Malinda Williams, an elementary teacher from Los Angeles, believes in the power of music. She was frustrated over the lack of funding for her schools arts programs and incensed by the terrible music many of her students were listening to. So she decided to take matters into her own hands.
The chance came along when her third, fourth, and fifth graders determined to put on a musical event. And Williams seized the chance to introduce these kids to classic Motown artists such as Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Four Tops, and The Jackson 5.
The musical, called “The Sounds of Motown,” features plenty of singing, period costumes, and of course, vintage Motown choreography. This play gets Funky. The children were all smiles as they took the stage at Baldwin Hills Elementary School dressed in bell-bottoms, sequins, and polyester. It is a hysterical sight.
These motown-student-funk-masters nailed the performance – singing and dancing to classics liken“I Want You Back”, that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Williams and her students wrapped up the entire performance with an unforgettable rendition of “Dancing in the Street.” Williams describes her efforts as a labor of love and says she is blessed to be able to teach children about music and dance. There is no word yet on if Williams is planning any future musical revues with her students, but other music teachers out there might take a few notes from Ms. William’s example. Who says children can’t throw down funky shows?