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About Us |
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Who is Music
Connections of Bloomington-Normal? |
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Kathryn Henderson, owner/director
of Music Connections of Bloomington-Normal, has been a licensed,
trained Kindermusik ® teacher since 1993. Katie earned a
degree in piano performance from Illinois State University and
has worked with children in varying musical capacities for more
than 20 years. Prior to relocating to the Chicago area in 1989,
she had a successful music studio in Bloomington-Normal for many
years. While in the Chicago area, Katie taught piano for College
of DuPage, maintained a large studio of private students, was
recruited often as a vocal coach and accompanist, and directed
children's church choirs. In 1993, Wheaton College sought out
Katie to teach Kindermusik in the pre-college music department
of over 800 children. |
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When her husband was transferred to Bloomington
in 1994, Katie began Bloomington-Normal's only Kindermusik program
in her home with 28 students. Just eight years later, Katie's
company hosts nearly 500 students with a faculty of nine teachers
and a program administrator. Music Connections was recently named
to Kindermusik International's prestigious Maestro
Program as one of the top 25 programs nationwide and abroad. |
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 The
staff of Music Connections takes time out for a group photo. |
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Katie's
teaching staff, holding degrees varying from exercise
physiology to mathematics to professional musicians, have
all been licensed and trained through Kindermusik International.
When asked about the teachers, Katie states, "I have
an incredible staff of teachers. Early on it was hard to
let go of some of my personal teaching responsibilities.
I was afraid of losing families that had been so long in
my 'care.' What I have learned, and what I hear repeatedly
from my families, is that my staff is top notch, that they
hold the same high professional standards as I do, each one
shares in my passion to reach children and families through
the power of music, and I am very proud to call all of them
my colleagues and my friends." |
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In her spare time, Katie pursues
her passion for accompanying and serves as music director for
the Prairie Fire Theatre Company. As a regional advisor for Kindermusik
International, she conducts adult education workshops on the importance
of music in early childhood learning for both Kindermusik International
and for local and statewide colleges and associations. She lives
in Bloomington with her husband, Scott, stepson, Michael, and
children Benjamin and Grace. |
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What do
parents say about us? |
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Thank you for all your hard
work and for bringing the Kindermusik program to Bloomington-Normal!
Abby has enjoyed her whole Kindermusik experience and is looking
forward to moving immediately into piano lessons! Our family looks
forward to many years ahead with Kindermusik! Thanks again for
your devotion to children and for enriching their lives through
music! |
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Julie Sandy
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A special thank-you to you for
another wonderful year of Kindermusik for Steven! Thank you for
guiding Steven through this final year of Kindermusik — and what
a year, to watch so much of the Kindermusik foundations blossom
into such a beautiful ensemble! I am in awe of how you work with
the children and how they respond! Thank you for touching Steven's
life musically — we are forever grateful to you and your Kindermusik
staff. |
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Kathleen Lorenz
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[I'd like to] express my heartfelt appreciation for Kindermusik,
and in particular, our teacher Katie Henderson. ... Kindermusik
is one of our favorite activities each week and we listen to
our music daily. ... Katie has several qualities that really
make each class run smoothly. She never runs out of patience
for any child. Whether it is putting the instruments
away, or choosing a tapping idea, she waits for the children
to do activities at their speed. She teaches the children patience
by helping them wait for their turn. She might have to skip
a song so that class ends on time, but grownups and children
have benefited from observing her patience.
Each week, Katie walks in the room with a smile. Her cheerfulness
and enthusiasm are obvious in every class. During these three
semesters, I have never seen her have a "bad day."
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Katie is genuine. She smiles and laughs and the children
know that she loves doing activities. Her facial expressions
are so expressive — it's contagious. ...
Katie shows respect for children. She thanks the children
for their contributions ... She also uses her regular tone of
voice when speaking to them, she doesn't have a "baby"
voice. Children are recognized several times during the class,
which makes them feel important. ... She refers to the adults
as "grownups" instead of "parents" so that
no child feels "different" if they are not there with
their mom and dad. Each child receives several BIG smiles during
class, and lots of eye contact from Mrs. Henderson. ... I think
the kids tend to keep an eye on Mrs. Henderson because she pays
attention to them, and makes them feel important. She uses lots
of nonverbal clues and facial expressions to hold their interest.
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... Katie educates parents during
class by making subtle suggestions as she notices things, such
as letting go of a child's hand for free dancing so that they
can be more individually expressive. She points out the benefits
in particular activities, such as keeping a beat helps children
later when they are bouncing a ball, cutting with scissors, or
learning to skip. ... |
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Obviously, I can't say enough positive things about Katie
and Kindermusik. They have made a huge impact on my children,
and we have so much fun with all of the activities when we are
at home or in the car. ...
I have truly appreciated what Katie and Kindermusik have
done for my children and me. It is a great boost for kids' development,
and I have recommended it to at least nine other people. Overall,
I would say Katie is an exceptional Kindermusik teacher, she
believes in this program, and I feel very fortunate that she
is our teacher.
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Traci Trunk
excerpted from a letter to Kindermusik International
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I think Kindermusik helps her
(my daughter) to be confident in musical expression. We both enjoy
"finding music everywhere" — I think it's amazing how
she can discern the musical component of so many things. |
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Name not given
Spring 2002 evaluation form
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