Educator Spotlight: Tricia Murrish

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This is a big celebration year for Tricia – her 10th year of being a Kindermusik educator.  Music has always been a big part of her life, but she found her heart’s calling when she took over an existing studio in 2007. Now known as Kindermusik with Tricia, Tricia’s program serves families in Kearney, Nebraska, where her studio is housed at Yandas Music. To know Tricia is to love her, with her gentle spirit, generous heart, and love for children and music.

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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/232055011″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]TC:  Your studio has such a fascinating history.  Tell us a little about how Kindermusik with Tricia came to be.   

TM: Kindermusik in Kearney began in 1998 with Educator Rick Mitchell who is currently our Kearney High School Band Director.  In 2002, it passed to then Yandas Music Employee and now local Pastor, Brian Jenkins.  I took over the Kindermusik Studio in 2007 as Educator and Business Owner.

TC: What made you decide to become a Kindermusik studio business owner?

TM: Music has always been important in my life. At 5 years old, I remember begging my parents for piano lessons as I sat at my Grandmother’s old upright piano, swinging my feet and “pretending” to play a song. I was able to start private lessons in 2nd grade and began playing regularly in church when I was 16. Band, jazz band and marching band were important throughout Jr. High and High School (I even met my husband at marching band camp!). I graduated from college with a degree in Elementary Education and have served alongside my husband for the last 30 years in full-time youth and children’s ministry first Pastoring, and now serving with Royal Family KIDS, a non-profit camp, club, and mentoring program for children in the foster care system. During that time, music played a vital role in every position I served in – with preschoolers up through adults. When I was presented with the opportunity of taking over the existing Kindermusik studio in Kearney – with my passion for parenting, love of teaching, and involvement in music – it was a perfect fit![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]TC: You not only give to your own local community, but you’ve also served in other organizations. Share with us a little about some of the ways you have given back.

TM: I just finished my three-year term as a member of the Kindermusik SOUND board. It has been an honor to serve the Kindermusik community that way, and I know I grew professionally and personally with the friendships and relationships formed during that time.  I also lead the National Music Board for Royal Family KIDS.

TC: What’s your favorite Kindermusik song to sing?

TM: My husband says I have a song for everything. My 4 children (Jarrad, Natalie, Noah, and Ethan –  now 25, 22, 20, and 14) would often roll their eyes over the years when I started spontaneously singing a related song during an activity of our day. My husband has even been known to play a game to call out a word and then wait for a corresponding song!  We have a lot of fun and laughter in our home together. So, back to my favorite Kindermusik song…. it’s Sing Your Way Home from the Sing & Play Zoom! Album.  [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]TC: And this is a fun question to ask too. What’s your favorite Kindermusik dance to lead?

TM: I love Turn, Cinnamon, Turn and Mama Paquita.

 

TC: So I have to ask.  What do you love most about being a Kindermusik educator?

TM: There are so many things I love about being a Kindermusik Educator – I love the music, and of course, the children, but I think what I really love most is the natural encouragement and affirmation of parenting that happens in a Kindermusik setting. Parents often share with me how much their child loves me and looks forward to seeing me at Kindermusik. I always try to take that moment to turn it back to the parent, encouraging them with the truth that what their child deeply looks forward to are the moments of love and laughter that happen with THEM at Kindermusik. I am simply the one who gets the credit for those moments of joy because I create the atmosphere and facilitate the magical moments they spend together as parent and child. I am able to give parents “tools” for their parenting “tool belts” that they can use throughout their relationship journey. That’s what I love about my job.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]TC: If you had to name just one secret to success in the Kindermusik classroom, what would it be?

TM: Early in my Kindermusik years I was challenged to change the way I saw “problems” in my classes. If something doesn’t go the way I think it should with a child’s behavior or response, the first place I need to look at what to change is me. That has shifted so much in my preparation, attitude, and outcome of my classes.

TC: What makes your studio such a special place?

TM: Kindness and respect for every person “where they are” is practiced. There is a treasured gift that hangs in my studio – a sign that says, “Do the kindest thing, in the kindest way.” A mom shared that her son picked it out to give me when he graduated from Young Child to describe his feelings about his Kindermusik experience.

TC: If you could share one tip with a new Kindermusik educator, what would it be?

TM: I believe a large part of my studio success is that I am a “by the book” person. My tip for a new educator? Follow the recipe. On the business side, KI provides us with great training and tools to help us succeed. On the educator side, our curriculum and teacher guides are based on the most current research and best practices. We can add our own distinct flavor and garnish – but it is a successful recipe … so follow it![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]TC: What’s something new and exciting that’s happening with your studio business?

TM: I am excited about expanding my studio reach in two new ways this year. I will be adding Simply Music piano classes for Kindermusik graduates this fall.  Also, I will be partnering with Country House for Memory Care here in Kearney. My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2011 and now resides at Country House. I have been longing for a way to combine my deep respect and love for my mother and others with Alzheimer’s with my passion for music and families. I am so excited to begin Kindermusik with Grandfriends! I will be offering a Kindermusik class 4 to 5 times this school year at Country House. My current families will have the opportunity to share the Kindermusik joy with elders with Alzheimer’s and dementia as we sing, explore, learn and grow together on a whole new level.

TC: What is your favorite inspirational quote?

TM: I have always been captured by the picture of a strong life-giving tree.  My life verse from the Bible is Jeremiah 17:7-8, “Blessed are those who trust in the Lord… they are like trees planted along a riverbank with roots that reach deep into the water.  …They never stop producing fruit.”[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_column_text]Shared by Theresa Case whose award-winning Kindermusik program at Piano Central Studios in Greenville, SC, has been a happy advocate for the benefits of music for over 20 years now.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]