A Future Star

I would like to introduce someone who I believe has great prospects for the future.

I got to know Tilly when I taught her last year as a year 3 student. She was a bright young girl who showed lots of promise academically and musically.

Last year Tilly was in my guitar group and singing group. I saw in her someone who shared a passion for music like myself but just needed to build up her self confidence. I recall a quiet shy girl singing and playing the guitar at the Waikanae School Junior Talent Show. She struggled at the time as it was a new experience to perform in front of an audience.

What a transformation this year! She once again joined my guitar group. As we played and sang during our Wednesday guitar lessons it became quickly apparent what a lovely sweet and true voice she had. So much so that I handed over the microphone to her to take the major vocals.

Over the last 2 months with my encouragement I have been seeing this reserved young talent blossom into a more confident and mature performer.

Last week she performed at our School Assembly and has just recorded 2 of my songs at school.

Please take the time to listen to Tilly performing 2 of my original songs which you can view here and here! I'm sure you will be impressed as I am!  Here is a little video clip you can watch:

I will have limited computer access over the next few days, but will be back in action next week!  Catch up soon!

Being True to Yourself

I had to make a career decision today. Do I take the easy option or go with my heart?
   I have taught mainly 7 - 10 year olds during my time of teaching. I have had many successes and the very occasional disappointment. All the ages have had their positives and challenges. It has been a matter of adapting to their at times quite different needs and fine tuning my teaching approach. The older children are great to teach as they have more independence. However for myself I have discovered that the younger children really respond to me and I love their energy and enthusiasm.
   This year I have had great fun with my year 3 class. I have thoroughly enjoyed my daily singing with the children. We’ve sung songs from Postman Pat to a bunch of New Order and Elliott Smith songs which I suspect are foreign to many and not in a typical classroom selection. They are songs I have loved to sing and play. It’s wonderful to see the children in full voice and at times jumping around as I play the guitar and sing with them.
   I’ve also loved the way they have got excited by words and how animated they get when they discover them in their reading and use them in their writing and learn to spell words like ‘circumstantialities’.  
   So in whether to go old or young my heart told me that I should teach the younger children as it felt the right decision.
   Have you had recent difficult decisions to make and how did you decide what was the right one?

Becoming a Song Writer

I remember the words clearly 'Why don't you try writing your own songs'. About ten years ago this innocent comment from my wife came after once again hearing me thrash my favourite Bob Dylan and Neil Young songs on my guitar. It seemed something of a crazy idea but possibly could be worth a go. I thought that a love song would be appropriate under the circumstances. The line We Belong Together popped into my head and so was born my first song with the aid of pen, paper and a tape recorder. It can be found on my C.D 'Chasing Rainbows'. I was so pleased with myself and the ease the song came to me that I wrote a song every evening for a month. My second song 'Run with the Wind was talked about in my blog First Running Steps. I'm so glad that I was given the encouragement to write as it has opened up a World of Creativity that I didn't know was waiting to surface and to be shared with others.

We Belong Together

I'm wondering where I'm going to
I'm wondering where I've been
You came along when I needed you
And showed me how to dream

Chorus
We belong together and make our plans forever

You walk on beside me
And help me to believe
In the way that I live my life
With a future to see

Chorus

The beauty in this world of ours
Is so precious and clean
It captures and embraces
In peace and serene

Chorus