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Meet Your Neighbor: Meet The Neighbor – Melanie Ron Agatstein
By Callie Thomas
The Agatstein family is making beautiful music together. At least, as long as Melanie Ron Agatstein has anything to say about it. The 89135 resident grew up performing at her parents’ dance studio in Queens, New York, where she danced at an early age and also taught and choreographed for the Dance Theatre of Queens. She went on to share her singing, dancing and acting talents on New York stages, so it came as no surprise that she would encourage her own daughter, Noa, to do the same. After Noa was born, Melanie and her husband Seth moved from Manhattan to Long Island, where she discovered a class that would allow her to share her love of music and bond with her baby girl. The program, Music Together®, was more than a music class; it was an invaluable parenting tool that would not only affect Melanie but become a catalyst for change in her life and the lives of other parents and children here in Las Vegas.
For hundreds of thousands of families worldwide, Music Together is a magical music and movement experience for children newborn through five and the grownups who love them. Rather than emphasizing traditional performance, the program encourages families to experience the joy of sharing songs, rhymes, movement and playing instruments, both in formal classes and their daily lives. After falling in love with the program, Melanie trained to become a teacher and spent four years in New York sharing her knowledge and expertise with families and children. After moving to Las Vegas seven years ago, she offered classes at Temple Beth Sholom. Little did she know that Music Together would also help parents of a Down Syndrome child, beginning a commitment to providing outreach classes in the community. Melanie shares her passion for Music Together, for helping other families and why relaxing isn’t part of her vocabulary.
You began City Lights Music Together right after you moved to Vegas.
“Yes, after my whole entourage moved here – my parents, my sister and her family, my grandmother and my own family – I began with just two classes at Temple Beth Sholom in Summerlin and now run thirteen there and have three additional locations in the Northwest, Southwest and Henderson. I completed my level two certification at Music Together in Princeton and have now had the opportunity to train new teachers all over the world.”
We understand that Music Together has also had a profound effect on special needs children as well?
“We began offering outreach classes for the Henderson Libraries District and I focused on the Down Syndrome Organization of Southern Nevada (DSOSN). About two years ago, Lauren and David Fydman registered their twins Ari and Noah for a session. Lauren called me and shared the most wonderful musical stories about Noah, who has Down Syndrome. She said that Noah started copying gestures because of the class, which he had not done before. After seeing how beneficial the classes were to Noah’s development they wanted other families at the DSOSN to have the same opportunity.”
You began a fundraiser to continue to provide the DSOSN with weekly classes?
“My family, teachers and their families, as well as my students, have shared their support in making this event possible through their time, energy, donations and passion for the program. Temple Beth Sholom has generously donated the space to run this event, which has meant so much. We are also planning an interactive singing and dancing Music Together Marathon to benefit DSOSN on November 12th. For information, visit www.citylightsmusictogether.com.”
What are your proudest accomplishments?
“My now eleven year old daughter’s passion for working with children of all ages. Her kind heart and patience never ceases to amaze me. She is a rock star at the DSOSN.”
With your busy schedule, do you ever get to unwind?
“Me unwind? After a long day, unwinding for me is sharing my family’s challenges and surprises, which are the most rewarding moments of my day.”
