Free Love to Sing workshops

Connecting communities through music is Linda Adamson's goal this month as she launches her 'sing and dance along' sessions for Auckland youngsters under-five on October 23.

With inspiration from the Auckland Council's 'Children, Young People and Their Families' initiative, Adamson is working with the Auckland City YMCA and the Council and to offer eight free 35-minute music sessions to the community.

The focus of the weekly classes is to recognise the needs of thousands of families, including many migrants, living in isolation in Auckland City. Adamson said it was an opportunity to have fun through music, reach out, forge new connections and create more inclusive communities.

"As I was born in Canada and grew up in Holland, I understand how hard it can be to find your feet in a new place," she said. "I hope these sessions help people from around the city to come together - not only to have fun but also make new friendships and be part of an ongoing support network".

Adamson is well known in the children's music industry for her 'Love to Sing' products. Drawing on her knowledge and experience as a music lecturer, facilitator, kindergarten teacher and music performer, Adamson has hundreds of songs in her collection as well as specific children's programmes, including "Hearty Fun Fitness", endorsed by the NZ Heart Foundation.

Having presented hundreds of workshops around the country and sold millions of songs worldwide, she understands the cognitive, physical, social and emotional benefits that music brings.

Auckland YMCA Manager Heather Ellis is equally excited about the initiative and believes their community-based venue is in a great location to host the sessions.

"With an increasing number of families residing in the CBD, many of them immigrants, our Auckland City branch saw a potential opportunity to connect these residents who do not have existing support networks," said Ellis. "It's also an excellent chance to provide an educational platform for children through moving and music."

Statistics New Zealand estimates there are more than 300,000 children (up to the age of 14) living in Auckland, with over a quarter of these having been born overseas. Projections suggest the number of children may more than double to 624,730 by 2031, alerting the Auckland Council to recognise a need for a clear and bold transformational shift to 'dramatically accelerate the prospects of Auckland's children and young people'.

As outlined in the 2012 Auckland Plan, there is now a strong focus to create an inclusive society that ensures opportunity for all Aucklanders, underpinned by a priority to put 'children and young people first'.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown supported the initiative and said it was great to see the Auckland Plan inspiring new initiatives in the community.

"Music can change lives, forge connections, draw communities together and develop kids' social, learning and motor skills. Auckland's musical organisations and professionals run a host of fabulous music education programmes around the region, and it's great to see this new, free opportunity for our kids to get involved in music from an early age."

With this in mind, Adamson views this music workshop as the perfect conduit to attract isolated, young families and foster connectivity and a sense of community.

Each workshop will include tips on sharing music at home to encourage closer bonds between caregivers and children. The sessions will use "Love to Sing" music and action songs and will engage the audience by using props, costumes and well-recognised characters, such as Big Ted and Jack in the Box. Participants will be encouraged to bring their home made music props and instruments to add to the fun.

The 35-minute sessions start Tuesday October 23 and will run every Tuesday for eight weeks, concluding Tuesday December 11. They will be held at the Auckland City YMCA, corner of Pitt Street and Greys Ave.

With the first workshop based in the city centre, Adamson hopes to extend to other areas of Auckland next year, and eventually nationwide.

For more information and to secure a spot, visit www.childrenlovetosing.com or by calling the Auckland City YMCA on 09 303 2069.