Donna & Andy
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Donna & Andy

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"From an Education Professional"


I had been teaching classroom music for approximately 20 years when I first purchased "Computer Cat" and it proved to be one of my most valued resources as a music teacher. The songs in "Computer Cat" are written with the child's
voice in mind as well as appreciating the imaginative child's mind! My Grade two students undertook a penguin project that rivaled any to be completed at the junior high level. They were also seen waltzing to "The Penguin Ball" to understand and feel 3/4 time. In fact, on a number of occasions , a teacher who happened to be passing by, would come into the music room and join in dancing the waltz! The school choir particularly enjoyed performing the title song, "Computer Cat" and the "Vacation Song" and a concert highlight was "It's Christmas Time" performed as a finale by 200 P-3 angelic voices.


The latest edition of "Computer Cat" is a valuable resource for music teacher and classroom teacher alike. Of special note are the composer's anecdotes, the wide variety of topic areas to be explored, the melodic content of the works which are written with great consideration for children's voices, and the well-written cross-curricular links and suggestions for activities for math, social studies, science, language arts, etc. "Computer Cat" is truly a must for the elementary classroom teacher as well as those teaching school music.

Cathy MacNeil
Music teacher for 25 years
Currently Facilitator, Fine Arts, Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board


NOTE:
This review is for the "Computer Cat" song book with activities which includes the ECMA award winning CD "Computer Cat". Music teachers and class room teachers are using this great music resource in class rooms across North America.


- Cathy MacNeil


"Another School in New Brunswick 03/08"


We just wanted to thank you for coming to our school and presenting such a wonderful performance. The students have been talking about it ever since!!
We also really appreciated the 4 CDs. We have been listening to them in music class and moving and singing along to the ones you presented here. Each age group seems to have their favorite songs. Ed the Invisible Dragon ranks number one with the classes I am teaching.
Thank you for bringing some musical "sunshine" to us on such a cold and dreary March afternoon.
Enjoy the rest of your touring. We look forward to your next CD.

Heidi Culberson
Guidance Teacher / Music Teacher
Hartland Community School
375-3000/375-3022

- Elementary School Music Teacher


"School in New Brunswick 03/08"


Thank you so much for coming to two of my schools here in Oromocto, NB.
I've heard nothing but positive comments about your wonderful show.
Several teachers said your show was the best presentation they've ever seen for children.
They had such a great time talking about lego, and stinky socks, and grandmothers . . . and everything.

The kids are STILL excited. One boy (Grade 2) told me he set a trap for Invisible Ed in his bedroom.
He put all of his little green plastic army men on his floor and if they get knocked over, he knows Ed was in his bedroom visiting him.
Another girl told me Invisible Ed was in her bedroom, because her bedroom blind fell off the window frame, and
no was in her room, so - it had to be Ed.

I've had several other Ed Sightings at our school. Some students are even wearing Invisible glasses so they can spot him. It is so fun to watch them be kids. You really brought out the best in them.

Next time you come to NB I'd love to connect again.
I hope you have a great week,
Long live ED!

Take care,
Crystal Hanson

- Enthusiastic School Board Arts Consultant


"Music Resources that work"


For the past fifteen years I have had the privilege of working with Donna Rhodenizer - the educator, author, performer, composer, conductor and clinician. Her experience in these many areas adds a richness and depth to her publications.

As an elementary educator/administrator I make use of her materials in music as well as literacy. The song lyrics, inspired by and written for real children are accessible and highly successful in the music classroom. Her choral works contain haunting melodies and exquisite harmonies that students and parents alike adopt as their favourites.

The design of Donna’s resource materials in “Dinosaurs, Dragons, and Me and “The Computer Cat” provides directions to show teachers how to make meaningful connections among music, literacy, numeracy, social studies, science, visual arts and drama. As an adjunct professor for UNB I have found that Donna’s books demonstrate in a very practical way the powerful role that music can have in the general elementary classroom. Most recently I used Dinosaurs, Dragons, and Me with teachers in Trinidad. In a final reflection one of the teachers wrote,

"As a teacher prior to this block I lacked the confidence to teach music as a subject. I felt that music education belonged only to the music specialist teachers and was not my domain to interfere with. How wrong could I possibly be?.... Her text demonstrates how music should be integrated and teachers should not feel that music is only about lines, staves and notes. At least that is my interpretation. How she connects the music to the curriculum subjects allows us to demonstrate to the students that music has a connection and can be applied to our daily life situations."

Perhaps the best recommendation that can be given to a publication is a worn cover, well-fingered pages, and the need to buy a new one.

Sincerely,
Dr. Ruth Morrison

- Dr. Ruth Morrison (Professor of Music Education)


"School in Ontario 10/07"


OMG, you guys were the greatest! I loved your singing, your interactive nature, your dancing (Andy), your cat that ate the computer mouse (Donna). We were so lucky to have you in our school, all the kids came upstairs smiling!!!
Congratulations on a job well done. We will treasure the Christmas concert and your songs.

Kathy Perino
St. Paul School

- Elementary School Teacher


Discography

"Blue Skies and Pirates"
2009 ECMA nominated (Children's Recording of the Year)

"Dinosaurs, Dragons and Me"
Juno & ECMA award nominations

"Computer Cat"
Winner of East Coast Music Award, for Children's Recording of the Year.

"Its Christmas Time"
2007 ECMA nomination

"Fine Company"
Adult Contemporary Folk CD featuring Andy's solo voice.

Photos

Bio

Donna & Andy

The dynamic duo of Donna & Andy are always ready to entertain children and families. Their original infectious songs cause uncontrollable audience participation. You should try the Penguin line dance, experience the cat that ate the computer mouse and be amazed at Andy's chicken.

2007 Juno Nominees, Donna Rhodenizer and Andy Duinker have been performing professionally together since 1996. Andy's extensive vocal range and guitar, Donna's keyboard and vocals, and the addition of violin create a versatile and varied performance. Donna & Andy have performed for over 300,000 audience members in 1100 performances throughout Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

The songs on their 2009 ECMA nominated CD "Blue Skies and Pirates" are in a variety of musical styles and instrumental arrangements, creating an exciting listening experience. Donna & Andy are also joined by some of the finest studio musicians including Jamie Gatti, Greg Simm, Don Chapman, Chris Mitchell, Ross Billard, Rick Waychesko, Mike Farrington, Tim Keels, Ivor Rothwell, James Eager and more. The 12 songs on this CD are presented in two versions: full performance tracks, as well as instrumental tracks. The instrumental tracks are often used by elementary students who sing along for elementary school concerts and assemblies.
Children at home also like to sing along with the instrumental tracks when they can choose their favorite songs to sing for their admiring family and friends.

PARENTAL WARNING:
Once your kids fall in love with Donna & Andy's songs, you may never get to listen to any other CDs.

Donna & Andy's Juno nominated CD, "Dinosaurs, Dragons and Me" also received an ECMA nomination and a Music Nova Scotia Award. This CD can be used with the "Dinosaurs, Dragons and Me" songbook or Teacher’s Resource. This follows a long tradition of Donna & Andy developing music resources for elementary school music programs. Teachers throughout North America welcome this authentic music for children that enriches their music programs.

Donna & Andy’s recording “It’s Christmas Time” was nominated for a 2007 ECMA for Children’s Recording of the Year. Their "Computer Cat" CD garnered a 2004 ECMA Award for Children's Recording of the Year as well as receiving a 2003 Music Nova Scotia nomination. Donna Rhodenizer also received a Music Nova Scotia nomination for Educator of the Year in 2003, 2004 and 2006.

In addition to performing, composing and recording, Donna & Andy co-founded Red Castle Publishing to print and distribute their original music to schools and choirs across Canada and the U.S. They have published over 50 original songs in a series of four songbooks and 30 individual titles for choirs.

Most music products, including CDs and songbooks developed by Donna Rhodenizer, Andy Duinker and Red Castle Publishing, are approved by the Nova Scotia Department of Education as Approved Learning Resources. The Department of Education has endorsed the quality of Donna & Andy’s original music and resources by purchasing two of the song collections for every elementary school in Nova Scotia.

Within the past 13 years, Donna & Andy and Red Castle Publishing have distributed 16,000 copies of their CDs, 3,000 songbooks and over 15,000 copies of single sheet music of their original songs.

Donna & Andy are working on an instrumental album of Donna's original fiddle and violin works as well as the next children's album to be released in September 2009. Their second collection of original Christmas songs by Donna, entitled “Christmas Encore”, is slated for release in the fall of 2010.

Listen to Donna & Andy CDs at this link: http://cdbaby.com/all/donnaandandy