There is a new normal for kids and parents.

Babies in headlights- like little deer in headlights. 

They come in completely still and eyes wide. Super shocked, maybe scared- maybe slightly intrigued. Where am I? Who are these people?

WHY AM I OUT OF THE HOUSE?

What are the thoughts going through their tiny, beautiful minds?

Most of them were created during the pandemic by adults stuck at home with a lot of time and endless wine. lol That’s not completely true- because a lot of these are planned and happily siblings to other children stuck at home. Those older children are also isolated at home, only seeing people through a computer screen and waving to their friends on their drive by birthdays.

As things open up and we begin to do more activities with our children, we are so excited to get out, but need to put into perspective children who have not only never been to an activity, like music class, but have never been OUT.

Not to the grocery store or Target. Nothing. They are born then home and they know no one but immediate family. It’s the same with the two’s and older kids. Half of their lives have been sheltered away so they can’t really remember a time without us all in masks. This is the new normal for kids and parents.

Babies and young toddlers are more perceptive and sensitive than we give them credit for.

They are aware that things are not quite normal and they pick up on our energy.

They may have limited language skills but they can feel the slight changes in our behavior and the increased tension of parents and siblings being together more than normal. The simple acts of going to work, school or other activities that take us out of our homes and into other environments, where we can interact with different people and have a sense of autonomy; these are crucial to adults and kids alike.

It’s important for all of us to have time to navigate the world: to solve problems, issues and challenges on our own. It makes us stronger and more confident. It keeps us growing and developing. Just seeing and interacting with other people outside your family unit is a powerful tool for development. 

Families are finally feeling more comfortable doing activities outside the home so we are starting to meet a lot of new humans whose only real connection to the outside world is what they’ve seen on TV. 

Now, when they come to Little Rockers, they are still and quiet. Watching us all through our masks and face shields. Trying to figure out what this place they have entered is.

And we make it delightful!! Full of colors and lights and music. Not a complete sensory overload but a way for them to know that there is life out there! 

They can put a record on the platter, go down the slide, play the drums on our stage. They can strum a guitar, jam out with other kids or help clean up the instruments and pick a sticker after class. Let’s use self expression and music to release some of that tension because kids have it too, believe it or not. 

It’s also been so great to see moms and dads being able to chat with other parents and share some of the challenges of the past year.  To witness a shared sense of us all having survived something tough and making it to this point. Even relief that someone else can entertain their kids for an hour.

And we say- let there be rock! 

Music makes us happy and brings us all together for an experience like no other. We all become friends after music class. It’s the best for kids and parents to bond. With music we share something fun and stress releasing and we all need it now more than ever.

LittleRockersMusic.com

Still not comfortable doing classes out in the world?

Then do them virtually with our new Little Rockers Clubhouse App!! Free two week trial when you download on iOS and Android Download HERE:

https://littlerockersmusic.uscreen.io/catalog

The post Quarantine Kids & Pandemic Babies appeared first on Little Rockers.

Remember that when buying a guitar for a child under age 7, buy something that fits them so they will enjoy it. Buying a guitar that is too big for them, so they can grow into it, will only leave the child frustrated and not wanting to play. Go into the thought that buying a guitar for a small child is just a starter guitar and they will move into a larger guitar as they grow and gain more interest and skill.

We also get asked what guitar is great for toddlers from age 2 and up, and although there are a ton of toy guitars on the market, they usually do not have real strings. If you do not want real strings on your child’s guitar then the smaller toy guitars are great. However, we are focusing on stringed guitars right now and the best ones for young kids between the ages of 2- 7 years old.

First Act are the main producers of kids guitars and they can be found in major retailers as well as online. This is a great starter guitar and they even come in a variety of styles and colors. Getting a starter pack with a strap and case are important for ease of use and transport. This is probably our most recommended because they are made well and sound good for the price. They stay in tune and are kid friendly. They are also easy to restring which is great for a beginning guitar student. Good for ages 4 and up. Perfect for beginning lessons.

FIRST ACT AMAZON LINK

Although this guitar has strings on it, they do not stay in tune and it is really just one step up from being a toy guitar. This is a good guitar for toddlers who are into the guitar and know what strings are and will not settle for anything less! Lol! For the price, it is perfect for little hands and a good buy for kids who aren’t yet old enough for real guitar lessons.

KIDKRAFT LINK

Smart X Choices

Not a bad option for ages 5 and up. A great choice and also comes with a bag and extra strings as a an option for a set. This would work well for the beginning child lesson.

SMART X CHOICES LINK

Master Play- Left Handed

This one is amazing because it comes for LEFT HANDED kid players! how great and unique is that. We have switched over many strings for lefty kids and now they have an affordable guitar that’s just their size. How perfect!

MASTER PLAY LINK

Pyle

On the higher end of price, this also comes as a great set with strings, a bag and a strap. Although, it has trouble staying in tune if you work with the strings, or replace them, it will warm up. This is a decent inexpensive guitar for kids under age 10.

PYLE LINK

Loog

This is a very special guitar and actually quite amazing for kids under age 5. It gives kids age 3 and up, a chance to really learn how to play, as it only has three strings. It’s a real wood guitar with perfect intonation, low string action and classical nylon strings. It even includes flashcards with chord diagrams and full access to the Loog Guitar app (iOS and Android)

This is a great starter guitar for preschoolers who aren’t taking lessons yet but who have the ability and interest in learning more about really playing the guitar. Also comes electric.

LOOG LINK

The post The Best Acoustic Guitars for Kids appeared first on Little Rockers.

The Potential is All Yours

One of the most exciting things about being your own business is that it’s all up to you. Now, of course it is also one of the daunting scary-ass thoughts. That it is all up to you!! Ugh. But living to your full potential is in your hands.

Let me tell you as you go on and pursue your dreams you will encounter others along the way and you will rally them to support, encourage and help you get to where you want to be. So you will never really be doing it all alone. 

We are never really alone

Even though it is all up to you we never really do anything alone. We can never make it to a grand status without help from others along the way. This is a beautiful thing because we can all lift each other up to pursue our goals.  Like maybe as an actress, you are struggling and going to auditions, hustling- out there alone but then you do a show and you meet some great people and then maybe you take a class with some of them or maybe you decide to create a theatre company with them or maybe you just meet one really great person who you can vent to and relate to along this journey. 

The thought is, we are all there to support one another, whether we realize it or not. And it’s not always about things that someone brings us but rather ideas, encouragement, support. These are just as valuable as someone casting you in a play. Those moments are short- the successes. The long moments are the times in between- when you are literally pounding the pavement or practicing in a mirror over and over. At those times having others can be key.

You Have to Risk it to Make the Biscuit

But the other stuff- the research, the practice, the pavement pounding ARE up to you!! This is key to living to your full potential. You have to get out there and risk it to make the biscuit! (As I heard on an episode of dance moms once.)  It’s seriously true. You have to get out there and work.

The great news about this is that your potential is all in your hands. You are now taking control and refusing to give power to someone else for your future! This is your life – your career- your essence- so hang onto it and don’t just give it away. 

My Creation

One of the greatest feelings of starting Little Rockers and having people really love it was that it was mine! I did it (with Chris, of course) but it was MY creation that was making people happy and want to spend their money on what I was offering, not someone else’s that I was working for. I wasn’t waiting for someone to approve of me. Waiting for them to say I was good enough for their show or their song or their money and time. I was able to make what felt good to me in my heart- something that was the best representation of what I am as an artist and share it without judgement and approval of outside forces. The only people that mattered were the audience and they loved it!! And still do. 

YOU Are Your Business

This is true entrepreneurial spirit, in my opinion. Because one of the ways I felt accomplished was that I was my own boss. That’s what I am emphasizing here. I should have thought that from the very beginning. From my first audition or decision to study acting in school. I always had the power. It was always up to me. Well, yes I had to rely on someone to give me a job but my attempts and choices were mine- not some director or producer or casting agent. Those were my choices and I always had the power. (By the power of grey skull!!)

Wow! I wish I would have had that mentality sooner because I am just now becoming a boss bitch. It would have been very empowering to be able to project that feeling of ownership when I was auditioning for Broadway shows. That feeling that I am my business and I KNOW my business. Yes- you are looking at the CEO of Amazing Jessie Apple and you should know that I know what the f* is up. 

Be the CEO of Awesome

So I give this to you. This power. It’s yours. You are the CEO of awesome you and own it. Yes this may be scary and intimidating because none of us really know what the hell we are doing as artists or human beings even. But it is yours so feel empowered. Know that you are in control of your life, your career, your business. Not someone else.  And then you will be living to your full potential.

Take control and answer important questions like… 

What more can you be doing to achieve your goals? 

(Planning, writing them out, Creating a Marketing and business (creative) plan….)

What do you really want to be doing? 

(Singing, writing, telling jokes, photographing wildlife…)

What are the skills that you have? 

(Talent, drive, outgoing, creative thinker…) 

How can you be using those to help you more? 

(Create an etsy page, write a blog, go to an event and network…) 

 Is there something you don’t really want to do but know you need to do? (Take that improv class, go to that casting director event, finish that script, memorize that new monologue…)  

Is there something you really want to do but are super scared? 

(Like a workshop or networking event….)  

The potential is yours

Living to your full potential is possible! We are in this life for better or worse. We are here and I strongly believe that the thing you love to do- you should be doing. It really is that simple. Try your hardest to figure out what you love to do and what speaks to you and gets you lost and do that thing. As you do, it will help you thrive, survive and stay alive.

Just like that.

I love emails! Contact me here: https://littlerockersmusic.com/contact/

The post Living to your Full Potential appeared first on Little Rockers.

“HEY JEALOUSY“

As I scroll through my facebook feed, which I only do once a day because ummm….hello, it’s depressing!  Beyond all the horrible political sadness and the killing of wildlife or poor treatment of children and animals- the worst part of my feed are the things others are doing that I compare myself too. It can add so much to my jealousy of life and business.

That sounds so shallow, right?  

It is. But the truth is those things are harming me and I am letting them. That affects me more than politics and the things I can’t control. It affects me because if it is making me feel bad about myself which is then reflecting into the world that I feel bad about myself. Self love is important because LOVE is important and we need to share it with ourselves so we can give it to others. This is a way to help the world. I can control how I feel about myself, and that is why I avoid facebook except for business.

It’s ok to have a healthy sense of competition but it’s crucial to conquer jealousy in life and business

Looking at others, feeling competitive and not feeling good enough is never going to get you to where you want to be. Although, I do think it’s ok to have a healthy sense of competition because it can be inspiring and motivating. Like, if I feel like I am just being complacent then some competition can kick me in the ass and get me thinking some new thoughts- but you need to keep it in check. SO- if looking at others is making you feel unworthy, sad or shitty than that is not a healthy sense of competition. 

Moving too slow can cause jealousy of life and business

To be honest, I often feel this way when looking at facebook or Instagram. I see everyone’s achievements (even ones I don’t want) and I start to feel inadequate. I feel like I am moving too slow and not getting anywhere. Why is everyone doing so great?? I see my old teachers posting about former classmates, some that I was in classes with, hugely succeeding in our field. This one is in an Emmy winning tv show and just keeps working like crazy, another one is in a movie that got nominated for an Oscar, and this one is in Hamilton!! Are you freaking kidding me?! 

It’s hard to not have jealousy in life and business especially when it’s people you know. The right thing is to be happy for them- and you are- but then you just silently compare. Are you as good? Can you be as good? Did they get a break you didn’t get? Do you just suck so superbad? 

Human Thoughts

These are silly, pointless, totally human thoughts. And they are dangerous to your psyche, soul and business! Although, I try super hard to not compare my journey to others and I try not to get jealous in life and business. It’s a tough thing to conquer when you look at Instagram or Facebook and see all the fabulous lives everyone is living. Like everyone is living these fabulous lives? Every day?? No they are not. Just no. 

This is not real life 

No one is showing the worst parts of themselves. The heartbreak, the ugly photo, the one millionth rejection. No one is showing those things in a true, unfiltered light. But seeing it on Social can teach you something. Everything does if you look deep enough. Use this power tool to check yourself. Look at them- (your “friends” feed) and bless them- be happy and move on. Be inspired by what others are doing. Let it motivate you. Try not to be in a competitive mindset about it but use it. Let it fuel you. And don’t hang onto it. Change your thoughts- get off Social media and be proactive. Use action to help you feel empowered. No one has the same gifts, talents, expression as you do. No one else has that flare, that unique way of looking at things, or working at things. 

Jealousy in life and business may be hard to conquer but it is vital to recognize and change for your success and well being.

Remember this-  ignore everyone else.

The post Jealousy in life and business appeared first on Little Rockers.

YOU’RE BASIC.

Basically, you have a talent, went to school, didn’t go to school, etc. but you are off on your merry way to pursue your dreams. Firstly, I say you start a business and register it as a DBA. (Doing Business As).  Why do you need a DBA?? HERE’S WHY and HOW:

Filing a DBA gives the sole proprietor the freedom to use a business name what helps market their products or services, as well as create a separate professional business identity. SmallBIztrends.com/May 2, 2018

TO REGISTER AS A DBA IS TO OWN YOURSELF

You actually don’t need to register yourself as a DBA – particularly if you are operating your business as yourself but I feel it is more important in other ways.  Generally, my thought of you filing yourself as a DBA is that is gives you a sense of ownership over what you are doing. This creates ownership over yourself as an artist and a money maker. Firstly, you will take what you are doing more seriously and start to set up what’s to come. Secondly, you will speak and treat your art as a working entity and as a company that is generating work and income.

You will begin to act like a professional and will therefore be treated like a professional.

Heck yeah!

Even if you’re not required to register a DBA, you might want to anyway. A DBA lets you conduct business under a different identity from your own personal name or your formal business entity name. As an added bonus, getting a DBA and federal tax ID number (EIN) allows you to open a business bank account. Now any gigs or payments you get can be deposited into a bank account. Most of your expenses living and doing the thing you are doing can be deducted.

EASY PEASY

And it’s super easy to get a DBA and usually very low cost- like under $50. The rules, requirements, forms and fees associated with filing a DBA are different in each state and county. The U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) provides a chart which details DBA filings state-by-state. By using a legal document filing service, you can make sure that you’re following your county and state requirements perfectly and won’t be accidentally operating outside of the law.

Register as a DBA-

So how do you do it??

1. Choose your Name- You can do a DBA as a stage name. You can make up a name or use your name, a combination of names or you can just use your regular name. Any checks can still be made out in your name or the name of the DBA. If you aren’t using your own name then do some research to make sure the name being isn’t being used somewhere else.
2. Register your Name at the County Clerk’s Office for the County you live in. Easy process of filling out some paperwork. File the forms and your off! Some states may not require any forms for a DBA and some may require that you you to publish notice of your new DBA in a newspaper for a period of time. Check up on this and see what your County requires. For most, it is just some paperwork and a fee. Done. 

Don’t Be Scared

Never let the thought of paperwork scare you or exhaust you from doing something! (Like filing for a DBA). I was so daunted when we began talking about starting a business. I was like, we need a lawyer to get us going and lawyers are expensive and we have no money, blah, blah, blah. But thanks to the internet and our smarts we found the forms and registered ourselves as an LLC. And it was inexpensive because we didn’t pay a lawyer. Easy Peasy. 

So sometimes, the things we have to do intimidate us before we even start them and so maybe we don’t start them because they intimidate us. Horrible silly cycle.

Just do it. (Thanks Nike!) No really. You are smart enough to read some sentences (even if it takes a few times). Surely, you can understand what you are doing and fill out the damn paperwork to get going. I know you can do it. Because If I can do it, you can do it. There are also a million resources on how to fill out the forms and free help available at your local SBA (small business association.) Or message me if you have any questions!

Surely, filing for a DBA will get you ahead of the game. You want to be a successful person, right? Part of success is money and business and handling it all. In that case, if you have a DBA and a business bank account it gets you going in the right direction. Towards being a successful artistic entrepreneur who is taken seriously by yourself and others!

So do it!

The post The Basics: Register as a DBA appeared first on Little Rockers.

Life for you is dance.

Everything you are is music.

Art is your passion.

Above all, those are the skills and talents that drive you.

It’s a big deal to have something you love to do.

Never ever ignore that.

Most people have NO CLUE what they want to do with their time or even have the guts to study it as a career path.

Even if you haven’t gone to school and studied your craft. Which I highly suggest you do for just a few classes. If you are passionately obsessed with the thing you love to do, than do it. Try it. Ignore the haters and go for it. 

What is your business?

What are you?

Who are you as a business?

Above all, know what it is because saying you’re sometimes a painter but you’re also trying to get a job in architecture is just too far out there. Or being a dancer but then working on monologues to try to become an actress can just be distracting.

Focus on one thing.

For example, I was super focused on theatre and Broadway and I was not spreading myself thin by working on film and tv.

Once in awhile, I would doubt myself and think “I should be working on getting commercials” and consequently I did. However, I was more passionate about theatre and singing than I was about competing with a bunch of models for commercials. I also wasn’t trying to get a bunch of gigs singing with a band. My focus was Broadway so that’s how I spent my time and I feel like it paid off. 

Be diverse- for sure.  

Yes, you should be a better actor if you’re a dancer and you should be interested in design and architecture as a painter but don’t try to do everything at once. There will be time to delve into all of your talents but focus on your favorite for a time and give it the love it deserves. Certainly, it can take time to explore your creative nature and to hone in on it. For instance, taking a photography class as a model or learning to surf when you are interested in painting surfboards. These things will help you but don’t let them take you completely off course, until you are ready. Always think about who are you as a business.

Stay true to what drives who you are as a business. 

Finally, don’t get distracted by what you THINK you should be doing. As long as you are doing things that make you want to practice you will get better and be more driven in the direction that’s right for you.

The post Who Are You as a Business? appeared first on Little Rockers.

There are plenty of resources to help an artist become a better artist, but how about becoming better at managing the artist as a business?? I think it’s super important and something I hope to help others with and possibly gain more insight for myself on how to do it better.

This is for the creative person trying to make a living being creative. This is also for me talking to the me in college and telling myself to not be afraid of numbers and math and of being a leader.

I started a business (with my adorable husband) based on our talents and a day job that we loved and met doing. This business utilized our talents AND paid us money (score!!). We started with just 50 families who came to our music classes and now we have over 2500 who come to our classes, book us for parties, and come to our shows. As well, as a pretty popular YouTube channel and brick and mortar music school and playspace in NJ. 

Along the way I have become more interested in business and becoming better at it. This is not something I ever thought I would care about but Little Rockers has compltely changed me. Owning a business and owning my power has helped me with my purpose, which has always been creative and artistic but was never thought about ina real monetary way. Like being a a surviving thriving artist as a living! Yes! In college I was taught a bunch of things in my field (Butoh Dance and Suzuki Acting, anyone??) but I was never taught to think of MYSELF as a business and I am hoping to help others do that. 

I am going to provide information, tips, tricks, and pick me ups to help the creative entrepreneur, which is any person pursuing a career in the arts. It is time to start thinking of yourself as a business owner because your business is YOU. It is not enough to think of yourself in a creative aspect but it is crucial to think of yourself as an industry- a money making creative industry!

The post Why? Jessie, Why? appeared first on Little Rockers.

This is for all those cool adults who want to encourage music education in your preschooler. At Little Rockers, we specialize in using music to help preschoolers in their development. Most of our classes are 60 minutes long and incorporate instrument play, preschool music theory, movement, games and many other fun tricks of our trade.

One of the main things we use to reinforce learning are handouts. 

And we thought– why keep them to ourselves??

We should share!! So here are some of our wonderful ideas. We hope you use them to stimulate musical learning in your little rocker!

In this blog, you’ll find ideas, handouts, crafts and printables that we use in our classes for teachers and parents to use at home and in class.

Some are for younger children- ages 2-4 and the handouts labeled for ages 4-6 years are slightly more challenging and focus on some National Standards of Music Education for Pre-K and Kindergarten.

Enjoy!

The post Lessons for Little Rockers appeared first on Little Rockers.

Guitars are the heart of Little Rockers. It’s our first tool to win over the kids and influence people- lol.

We focus an entire session on the guitar and here are examples of lessons to introduce your guitar addict to some more concepts.

The first handout is simple but pure. We call it “G is for Guitar” and we hope you get a lot of use out of it.

Click the link below to open the image, then you can save it as a PDF or just print it right from your bowser. Good Luck!

Click here for printable version

The post G is for Guitar appeared first on Little Rockers.

How we use our handouts

Little Rockers uses guitars in almost every class- giving children a hands on experience to musical learning. This handout is one of the first things we work on. Our printable handout allows kids to recognize the different aspects of an acoustic guitar and have a reference for later when they are home with their own guitars. Many of the kids have their own sort of guitar or stringed instrument like a ukulele and they typically play with them at home, exploring and being more outgoing with it then they might be at music class. We like to give a simple introduction to music that is age appropriate but also help the children learn through play.

Handouts and printables are a wonderful way to reinforce learning and to help those of us who might be visual learners. As far as using them in our classes, it also helps to redirect some of the energy that might be super active.

Print it out and color!

At Little Rockers, we like to compare the guitar to our body and point out the parts that are similar. Hey, we have a head and so does the guitar! And a body and a neck and a belly button!! That’s what we call the sound hole at Little Rockers!

We like to tease and say ” Does the guitar have legs?” No… “Does it have arms?” No…. “Does it have a mouth?” No…. But it does also have a bridge- which is like a bridge we drive or walk across and it also has a back which we can tap on in a musical way.

We like to take the time to explore the guitar with the kids in a fun and interactive way. Make it fun and engaging.

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE PDF VERSION

The post The Parts of the Guitar appeared first on Little Rockers.