BY BRANDY TEMPLETON

Gina Terry has been providing musical education to children in the Statesville area since 2004.

For 20 years, she utilized space at First Presbyterian Church. Now, she has her own studio in the Forest Heights Shopping Center.

“It’s convenient with good parking and good business neighbors,” Terry said of her new location.

Several current and former students and their families were among the supporters who attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Fourth Creek Musik on Monday.

During the course of her Kindermusik journey, Terry estimates she has worked with more than 1,200 children, ranging from infants to 7-year-olds.

After First Presbyterian changed its business policies, she was given six months to relocate. She found the perfect space in a vacant beauty parlor.

Terry and her husband freshened up the paint and made some other changes, 

“My husband Chris did the flooring and insulation,” she shared. “He was super helpful.”

The result is a welcoming area, with soft flooring and colorful and cheerful posters and artwork.

“I’m thankful for Jenn Hogan (the Jennuine Article on Etsy) and Keyley Shae Designs for providing the colorful art,” Terry said.

Among those who came out to support Terry on Monday was Carol Penney, who worked as the Kindermusik director of education before her retirement.

She spoke about the company and the positive impact it has on preschoolers.

“Kindermusik is an international educational program that helps with the total development of a child,” she shared. “This program uses music as a vehicle to develop cognitive, social, emotional, and includes literature and language.”

Penney started working with Kindermusik in 1982, the year before her son was born, because of the program’s philosophy.

“Kindermusik focuses on the whole child rather than one area,” she said. “Unlike piano or violin (lessons), it includes movement and socializing.”

When asked about the fruit of her labors, Terry pointed to one of three siblings who came to wish her well.

Mark Reyes, 22, is a recent graduate of Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. He and his younger sisters participated in Kindermusik with Terry years ago.

“He just graduated with a degree in conducting and composing,” Terry shared. “Kindermusik engages all areas of the brain.”

As other alumni and current students and their parents stopped in to check out the new location, children explored, played, and made happy sounds.

“We’re family here,” Terry smiled. “This is what we do.”

The first class day is scheduled for August 5. Nine classes will be offered Monday-Wednesday.

LEARN MORE

For more information, visit https://fourthcreekmusik.com/

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