Young Grove musicians will shine at Disney

First Row: Christian Freyre, Patrick S. Pavicic, Cristina Winker, Anna Collado, Valentina Pietri, Masha Zhamgotsev, Suraya Domond, Javier Ulloa, Alexander Freyre. Second Row: Jessica Lynn Duarte, Summer Harris, Alessandra Cabrera, Elizabeth Fernandez, Jasmine Diya Ramkhelawan, Carolina Fernandez, Emiliano Zaldivar, Cecelia Domond, Presley M. Feigenbaum. Directors: Dr. Joy Galliford, Mrs. Karen Flanary, Mrs. Alaina Lorenzo.

A group of Miami 6, 7 and 8 year olds will travel to Disney to take center stage at Disney Springs’ Waterside Stage on Friday, January 3, 2020.  

South Florida Music’s Piano Year 2 Performance Group was selected to perform in the new year for the fourth consecutive year at Disney Springs' Waterside Stage. On Friday, Janaury 3, 2020, a group of 6, 7 and eight year olds are among the youngest musicians invited to perform by Walt Disney World. 

Almost all of these 18 budding musicians began their musical journeys as babies in early childhood music classes at South Florida Music where they hummed and clapped along with their parents, learned to play the glockenspiel, and began to read music. Classes are held at various locations throughout Miami-Dade County, including at St. Stephens Episcopal Church.

Led by Directors Dr. Joy Galliford, Mrs. Alaina Lorenzo, and Mrs. Karen Flanary, the group will perform an energetic repertoire comprised of both Disney and classic compositions, song and dance.

For over 35 years Dr. Joy’s research-based music program has been reaching children at the most crucial stages of their mental growth.

“It’s an important opportunity, and it’s just incredible when you think that a child’s most intense level of brain development is under 9 years of age. If we all understand that and take it to heart, we can be more intentional about what we choose to do during the foundational years to help children unlock their potential, and I believe that music is an important part," says Dr. Joy.

These dedicated youngsters have now mastered piano arrangements of Star Wars, It’s a Small World and Ode to Joy. They will also be singing Rock Around the Clock, and a Disney medley which includes You’ve Got a Friend in Me and Hakuna Matata.  

Years of musical education will culminate in a twenty-four minute performance before family and friends at Disney. 

-- David Winker, Esq.