I look back fondly upon Year 4 of Listen & Learn Music, because for the first time, I started to consider it as part of my job rather than just a fun hobby. Since I was completely self-employed at this point, I had the freedom to spend my days writing new songs and content before working with private practice clients in the afternoons and evenings.
However, I won’t sugarcoat this period of my life: it was a grind. In order to make up for the full-time income I gave up at The Hope Institute, I was seeing 40+ students and clients every week in my home studio. I was also teaching early childhood classes at my church and playing 2-4 gigs every month, while also trying to squeeze in time with my husband, family and friends.
But the good news was that I loved every aspect of my work, and the intersection of each piece. As busy as I was, I felt fulfilled and motivated — I was doing exactly what I set out to do. My music therapy clients were achieving their goals in our sessions, and the resources I was creating were reaching far beyond my studio.
Most Saturdays that year were spent holed up in my office, writing and recording the song I would share with my readers that week. And every Sunday after church, I recorded my weekly “Sunday Singalong” video for my YouTube channel. Spoiler alert: this was the last year I’d get away with devoting my weekends to Listen & Learn Music ;)
My 2011 Gift to You
YOU are the reason that Listen & Learn Music is still alive and well today, and YOU are the reason I’ll be celebrating another 10 years in 2028. Every email and comment I receive detailing how a song was brought to life in a classroom or music therapy session, and how it helped a child to learn a new skill, provides the motivation to make this an even more valuable resource for you.
To properly thank you for your support, I’ll be sharing one of my favorite resources with you from the L&L collection each day in yearly chronological order, all the way through September 10.
It was during my 4th year of Listen & Learn Music that I got my first stretchy band, which still reigns today as my favorite movement prop. The first song I wrote specifically for use with stretchy bands back in 2011 continues to be one of my bestsellers. Today’s gift is “Movin’ in the Circle” (including mp3, instrumental track, facilitation guide, and lyrics/chords).
If you have already joined the “Listen & Learn Music Turns 10” celebration, this gift has already been delivered to your email inbox. And if you haven’t yet joined in, all you have to do is fill out your name and email below:
Check your email now for a special invitation to the private “10 Years of Listen & Learn” Facebook group. I’ll be sharing all 10 resources there as well, along with other goodies you won’t want to miss throughout the 10 days of celebration.
Our Biggest Giveaway Ever
On September 10, one extremely lucky winner will receive a LIFETIME VIP MEMBERSHIP to Listen & Learn Plus, including all current and future CMTE courses.
All you have to do is help me celebrate by:
1) following Listen & Learn Music on Instagram
2) Creating a post about how you’ve used a L&L resource, or just simply sending a birthday wish
3) Tagging @listenlearnmusic on your post
4) Using the hashtag #listenlearnmusicturns10
Feel free to save and post this image and use the caption:
Wishing @listenlearnmusic a very happy 10th birthday! I’m joining in the celebration and hoping to win a lifetime VIP membership to Listen & Learn Plus! #listenlearnmusicturns10
Follow the steps above to enter as many times as you’d like between September 1 – 10.
