Kerry
Polk finds incredible fulfillment and joy through teaching very
young children (and their families) music and movement through Kindermusik. “I firmly believe that instilling a joy in music appreciation and
creativity is one of the greatest gifts we can give to our children -
and being involved in Kindermusik at an early age is one of the best ways
to accomplish this – it’s just so much fun to see the youngest
of students respond so whole-heartedly to the program!”
Kerry, Kindermusik Program Director and Instructor, comes to Clavier-Werke after teaching piano successfully for the last six years in the northwest area of Austin. A member of the Austin District Music Teachers Association, Kerry had enjoyed her work with older children and after reading articles regarding the impact that piano and music lessons can have on the intelligence levels and well being of children she became intrigued with the idea of teaching the very young. After researching several approaches, she decided to become a licensed Kindermusik instructor and attended the full certification training the summer of 1999. She has been delighted with teaching Kindermusik for the last three years at Clavier-Werke.
"As I became involved with the Kindermusik training and development staff, I was impressed by the level of musicianship, the wonderful learning materials, and the sheer joy that participation brings to the children involved. The educationally sound research on which Kindermusik is based and the tremendous dedication of its faculty that road tests every curriculum (in actual classrooms), is unique and impressive," Kerry says regarding her motivation to teach the very young and their families these programs.
Originally from Mississippi, Kerry received her Bachelors of Music Education with emphasis in Piano and minor emphasis in Voice from Mississippi State University. After finishing her B.M.E. she continued studying piano performance with Roy McAlister of the University of Alabama. She moved to Austin and began working in Adult Education and Retraining through Department of Labor Programs doing grant writing and project management at the Texas Department of Commerce on military base closures.
She has since returned to her first love and passion -- music. In addition to teaching, she performs as a singer-songwriter with her own compact disc produced with Polk, Barton & Towhead and as a solo and children’s artist. Kerry plans to release her first solo CD this fall! (2002)