Music Together is absolutely the best program you can give to your child! We tried so many other programs with our three kids (gymboree, kindermusik... you name it and we tried it), and MT is by far the best one. As a completely "non-musical", "non-singing" parent, I love how this program changed it. The songs are so sweet and catchy (but not at all cheesy, like music on most kids' cds), I love singing them with my kids! (there were a few times when I was driving in the car without kids and I found myself jamming to that CD without even realizing that I could listen to something else). My daughter loves to sing the songs and come up with new words for them (this program certainly promotes creativity and play). With each session I can see how my children change and grow musically and spiritually. But I must say that a class is only as good as its teacher. This will be our 5th (yes, fifth!) session with Moni, and she is the best! She really connects with kids, she is very loving and enthusiastic, we always come home from the class uplifted and inspired. My children love her and adore her to no end, and I am just really happy that she is the one that they learn music from. Bottom line - try a class, fall in love, get addicted, and SING! read more

My 8-month-old daughter and I started attending Whirligig Music Together classes in March of 2011. Our wonderful teacher, Moni Kiraly, always encouraged us to participate in silly, fun, and age-appropriate (for the baby!) ways. I always felt comfortable singing, dancing, and playing the little percussion instruments and kazoos in class. I loved Moni's habit of bringing in a variety of "serious" orchestral instruments to play for us each week, too. (They seem serious to me, though Moni would never describe them in such an intimidating way!) I think my baby especially enjoyed the deep resonance of the tuba and I loved the sound of the accordion. Moni also encouraged us to spend time singing and making music together at home every day. At first, I thought this sounded a bit like homework, but it was naturally something my husband and I enjoyed doing with the baby in the morning, at bedtime, and in the car throughout the day. Thinking back, I believe it was after that first class that my baby started clapping for the first time. She clapped almost every time she heard music after that and surprisingly keeps very good rhythm, which Moni pointed out was something babies are often naturally good at. My daughter also rocks back and forth or side to side while sitting or standing and nods her head in time to the beat of music we listen to. At hom, we play together with a little egg maraca, a baby tambourine, a xylophone, and lots of drum-like empty coffee and yogurt containers. Sometimes my daughter drums with me, and sometimes she accompanies me with her clapping, but she's always engaged and interested in the music making fun. Just before our second to last class of the semester, when she was almost 11-months-old, my daughter started singing a basic chorus from our Music Together CD, which we listen to and sing along to every day. She has been doing this each day since, all day long, and I usually try to join in with a harmony when I notice her doing it. On a practical note, I've also noticed that she can usually be very quickly calmed when I start singing to her while she's upset, such as when we're waiting around for the pediatrician, changing clothes or diapers, or sitting in the car during long trips. Moni mentioned this "magical" use of music and it really does work! I admit I find the Music Together CD pretty fun to rock out to, even when I'm in the car by myself. I also love the group jam sessions during our Whirligig classes and I really let myself enjoy it, especially since Moni tells us that our genuine enthusiasm and joy for making music will transfer to our kids. I've really enjoyed the course, had lots of fun singing and playing with the other parents and children, and truly look forward to making music with my daughter for many, many years to come! Moni has been a wonderful, inspiring, supportive, and informative teacher who is obviously quite gifted when it comes to working with kids and babies. I feel so fortunate that we found and were able to participate in this class! read more

I adore Moni and these classes. My oldest daughter has been in and out of these classes as schedule permitted since she was a few months old and no matter how long the break, she remembers them and is excited to go back. Songs she heard months ago suddenly appear as we are driving and she's now trying to teach them to her infant sister (adorable). It's been a beautiful little part of her life and I love that she is forming a deep connection to music. The classes are a good fit for any age and Moni is wonderful at engaging the kids. read more

We continued with Moni at Whirligig for almost three years! School will probably interfere with our schedule in the Fall, and I'm certain that the absence of all of the joy and friends at Music Together will be felt. We never missed a class unless we were out of town, because the the songs, laughter and joy that fill that one-hour class somehow manage to carry us through some of the toughest times in the rest of the week--hungry and cranky, fighting toothbrushing, crying in the car, protesting bedtime, you name it. We sing through most all of our rough spots--to calm, to laugh, to reassure, to find some language that we both speak when I think, "who is this alien child?" Thank you, Moni, and Music Together--we love you both! read more

I cannot say enough about Moni and Whirligig Music. Both of my children have been in two semesters of music programs, and Moni's class has was so far beyond other experiences. First, she genuinely loves children. Second, she truly loves music. And third, she loves combining those two. She's great at what she does, always has a smile on her face and my kids continually ask me when they can see Moni again as kids naturally gravitate towards her. Her classes are fun, engaging and energetic... with all sort of new fun things introduced each week. I would highly recommend her program to anyone who is seeking a music program for their developing child. It's worth it! read more

Whirligig music has given my entire family an invaluable gift--a connection through and love of music that will last a lifetime. My older daughter began music class with Moni at just over a year old, and we started at an even younger age with my second daughter. What Moni provides with the Music Together program is so much more than just a music lesson! She creates a beautiful community, connecting children and parents, connecting families, connecting music. The music curriculum is so well designed for early childhood, and the songs are such an integral part of my children's lives. My older daughter is now very successful in piano at the young age of five, with her teacher calling her a true protege. She has the "ear" that I never had as a child, and I see my younger daughter developing the same. I attribute this entirely to Moni and the The Music Together program. read more

Music Together classes with Moni have been an amazing growth experience for my 2.5 year old daughter. We started our first session in the Spring when she was a few months from 2. She hadn't started preschool yet and most of her "peer" social interaction was with her older sister and her friends. When we started the classes I was excited for her to have her own "thing" and have some friends of her own, but she acted extremely shy ... for most of the entire first session last Spring, barely participating. But I knew she loved the music and the class because she sang the songs at home and in the car and would say "Moni" and smile with so much affection :) So we had the summer off and started again this Fall and I couldn't believe what a difference I saw in her. She is so engaged and participates in every song and smiles and has just totally blossomed. There are a variety of factors that I think went into this transformation, but I just want to encourage parents who have kids who are often feeling shy to persist and really give this amazing experience a chance. Participation is not the only sign that a child is getting a lot out of the class... there is so much deeper going on by just being there and watching and absorbing all the goodness of the group, the teacher and the different kinds of music and instruments. My daughter's love of music has been so fun to watch and Moni has truly helped foster this. Plus the songs give us something to playfully sing together as a family - even my husband who listens to the CD in the car with them. Both my daughters sing together and its so fun to watch. Music and song can so incredibly help keep things playful, especially in "salty" moments of toddlerdom. Moni is thoughtful, sweet, passionate about what she does, and incredibly fun, creative and boisterous. She rocks, so glad we are doing this class with her! read more