Musikdrama Academy Malaysia

2012 New year Reflection

musikdrama — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 07:19:21 +0000

This new 2012 year will be a year of reflection, consolidation, recuperation and realignment of priorities for me. Since the birth of this fresh and authentic MusikDrama curriculum in year 2007, I have been devoted to developing, upgrading, teaching and training students and teachers alike in weekly classes and school holiday programs. It is a great privilege for me to be a part of the character-moulding and confidence-building process in many of the students and teachers, whose paths crossed mine in these past 5 years. Children have a very special place in my heart. My passion in reaching children started way before the birth of this MusikDrama program. I have always been in connection with the lives of youth even when I was in Secondary school, university and subsequently, taught in a college.

Children are special gifts from God and they are to be nurtured and cherished by hearts that reach out to theirs. I knew it was a journey of the heart when I ventured into education. Teaching in a college with budding young adolescence changing into young adults, was a very rewarding experience. Counselling was an invaluable skill I cherished as I taught the older ’kids’. Moving on to a married life with younger children myself about a decade ago, flung me to enter into the world of toddlers and younger children. I must say that it was the most humbling experience that I have ever had. Plucking up my courage to start a home-based homeschool kindergarten in 2005, was a very challenging, yet enriching experience. Equipping myself with much reading, training and praying, the homeschool was a good starting point to reinforce my convictions to be a nurturer and world-shaker for the future of our society. Most of all, I had the privilege to home-educate my own children. To be part of my own children’s growth, being there for every milestone achieved in and out of school, cannot be exchanged for anything in this world.

Then in year 2007, after discontinuing the home-based school, I continued to home-educate my own children while venturing out to uncover new grounds in the world of drama, that was when I was inspired to develop the now, MusikDrama program. Over the years, I have the privilege to witness many children experiencing breakthroughs in their own lives. Some who were very quiet and shy, succeeded in breaking out of their shells; and some are still in the process of peeling their ‘hardened walls’. Many who are boisterous and bubbly, are further sharpened in their expressions. My two children were the main motivators behind the birth of this MusikDrama program 5 years ago. I wanted my children to learn to express and communicate confidently in public. Thus, it was a stepping stone for me to enlist them as my life-students. My children grew up with the program, and especially my daughter, she is a great assistant in my classes.

Home-educating my own children, is a calling. It is my top priority. My goal is to nurture and bring up wholehearted children in my own home. Yet, over the past two years, I have been distracted with many things. I became very ambitious in wanting to ‘kill many birds with one stone’. I was juggling with home-education, teaching, ministry in-and-out of church, and house responsibilities. Towards the end of last year, I have had to handle 6 major events (choral speaking presentation, 2 seminars, MusikDrama Charity Concert, VBS Camp for children, MusikDrama School Holiday Program and Children’s Christmas Party), all happened within one-and-half months. Only by God’s grace that I was able to handle all of them, one at a time. Although I really enjoyed each of these, I had been too busy to listen to my children and husband’s heart, let alone my own heart. During the last few days of 2011, I was able to settle down to search my soul, and evaluate my year 2011. It was a year of ‘Shifts’ and ‘Changes’. I started year 2011 with a lot of goals and expectations for my children, family, teaching career and ministry. As I read through my journal entries for year 2011, they were filled with events of joys, struggles, weariness, helplessness, faith-charging by the Lord and victories. I saw myself trying to be a ‘Super-mom’ and ‘Super-teacher’. I was rushing through the year trying to meet deadlines. Though I had cut down many outside-teaching-classes compared to previous years, my mind was always occupied every moment of the day, in preparation of the next agenda. I was not ‘patient’ to listen to the hearts of my children. And though I saw the need, I could not afford the time to slow down to tackle the heart issues of my own children. This made me easily frustrated when we need to rush through lessons at home and rushed out for various activities for them and my own classes, almost seven days a week. This was not good at all.

Throughout these years, I had discovered a new ‘ground’ to start my little ‘empire’ in the world of Music and Drama. There was a demand. There was a need. People are calling up for enquiries and new classes. Many schools wanted this program. Teachers called up to be trained. TVIQ from Astro, even had a 5-minute shot of this program in one of their episodes two years ago. Recently, NTV7 called up for an interview and wanted to feature this program in their new children’s Talent program. I was so tempted to take in all the ‘calls’ and dream of going ‘international’ with this program. I knew that I will be busier than ever, if I am to take on this program to a higher plateau. I may be physically with my family, but my heart will be building my ‘little kingdom’.

So…what is my first priority in life now? Yes, my God, my children and my family. That was why I chose to quit my lecturing job 9 years ago and stayed home. That was why I chose to home-educate my children. I have never regretted my decision. The more I reflect on our home-education in 2011, the more I am compelled to take off from all that I am doing ‘outside’ of home, for at least a year, to consolidate and to start refocusing on building strong foundation in disciplines, character and spiritual lives of my children. My heart had been so ‘over-crowded’- I need to quieten down, to listen to my Saviour’s voice to lead and guide me in my calling as a homeschool mother, a loving wife and a servant of my Most High God. What are the important things that I am called to do in life that counts? I told the Lord that I desire to influence millions for Christ. But if I have only 2 students at home, how am I going to achieve that? He gently reminded me that if I faithfully nurture and sharpen my two ‘swords’ at home, He will use my two ‘swords’ to influence millions for Him. That comforted me, and helped me to release all my ‘little dreams’ to Him and let Him direct me into the new 2012.

At the start of 2012, I am determined to take at least, a year off from all my MusikDrama classes, be it teaching students or training teachers etc., to consolidate, to re-align my priorities and reflect.

It is a choice to be made at every point of life’s journey. I wish all of you an abundant life and great achievement in 2012 as your priority leads you!

Blessed New 2012

musikdrama — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:47:00 +0000

Hi parents, teachers and students,

Blessed New 2012 to all and I truly trust that this new year is one that’s definitely going to be an exciting year for many of us.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all the parents of my students (from Bumblebee, Music & Art Studio), who had been so supportive during the recent Charity Concert in December 2011. It had been a very successful concert and the Musikdrama team performed a full musical presentation (comprising singing, dancing and drama) entitled ‘Hope for Little Eyebrows’. I am really proud of each of those who participated because there had been so much progress in each of them. Some had a real breakthrough in speaking, dancing and singing in front of an audience. Some rarely opened or expressed much, yet through lots of encouragement and drilling during the practices, they came out of their shells. The playful and usually reluctant ones, took their roles seriously and shone during the performance. It was a moulding of character for most of them throughout last whole year of weekly classes. Many gained more confidence to express, speak, sing and dance. I pray that these young budding stars will continue to blossom in whatever paths they embark on, in their future undertaking. It was a delight being their Musikdrama mentor in the past year.

Musical & Craft Dec 2011 School Holiday- “Musical Honey Bee & Beautiful Butterfly”

musikdrama — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:04:42 +0000

Hello dear friends, parents and students,

Greetings to all of you! It’s the most exciting time of the year where kids are looking forward to the coming school holidays. This year, MusikDrama Academy will be conducting a Musical Drama & Art Craft Workshop during this December school holidays, specially for children ages 5 – 12.
      Theme:   Musical Honey Bee & Beautiful Butterfly.
      Objectives:   1) Explore self-expression through music, dance, drama and craft
                          2) Enhance self-confidence
                          3) Enforce positive character qualities of ‘Diligence’, ‘Sincerity’, ‘Patience’ and ‘Determination’
      Date:    6th – 9th Dec 2011
      Time:   9.30 A.M. – 12.30 noon
      Venue:   Bumblebee Music & Art Studio
                   Pusat Bandar Puchong (Wawasan) – opposite Tesco Puchong

      Details are as attached in the file.
Do call and sign up as to avoid disappointments! (03-58827844/ 03-80619044)

Cheerio,
Michelle Loh
012-6619632

Click here to view the poster for this holiday program: MusikDrama_SchoolHolidayProgDec2011

School Holiday Program 2010- ‘Musical & Crafty Adventures Under The Sea’

musikdrama — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:12:40 +0000

Hello dear friends, parents and students,

Attached is a file regarding a school holiday program conducted by MusikDrama Academy for this November-December 2010. I’ll be conducting a musical drama cum craft (school holiday program) on the 29th November – 2 December 2010. The theme for this year is ‘Musical & Crafty Adventures Under the Sea’. Specially fo children ages 5 – 12. Details are as attached in the file.

Do call and sign up as to avoid disappointments!

If you are not able to view the files above, please sms or send us your email so that we can send you the details.

Cheerio,

Michelle Loh

012-6619632

http://musikdrama.wordpress.com

dm_musikdrama@yahoo.com

Annoucement: MusikDrama Academy on Kid’sWorld@TVIQ Astro

musikdrama — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:38:59 +0000

Hi…. dear all,

Greetings! Great to inform you that Kids’ World starts its new program ‘TVIQ’ on ASTRO (CH552) from 17 Oct, Sat, 2:05pm onwards.

Repeat on Sunday same time. There will be other repeats. Please check the program booklet for more information.

Kid’s World@TVIQ is the latest show in town! It’s hip , it’s fun & most of all it’s an info station for all kids aged 7 -15 years or young at heart! CHildren will understand their learning in the most fun way. It’s a show that feature reports on topics such as technology, going green, sports & health, science, arts, DIY plus other interesting related topics…. all focus on learning English.

In the month of October 2009, the Musical Drama kids from MusikDrama Academy were being interviewed. A group of representatives from Jet TV Sdn Bhd. (a production house) came and did some shootings of our program.

Now, I have the privilege to announce that our Musical Drama Program with the kids in episode 6 will be featured (on air) in Kid’s World @TVIQ this Saturday, 21 November, at 2.05 pm. There will be 2 other interesting activities featured in the 15-minute episode of TVIQ too. Please do pass the message to all the kids to catch themselves or their friends on TV! Do find out about all the plus points of what musical drama can do for your kids and how they can learn to explore self-expression, enhance self-confidence and enjoy learning English in an exciting & FUN way!

Regards,

Michelle Loh
012-6619632

dm_musikdrama@yahoo.com

http://musikdrama.wordpress.com

Posted in Sharings

Watch out for Kid’s World@TVIQ on Astro (Channel 552)

musikdrama — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:35:12 +0000

On the 1st of October 2009, my musical drama class kids (ages 7 – 11) were very excited as this was their first time going on TV. Yes, the Jet TV Sdn Bhd production house came to do a shooting of our program. They wanted to feature our program as part of the segment of the program called ‘Kid’s World@TVIQ’ on Astro which will start its broadcast from 17 Oct 2009 onwards. This program will screen 15 minutes in each episode on areas that enable kids of ages 7 – 15 or those young at heart to learn about technology, going green, sports and health, arts, DIY and etc.

Thus, on 1 Oct 2009, my drama kids had their 1st interviews. Some of them were as nervous as mice while some were as steady as rocks. One of the crew even picked out some of my kids and commented that they would be potential actors and actresses. Hmmmm! Not bad, eh?

So, watch out for MusikDrama Academy on Kid’s WOrld!TVIQ (Channel 552) – short snippets of our program & interviews…. sometime in November 2009. Will update you soon!

Posted in Classes

School Holiday Program 2009

musikdrama — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:57:55 +0000

Exciting School HOliday Program from 7th – 10th Dec 2009.

This year’s theme will be:

“Musical & Crafty Kungfu Panda”

Venue: Bumble Bee Music & Arts Studio

27, Jalan Puteri 4/1, Bandar Puteri, 47100 Puchong.

Further details, please click below:

Posted in Classes

“Mummy, I can’t do it!”

musikdrama — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 02:40:05 +0000

Written on 13^th June 2008

The Challenge

Teaching musical drama classes is my passion. To be able to teach my own children in the musical drama class is a special ‘Privilege’. Yesterday, I taught my group of home-schoolers (with my son too) at the USJ homeschool centre. Our theme was on ‘String Instruments’. We were having a Rhythmical activity during the theatre games where I instructed the children to follow the pitching exercise. They were supposed to stand on the chair when they hear a high pitch sound and sit on the floor when low pitch sound was heard. After playing on the instruments for them to listen and associate their movements a few times, my son, as usual volunteered to start doing the movement first. However, after trying twice, he failed to follow the proper pitch movements. Embarrassed and disappointed, he gave up trying and went to hide himself at the corner. The others continued to try until they got the cue. This made my son even madder. Throughout the last 20 minutes of lesson, he just refused to join the others. I tried to coax him into trying again and that he could do it, but to no avail. Being a strong-willed child, he held on to his stand.

Heart of a teacher cum mother

As a mother, I felt angry and I didn’t understand why he would refuse such a simple pitching movement. How could I encourage him to try? I have to keep my cool though, since the class was still on. As a teacher, I knew I have to persevere in winning ‘discouraged children’ to come out of themselves. That’s what the course is all about. I moved on to another activity, Musical mime play, where I could get him to notice and respond a little while the rest of the class were still actively participating. At the end of the class, he was still NOT THROUGH!!!

”I ain’t gonna give up on him.” I had to think about something quick to get him back on track. So, I sat down together with the children and started talking about their first baby steps. I threw them the question: “What happens if a baby decides to say to himself that he’s not going to try to walk because it’s just too painful and difficult to do so?” Very smart answers from each of them such as, ”Then he’ll be lame for the rest of his life”, “He’ll not be able to run and play”, “He’ll not be able to play Wild Force Power Rangers” etc. All the while, I was trying to peep at my son from the corner of the eyes to see how he would respond. I encouraged them about the most important persons in their lives like parents, teachers etc who would encourage them to persevere and not give up etc. I knew my son was listening. As I continued, ”You know, sometimes, the hardest thing is when you fail and you feel like a fool – embarrassed and very, very sad.” ”I understand your feelings; I feel like that too… many, many hundred times more than you do.” “But you know what, I told myself I want to be like that baby, do not care or worry about whether being laughed at or anything like that, I will focus to try to walk, that’s right. Walk, I must do it.” “Such child-like faith”. Then one of boys said, “yes, just like the disciples of Jesus who shooed the children away and Jesus told them not to and that everyone who has child-like faith can come to him.”

At that moment, at the corner of my eye, I noticed my son’s eyes getting redder and he was wiping his tears away secretly. I finally understood that he was not trying to rebel on purpose or to make havoc. The true fact is that he was bruised in his ego and if I did not address this matter, he would go deeper into his shell. I concluded the chit-chatting session by encouraging him to try the exercise again. This time I got my students to cheer him on. He still refused though, so I thought just give him time. A moment later, someone shouted “Hey, JY did it! He could do that already!” He secretly did it on the chair without me noticing it and wow, that was the first breakthrough. Hmm… he was still aloof. He didn’t want to help me carry the stuff as he would do normally. He just walked away and tried to avoid eye-contact with me. You know, I felt crushed, like wanting to give up but I knew I had to hang on there.

Winning his heart again

On the way back, we (some of my students, my son & I) talked about their interests etc. After a very long while, then I asked my son (seated right behind the driver’s seat) “Do you want to be like that anymore?” “No.” “Do you think you can try the movements again next week without getting angry?” No reply. “Maybe we can practise a few times at home so that you’ll be able to do it during the class, OK?” “Ok (softly).” “I’m sorry, mummy.” “I forgive you. I understand how you feel. Please don’t give up easily the next time you face something tough, OK? We’ll try to work at it together, OK?” ”OK.” “Please give me a hug.” I held my hand backwards and he touched it with his warm hands. I knew I had won him back.

Weekly Classes and Workshops for Children, Youth, Educators and Parents

musikdrama — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 02:30:44 +0000

Weekly Classes for Children:

1. Musical Drama Classes

a) Introductory – Step 1 (ages 4 – 7 years old)

b) Step 2 – Grade 2 (ages 7 – 11 years old)

Workshops for Children and Youth:

1. School Holiday Musical Drama Program

a) ‘Act, Move and Sing Now! Kids’ Theatre I’ – Introductory – Step 1 (ages 4 – 7 years old)

b) ‘Act, Move and Sing Now! Kids’ Theatre II’ – Step 2 – Grade 2 (ages 7 – 11 years old)

c) ‘Act Now! Youth Theatre’ – (12 – 18 years old)

Workshops for Educators/Parents/Sunday School Teachers/Anyone who works with children

1. ‘M&M Workshop – Creative Teaching Skills using Music and Movement’ (1-day workshop)

For those teaching children between ages 4 – 6 years old

2. ‘SpeeD Workshop – Creative Teaching Skills using Speech and Drama’ (2-day workshop)

For those teaching children between ages 4 – 6 years old

3. ‘Musical Drama Train the Trainers Workshop’

For the teachers who are teaching the MusikDrama Horizons program in the home-school centres which uses the Horizons Kindergarten Program

a) Workshop I (Introductory Level – Step 2) – Unit 1 – 2 (2-day workshop)

b) Workshop II (Introductory Level – Step 2) – Unit 3 – 5 (2-day workshop)

About Michelle Loh Jee Yin

musikdrama — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 02:08:27 +0000

Introduction:

Being one of the proactive and dynamic personalities, Michelle Loh Jee Yin is an educator, trainer, Ambassador of Character Forever, curriculum developer and home-school mother. Her passion in enriching young lives motivates her to give herself to teaching even from her school days. She was a tutor and spiritual mentor to her juniors then. After graduation, she lectured in a renowned private college in Kuala Lumpur for many years.

Home Schooling:

As a keen believer of character-building and self-pace learning in children, she chose to stay home full-time to take care and educate her two lovely children since 2003. Being an industrious person, she started a home-based kindergarten (home-school for preschoolers) for her own children and some neighbourhood preschoolers in year 2005.

Designing Confidence-building Curriculum for Children:

As she is also a multi-talented person, she started designing and developing a comprehensive, original musical drama and character-building program to enhance interest in the English Language using music (singing and rhythm), dance (movement) and drama (expressions and acting). She believes in inspiring and helping ORDINARY kids to be courageous to express their thoughts and feelings by cultivating skills in the area of music, dance and drama using the beautiful and rich language of English. Her passion is also to inspire and train educators or parents on the use of creative approach through music, dance and drama in teaching or communicating with children. Currently, she is conducting musical drama classes (ages 4 to 12 years old) and Adventures in English Language Literacy Classes (Creative Phonics English Program) for children in kindergartens, Music & Arts & Language enrichment centres, home-school centres and home-based.

Building Character and Parenting:

As one of the Ambassadors for Proactive Parenting Forever (non-profit organization which champions character-building in children), she has conducted various DVD-facilitated workshops for both parents and educators (since 2006) such as:

a) Parenting workshops:

1. Award-winning parenting program “Active Parenting Now”, authored by Dr. Michael H. Popkin (Ph.D.) U.S.A.;

2. Renown child psychologist and author, Dr. Kevin Leman’s “Making your children’s mind without losing yours”;

b) School of Character workshop:

“Building 6 pillars of Characters in Children”, program authorised by ‘Character Counts’ (U.S.A.)

Besides, she is also a trained Facilitator for a character-building abstinence-until-marriage program for youth (secondary and tertiary students) organised by Focus On the Family, ‘No Apologies – The Truth about Life, Love and Sex’.

Deepening Spiritual Growth:

She has also written Bible study materials for mothers and Youth (teenagers), which were used widely in the Youth Fellowship and Mother’s Support Group in her church. Currently, she is actively serving as a Sunday School teacher in her church.