Today we’d like to introduce you to Harry Wilkinson.
Hi Harry, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started as a child actor in New York. My family lived in a suburb of NYC in Westchester, NY and that’s where I took lessons in music, dance, and acting in order to train for auditions. I did commercials, movies, musical theater, and television. As I got older I went to college at UCLA, and was focused on a career in the arts. But a job I took in-between gigs to make ends meet changed my life.
I started my teaching career as a teacher’s assistant at a NY preschool working with four-year-olds in what we would now call a Pre K class. I found I related well to them and them to me, and as I continued I began to use my skills in music, movement, and drama to develop activities to make learning fun for them. Eventually I developed these into a curriculum for preschool educators to use. It was called “The Playhouse Program: Creative Learning Through Music, Movement and Dramatic Play”, and it got published in the 90s. I brought the program to schools and daycare centers throughout Westchester and promoted the book through teacher workshops at universities like SUNY Purchase.
Shortly afterwards, I moved to the Northern Virginia area, where I continued teaching and performing in preschools and day camps, and branched out into teaching private piano and voice lessons. I created Wilkinson Educational Studios, an online platform for lessons in piano and voice as well as programs for early childhood which I currently manage. I also teach at Montessori schools and am currently working on a new book for early childhood educators, “A Playful Noise”, which is a performing arts-integration curriculum.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It was definitely not a smooth road. Financial struggles plagued me, and contracts with certain schools proved difficult.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an ECE specialist in arts integration and the author of “The Playhouse Program: Creative Learning through Movement and Dramatic Play” published by Front Row Experience. I also teach private lessons in piano and voice.
Outside of education, I am an actor, screenwriter, and filmmaker.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I’ve been on many an audition in the Baltimore area and was part of the movie “The Replacements,” which was shot at Camden Yards. I have not taught in Baltimore at all, although online lessons through my website www.wilkinsoneducationalstudios.com are available. Your city has lots of charm and a great history, including some very beautiful old movie theaters from times gone by. I am not fond of Baltimore traffic, and the high crime rate makes me a bit nervous, although I have never been a victim of any crimes there.
Pricing:
- Online private lessons in voice or piano are $160 per month for 4 half hour lessons, $240 for 45 minute lessons, and $320 for hour lessons
- Online group music and movement classes for early childhood are 8 week courses and tuition is $160 per student
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wilkinsoneducationalstudios.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsoneducational
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wilkinsoneducationalstudio9322
