BY DAN NEWMAN
Staff Writer
JEFF GRANIT staff Melissa Chill hits two sticks together with children at MIss Melissa’s Aardvarks, a music program for parents and their children, ages 6 months through 5 years. For six years, Melissa Chill taught music to young people in Monmouth County, with an eventual goal of opening her own business.
“For a while I really hadn’t come to a place where I was ready to open a business of my own,” Chill said. “I was looking for opportunities but just wasn’t able to find what I was looking for.”
Six months ago, Chill found her niche by starting Miss Melissa’s Aardvarks, a program for young people and their parents, set to music.
“When children listen to music it stimulates them and so this kind of program is great as a teaching tool,” Chill said.
Chill’s program derives from the Music for Aardvarks and Other Mammals program, created more than nine years ago by David Weinstone, a music teacher who wanted to be able to teach songs to young people in a way they could relate to it. Weinstone started his program in New York City and has since expanded into other major cities, as well as to England and Japan.
Chill said she wanted to delve into the Monmouth County area right from the start.
“I was familiar with the area from the past and so I knew this area really needed something in the way of a more active music program for kids and so far it’s been great. People have raved about the program,” Chill said.
Her goal is to get children moving and active during her 45-minute class sessions, designed for children ranging in age from 6 months to 5 years old. Chill incorporates items such as shakers, scarves, parachutes, balls and drums to foster the learning experience.
One of Chill’s youngest clients ever was Abigail Rosenthal, who started when she was just 5 months old. Now 15 months old, Abigail, and her mother, Marisa, of Fair Haven, look forward to class each Friday in Middletown.
“My daughter really reacts to the music when she comes here. Sometimes I’ll play the [Music for Aardvarks] CD and she’ll clap to it,” Marisa Rosenthal said. “It’s enjoyable for her because she can have fun and it’s good for me because it’s a chance to spend time with my daughter and get out of the house for a while.”
Chill said a big part of the program is parental participation.
“This is the kind of thing that, if parents get involved, then their children are going to want to do it as well,” Chill explained. “A lot of the songs we have are rock ‘n’ roll type of stuff from years back, so the parents can definitely identify with the songs and get into it.”
Chill said that initially, she let people know about the class through advertising and word of mouth. But she also gets repeat customers like the Rosenthals.
“The more the kids come, the more that they love it and the parents see that,” Marisa Rosenthal said. “My daughter recognizes the music and so she and I like to come back.”
Semesters are 10 weeks long and are $185 for the first child and $105 for each additional sibling.
The next semester will start during the second week of January at Catherine Barnett Dance Studio, 37 East Front Street, Red Bank, on Monday and Thurs-day; at the Manalapan Recreation Center-Kuschick Pavilion, Route 522, on Tuesday; and L.A. Dance Studio, 728 Newman Springs Road, Middletown, on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Chill said mothers are not the only parents who can bring their children.
“There are plenty of dads that come in as well, especially on the weekends,” Chill said. “My classes are for any children, including those with special needs.”
For more information call (732) 693-1147 or log on to the Internet Web site at www.missmelissasaardvarks.com.