Lyle Sauer

What inspired you to pursue a career in early years music education? 

• I was lucky to have many musical experiences from a young age and it continues to bring so much joy into my life. I was inspired to share that with young people! 

How do you approach making Tiny Tots, Toddler Tunes and, for Lyle and Grace Specifically, Little Maetros classes fun and engaging for the children? 

• By immersing myself in play and imagination with the children, not "at" them. And by switching it up each week by bringing in my mandolin or banjo for some live music experiences.

Can you share a favourite moment or success story from your previous teaching experiences? 

• As a drum teacher I had a young student who appeared dis-interested in playing and, all except for the hi-hat cymbal which he loved to explore how it opened and closed. One day I had an idea to let him spend the whole lesson just taking the drum set apart and putting it back together again, offering minimal help besides a little nudge in the right direction. He lit up through this process and felt an ownership over the instrument. 

What do you believe are the benefits of early music education for young children? 

• Music is one of our biggest tools for connection and making sense of the world. It connects us to each other and our senses. It also fosters self expression and even from a young age humans can express themselves through music and song which builds confidence and belonging. 

What unique elements or techniques do you incorporate into your classes to keep them exciting and memorable? 

• Bringing in my mandolin or banjo and playing live music! 

As someone with a diverse background in music and/or theatre, how do you integrate skills from this world into your teaching? 

• I use my experience and skills as an actor-musician in all my lessons. I have years of technical knowledge and performance experience as a musician, so everything I teach is rooted in that... Even the "simples" nursery rhymes. An an actor I am proud of my big imagination and a connection to my inner child and play, as well as being able to convey stories and information to groups of people with pizzazz and clarity. 

How do you tailor your approach to different age groups? 

• I understand the developmental milestones and abilities of each age group and each lesson is designed around that. For example for Tiny Tots classes we don't use any super loud noises because they can be overwhelming for small ears and nervous systems. 

What excites you most about joining the Conservatoire and teaching our early years music classes? 

• I love the artistic community at the Conservatoire. I've been teaching as a deputy percussion tutor since the beginning this year and I've really enjoyed my time. I'm excited to join as a weekly teacher! 

How do you encourage parents to get involved in their children's musical journey? 

• Follow your child's spark and encourage them to have fun. I believe music should come from a place of joy and parents have a unique responsibility to nurture their child's passions without pushing. 

Can you share a fun fact about yourself that you think would surprise or amuse your students and their parents? 

• I'm afraid of sloths. I think they are super creepy! 

María José Andrade

What inspired you to pursue a career in early years music education? 

• I started my own musical journey at a very young age, at around 2 or 3 years old, guided by my father who is a musician. I believe that the bond between a parent and child grows and benefits in so many ways from sharing an experience like this. So, for me, being able to introduce children and parents to the music experience motivates me very much. 

How do you approach making Tiny Tots, Toddler Tunes and, for Lyle and Grace Specifically, Little Maetros classes fun and engaging for the children? 

• I believe that every child has the potential to connect and learn if their curiosity is being nurtured. So being able to understand where their curiosity relies is for me the key to engaging them and making fun sessions.   

Can you share a favourite moment or success story from your previous teaching experiences? 

• A parent once wrote to me to tell me that she had seen her daughter, who was usually very quiet during classes, teaching her little cousin all the songs and dynamics that we had been working on in our sessions. She knew all the words! She even taught her little cousin how to play an “imagined guitar”.  

What do you believe are the benefits of early music education for young children? 

• It allows them to make new connections between their senses. It empowers them by allowing them to learn through their body. It promotes fine attention and offers a unique sense of belonging to a special experience with a loved one.  

What unique elements or techniques do you incorporate into your classes to keep them exciting and memorable? 

• I rely on a consistent structure that gives the children a sense of belonging, but I always leave space for spontaneous interaction. A flexible environment is key for children at this age. They should enjoy their time during the sessions, feel free to laugh and make noise, or relax and be quiet if they feel like it! 

As someone with a diverse background in music and/or theatre, how do you integrate skills from this world into your teaching? 

• Besides teaching early years music I am a theatre director and a performer. I enjoy bringing characters alive through voices and different energies in the different activities. I also enjoy playing the guitar, percussion instruments and singing.  

How do you tailor your approach to different age groups? 

• The curriculum provided by the Conservatory is a solid guide for me for tailoring the classes to the different age groups. Paying attention to the length of activities, the complexities of songs, the ability needed when using simple instruments, it is all taken into account.  

What excites you most about joining the Conservatoire and teaching our early years music classes? 

• My daughter was an early years student at the Conservatoire when we first moved into the area, and we loved the experience! So it is now very exciting to be part of the institution.  

How do you encourage parents to get involved in their children's musical journey? 

• You can find simple elements of music in almost every context if you pay attention. Invite them to discover them in their everyday life. Things like the melody played in the tube before the announcements and the sound the doors make before opening and closing, the repetitive sounds of birds pecking…   

Can you share a fun fact about yourself that you think would surprise or amuse your students and their parents? 

• I was playing the guitar in a band, it was a family friendly gig. I was sitting on a high bench at the back of the stage. I leaned back thinking it was a chair and I fell backwards off stage. There was a second of silence after the fall, but then I stood up laughing and kept playing the guitar, so all the audience started clapping and laughing with me and the song resumed. It was a bit embarrassing, but now it's quite a fun memory to have! Spontaneity and humor are key for music making and for life!