Studies show children who learn music do better in math and science
Published in the April 15-28, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Robert Airoldi
Music instructor Michelle Moyer works with children and their parents during a recent class in her Downtown Mall studio.
Photo by Marty Cheek
Like a lot of people, Michelle Moyer’s career path took a few detours before she found her calling.
Born and raised in Lincoln, Neb., Moyer studied violin, choir and orchestra and earned a state scholarship for dance to attend the University of Nebraska. She sang in a rock band for Tokyo Disney, sang on cruise ships and performed in “Jesus Christ Superstar” throughout Europe.
In her mid-20s, she injured her back and at that point decided the time was right to return to school.
While in college, she married and finished her degree at Pepperdine University and started a family. When her son Montana was 6-months-old, she decided to get back to her first love, music.
She went to a class and was asked to begin teaching others.
“That was the beginning of my starting to teach music to children,” she said in her studio in the Downtown Mall. “So, after working as a profession performer I became a mother and eventually I progressed to becoming a music educator.
Years later, she divorced and started teaching private piano and voice lessons, then in 2010 she was hired to teach at Nordstrom and San Martin/Gwinn elementary schools. Montana is now 15 and her youngest son Remington is 11.
At about the same time she learned about Music Together, an internationally recognized early childhood music program for infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers, kindergärtners and adults. It pioneered the concept of a research-based, developmentally appropriate early childhood music curriculum that emphasizes and facilitates adult involvement.
“My first job teaching music was with Music Together,” said Moyer, who started the business five years ago. “I took the certification and became a music instructor and now I’m the director here in Morgan Hill and Gilroy. I also teach private lessons for piano and voice and I’m teaching in elementary school and select choirs and after school programs, so now I have a multitude of instruction I do all week long.”
Her Music in Motion business is a comprehensive music program for children from birth to high school and adults. The classes for children birth to 5 are a part of the Music Together curriculum.
Some of her young students audition for her select groups, the Show Stoppers, New Dimensions and Vocal Expression, each of which works with children with developmentally appropriate musical aptitudes.
“Each works with children to develop skills at that developmental stage,” she said.
And those children who learn music at an early age can benefit. Music is one of the activities that lights up all parts of the brain, Moyer said.
“Students work on rhythm, tonality and language development,” she said. “Math and music are related. Studies show children who have music instruction do better in math and science.”
Another thing that can help children grow is performing. It teaches self confidence and it’s a step to present themselves and work on posture, and it’s a way for them to get involved in the community.
Some of her students will perform as the opening act at the Friday Night Music Series.
“They are so excited,” she said. “It will be a great platform for these kids.”
Moyer said all children should be involved in music at some level and each family should talk with their children about different instruments.
“Music is really an important thing we as humans can share together,” Moyer said. “It teaches children to set aside time for something they deem is important and that helps them with time management. There are just so many benefits to music education.”
And Moyer herself has found benefits.
“I love what I’m doing,” she said. “The diversity is wonderful, working with babies and their parents, elementary and high school students, adults. “I get to run the gamut. My days are so diverse. I feel blessed to be able to do what I do.”
