Ep # 136 Nurturing Young Minds Through Rhythm and Movement: Miss Carly's Musical Journey

The magic of music starts early. Just ask Miss Carly, whose four-month-old students instinctively rock back and forth when her guitar begins to strum. That's the beauty of what she's created with Saddle River Song – music and movement classes where the youngest children discover their natural musical abilities.

As a classically trained clarinetist with degrees from Eastman School of Music and Columbia University's Teachers College, Miss Carly brings serious credentials to her playful approach. "I've always known I was put on this earth to encourage a lifelong love of music with others, specifically with children," she shares. Growing up with a jazz pianist father who fostered her musical passion, she's now passing that gift to a new generation throughout Bergen County.

The pandemic prompted her pivot from leading a Manhattan school's music department to creating Saddle River Song, filling a need she discovered through a mom's group that grew to 200 members seeking activities for their little ones. Her classes incorporate percussion instruments, movement, props like the beloved parachute, and always end with bubbles and dance parties. Beyond regular sessions, she offers themed holiday classes, birthday parties, and specially designed sensory-friendly classes for children on the autism spectrum.

For families who can't make it to in-person classes, Miss Carly created an innovative solution: "Miss Carly's Car Rides," a podcast combining music education with stories for children 18 months to 5 years old. This screen-free option transforms Bergen County traffic jams into educational opportunities, teaching active listening through engaging content.

Whether in Park Ridge, Fairlawn, Paramus, or through headphones during family drives, Miss Carly's approach centers on experiencing music before reading it – "the same way we learn language." As she explains, everyone has a heartbeat; we're all naturally musical. Join her classes and watch your child's innate musical abilities bloom. Subscribe at saddleriversong.com for weekly updates and exclusive discounts, or follow @SaddleRiverSong on Instagram to connect with this musical movement.

Saddle River Song 

Miss Carly Bickoff

Fair Lawn, New Jersey, Fair Lawn, NJ, United States, New Jersey

(203) 837-7998

[email protected]

saddleriversong.com