1. Your name:

Susan Seale

2. Education/Background:

I seem to have been studying and teaching my entire life with decades of practical experience in educational and therapeutic settings with children and with adults, as well as private instrumental teaching.

Having worked for over 10 years in the public school system as a general classroom teacher, learning resource teacher, music teacher and special needs music teacher, my experience is varied. I wear many hats as a teacher, performer, speaker, author, teaching consultant and owner and founder of Musicalia and the online resource site Make Me Musical.

I share a happy home life with my husband, Nigel, our parrots and a little black dog, Moka.

Background

• private teaching for almost 40 years
• 10 years as a classroom teacher, special needs music and learning resource teacher
• 20 years owner/founder of Musicalia Education Services, private music and movement school for babies and children
• 25 years teacher trainer, creator of Musicalia for Teachers
• 25 years speaker and workshop facilitator, conference presenter

Professional Training

• Bachelor of Education
• Master’s Level Certification in Orff-Schulwerk
• Orff Specialist Certification Carl Orff Canada
• Teacher’s Certificate from the Creative Dance Institute
• Professional training in Developmental Movement Therapy
• Professional training in Special Needs Music Education
• Professional training Learning Resource Teacher
• Professional training in Kodaly
• Professional training in Dalcroze Eurhythmics
• Professional training from Kindermusik International

My professional studies have taken place around the world

• University of Victoria
• University of British Columbia
• University of Calgary
• University of Alberta
• University of Memphis (Memphis, Tennessee)
• Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
• San Francisco School (San Francisco, California)
• Orff Institute, University Mozarteum (Salzburg, Austria)

I regularly attend music education and music therapy conferences around the globe working and studying with world-renowned teachers and mentors.

3. Favorite band/artist in 7th grade:

This is a really looooong time ago…and I do not remember.

I googled who was popular at the time so it may have been Bachman Turner Overdrive with some Queen and David Bowie.

Honestly, I didn’t listen to a lot of music then because I grew up in a musical family where everyone (grandparents, mom and sister, extended family too) played at least 3 instruments and sang and we didn’t listen to music in the house.  We made music.  We did listen to country music 8-tracks in the car.   So…Marty Robbins, Charlie Pride, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette…you get the picture.  My mom was a performer so we hung out with famous country musicians and they hung out in our house.  Those kind of people in those days, didn’t listen to the radio…we just made music and danced.  I probably didn’t really start listening to pop music in a big way until I was in my 20’s and had a car with a cassette deck…omg…cassette deck…that’s how old I am!

4. Why did you want to write an e-book?

I have been conducting workshops for many years.  I’ve done lots of writing and creating of programs.
I had never written a book.  I just had this idea that all this knowledge I had about the brain and how I integrated it into my classes and lessons would be valuable because it just is not taught anywhere.  The standard programs that are offered pay no attention to brain and body…they tend to focus on ‘fun’ ideas to include in a music class.  This is not what I believe is beneficial or worthwhile for children or therapists or teachers.  So…I sat down and started writing out my practical application of developmental movement therapy theory and experience so it could be downloaded by folks who were interested in it.

Growing Grounded: Movement and Songs to Organize the Brain

5. What was your process for developing your e-book?

I have years worth of experience, workshops offerings, and I just sat down and made a list of how I would organize it.  I wrote on lots of paper.

One day I started a word doc and put it on the computer.  I spent the next 5 months writing when I had time and formatting and making it look organized.

I think my process is the Nike one…Just Do It.

6.Favorite book (e-book or print) related to Music Therapy:

I’m a creator…so I don’t have a lot of external favorites.  I create my own stuff.

7. How would you describe your e-book in three words or less?

Practical, organized, simple.

8.  Who can benefit from purchasing your e-book and why?

Music therapists, pres-school and primary music teachers, preschool + primary generalist teachers, private music teachers, community music teachers.

Growing Grounded present effective, tested activities that are based on the developmental needs of the young brain.

These activities help children to focus, be less stressed, develop coordination and overcome behaviour and attention issues.

These activities help children to develop singing and speech skills.

These activities are perfect for children who are fidgety, fussy, resistant, fearful, boundary-pushers.

These activites are perfect for children ages 2-7.