Category: Announcements

As the days grow shorter and holiday lights begin to flicker into view, we at MTMS pause to reflect on what makes our music meaningful — not just the notes we play, but the connections we build and the community we serve.

This November, we’re honored to present our 4-week Music Lesson Sampler as more than just a gateway into music lessons. It’s an opportunity to make a difference. 50% of all Sampler proceeds during November will be donated to our longtime partner, GRIN (Gahanna Residents In Need).

Why does this matter now? Across our region, food-security needs are deeper than usual. With many families facing unexpected challenges — including ripple effects from the government shutdown — local food pantries like GRIN are seeing higher demand. By participating in our Sampler program you’re helping ensure that our neighbors don’t go without while also nurturing musical discovery in our school.

How it works:

• Purchase a 4-week Music Lesson Sampler for yourself or as a gift.
• Each Sampler includes lesson per week for four weeks.
• Because it’s a Sampler, it’s the perfect way to explore a new instrument, test-drive lessons, or give the gift of musical discovery.
• If you decide to continue with regular lessons afterward, we’ll waive the enrollment fee.
• Best of all? Half of what you pay in November goes directly to GRIN to support food-security efforts in Gahanna and the surrounding area.

Why this partnership matters to us:

Since our founding, MTMS has believed in music and community. Music nurtures confidence, creativity, and joy in our students. GRIN nourishes basic needs and dignity in our neighbors. Together, we can amplify our impact. We can turning every lesson into a note of hope, and every practice session into a kindness ripple.

Gift-friendly, community-minded:

Ready to give lessons a try? Looking for a meaningful gift this season? Our Sampler is ideal for the young working couple, the spouse curious about voice or guitar, or any friend who’s been saying “I’ve always wanted to try piano.” When you gift a Sampler in November, you gift music and you gift support for our Gahanna neighbors.

Let’s hit the right chord together.

Join us this November. Enroll in a Sampler, spread the word, and let’s make community care as integral to our music as rhythm and melody. Because when our community thrives, our music sounds all the richer.

🎶 With gratitude and musical momentum,
Michelle & the MTMS Staff

Collaboration ♪ Learning ♪ Creativity ♪ Community

At Michelle Tuesday Music School, we’re always looking for ways to expand our students’ understanding of music from around the world. This fall, we’re thrilled to announce that we’ll soon be adding a wot (pronounced wote) — a Thai spiral flute. Lessons and demonstrations will be available once the instrument arrives and is fully set up for student use.

---

What Is a Wot?

The wot is a traditional wind instrument from northeastern Thailand (the Isan region) and Laos. It’s made of multiple bamboo pipes arranged in a circular or spiral shape, forming what looks like a ring of flutes joined together. Instead of pressing keys or covering holes, the player blows across the top of each pipe to produce different pitches.

The wot produces a bright, airy, and melodic tone that’s often used in Thai folk music and traditional dance ensembles. Because of its circular design, players rotate or tilt the instrument as they play, creating smooth transitions between notes.

---

A Bridge Between Cultures and Sounds

Adding the wot to our school’s instrument collection allows students to experience how music connects across continents. Many students are familiar with woodwinds like the flute or clarinet; the wot offers a new perspective on how airflow, pitch, and resonance can be shaped by design and tradition.

By studying the wot, students can explore:

• How bamboo instruments are tuned and constructed in Southeast Asia
• The relationship between breath control and tone production
• The rhythmic and melodic structures of Thai folk music
• How circular or rotational playing techniques can influence phrasing

This cross-cultural exploration supports MTMS’s goal of encouraging curiosity, creativity, and respect for musical diversity.

---

What to Expect at MTMS

Once the wot arrives, our Music Lab instructors will introduce it through demonstrations, guided listening, and hands-on activities. Students will have the chance to:

• Hear traditional Thai melodies played on the wot
• Try basic techniques for producing sound and shifting between notes
• Compare the wot’s design to other wind instruments
• Learn about its cultural significance in Thailand’s Isan region

As interest grows, MTMS plans to offer introductory lessons for students who wish to study the wot more deeply — blending world music traditions with the school’s signature approach to individualized, discovery-based learning.

---

Why It Matters

Every new instrument added to the Music Lab expands the creative possibilities for students. The wot introduces a sound and playing style not commonly found in Western music education, reminding us that music is a global language with countless dialects.
By engaging with instruments like the wot, students not only develop musical skills but also gain cultural understanding — an essential part of becoming well-rounded musicians.

---

Stay Tuned

We look forward to unveiling the wot at Michelle Tuesday Music School in the coming weeks. Students and families are invited to visit the Music Lab, ask questions, and explore this fascinating new instrument.
Follow our newsletter and Discord updates for the official arrival date and lesson opportunities!

Picking an Instrument

Busy Sunday afternoon, 11/9 at 3pm? Interested in music lessons, but need help picking an instrument? MTMS is holding a special FREE event – Instrument Petting Zoo!

Try All the Instruments

This event is open to the public. Everyone is invited to come try out an instrument or several. We’re all fans of “the more, the merrier!” Our teachers will be there offering free mini-lessons.

Fundraising for Our Local Food Bank

If you try a free music lesson on one of our instruments and like it, consider enrolling in a sampler. Our 4-week beginner lessons samplers require no long-term commitment. And in November, we’re donating 50% of all Music Lessons Sampler proceeds to GRIN (Gahanna Residents in Need).

Plenty of Instruments to Choose From

Worried your instrument of choice won’t be around? Don’t be! Here’s a list of musical instruments you can try at our Instrument Petting Zoo event.

Call or text us (614) 418-7110 if you want to see something that isn’t on the list and we will do our best!

🧩 Kids on Kids’ Music: What Our Students Thought About the Children’s Music Theme

Last month in the Music Lab, our theme was Children’s Music — and our students had plenty to say!Last month in the Music Lab, our theme was Children’s Music.
Students listened to songs from TV shows and movies, learned about well-known artists like Ella Jenkins and The Wiggles, and explored what makes children’s music both fun and educational.

Here’s what they noticed and enjoyed most!

---

🎧 What Students Heard

Olly C. recognized the popular song Baby Shark.

Wynn F. liked the instruments — pianos, guitars, and drums. He also liked the lyrics about TV shows and the fun dances.

Iris C. heard songs from TV shows and even a few that sounded like they came from the 1990s. She said Baby Shark reminded her of music for 3-year-olds.

Priya P. thought the songs were upbeat and fun.

Penelope H. noticed a mix of pop, rock, and calm songs. She thought they were funny and mostly from movies for younger kids.

Sebastian V. said that in the “Cows” song, the bridge was sung high, and the chorus sounded smooth.

Hayden C. said the songs sounded basic.

---

🧠 What They Learned About Children’s Music

Noah G. discovered that The Wiggles have replaced many members over the years.

Kristofer S. learned that The Wiggles changed their logo in 1996. He also noted that music helps children with coordination and rhythm.

He added that Sandra Boynton has helped kids learn to count through music.

Aleksander S. observed that children’s music often includes audience participation, like easy actions or short phrases to repeat.

---

🎶 The Sounds and Styles

Ava E. said most songs were fast, loud, and interactive. She liked the catchy rhythms.

Noelle C. remembered watching many of the shows featured. She said they were cartoons and that the singers sometimes used unusual voices.

Kalen liked the dancing, drums, acoustic guitars, and strings.

Ekam noticed that children’s music can be soft or very upbeat. He said it helps develop cognitive skills and creativity.

Marissa L. found Sesame Street songs nostalgic.

Sebastian V. (History) said kids’ music shouldn’t be overly simple, but should be easy to repeat.

---

📚 Famous Figures and Fun Facts

Ava Eblin said children’s music supports math and reading skills. She learned that The Wiggles released a major children’s album and that Ella Jenkins was an influential artist.

Maddox noticed that instruments were often higher in pitch. Many songs were performed live instead of being animated.

Deven D. said music helps kids move better, socialize, and improve in math.

Milo M. liked the rhythms and said lots of people enjoy these songs.

Noelle C. also talked about a “cow song” that was slow so kids could hear the words clearly.

Anushka K. described simple melodies, bright colors, and songs that were easy to sing along with.

Nubung R. said the songs had easy rhythms, a good beat, and fun words to engage listeners.

---

🌟 Music That Teaches and Connects

Owen S. remembered Ella Jenkins as one of the first famous children’s music artists. He also said music helps with everyday skills like math.

Christopher S. learned that Mr. Rogers was one of the first “neighborhood” show hosts and that kids’ songs can be very informative.

Penelope H. (History) said Ella Jenkins was the first to make a kid’s song and even did a collaboration with the person from Daniel Tiger. She also noted that The Wiggles have changed members several times.

Owen C. connected with songs from Phineas and Ferb and The Duck Song. He called the “Cows” song ridiculous.

---

💬 Reflections from the Lab

From Sesame Street to The Wiggles and Baby Shark, our students saw how children’s music continues to evolve.
They noticed how these songs help with movement, learning, and memory—and how they’re still fun for kids of all ages.

That’s the magic of children’s music lessons: they teach, entertain, and inspire—often all at once.

What? Can you believe it’s been fifteen years? It’s a little hard to say, but wow have we come a long way in that time. To celebrate, we’re having an Open House on January 11 from 3-5pm.

MTMS is excited to be opening up the house for everyone. We’ve scheduled a raffle with great prizes, live music from staff and students, as well as activities and tours of our space.

Tickets for the raffle will be handed out to everyone who walks in the door – even babies. Signing up with reception gets more tickets and even more will be available for purchase. Prizes include a grand prize of one year of lessons at 2010 prices as well as free trial lessons, free one-month samplers, MTMS shirts and music books.

Live music from the staff and students will be a lovely background and a tribute to our commitment to music. Enjoy their skills and their passion for their instruments while you peruse our office.

If you enroll and pay during the event, you get $15 off every month for your first year of lessons. It’s a pretty amazing deal. Plus you’d get raffle tickets and the opportunity to play fun games and hear great music. The possibilities are endless. Can’t wait to see you there!