Music Teacher Brings Kaleidoscope Of Songs to Princeton Students

Candace Braun

Now parents and children can enjoy listening to kids' music together, says Alex Mitnick, who recently produced a CD, Kaleidoscope of Songs, with lyricist Alan Bell.

A music teacher for infants through eighth graders at the Princeton Montessori School, Mr. Mitnick came out with the first of four children's music CDs this fall. The CDs help children explore and understand their emotions, while providing a message and music score that parents can enjoy as well, said Mr. Mitnick: "We try to take global themes and break them down into the simplest form possible for kids. It actually works best for adults that way, too."

This Sunday, December 12, at 3 p.m., Mr. Mitnick and his group, Alex & the Kaleidoscope Band, will perform a free concert of children's songs at the Princeton Public Library.

The idea of creating a CD was first inspired by the musicals Mr. Mitnick has helped score and direct at the private school. Both the musicals and the CD were co-written with Alan Bell, an artist and poet from Philadelphia.

The two first collaborated on a musical five years ago when Mr. Mitnick asked Mr. Bell to help with costumes and masks for a school performance he was directing. After establishing a friendship, the creative partners began working together on a complete musical for first and second graders, with Mr. Bell writing the the storyline and lyrics, and Mr. Mitnick scoring and directing the show. Soon one musical turned into five, and the two had a long list of songs they had created together for children.

After encouragement from faculty, parents, and students at the school, Mr. Mitnick began the process of producing a CD of their songs this past spring. The success of their first CD has encouraged them to plan four more over the next year, with all new music.

Mr. Mitnick debuted his CD at the Writers Block on Paul Robeson Place at the end of October, and will be using this performance at the library as a follow-up, in hopes that many of the families who have previously bought the CD will come and sing along with him and his band. The CD is available at jaZams, Learning Express, Small World Coffee, and online at www.kaleidescopesongs.com.

Spreading His Knowledge

As word of Mr. Mitnick's talent in teaching music to children has spread, his career has flourished. Using a curriculum based more on singing and classroom participation than book learning, the teacher now serves on the faculty of the Princeton Center for Teacher Education, where he directs workshops for "non-musicians" on how to incorporate music into the classroom. He has also been asked to conduct a music-teaching workshop in San Diego, as part of the National Center for Montessori Education. In the spring, he will conduct a workshop for the New Jersey Montessori Annual Conference.

"Between the teachers' and the parents' encouragement, I think we're onto something special," said Mr. Mitnick. "I think the music sets itself apart from other children's music ... These songs are focused very specifically on self-awareness and the importance of self-reflection."

Some of the musicals Mr. Mitnick has helped create and direct at the Montessori School include How Our Town Saved the Peace. a musical that teaches children about conflict resolution, and Red Cap Dolls From Toyland, which teaches them about facts versus feelings and optimism versus pessimism.

"That's why we call it the Kaleidoscope of Songs; you look inside yourself and see the beauty from the inside out," he said.

Giving children the language they need to identify the feelings they have is a very important part of educating a child, added Mr. Mitnick: "Children go through the same emotions that we go through, but we just have more experience and knowledge to help identify them.... The best way to deliver a message is through song; it's much more memorable that way."

Becoming an Artist

Growing up in the suburbs of Boston and then Philadelphia, Mr. Mitnick graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia with a degree in jazz guitar, with the emphasis on composition. After performing as a member of various jazz and rock groups, he took on a teaching position at St. Peter's School in Philadelphia, a school for preschoolers and first graders. He then came to Princeton as a member of an Indian chanting music group, Susan Green and Sura, until he found a position as music teacher at the Montessori School, where he has taught since 1999.

"[My move here] was honestly a temporary thing that has turned into five years here, largely because I really enjoy my job at the Montessori School. There's really something there for me," said Mr. Mitnick.

For more information on Kaleidoscope of Songs, visit www.kaleidescopesongs.com.