A chance for parents, kids to Chill to music

BY DAN NEWMAN
Staff Writer

JEFF GRANIT staff Melissa Chill hits two sticks together with children at MIss Melissa's Aardvarks, a music program for parents and their children, ages 6 months through 5 years. MIDDLETOWN - For six years, Melissa Chill taught music to young people in Monmouth County, with an eventual goal of opening her own business.

"For a while I really hadn't come to a place where I was ready to open a business of my own," Chill said. "I was looking for opportunities but just wasn't able to find what I was looking for."

Six months ago, Chill found her niche by starting Miss Melissa's Aardvarks, a Mommy and Me-like program for young people and their parents, but set to music.

"When children listen to music it stimulates them and so this kind of program is great as a teaching tool," Chill said.

Chill's program derives from the Music for Aardvarks and Other Mammals program, created over nine years ago by David Weinstone, a music teacher who wanted to be able to teach songs to young people in a way that they could relate to it. Weinstone started his program in New York City and has since expanded into other major cities, as well as England and Japan.

Chill said that she wanted to delve into the untapped Monmouth County area right from the start.

"I was familiar with the area from the past and so I knew that this area really needed something in the way of a more active music program for kids and so far it's been great. People have raved about the program," Chill said.

Her goal is to get kids moving and active during her 45-minute class sessions, designed for kids ranging in age from 6 months to 5 years old. Chill incorporates items such as shakers, scarves, parachutes, balls and drums to foster the learning experience.

One of Chill's youngest clients ever was Abigail Rosenthal, who started when she was barely 5 months old. Now at 15 months old, Abigail, and her mother, Marisa, of Fair Haven, look forward to class each Friday in Lincroft.

"My daughter really reacts to the music when she comes here. Sometimes I'll play the [Music for Aardvarks] CD and she'll clap to it," Marisa Rosenthal said. "It's enjoyable for her because she can have fun and it's good for me because it's a chance to spend time with my daughter and get out of the house for a while."

Chill acknowledged that a big part of the program is parental participation.

"This is the kind of thing that, if parents get involved, then their children are going to want to do it as well," Chill explained. "A lot of the songs we have are rock 'n' roll type of stuff from years back, so the parents can definitely identify with the songs and get into it."

Chill said that initially, she let people know about the class through advertising and word of mouth. But she also gets repeat customers like the Rosenthals.

"The more the kids come, the more that they love it and the parents see that," Marisa Rosenthal said. "My daughter recognizes the music and so she and I like to come back."

Semesters are 10 weeks long and are $185 for the first child and $105 for each additional sibling.

The next semester starts the second week of January at Catherine Barnett Dance Studio, 37 East Front Street, Red Bank, on Mondays and Thursdays; at the Manalapan Recreation Center-Kuschick Pavilion, Route 522, on Tuesdays; and L.A. Dance Studio, 728 Newman Springs Road, Middletown, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Chill also wanted to stress that it doesn't only have to be the mothers that bring their kids to have fun with her.

"There are plenty of dads that come in as well, especially on the weekends," Chill said. "My classes are for any children, including special needs."

For more information, call (732) 693-1147 or log on to www.missmelissasaardvarks.com.