GREETINGS!
A few years ago, Sharon Thormahlen (a harpist) gave Jory Aronson a CD of her original harp pieces. Jory began to play it for the children in her preschool classroom and they quickly selected dress-up clothes and started to dance. It was magical! Ever since, Sharon and Jory have been collaborating to bring this remarkable project to life. With your help, we’d love to make it available to a wide audience of children, parents, grandparents, and teachers.
Castle Dance pairs a CD of original and traditional music for young children with an
enchanting picture book. The unfolding story and delightful tunes inspire
movement, creativity, and joy! Children dance to short musical
pieces as they listen to, read, and/or act out a tale that connects all the tunes
together.
Our project aims to make the Castle Dance music-and-storybook widely
available to anyone who has or works with young children.
About The Castle Dance Project
Castle Dance tells the story of an
ancient kingdom celebrating a joyous event. There's a conflict with a neighboring kingdom that leads to a delightful opportunity to dance and ultimately, to share. It features your children as a cast
of prancing ponies, dancing cats, queens, kings, princesses, princes, jesters, and more. Children
love to play make-believe and express themselves with their bodies. Like the
classic “Peter and the Wolf”, Castle
Dance captures and ignites children’s imaginations.
This project creates a new
and treasured tool for parents, grandparents, teachers, and others.
Castle Dance is that rare activity that
lets children be their most energetic selves: solo, or in small or large
groups.
The music features Sharon Thormahlen on
harp and Jory Aronson on mandolin, with guest musicians featured on specific
tunes. Children are exposed to an array of musical styles and moods.
Our History
Connecting young children to music is a longtime passion of Jory’s. As a certified master trainer of teachers and a professional children's musician, she teaches early childhood educators how children’s development is enhanced and strengthened by actively using their bodies and their senses. Studies show that music is one of the best ways to promote this. Castle Dance sets an effective ‘stage’ for children to do what they naturally love to do: learn through connecting music, movement, stories, and fun. Help us spread the joy and benefits of this far and wide!
What We Have
Stage I of this project is complete: The tunes
and the story are written, Beta-tested, and ready to go. We have original artwork in the works, which
will form the basis for the storybook. Our web site and other social media
basics are in place.
What We Need
We need your contributions ($6,500 total)
for the next two stages of the Castle Dance
project. Stage II (final development) and Stage III (production and initial
distribution)
· We have an experienced sound engineer ready to record us. We’ll
professionally mix and master the album.
· We have a talented graphic artist ready to expand the original art into a
prototype for the full 34-page storybook.
· We will duplicate a limited run of the CD and are poised for the book
printing.
· We are ready to send promotional copies to an extensive network of
educators, distributors, and others.
· We have social media and web experts ready to help us spread the word about
Castle Dance.
We hope you will share our excitement for Castle Dance! You can help us make this project a reality with your
contribution.
Financial Contributions
The support we generate
through this site will be crucial to making this project take off. We have so
many of the pieces in place, but now we are turning to our friends for help in
getting the final steps done and getting Castle Dance into the hands of
children, parents, and teachers.
Please take a look at our 'perks' and consider making a donation.
Besides your financial
contribution