WINNIPEG — Verna Ross saw a need and set about filling it. She created a daycare program geared especially to children in Winnipeg’s inner city that used music as a primary teaching method.
Musiktanz — simply translated from its German roots, “music dance” — continues to educate children 25 years after its inception, with the 81-year-old dynamo still working to ensure the program stays on its feet.
“I wanted them to learn to develop not only an interest in music, but I felt that once again in the setting they’re in, the more movement they can have the better,” Ross says.
Margo Harding, one of three teachers in the program, has been part of Musiktanz for 17 years. The professional opera singer understands the value of bringing music to children.
“I think music is something you feel in your heart and even though children don’t know that, that’s what they’re experiencing, because when you sing or play an instrument, doesn’t matter whether you’re good — it makes you so happy and I think it empowers them to think they can do anything,” Harding says.
The program is now in 30 daycares thanks in part to Variety, The Children’s Charity of Manitoba, which helps fund the program.
“We at Variety believe this is a very important program that we can help fund and certainly want to continue to look at hopefully maybe expanding a program like this,” says Jerry Maslowsky, Variety’s CEO.
Ross is no longer around 100 per cent of the time, but she continues to work with Musiktanz.
She holds an appreciation lunch for all her instructors and daycare directors every June.
“I always say no matter how wonderful the program is that is written, that’s only part of the success that we’ve had, and a great deal of the success has to go to the teachers because they’re on the front lines every week.”
For more information on the program you can contact www.varietymanitoba.com.
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