Special to the Transcript
The first two Sundays of April in the EB Newton building saw dozens of babies and toddlers moving, grooving and experimenting with rhythm and instruments during Project Play’s annual Music for Babies & Tots program. Funded by a generous grant from the Winthrop Cultural Council, Music for Babies & Tots consists of two consecutive classe led by Evan Haller of Music at the Blissful- one specially curated for babies under 14 months and one for toddlers, both accompanied by a caregiver. Thanks to the grant support, all classes are free of charge and open to all.
Music for Babies & Tots first came to Winthrop in 2023 when Project Play Winthrop founder Julia Wallerce saw an opportunity for more music and movement for the littlest members of the community and applied for a grant from the Winthrop Cultural Council to do just that. She chose Music at the Blissful as the provider after bringing her then infant son, Gavin, to his music classes at Piers Park in East Boston and being so impressed with his natural ability to meet little ones where they are at in their social, cognitive and motor development. “I knew this was an experience I wanted for my children and that there were so many other parents and grandparents in Winthrop who felt the same way”, said Wallerce. Sure enough, Music for Babies & Tots is now on its third year running and gave way to the formation of Project Play which offers free music, movement, and group play programs throughout the year (thanks to local sponsors and funders!) as well as community “swap shops”. Learn more about Project Play at projectplaywinthrop.org and see where Music at the Blissful will be next at musicattheblissful.com.