tag:beverlythemusiclady.com,2005:/blogs/wow-what-a-yearWow! What a Year!!2022-04-02T17:31:10-04:00Beverly Meyer - The Music Ladyfalsetag:beverlythemusiclady.com,2005:Post/69389452022-04-02T17:31:10-04:002023-10-16T10:52:58-04:00I Want To Believe We Are Making a Difference<p>I want to believe that the work that I have chosen to do is making a difference. I want to believe it so much, this wish turned up in a lyrics of one of my originals called "Believe". There are glimpses that it is true, but never more clear to me than now, as this pandemic is seemingly finding an end. People are gathering again. Families are attending events specially made for young children again. I have the advantage of witnessing joyful moments happening right in front of me again. The joy a toddler feels when they stop and with their legs sturdy to the ground and spread the width of their shoulders, they start to bounce. They may just stare for a moment at me, without a blink, stop in their tracks and start dancing. The room may be loud with chatter of folks enjoying the event, there may be kiddos of all shapes and sizes everywhere around dancing, cuddling with family, talking, jumping, trying to get the attention of their grown-up, but no matter what, I can count on a toddler with the same stance, bouncing and enjoying something they recognize. Music! They can feel the beat, they can see my guitar, they can hear my voice and they stop as if to say "Hey! I know this, I know what to do, let's bounce!" I love every aspect of that moment. And in that moment, I feel I am making a difference.</p>
<p>When the pandemic first came to town, I was fearful that I would not be able to experience that moment again. I thought for a fleeting, terrifying moment that the perch in which I witness such complete, simple joy would not be able to happen again. I created this position I have put myself into out of love of many things. I love to perform, I love to sing, I love to write songs, I love to understand young children and watch them thrive, I love to see parents, grandparents caregivers and teachers facilitate and share in that joyful moment. So I built a business all based on things I love. I have been blessed to share this business with countless toddlers and older kiddos for 25 years.</p>
<p><strong>25 YEARS </strong>that blows my mind! Gratitude is not a big enough feeling, joyfulness is not a deep enough feeling, unbelievable is more accurate as to how I feel. When folks come up to me and thank me for doing those Facebook Live shows I did when the shutdown was happening, I am struck by "unbelievable" that so many were watching that I didn't realize at the moment. When folks who are now grandparents proudly bring their grandchildren to the same shows they brought their children too when they were young. I am struck by "unbelievable" that they remember me from so long ago. When a child who is offered a chance to learn more about music remembers going to see The Music Lady and remembers how much they enjoyed it and decides to study music more, I am struck by "I think I am on to something here". I am honored to be able to continue this work. Thank all of you for welcoming me to do so.</p>
<p> </p>Beverly Meyer - The Music Ladytag:beverlythemusiclady.com,2005:Post/67717602021-10-10T14:10:28-04:002021-10-10T15:50:57-04:00What To Do...<p>We are now into our 2nd full school year underneath the pandemic. It is an exhausting haul on all accounts. Everyone seems to be waiting...what is it going to look like after the kids are inside the school buildings, together, with teachers, caregivers and support staff. Millions of questions and more division and much more frustration. Teachers are finding classrooms of kids that haven't a clue on how to be in a group together after so much time at home. Yep, its scary out there. Yet, virtual options just are not the options folks want, they want it to be safe, they want school to be a happy place where learning happens, not waiting. Waiting for vaccinations, waiting to see the numbers of people getting sick, continued waiting to see what to do. </p>
<p>I feel ya! I too have been waiting. Wondering if the business I worked for to make strong for 25 years can sustain the waiting. The summer was so full of promise, so many gigs, I was hopeful and grateful and full of excitement. But this fall has left me a little bit doubtful. I am grateful for all that have booked me, taking the chance, finding safe ways to gather outside or inside, remembering that we ALL need some music and laughter to out weigh this heavy burden that uncertainty can bring. It has challenged me to embrace new skills in marketing that I have not dared to try before (hello video promo). It has me refocusing my efforts to book more On-site Field Trips and Family Concerts rather than the monthly programs I based my business on for such a long time. I'm rolling with the changes and ready to explore new horizons, trying new avenues to play my music for folks that want to listen.</p>
<p>I'm seeing changes in my audiences, but one thing remains the same. Music. The most accessible language in human kind. Everyone is invited to join in, all levels of participation are welcome, it stops time, it evokes memories, matches emotion, invites play, grabs you by the groove, heals deep seeded wounds, and gives back joy. IT GIVES BACK JOY!</p>
<p>That is why, I will continue to find ways to make music. I will continue to trod down paths of uncertainty and fear to continue to make it my living. Music is that essential and is one of the greatest healing tools of our time. I will continue to have faith that enough folks will see this truth and continue to support and hire the music makers out there that just won't stop. I'll be waiting...</p>Beverly Meyer - The Music Ladytag:beverlythemusiclady.com,2005:Post/64232942020-09-02T18:13:15-04:002022-05-29T12:57:34-04:00Silver Linings<p>March 12, 2020 was the last day the life I worked 25 years to attain, instantly vanished. Like everyone on the planet, the COVID-19 Pandemic directly impacted our lives forever. After mourning the loss of the life we knew and the tours and future gigs we had worked so hard to book, we had to figure out what our program would look like while we, and the rest of the world, entered into The Great Pause. Finding silver linings each day seemed impossible at first, but slowly, they started to emerge. For the first time in years, I was rested. My voice was completely healed and able to reach notes I hadn't heard in at least 5 years. We are healthy (that's a big one, every day!) Then, when I was just starting to emerge from the fog, Marc suggested we try a little "Live At 5" song on Facebook Live Stream. No make up, barley brushed my hair, just tuned my guitar, I sat in front of the computer screen and put on a big smile and sang The Monkey Song. That one song started us down the rabbit hole of live streaming. Through the great, the bad, the super bad, the ugly and the "okay, I think we've got this" we have learned so much about a side of our industry we avoided for too many years. Now, 6 months in, I find myself making decisions, creating a routine and taking care of business in a whole new light. I still awake with nightmares and experience anxiety like I've never known, but I refuse to stop looking for the silver linings that keep me going each day. This school year looks very strange so far, but we are going to try everything we can to remain positive and move forward. No matter how many steps back we have to take, no matter how many crazy walls get in our way, we will find a way through this. We may get a little weary at times, but those silver linings are just around the corner, as long we keep looking.</p>Beverly Meyer - The Music Ladytag:beverlythemusiclady.com,2005:Post/54827522018-11-13T14:30:00-05:002018-11-13T14:30:16-05:00Elephant Memory<p>If the mood is right at a public show, I will come across a kid who has a great idea for a song. It may be a song that only they know how it goes, but they are so passionate about it, I just can't let the moment pass. One of these beautiful and fun moments happened quite a few years ago. I was performing in the children's tent at a local fall festival. I had been performing there for a few years in a row and often families would come to visit each year, looking for The Music Lady. </p>
<p>This particular year, a group of children wanted to know if I knew any elephant songs. I told them the two I was familiar with and neither one of them sparked the interest of these creative kiddos. So I said, "How about if we write a song, right here, right now!" they were excited to give it a whirl. I asked my standard question. "Ok, we have an elephant, what is it going to do?" Somebody piped up with "The Elephant Went to Work" Okay, "How is it going to get there?" they answered "It will take the bus!". Another couple of quick questions and we were on our way. This little ditty, as many of these little ditty's, engaged the audience to great delight with everyone coming up with more and more things for the elephant to do while it was at work. As it turns out, this particular elephant was quite skilled in office work as I remember it answered the phone and sent a fax, among other things. A joyful cheer followed as we ended the song with a mighty round of the chorus, one more time. Then another kiddo would shout out an idea and we'd start up again. We were engaged, grown ups and kiddos in a beautiful 15 minutes of how this elephant went to work. We all left the tent that day satisfied to be in a creative space together, a shared moment. </p>
<p>When this happens, I usually carry it with me for a while. Sometimes it may work its way into a new song for me to share with other kiddos I visit regularly, sometimes it just lasts for as long as the song happened then with gently evaporate into the creative ether that surrounds us all. I was sure this song was another one that evaporated a few minutes after it left my heart happy. It didn't seem to have the legs to turn into a new song.</p>
<p>The following year, I was invited back to the same festival. Another beautiful September Sunday afternoon. As I started playing some songs, a familiar family showed up under the tent and asked if I could do the "Elephant Went to Work" song. I honestly had remembered the moment, but because an entire year had passed, I forgot the song. They did not! They started singing the chorus with gusto! I was overjoyed to join them and start the whole thing over again. Others joined us under the tent and had also remembered the moment from the year before. I couldn't believe they remembered it. I don't remember if someone video phoned the original or not, I don't think so, because it was before that technology was in everyone's hand. Needless to say, we enjoyed new adventures with our elephant friend. It was one of those moments and helped me feel I was in the right place at the right time doing the right thing.</p>
<p>Since then, I tried to revive the "Elephant Went To Work" Song, but it didn't seem to have the same energy and excitement as it did under the tent on the beautiful September Sunday those two years in a row. I will never forget the moment and how much it touched my heart that the kids returned, a year older, with another year of experiences under their belt, just wanting to recapture some of that magic that making music together can bring. I'm grateful to be a part of that moment. </p>Beverly Meyer - The Music Ladytag:beverlythemusiclady.com,2005:Post/54831432018-11-06T14:20:00-05:002018-11-06T14:20:15-05:00Driving Ideas<p>It seems I've always chosen a job where driving many miles is part of the gig. My first job as a musician was chick-lead-singer-in-a-Top-40-Bar-Band. Back in the late 80's, I was going to college for Music Therapy. I join a band that turned into another and found myself singing for a living. Back in those days gigs were 4-5 nights a week, two weeks at one bar, then move onto the next. It was steady work, it was awful work, but I was singing. One of the more popular gigs was at a bar in Port Huron. At that time, I lived in Ypsilanti. 2 hours there, 4-5 hour gig, 2 hours home. Lots of windshield time. </p>
<p>It didn't take long for my imagination to run wild with possible "other options" for making money as a musician. I used to watch a lot of TV re-runs then (I still do, honestly) because the life I was living wasn't where I wanted to be. TV offered an escape and a way to turn off the noise in my over-active head. One early morning a show was on that featured a character that had a daycare in her home. This guy with a guitar showed up and sang protest songs to the kids. A funny premise for a show, but it was the first time that spark of an idea revealed itself to me. </p>
<p>Many of my travels where in the middle of the night then, I would drive before the rest of the world would wake up. I would watch the dawn before heading to bed. Often I would take the back roads to finish my journey home, just because it was more serene and peaceful than the highways at night. On a particular route, I would drive by a newly built KinderCare building. </p>
<p>My imagination would soar at the possibilities of me signing for the children that would soon be playing inside those walls each day. I had no idea how to get from my wild imagination to being that person that would visit child care centers, but I knew how much my heart ached for the possibility of it all. That dream stuck with me, through 3 or 4 more bands, lots of late nights and finally looking for a "house band" gig. I thought if I had one bar to go to, I would like the gig more. That turned out to be a big stepping stone to get me closer to my dreams than I ever realized. </p>
<p>Recently, I drove past that same KinderCare building. Ironically, I've never sung a note inside those walls, but I gave it a salute as I drove by. I thanked that little brown building with its red roof for inspiring me to dream all those years ago. I still spend a fair amount of time behind my windshield. I still dream of what lies on the road ahead. Instead of a heart of discontent trying to find an escape from a life that did not fit me very well, I have room to dream within my happy heart, count my many blessings and create new songs. I gladly drive everyday and I suspect, I will for a very long time.</p>Beverly Meyer - The Music Ladytag:beverlythemusiclady.com,2005:Post/54825802018-10-23T13:59:36-04:002018-10-23T15:32:41-04:00Toddler Hello<p>When I come to visit a preschool, quite often toddlers will be frightened by my presence when I first arrive. I'm a taller woman, with a big personality and I usually come in with a big blue guitar bag on my back and a handful of bags stuffed with props to share songs with the children. Usually, a teacher or two will greet me with "Music Lady! You're here!" in an excited tone. For some toddlers, they seek immediate comfort from their caregivers. Crying will usually accompany their fear. Once one child starts crying, others usually follow. Its like a secret toddler code, "if you're gonna cry, I'm gonna cry, I don't know why, we just all need to cry".</p>
<p>Knowing this is not at all unusual, these tiny humans are experiencing a very normal developmental stage where they are weary of new things. I know that it has little to do with me and everything to do with what they are experiencing in that moment. I slowly will sit down and try to get as small as I can, sitting down on the floor in the small chair. All the while that I'm unzipping my guitar case and getting my guitar out, I try to reassure the child that everything will be okay. The caregivers are always right there, with a lap to sit on or a reassuring hug all while trying to gather the other children.</p>
<p>Then I'll gently start to strum or fingerpick my guitar and a hush comes over the crowd. Still not sure if this new sound is safe, the crying may start up again. I will gently ask the crowd of caregivers and other children to join me in a sweet verse of "Twinkle, Twinkle". 98% of the time, this does the trick and the child or children that were upset find their happy place and are ready to enjoy some music. Quite often the same children that had a look of sheer terror when I arrived will be the one jumping, laughing and dancing as we enjoy a little music together. </p>
<p>The other day, I was taken aback at the greeting I received. I very handsome little boy that was new to the program I was visiting, was the first to greet me with a big wave and "Hello!" He smiled so big that his eyes disappeared with laughter, he repeated his greeting several times as I made my way to the chair waiting for me. I answered each "Hello" with a big smile and a greeting, sometimes "Hi!" or "Howdy!" or "How are you?". Then the other toddlers started to join in. Within seconds, 15 kiddos where all saying "Hello" with these great big smiles. The children that were usually weary of me, came in a little hesitant, close to their caregiver, but no one cried!! What a difference that first "Hello" made. That little fella really changed the mood of music time, everyone was engaged and so happy to be there.</p>
<p>I'm excited to see if this will happen when I visit next month or if it was just a one time thing. In the mean time, I'll always be respectful of the fact that everyone reacts to change and new things differently. I can take my time to let them know that I'm a safe person, a kind person, someone that only means to share joyful tones and happiness with them. If they are not up for it that day, I'm okay with that too. My hope is that they feel a little better when I leave, even if its just a sigh of relief. </p>Beverly Meyer - The Music Ladytag:beverlythemusiclady.com,2005:Post/54257212018-10-03T14:41:54-04:002018-10-03T14:41:54-04:00How It All Began<p>In 1996, when this idea started scratching at my brain, I was impatient to see clearly down the path I was headed. I knew I wanted to visit preschool classrooms and share songs. I was also pretty clueless on how exactly I was going to do this. My experience at the point was simply that magic happened when I brought my guitar into the classroom while I was teaching preschool. I learned a lot from each preschool setting I taught at, from the first home daycare to the "drop-off" center (located in a shopping mall) to two childcare centers. I learned the pattern of a good 20 minute music time. I learned the power of the "stamp" (giving each child a stamp on their wrist when I was finished). I learned the joy that comes when teachers enjoy the music as much as the kiddos. That was a pretty fine bubble to get some confidence and a strong taste for what I longed for, to just make music with kiddos. </p>
<p>When I left the preschools to seek out my own new adventure, I left the security of working for a boss. I also felt a bit constricted working for someone else as my vision didn't always meet theirs. I was a creative spirit. While I had great bosses, I felt very restricted by demands of caring for other peoples children for 8-10 hours a day. I was not the best version of myself. So I took the chance, I broke the mold and started out on a new adventure. </p>
<p>I decided to seek out the help of those around me that were walking a similar path. A few were kind enough to share marketing tips, share music ideas and share enthusiasm. I went to my local library, I presented at a local Head Start Conference. I took the chance of having a good friend gently guide me to try out my first weekly program. I gathered songs, I wrote a few too. Mostly, I listened and learned from my dear husband. He worked in contract services for a local big computer company and understood the business end of offering services. He guided me, made me make the cold calls, write the letters, make the brochures, plan the schedule and set up pricing. Once things took off, he helped with these tasks, then slowly let me take the reins and learn with lumps along the way. </p>
<p>Within a year, I had about a dozen programs that had regular Music Lady visits, I presented at my first library and they asked me back, I had presented workshops at a couple of child care conferences and I was getting my feet wet! </p>
<p>What is the conclusion? I thought that when I made the move from singing in bars to caring for young children in preschool, I had found my dream job. Turns out, it wasn't the dream I had hoped, but rather a gateway from darkness to light. The difference of working from the night shift to the early morning was change enough, but I still had a big desire to nurture my creative side. </p>
<p>I had watched some TV show that had a guy playing guitar come and visit an in-home daycare. A big fire began to burn inside of me to wonder if that could really happen in real life. I dreamt about it, prayed about it, doubted myself, then finally said it out loud to a co-worker. "If I could figure out how to sing for kids and get paid for it, I'd do it." It took me a year after saying that to say it again to my husband and a little while after that to leave my job as a teacher. This idea that scratched at my brain, seeped into my heart and wouldn't let go. With a lot of guidance and a little luck and ton of busting my comfort zone, I've found a home here. I'm certainly glad of that!</p>Beverly Meyer - The Music Lady