WKU String Academy gives children a chance to experience music

BOWLING GREEN, KY.- The WKU String Academy gives children of all ages the chance to experience the joy of music and the connection that’s made among family, no matter what instrument is played.

“What we’ve done is create this community where kids have a voice through playing an instrument,” Dr. Ching-Yi Lin said. “I have learned that this is more important than ever as people are so engaged with their devices, with social media.”

Introducing music to kids at an early age not only helps them now, but it can also assist in their success in other day-to-day tasks.

“Early exposure helps children to learn better when they know how to keep a steady beat,” Catherine Wilson, Associate professor of music education, said. “That also helps them to be able to speak and read and do all of those things with a lot more fluidity.

“I also hear a lot of progress in terms of language development and in social skills. Some of them have learned how to hand instruments back and some of those things take a while. It’s really, really cute. But we also have something really important, and it’s called neuroplasticity.”

By exposing the students to music earlier, dr. Ching and dr. Catherine are strengthening natural gifts.

“if it were up to me, every single child in this world would play the violin, and although there are natural abilities for people who are more interested in music, every child is capable of so much.”

If you are interested getting your kid involved visit the WKU Academy Strings website.