Maritime-Themed Music, Movement, and Reading Program Returns to Museum This Fall for Children Ages Birth–6 Years
Wednesday, September 13, 2023 (Toledo, Ohio) –
Capt. Scupper’s Songfest: Maritime Music and Movement returns to the National Museum of the Great Lakes at 10:30 a.m. on three Saturdays this fall. The small group activity, presented by Sing into Reading and sponsored in part by Craig’s Keyboards, was developed especially with children ages birth–6 years in mind. Little ones will spend 30 minutes exploring maritime themes through music and movement with a parent or caregiver, followed by open play in the Museum and its “Port of Play.”
“We are so excited to welcome back instructor Risa Beth Cohen of Sing into Reading for our Capt. Scupper’s Songfest class,” said Ellen Kennedy, the museum’s Education and Visitor Experience Director. “Both the kids and their parents loved the combination of music, movement, reading, and maritime theming. It’s an honor to introduce the Great Lakes to the next generation in such a fun way.”
Risa Beth Cohen, Founder and Creative Director of Sing into Reading, has been teaching Music and Movement to children since 1994 and holds an M.S.Ed. in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Bank Street College. She taught Music/Literacy in NYC public schools before moving to Toledo, where she spent 10 years as the Music/Literacy Co-Curricular for 3–6 year-olds at West Side Montessori.
Each Capt. Scupper’s Songfest class is limited to 20 kids and their grownups and is designed for ages birth to 6. Registration is $5 per class for NMGL member children and $15 per class for non-member children (non-member price includes museum-only admission for one adult and child). The program is also offered for free to individuals who qualify for NMGL’s Museums for All access initiative thanks, in part, to support from Craigs Keyboards. Capacity is limited, so advance registration is encouraged. Get more information on Museums for All at: bit.ly/MuseumsforallNMGL. For additional event information visit nmgl.org/events or call 419-214-5000.
Not an NMGL member? Consider a membership that includes year-long and seasonal access to the museum, museum store, program discounts, and more. Visit nmgl.org/membership to learn more.
* This program is available for free to individuals who qualify for Museums For All—a new access program at the National Museum of the Great Lakes where those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) can gain free or reduced admission using their SNAP EBT card. Click here for more information on NMGL’s Museums For All program.
ABOUT THIS PROGRAM’S SUPPORTER: This program is brought to you in part by Criag’s Keyboards. Since 1971, Craig’s Keyboards has been providing new and used pianos and digital pianos to private owners and institutions in Northwest Ohio. Thanks to the generosity of Craig’s Keyboards, the museum is able to continue Captain Scuppers Songfest’s early childhood literacy-base program, while working to make it more accessible.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Risa Beth Cohen is the Founder and Creative Director of Sing into Reading, where you can teach your child to read with music and love. She has been teaching Music and Movement to children since 1994. She holds an M.S.Ed. in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Bank Street College. As a classroom teacher, Risa taught kindergarten and first grade in NYC public schools, where her classroom served as a lab site for Writing Workshop. Risa studied at The Reading and Writing Project at Teachers College, Columbia University, where she served on leadership groups. After discovering music and movement to be the “secret ingredient” to encouraging literacy, Risa taught Music/Literacy in NYC public schools. Then, after moving to Toledo, OH, she served West Side Montessori for ten years as the Music/Literacy Co-Curricular for 3 – 6 year-olds. Risa offers classes for children, parents, and educators, and is a sought-after speaker at edu-events of all sorts.
