Overview: The Express Yourself Music program explores music using a fun and creative approach to learning about different types of voice, rhythm, instruments, and songs. Children will have the opportunity to learn to use music as another form of communication and self-expression.

Benefits: Learning music at a young age has been shown to:

• develop brain areas involved in language and reasoning
• develop spatial intelligence
• promote creative thinking and problem solving
• increase self-esteem through self-expression

Teacher Bio (Kya Branan): I have lived in Kennesaw most of my life. I went to performing arts high and then went to Jacksonville State on a full voice scholarship. I received a BA in Music Education with a concentration in voice. I taught music education at Kennesaw First Baptist School for eight years and at Montessori of Brookstone for two years. I have done a children's choir and theater for the last eleven years, and I love to do musicals with children. I have not only taught music, I have also written music curriculum for K-5th grades.

My passion with music is to teach children all aspects of the art. There are so many ways to discover music through instruments, singing, dance, rhythms and more. I am excited to be able to come to Foundations, because this school and the children encourage the creativity that makes teaching music the most rewarding.

I have two children, a boy, Seth and a girl, Trinity. Seth is in 3rd grade and is now attending Foundations. My husband is a Lieutenant for the City of Atlanta Fire Dept.

I look forward to getting to know each and every student personally in the months and years to come.

Key Developmental Domain: Cognitive, Language & Communication