Ginger Colla,
Director of Rainbow Arts Kindermusik at Trinity United Presbyterian Church, and
her associate, Debra One, are licensed Kindermusik Educators. They are dedicated
professionals, who desire to share the magic of music, movement and literature
with families in the greater Modesto area. In addition they both teach music for
charter schools in the region.
Ginger’s
Bio
Greetings!
My name is Ginger Colla (alias, Peterpana).
I am a veteran
music teacher having taught music from preschool through university levels for
more than 40 years. I taught some
13 years at California State University, Stanislaus in Turlock, CA, where I was
Director of Choral Studies and a professor in the Music Education area. I
retired from academia in 1999 and began my "rechargement" period, a
time in which my Peterpana persona could venture into “Ever Ever Land” every
day and have an adventure of her own choosing. One of those adventures has been
teaching Kindermusik. I love the holistic quality of the curriculum. and believe
this program to be the finest curricula of its kind in the country. I love
sharing the magic of music, movement and story times with Kindermusik children
and parents, and I particularly enjoy using those great Folkmanis puppets with
this curriculum. Peterpana’s
other adventures have included writing children's stories and songs
designed to enhance the Kindermusik curricula. I am also vitally interested in
developing curricular materials that encourage the natural talent of children.
My research and teaching experience have led me to create a system I call
Rainbow Solfege. It is a logical and functional color system that compliments
the age-old aural “Do, Re, Mi” system. An article, Rainbow Solfege, a Color-phonic
Approach, was published in the October 2001 edition of Teaching
Music, a periodical of the Music Educators National Conference.
Occasionally
I am asked to give early childhood music workshops, voice seminars, adjudicate
choral/vocal festivals or conduct area honor choirs. I am currently involved in
a curriculum project for a specialization certification in music for the Child
Development Division at Modesto Junior College. In addition I maintain a private
voice studio.
I
have always been active in professional organizations: Music Educators National
Conference, California Music Educators Association and the American Choral
Directors Association. I served as President of the ACDA Western Division and on
various committees of MENC and CMEA throughout my career. My current interests
have lead me into becoming active in early childhood organizations like the
Partnership of Kindermusik Educators Association and the Early Childhood Music
& Movement Association.
I
am married to Richard Colla, a fine bass baritone and Minister of Music and
Worship at Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Modesto, CA. In addition to
administering the Kindermusik at Trinity program, I play in the Trinity handbell
ensemble, Echoes of Joy, sing in the Koinonia Chancel Choir and sing with and
coach the women's ensemble, One Voice. Rich and I both love music, of course,
but we balance all of our musical activities by playing golf, going on biking
trips and keeping house for 3 very spoiled cats!
Debbie’s
Bio
Debra
One is a licensed Kindermusik educator teaching music and movement classes at
the Rainbow Arts Kindermusik Studio in Modesto, California.
Sincerely believing in the value of early childhood music education,
Debra provides the best musical learning experience possible to young children
through the nationally known Kindermusik program to help children and their
families develop a lifelong love of music.
Debra
has spent over 20 years as a music educator and performer. She is a graduate of Illinois State University with a
Bachelors degree in Music Education specializing in General Music and Choral
Music. She has also continued her
music education through workshops such as the Silver Burdett Music Company,
Kodaly, and additional classes in early childhood music.
Debra has taught vocal, general music and choral music from preschool to
high school in a variety of public schools, churches, and home school groups.
She also taught at the Eastman School of Music Community Education
Division for pre-school music and voice lessons in her own private studio.
In addition to teaching Kindermusik, Debra is currently teaching two
general music classes and a Jr. High Choir for the Hart-Ransom Academic Charter
School in Modesto.
Debra resides in Modesto with her husband Darryl One, a professional orchestra conductor and her two wonderful daughters. Debra enjoys making music with her husband in symphony fund-raisers and public and private concerts. Enjoying an active lifestyle, she enjoys swimming, walking, biking, and aerobics. She has home schooled both daughters through junior high and is an active participant in her local church.