Pamela Abreu

Abreu's "Notable Legionnaires - A Music Program" teaches first- through fifth-graders to read musical notation, count rhythms, and compose and perform their own music using electronic tabletop keyboards. Parents and community volunteers assist with the instruction to provide as much individual attention as possible. Benefits to students include increased self-expression and creative pleasure, development of an aesthetic sense, motor and rhythmic development, an awareness of cultural heritage, enhanced cognitive development and abstract thought, and the development of group and social skills. Students also discover that being able to create music is fun and rewarding.