Gail Burnett
Gail Burnett has been bringing high-energy music and movements programs to young children, of all developmental levels, for 20 years. The children learn about pitch, rhythm, how music can help with emotions and feelings, and activate those all-important endorphins through physical movement to songs. She is also a singer/songwriter with 6 CD’s, and one of her projects, ‘Active Music, Active Bodies, Active Brains,’ received Parents’ and Teacher’s Choice awards and was on the Grammy Ballot. Gail has a diverse musical background. With a Bachelors in cello performance, she is a studio and live improvisational cellist and vocalist in multiple genres. However, she is especially passionate about working with young children, is a sought after speaker/teacher trainer, co-author of a new book on Early Childhood brain development and a children’s entertainer at schools, libraries, and large events, including Atlanta Symphony Family Days, Atlanta Botanical Gardens, and Ponce City Market.
Arts Disciplines: Music, Dance
Core Content Curriculum Areas: Music, Physical Education
Specialized Content Areas: Arts Integration, emotions/feelings/anxiety – bringing these ideas into songs to make it an ‘approachable’ subject
Grade Levels: Pre-K, K-2
Special Populations: ELL (English Language Learners), At-Risk Students, Special Need Students, Gifted Students
Pre-Service Learning and Professional Development: Professional Development for Teaching Artists
Geographic Availability: Metro Atlanta, North Georgia, Middle Georgia, South Georgia
Program Fees:
- Metro Atlanta fees – One Show $395 + additional back to back show $185 each; same location
- Outside Metro Atlanta – $395 + additional back to back show $185 each; same location, plus travel, accommodations
- Teacher/ Adult Workshop (Metro Atlanta) – 90 minutes, $670
Artistic Profile:
Musically, I have a diverse background. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Music (cello) and am passionate about performing for both children and adult audiences in creative and flexible ways. While I do play classically at weddings or events, I am a cellist/vocalist with ESOEBO, an Americana-charted band which has performed all over the Southeast, Austin, and Nashville. I do studio work, as an improvisational cellist and vocalist in multiple genres, including-a Billboard Charted Alternative Rock album! However, I am most passionate about my work with young children, and as a sought after Children’s entertainer at venues, schools, libraries, and events in the Southeast, such as Woodruff Arts Center/Atl Symphony Family Programs, Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Ponce City Market 2017 and 2018 NYE Countdown for kids, I bring high energy shows conducive to children on many diverse developmental levels. My classical training and musicianship prepared me to begin a journey as a singer/songwriter for quality children’s music, and my first project was released in 2008. I have 6 CD’s, which are developmentally appropriate for very young audiences. One of my CD’s, ‘Active Music, Active Bodies, Active Brains,’ received Parents’ Choice, Teachers Choice awards and was also on the 2016 Grammy Ballot. Combining music knowledge with educational knowledge has allowed me to create enjoyable, high quality professional, ‘good’ music for children and to incorporate into educational programs with great purpose.
Teaching Experience:
I’ve been doing ‘assembly’ music/movement programs and teaching children ages 0-7 for 20 years. I have a BA in music, am a certified Music Together Director/Teacher, and have extensive training in Early
Childhood through attendance at State and National Early Childhood Conferences. I am currently co-authoring a book on brain development in Early Childhood. In addition to working with children, I am also a teacher trainer/presenter for conferences and schools. My approach/philosophy in working with and performing for the very young child is to give them an experience with music that is SO much fun they hardly realize they’re learning and exercising at the same time! Some children may not outwardly ‘show’ super active participation, but many children learn/absorb in this way. In my programs, we learn about pitch, steady rhythm, and simple rhythm patterns, accomplish physical fitness through freedom/loosely directed movement, and learn about emotions and feeling positive by ‘talking,’ singing, and activating those all-important endorphins through the physical movement. As a parent of a child on the Autism spectrum, I was motivated to write movement music that was ‘inclusive’ of children with different levels of gross motor skills and capacity to understand directions. I also give ‘teacher ed’ moments in my assemblies with the children.
Sample Programs:
Lesson Plan #1
Grade Levels: Music for pre-k, k (often works for grades 1 and 2)
Art Form: Active Music, Active Bodies, Active Brains
Core content/curriculum: Music and Movement
Number of students: 5-200 children
Program length: 40-45 min
Requirements: can be done in an auditorium setting with seats, but prefer empty, open space so there is room for kids to jump, dance, move! (may sit on the floor part of the time), hands-free/handheld mic, sound system, background mac book pro track connection. I bring a sound system if the facility does not have one to match these needs. Need one table, access to power.
Sample Lesson Plans/Study Guides:
Music and Movement – Lesson Plan
Program Photos and Videos:
Photos – Music for Pre-K and K:
- Listing ID: 6055