Academic Scholar Shalni Kumar and Father’s Day Wishes! Madeline’s Monthly Article & Musical Tips Blog for June 2015

We are dedicating this Father’s Day blog to Fathers who are their children’s first role models and teachers; putting their children first. These fathers are engineers, scientists, medical doctors, mathematicians, teachers, artists, writers, accountants, and musicians. These eminent individuals have integrated music into their thinking process. Music is a powerful tool for motivating, inspiring, educating and soothing pain.

June is graduation month for high schools around the United States. Our blog/article and Radio Show features our “Top High School Graduate Award winner for June 2015Shalni Kumar. Also included are four articles on the benefits of studying a musical instrument to improve educational performance, and how listening and dancing to Classical music improves memory and enhances learning. Our June article of the month is “Leadership Lessons from Andrew Carnegie and Glenn Holland” by Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM. 

Radio Show feature question for June 2015: Shalni Kumar, how does Classical music play a part of your life as our Radio Show’s “Top High School Graduate of 2015” and what musical instrument do you play?”

https://www.madelinefrankviola.com/one-minute-radio-show-2015/

 

Shalni Kumar our Radio Show’s “Top High School Graduate Award winner for 2015” is a top scholar, athlete, and musician.  Shalni has earned a grade point average 4.686 through middle school and high school. On June 13, 2015, Shalni Kumar will be graduating with “Highest Honors” and the Community Service Seal at Poquoson High School in Poquoson, Virginia.

Shalni Kumar was born on October 24, 1997 to Renjith R. Kumar and Jayashree Moorthy in Newport News, Virginia. She grew up in Poquoson, Virginia. Shalni’s parents are Aerospace and Systems engineers and her older brother is a Civil engineer.

Shalni began studying the violin at six years of age and came to study with Dr. Madeline Frank when she was seven years old. For twelve years, she has played solo, chamber music, and orchestra concerts with Dr. Frank’s class. Shalni says, “My Mother sings and my Dad’s side of the family also has strong musical inclinations.”

Dr. Frank: “Who is your favorite composer and what is your favorite piece?”

Shalni: “My favorite piece is actually what I am currently learning, Czardas, by Vittorio Monti. It is such an exciting and incredibly unique piece. Monti has however; composed very little other than this piece so overall my favorite composer is probably Mozart.”

Dr. Frank: “When did you become interested in mathematics? What grade were you in and how old were you?”

Shalni: “I was interested in math at a very young age (as early as 2nd grade). I was probably around 7 at the time. My dad used to teach me math at home so that I would be fully prepared for school.”

Dr. Frank: “When did you become interested in science and what grade were you in?”   

 Shalni: “I became interested in science a little later, closer to 6th or 7th grade. I loved my first biology class, which was taught by a great teacher.”

Dr. Frank: “Did your Mom or Dad inspire you in math and science?”

Shalni: “Absolutely! At home they would tell me cool new inventions or discoveries in the world of science and still do to this day.”

Dr. Frank: “What academic honors did you receive in middle school, and high school?”

Shalni:  “During middle school and especially high school, I began competing in math competitions. I made it to the state level in 8th grade and placed fairly high in high school level competitions. The past few years I have also joined Scholastic Bowl and Science Bowl teams, both of which placed at the state-level. I have won a few awards at regional science fairs and recently I have been awarded the National Merit Scholarship, as well as, recognition as a National AP Scholar.”

Dr. Frank: “What were your favorite subjects in elementary, middle school and high school and who were your favorite teachers?”

Shalni: “My favorite subjects have consistently been math and science, especially once I got to Algebra and Biology. Mrs. Hildebrand, our math teacher in elementary school, was one of the best I’ve had. Mr. Bresnan, the 7th grade biology teacher, was also very good.”

I was lucky to have many fantastic teachers growing up. In 9th and 10th grade I had a wonderful Calculus teacher, Mrs. Brooks. Last year Mrs. Clarke made me love chemistry and this year one of my favorite teachers of all time, Dr. Patterson, has taught me to love biology.”

Dr. Frank: “In middle school and high school did you tutor other students?”

 Shalni: “Yes! I love tutoring and hope to continue tutoring in college. I mostly tutor students in math; however, I have also taught physics, biology, chemistry, and English.”

Dr. Frank: “What academic clubs were you a member of in high school?”

Shalni:“I was a member of the Science, Spanish, and National Honor Societies, as well as President of the Math Honor Society. I was also a member of the Leo Club and Vice- President of Model UN.”

Dr. Frank: “What sports have you played in middle school and high school and in what position?”

Shalni: “I have been playing tennis since I was very young. In high school I joined the varsity team and am currently the team captain.”

Dr. Frank: “Shalni, during the summer of 2014 where was your summer internship and during the summers of 2011, 2012, 2013 where were you working?”

Shalni: “During the summer 2014, I had a wonderful opportunity to intern through the at Stanford Institute of Medical Research. It was an incredible experience! I was exposed to actual medical research led by researchers at Stanford and met many other passionate students from across the country.”

“My summers after 9th and 10th grade I interned under Dr. Filipino at Old Dominion University in the Oceanography department. She was a wonderful mentor. The year before I went to Johns Hopkins for a CTY(Center for Talented Youth) summer program.”

Dr. Frank: “Shalni where will you be to attending college and what would you like to major in?”

Shalni: “I will be attending Princeton University in the fall to major in Chemical and Biological Engineering as well as Pre-Med studies.”

Dr. Frank: “How has studying the violin helped you in school?”

Shalni: “Violin has taught me the importance of discipline, practice, and time management, all of which are crucial to success in school. In addition, violin provides a non-academic outlet for me to express myself.”

Dr. Frank: “Shalni Kumar we are honored to have you as our Radio Shows “Top High School Graduate Award winner for 2015. Thank you for sharing your work.”

 

“Leadership Lessons from Andrew Carnegie and Glenn Holland” by Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM

How do you develop people in your company? How do you help your students to want to learn?

A reporter asked the great American industrialist, Andrew Carnegie “how he managed to hire 43 millionaires?” Mr. Carnegie responded “ that none of them were millionaires when I hired them.” When asked how he developed them he said, “You develop millionaires the way you mine gold.  You expect to move tons of dirt to find an ounce of gold, but you don’t go into the mine looking for the dirt—you go in looking for the gold.”

Andrew Carnegie knew how to select his winning team. Zig Ziglar says you need to, “Be a good finder” and Mr. Carnegie was a “good finder”.

Mr. Carnegie wrote in his Autobiography “The development of my material success in life can not be attributed to what I have known or done myself, but to the faculty of knowing and choosing others who know better than myself.”

What are the 3 ways Andrew Carnegie hired his team members?

1) He chose experts in the steel business.

2) He embraced diversity for his team members selecting people on their skills, personalities, business experience, and believed if you had the expertise he was looking for that your age or gender didn’t matter. Mr. Carnegie wanted the best members for his team.

3) Mr. Carnegie was willing to “learn and listen” to the people he was leading.

Andrew Carnegie said, “I did not understand steam machinery, but I tried to understand that much more complicated piece of mechanism- man.” He also said, “As I grow older I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.”

Throughout his life he was “an avid reader”. As a young bookkeeper, he was invited on Saturdays to go to private libraries of well-off citizens to read and learn from their collections. Once he had achieved success, he gave back by assisting in the building of “three thousand libraries” for young people to have appropriate books to read.

Carnegie-Mellon University was built by Andrew Carnegie, as was Carnegie Hall in New York City, the most famous concert hall in the United States. He also donated over $350 million dollars to his public foundations, and awarded grants annually “to benefit the public”. His foundations continue to give to worthy recipients each year. In 1999, his Carnegie Corporation of New York was valued at over $1.55 billion even after grants had been given of “millions of dollars” continually.

In the movie “Mr. Holland’s Opus”, Richard Dreyfuss plays Glenn Holland, a musician and composer who takes’ a job as a high school orchestra teacher to support his family. His dream was to write a great symphony. Over the course of 30 years, Mr. Holland evolves into a caring, compassionate teacher who inspires, motivates, and encourages his students to “love learning”. He worked diligently with them and was willing to go the extra mile to make a difference. Mr. Holland was determined to educate his students and have them grow into fine young men and women who would be able to study, work hard, and think clearly to reach their goals for their futures.

In his 30th year of teaching at the high school, the music program is being phased out, and Mr. Holland will no longer have a job. As he’s getting ready to leave the school for the last time, he hears sounds coming from the auditorium. When he goes into the auditorium he sees his former students on stage with their instruments getting ready to play the music on their stands. Sitting in the filled auditorium are his wife, son, fellow teachers, and more former students he has helped to educate over the years. He is asked to take the baton and conduct his symphony for the concert.

Mr. Holland’s “true symphonic masterpieces” were all his former students that he shaped and groomed over the years to be fine young men and women who would go on to reach their goals and help others reach them, just as Mr. Holland taught them to do!

What 3 things did Mr. Holland teach his students that benefited them through their life’s journey?

1) He taught his students the joy of learning by making it fun and exciting to learn. He showed them with a positive attitude how to focus and concentrate on the work and how to enjoy working with others. He taught them using “the Learning by Example” approach.

2) He taught his students by encouraging, motivating, and inspiring them to do their best work. He was always kind, patient, and compassionate with each student and they knew he cared about them and believed in them. He removed roadblocks from their path and made each of his students believe in themselves. He was always willing to spend the extra time explaining a difficult concept until the student understood the material, giving them self-esteem and self worth.

3) He taught his students to never give up and how to work step-by-step to do their very best work and to be able to think clearly and concisely.

So what three things should you do to develop your winning team at your company or school like Andrew Carnegie and Glenn Holland?

1) Throughout his life Andrew Carnegie was “an avid reader”. Never stop learning and always continue to develop your mind by studying and reading to gain new knowledge every day.

2) Glenn Holland showed compassion and dedication to helping his students understand the material by explaining it step- by-step in a clear and concise manner. Jackie Robinson said: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”

3) Andrew Carnegie developed his team members by mining the gold in each of them. Glenn Holland like Andrew Carnegie developed his students by mining the gold in each of them.

Benjamin Franklin asked himself each morning “What good shall I do today?” And before he went to sleep at night he would ask himself “What good have I done today?”

You should ask yourself these two questions each morning and evening. In leading your team at work or teaching your students, be willing to help them reach for the gold inside of them. © 2015 Madeline Frank

To contact Madeline for your next speaking engagement: [email protected]

“Big Noise Orchestras Praised By Researchers” (May 19, 2015) by Kay Wright from Classical Music Magazine. In Scotland, students from disadvantaged backgrounds have been studying musical instruments in Sistema Scotland’s program for six years, attending classes regularly, and improving in their schoolwork. Studying instrumental music is teaching these students concentration, discipline, and cooperation.

http://www.classicalmusicmagazine.org/2015/05/big-noise-orchestras-praised-by-researchers/

“Classical Music Can Give You More Health Benefits Than You Think’’ (March 27, 2015) from thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Health.  “A new study reveals that listening to classical music enhances mood, sharpens memory and enhances learning. Listening to classical music kicks your genes into action, spurring the onset of several physiological processes in the body that can boost your mood and enhance your memory, according to Finnish researchers.”

http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Health/2015/03/27/Classical-music-can-give-you-more-health-benefits-than-you-think/ 

“Listen to Classical Music to Improve Brain Functions: Study” (March 29, 2015) from dnaindia.com/health/report.

“A new study at the University of Helsinki has revealed that listening to classical music modulates genes that are responsible for brain functions.”

http://www.dnaindia.com/health/report-listen-to-classical-music-to-improve-brain-functions-study-2072831

“Dancing the Tango Could Help Fight Effects of Parkinson’s” (April 20, 2015) from themalaysianinsiders.com.

“The famous Argentine dance could improve balance and functional mobility in those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, according to a recent Canadian study.”

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/features/article/dancing-the-tango-could-help-fight-effects-of-parkinsons

For scientific evidence, medical evidence, test results, and true stories of the world’s scientists, medical doctors, and mathematicians who have studied and played musical instruments since they were children read “The Secret of Teaching Science & Math Through Music” by Madeline Frank, Ph.D. is now available in book form, and newly updated as an e-book on Kindle, Nook, or iBook:

iTunes

https://www.madelinefrankviola.com/the-secret-of-teaching-science-and-math-through-music/

 

“Musical Notes On Math” by Dr. Madeline Frank teaches your child fractions and decimals, the fun way, through the rhythm of music, Winner of the Parent To Parent Adding Wisdom Award is now available in book form, newly updated as an e-book on Kindle, Nook, or iBook.

iTunes

Tips on how to use “Musical Notes On Math”

https://www.madelinefrankviola.com/musical-notes-on-math/

 

Madeline’s Midnight Melodies- Music From around the World” . This CD complements her books with a blend of dance music, gigues, tangos, ballet and favorites including “Danny Boy”, Puccini’s “O Mio Babbino Caro”, Debussy’s “Claire De Lune” and others. “Madeline’s Midnight Melodies” is music to relax by and to move by for music therapy. ”Madeline’s Midnight Melodies” CD is now available for purchase by downloading a song, downloading the album, or by CD by clicking below:

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mfrankviola

Dr. Madeline Frank’s book “Leadership on a Shoestring Budget” is now available through amazon.com. Click on the following Amazon.com link to order your copy of “Leadership On A Shoestring Budget” is available as an e-book on Kindle or in book form.

Click on the following link:

http://goo.gl/lrJTx

Wishing you and your family a happy Father’s Day! Your Non-Invasive Medicine Music Expert, Madeline

For over 25 years, Dr. Madeline Frank has helped children and adults overcome problems through music. Dr. Frank, a strings teacher, college professor, researcher, speaker and concert artist has found a scientific link between studying and/or listening to musical instruments and academic and societal success. Madeline Frank earned her Bachelor and Master’s degree from the Juilliard School of Music. Her education has included scholarships at the Juilliard School, Indiana University, and the University of Cincinnati and she has a violin performance diploma from the North Carolina School of the Arts. (C) 2015 Madeline Frank