Biography:  Roann Keen has been teaching music to young children through children's choir programs in California and Colorado since 1979.  From 1986 - 1991 she was Director of  Children's Music Ministries with 5 children's choirs, 2 bell groups, music camps and teacher training workshops under her leadership at a large church in Santa Cruz, California.  In 1992 she began training for an early childhood music and movement curriculum and set up her own studio program.  In the summer of 1993 she moved to Colorado Springs, CO with her husband and re established a growing early childhood music studio in her home.  In 1996 she developed a graded children's choir program at a local church with three children's  choirs and a Family Music community outreach program.  Her local studio is now located on an acre of land with plenty of off street parking where she encorporates outdoor nature experiences into the music and movement program using the highly acclaimed Musikgarten curriculum.

Roann recently was awarded the prestigious Exemplary Program Award and Achievement Awards from Musikgarten at the annual teachers Festival that was  held near Dallas/Fort Worth, Tx this past April.  She teaches classes Monday - Wednesday's with morning, afternoon and evening time slots available.

"Musikgarten is the preeminent early childhood music education company. . . We offer a comprehensive early childhood program that spans the first nine years of a child's musical development.  Children love the progression from semester to semester, as patterns are repeated and built upon, addressing students' needs at each developmental level."   The curriculum is aurally  based and teaches the way children learn best, through music and movement.  Classical and folk literature is included along with poetry, fingerplays, simple rhythm instruments; listening and language skills development;  nature and multicultural themes; reading, writing, improvisation and so much more.

Education/Experience: Early Childhood Education teaching certificate, 1993. Completed all levels of Musikgarten training, babies through Keyboard, 1994- 2005 and is certified to teach in all levels of the curriculum. Certified Level II teacher through the Early Childhoold Music and Movement Association  (ECMMA).  Teaching children's choirs since 1979 - 2003. Teaching Early Childhood Music and Movement since 1992 - present.

Comments: Research has shown us that musical awareness begins before birth. Teaching children and their families the joy of making music is crucial to later continued musical education.  Research also confirms what music educators have always known - that music is very beneficial in all areas of childhood learning. Beginning a child's musical education/experience as early as possible provides children with the opportunity to learn to love music and music making which in turn gives them the desire to continue to learn more about music. "Music is the gift that lasts a lifetime."  Give it early and give it long!