As you venture through Forest Hills, keep your ears tuned for notes of creativity and beauty flowing from Hug Music. Co-founders Kana Kamitsubo-Markovic and Sasha Markovic strongly believe that music benefits all people in a variety of ways. The Hug instructors are a unique combination of music teachers, music therapists, and music performers (classical and jazz).
Hug Music gives individual and customized music lessons. Both Kana and Sasha use their diverse music training, composing skills, and performing background to provide quality experiences and lessons for each student based on their needs.
Igniting passion for music and inspiring creativity are valued goals for Hug Music. Kana has developed a music therapy method, Musicreative, combining music therapy and music education for children of disabilities. Classes are available that cater to individuals with special needs such as Autism, ADHD, ADD, and Dyslexia.
We interviewed Co-founder Kana Kamitsubo-Markovic to learn more about what Hug Music brings to the people of Forest Hills:
1. When did Hug Music start and why did you choose Forest Hills?
I’ve been living in this area since 2007 and have always loved this neighborhood. I’d had my private practice in Forest Hills. So, I knew that if I opened a music studio, it would be in Forest Hills. Hug Music opened in September 2014.
2. Could you please tell our readers what music programs are available at your music studio?
At Hug Music Studio, we offer various music programs to individuals with all abilities including special needs children. Hug Melody® and Hug Me classes are for babies and toddlers between 6 months to 4 years old.
These are group classes that put emphasis on exposing young ears to live and acoustic music, as well as aim to improve their innate music skills and even important life skills. Most importantly, these programs aim to nurture a love of music at an early age!
Since we emphasize high teacher-student ratio, we allow a maximum of 6 students with 2 instructors in each class.
Hug Melody Solo and Duo classes are introductory music instruction classes for 3.5 to 6 years of age. For older students (6 to adulthood), we offer music lessons such as piano, voice, ukulele/guitar and songwriting.
3. What age groups do you cater to?
Our Music Therapy programs offer both private and group sessions to individuals six months to adults including those with special needs.
4. How’s your music school different from other music schools in the area?
Hug Music’s philosophy is to nurture the love of music and learning. Therefore, we strongly believe that music lessons should be fun. Also, our programs are based on both music education and music therapy aiming to improve each individual’s life skills as well as music skills . Many of our instructors are also board certified music therapists, understanding each student’s unique strength, interest, and needs.
Hug Music strives to provide classes that are meaningful to the students with learning opportunities so that students can gain not only musical skills but also non-musical, cognitive skills. For example, our instructors feel most rewarded when their students are motivated in expressing themselves in their performances and compositions.
I would even say that Hug Music is not a school that places an emphasis on winning.
5. At what age would you recommend a child start music lessons? How would a parent know if a child is ready for music lessons?
Although it depends on the instrument the child chooses, Hug Music suggests Hug Melody Duo class to the parents who are considering music lessons for their young ones when they turn 3.5 years old. Hug Melody duo is a semi-private lesson (2 students with one instructor) that combines various music activities such as singing, solfege, music theory (through games), instrumental play, and introduction to music lessons on either piano or ukulele.
After the child takes the Duo class for 2-3 semesters and is around 5 years old, we suggest parents move the child to the Hug Melody Solo class. Solo classes involve more music instruction.
6. We read that Hug Music offers Music Therapy. What is music therapy?
Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. (American Music Therapy Association definition, 2005) In other words, Music Therapy is an established healthcare profession that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals of all ages.
Music therapy improves the quality of life for persons who are well and meets the needs of children and adults with disabilities or illnesses.
At Hug Music, our music therapists work with children with special needs such as autism and ADHD. Each child will be assessed during the evaluation period and music therapists create goals and objectives for the child. Contents of the session would be customized to each child’s unique interest, strengths and needs. Music therapists at Hug Music believe that motivation is a key element for success and thus, therapists tailor the sessions and activities to evoke each child’s interest.
7. How has the Forest Hills neighborhood changed since you’ve been here? What would you suggest to make this community even better?
We love Forest Hills and the its people. I wish there was more diversity in local business such as restaurant and cafes, etc, but knowing the cost for business in FH, I understand why we don’t have many choices. High rent for business spaces makes it very difficult for local businesses to start and survive.
Maybe if residents would more actively support local businesses, things might change. But that’s just my opinion. We do love it here!
Do you feel the urge to tickle the ivories or introduce your child to a wonderful growing opportunity? Learn more at HugMusicStudios.
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