Singalong ushers in the new year

Published 3:00 pm Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Singalong ushers in the new year
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Singalong ushers in the new year
Nancy Stewart strums a number for her young audience. MARK KLAAS, Kent Reporter
Tara Jaeger and her 3-year-old daughter, Fiona, swing to the music. MARK KLAAS, Kent Reporter

Nancy Stewart, a Seattle-based children’s singer-songwriter, performed for families during her Welcome to Happy Noon Year Singing Celebration at the Kent Library last Saturday.

Stewart engaged the audience in singalongs and storytelling throughout the free, one-hour program. Her program is designed to educate parents, teachers, librarians, grandparents and other caregivers about the unique role singing plays in early literacy.

Stewart, a professional musician since she was 15, toured nationally with a band doing lead guitar and vocals for 10 years. She left the nightclub days behind to sing with her own children, then began performing for others.

“Along the way I became passionate about the connection between early literacy and music, and began presenting workshops for teachers and librarians nationally and internationally, where I’ve developed a reputation for creating songs and materials that are simple and easy to use,” Stewart explained.

To learn more, visit SingWithOurKids.com. For program information at the library, visit kcls.org.