Kids Class: Homegrown Music

If you're interested in childrens' music lessons, Homegrown Music is certainly worth considering. Its principal Robyn Hodge, is one of those people best described as effervescent. She's friendly, inquisitive and very passionate about sharing her love of music... we couldn't help but become enthusiastic about it too! Here's our chat.

Robyn, tell us about yourself.

Well, I’m married to Christopher and we have Abby, 8, and Zoe, 3. I’m originally from East Gippsland, and I moved to Geelong in 1997 soon after returning from a two year volunteer stint in South Africa to work with McKillop Family Services. In the 17 years since I've worked in Geelong's youth, community and church sector, taught keyboard and directed community choirs, and got a BA in politics at Deakin.

What is your career story?

Throughout my schooling I was lucky to have some truly inspirational teachers who had us singing all the time - all of them were imbued with a happiness and a joy for life that was contagious! After High School I worked in a music store and trained as a teacher in the Yamaha system. I really appreciated the privilege of introducing students to the amazing world of music making. I sang in a Madrigal choir, I went to my first Port Fairy Folk Festivals, I learned swing dance in Geelong and sacred circle dance in Johannesburg. I learned to lead community choirs and when Abby was 2, I discovered Kindermusik. When our teacher left the area, she suggested I look into training as a Kindermusik Educator, and Homegrown Music was born soon after Zoe arrived in 2011.

Tell us about it - what are its benefits?

Homegrown Music is a micro music studio with a purpose to "nurture music for life" through several offerings. My role is that of a facilitator and educator, and I focus mainly on teaching the brilliant Kindermusik program - music and movement for babies through to 7 year olds. I also offer group and private tuition in keyboard and ukulele for children and adults alike.

Music connects with our bodies, our thoughts and emotions, it offers a multi-sensory learning experience and it can help young children learn to regulate their emotions. It’s great for nurturing early literacy and helping kids make meaning from what they hear.

There are many small rituals created in each Kindermusik class that parents can use and adapt for home - singing to and acknowledging each child at the beginning of each class, and asking for their ideas which builds their self confidence. Singing our way through each transition as we put away an instrument or prop, understanding that something else is coming next, cuddling together at the end of class before we sing goodbye to each other. Our approach in class is child-centred, and we'll often adapt an activity to include movements suggested by the children themselves.

Learning an instrument primes our brain for learning in all spheres, not just in music. The other great benefit of children participating in Homegrown Music's Kindermusik program is that if children go on to formal instrumental music tuition, they progress quickly in their lessons, saving time and money.

Can you share a story about when your program has really made a difference to a child/family?

Several Kindermusik parents with very shy, reticent children have been thrilled at the way their children have become confident participants in their Kindermusik class. I'm careful to honour the temperament of each child and to not be too "in your face" with children who are obviously shy, letting them join in at their own pace, in their own time, and reassuring parents that there's no pressure on the children to play with an instrument or prop in a specific way.

What do you hope to achieve with your business this year?

I want to make the world a better place! I reckon mothers have the biggest impact on a person's primal beliefs about life. Those early experiences we give our children will determine whether they approach the world with love and curiosity, or with fear and suspicion, and music can be a powerful tool for parents to create safe and loving spaces that encourage children to learn. So I want to help parents do that.