no idea how to connect with these students, so she just started in with some clapping and some rhythms. Before long they all joined in and she was able to teach a math class, borrowing heavily from the tunes and rhythms she learned from Max (from Music Together!)

Cole started Music Together at 4 months old as an activity to get us out of the house during the cold winter months. It has since become a way of life! We cannot go without listening to the CD in the car (which can calm even the fussiest of babies), or playing instruments at home. Now at 2 years old, Cole has a guitar so he can pretend to be Miss Betty and run his own class - complete with dancing and hand movements! As a parent, I appreciate how this class has provided an outlet for both my son and myself to express ourselves musically - something that I would not have done on my own. If Miss Betty and the Music Together songs don't make you want to sing and dance, nothing will.

"Our daughter started Music Together when she was 4 months old. She has learned so much within this wonderful program. There isn't a day that goes by that she doesn't sing, dance, pretend to play an instrument or ask for her favorite songs. During class, I especially love to see her interact with the other children, adults & with Miss Betty. Now her baby sister who is 4 months old, is starting to enjoy the fun, too!"

"I'm thrilled with the experience my boys & I have had over the past 1 1/2 years with Music Together. It's so exciting to see my child's musical ability come out at such a young age. My older son sings the songs on his own and loves to dance around the house singing them."

"I am so happy that Music Together classes have inspired my girls musically. Every morning we turn on the cd and both girls dance and sing to it. Often Audrey puts her stuffed friends in a circle and sings the Hello song with them. It's so cute."

Allison and Kaitlyn love Music Together classes and especially Miss Betty! Allison has tried two other programs and we both agree that Music Together is by far superior to the other two experiences! Kaitlyn begins asking when is Miss Betty's class, as early as the day following class! Both girls sing the songs at home, in the car and independently...they even adapted the Goodbye song to fit into their Goodnight ritual! Thank you Miss Betty and Music Together!