Kindermusik educators have the immeasurable joy of seeing amazing musical moments in nearly every Kindermusik class – a baby shaking a bell for the first time, a toddler belting out parts of the hello song, a preschooler who proudly contributes his movement idea in class, or the big kid who plays her first song on the glockenspiel. These moments are so special because they are the result of the beautiful process and incredible curriculum that is Kindermusik.

But we love highlighting musical moments outside of Kindermusik class, because that’s where the magic truly happens – in the routine of the days at home in between class, and as a child carries a love for music into adulthood.  Unlike many other activities and experiences, it’s MUSIC that stays with us, in our minds and hearts, for all our lives.

These five amazing, feel-good musical moments will remind you of the power of music… and have you reaching for a tissue too!

The Toddler Who was Moved by Beethoven

You don’t need a music degree to experience the emotional power of music. Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata has a way of getting into the mind and stirring up those emotional neurons…and maturity isn’t a requirement. Two-year-old Tyler Noftz wept as his older sister performed Ludwig’s masterpiece. Watch him become visibly moved by the music.

Music Unlocks the Mind

If you aren’t aware of the Music and Memory Project, check it out here. But before you do, check out how Henry, a man with Dementia, responds when he hears the music of his youth. As a bonus, you get to sea Dr. Oliver Sacks explain what’s happening.

Music Stops a Bullet

Col. Jack Leroy Tueller tells the tale of a German sniper, an American GI, and the heart-squeezing power of music. Take time and hear his story.

Music Provides a Purpose

Isabel Song, a senior at University of California, Berkley found her purpose – studying pediatric oncology – through a song.

It started with a song. “Ronan.” When Taylor released that heartbreaking song about a boy who died of cancer before he could even turn four, when she sang that song live for Stand Up to Cancer, I cried. Taylor cried. Everybody cried. After listening to the song a few times, I realized I couldn’t just let this go. I had to learn Ronan’s story.

I cried throughout the whole weekend reading the blog posts his mom wrote. It wasn’t just small, controlled tears. It was full on ugly crying, with a waterfall draining out of puffy, red eyes. As I learned his story, his family’s story, I kept looking at pictures of that beautiful little boy with the most gorgeous blue eyes I’ve ever seen. My heart broke tenfold.

– Isabel Song

Read the rest over at HuffPost.

Music Saves a Life

Barbara Dunn, a music and psychotherapist in Washington tells the story of bringing a woman back from the edge of life with song.

These are dramatic examples of the power of music, but we believe in the power of music because we see it every week in our Kindermusik classes – with every smile, every song, every hug, and every dance.