Hello everybody,
As you drive by, the small and cozy school will turn your
head, and make you wondering …”What is it going on there?” The sweetest
teacher, the little children listening quietly to the Sound of music…. Nataly,
her beautiful name calling for Christmas – she will be there to make your
children dream and love, she will be there to welcome every little one, curious
about the piano, happy to discover all the instruments. It is the most
wonderful place where your kids will learn to grow with music!
Nataly Iracleous was very happy to answer to Kids Fun in
Cyprus ‘questions, to help us discover the world of her amazing music lessons.
Izzy: I am very
happy to meet you today and to be able to participate at one of your wonderful
lessons, Nataly. I cannot stop notice that you have lots of small children
around you all listening to you, learning and having fun. What can you tell us
about you and Musika Akousmata?
Nataly Iracleous: I am very happy to meet you too and thank you
for the chance you give me to introduce Mousika Akousmata. Ever since I
remember myself I was always singing or playing the piano or participating in musical
events. This is why I later followed musical studies at Lancaster University in
U.K. . When Musika Akousmata School opened in 2012, I felt more than happy to
join and be a part of it.
Izzy: What are
you doing here at Musika Akousmata? Who are your students and what do they
learn?
N.I.: For a start
I should mention the group lessons we have for children from 3 to 6 years old.
I should call this a musical preparation-a first insight to the world of music.
Children have the chance to learn about the orchestra and meet the various
instruments of it. Also they are introduced to some composers (like Mozart or
Beethoven) and listen to some of their top and most famous works. They will learn
about rhythm by practicing easy musical patterns using the percussion
instruments we have there. During the lessons and for the purpose of an activity
children are able to use our musical instruments (from maracas and bells to
small ukuleles and piano) music tubes or music bells.
By the end of the
year they are expected to be able to recognize many instruments of the orchestra
(when see them or listening to their sounds), talk a bit about a composer and
refer to one top musical work, compose short and easy rhythmic patterns and practice
them using an instrument.
At the age of 6 mainly those who are interested continue with
piano lessons 1 hour per week but I also give them group theory lessons.
Izzy: Your
students grow…. And with them grows also their love for music, their love for
what you teach them. Are they able to follow their love here at the school?
N.I.: At the age
of 6 mainly children are able to start piano lessons with me. Also, in some
cases when a child is younger (5 years old) and insists to start piano lessons
then I use the Wunderkeys method – an easy and simple way to learn the basic in
piano.
At some point and after continuous preparation a child can
give the relative examination of the ABRSM (Royal School of Music) for piano
and/or theory.
Izzy: You take
care of your little students. Musika Akousmata School of music is not only for
lessons. It is a place where parents will be able to meet and children to have
fun. How do you do this?
N.I. during the
group lessons for small children, their parents are also welcome to stay and
participate in the activities. This is something very important in my opinion as
it brings them together making children feel more comfortable and confident
having the support of the parent.
An important point is the concerts we give approximately 2
times a year giving children the chance to feel comfortable to get on stage and
perform in front of an audience. Not only that but they also build confidence –
an important factor for a musician. Smaller children prepare a short and easy
song repertoire to sing either in our school or outside in other events. For
the last 3 years for example they sing at the Christmas Village at Galactica.
Izzy: What
benefits did you noticed at the children that participate to your lessons? Do
you have any wonderful experiences that you would like to share with our
readers?
N.I.: Music in
general is important in our lives and I dare to say that music is everything
and everywhere J. Me as the teacher I enjoy every lesson with every
child and during the lesson I try to make my students feel pleasure for what
they do and try to transmit them this feeling of love for music. The most
important for me is to see my students enjoying the experience and I love to
see their proud faces when performing.
Izzy: Musika Akousmata also collaborate with kindergartens. How this collaboration is
working?
N.I.: I visit a
few kindergartens and I follow a program including singing and listening or
moving activities to make an interesting and enjoyable lesson.
Izzy: We know
about your special secret, Musika Akousmata choir. It is something that you
make out of passion… out of your love for kids. Who can become member of your
choir and how?
N.I.: This
started as a part of the group lessons for small children. I was amazed by the
abilities small children have in singing so I tried to work and develop those
abilities by creating a small choir. We work on an easy and enjoyable
repertoire and perform where and when we have the chance.
Izzy: Thank you
very much Nataly for this fantastic opportunity, to meet you, to meet your
little students. A wonderful experience for Kids Fun in Cyprus to discover a teacher with grate passion for their work, as you are. A last request, please
share with us a little story, as it is now a custom on our webpage. It was a
fantastic pleasure meeting you!
N.I.: During these
4 years I teach at Mousika Akousmata I feel proud and excited to see the
satisfaction of a child when practicing or performing. A touching moment that I
had and will never forget was 2 years ago. At the end of the final concert we
gave one my students came and gave me a card saying: "thank you for what you
learnt me". That was a small gesture, but it gave me one of the biggest
pleasures I had in my life. I realized that what I try to give is finally given
and my small musicians understand and appreciate it.
Lots of sunny days from Izzy the Cypriot lizards!
Musika Akousmata
Lessons schedule:
For the group lessons:
Monday 16:45-17:30 - 3-4 years old
Friday: 16:45 – 17:30 - 6+ years old
For private piano lessons please call for appointment.
Piano Lessons in Greek language or English language
Guitar Lessons and Vocal lessons starting 60 euro per month!
Guitar Lessons and Vocal lessons starting 60 euro per month!
Group lessons in Greek language
Lessons fees:
music group lessons 40 euro, piano lesson starting from 50 euro.
Ages: from 3+
Address: Kritis Str. No. 37, Limassol, Cyprus
Contact person:
Nataly Irakleous
Phone no: + 357
96 598 074
E-mail: natalyzodhiatou@gmail.com
Website: www.mousikavimatakia.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pg/musikaakousmata
Map Location: