Friday 21 December 2018

Christmas Magic!

Absolutely wonderful Christmas Storytime with the families at Mitcham Library in the library's Art Space last weekend! I had so much fun introducing the children to my festive audiobook 'Christmas Magic'! They enjoyed the story and loved my handmade snowflakes, which I made for the drama part. I was going to take a photo of them on the floor at the end but the children took them home with them! 🤣

As some of you know, I have begun production on our new Easter story! I am planning an Easter Library Tour next year which I'm so excited about! Information on this tour coming soon but first...


Get your fun, musical Christmas audiobook featuring a brilliant Christmas song and the whole cast of Music Audio Stories here: musicaudiostories.com/christmas-magic
I love this story! It was so much fun bringing the actors and musicians back from previous stories to make cameos in this one! It's made with love so enjoy it!

And now time for me to kick back, put my feet up and relax...

Merry Christmas everyone!

Ho Ho Ho!

Anna-Christina

Saturday 1 December 2018

Coming Up This Month!

I am delighted to report my 'Storytime with Anna-Christina' package was a massive hit at the Baby & Children's Market! Every year, the Music Audio Stories stall is buzzing but this year we totally smashed it with the introduction of this package! I am over the moon! If you haven't already, check it out here Storytime with Anna-Christina Package and make sure you grab your package quickly because I can tell you now, they are selling like hot potatoes!

As I promised, I have written several Blog posts with photos about my last few Storytime events which you can see here Music Audio Stories Blog Posts. I have two more events coming up! Here are the details...



I'm super excited to announce the Polka Children's Theatre is presenting Storytime with Anna-Christina Christmas Magic!

My Storytime is a workshop which combines listening, drawing, singing, dancing, and drama. Children will take part in my interactive music audio story 'Christmas Magic', learn a fun accompanying Christmas song and create their own drawings which will be published in a gallery on my website making them part of my creative world! Plus participants at this workshop will be given vouchers to see Polka’s production of The Wind in the Willows!

My last Storytime in 2018!


Join Storytime with Anna-Christina at:


MITCHAM LIBRARY

Saturday 15th December
11:00 - 12:00
157 London Road
Mitcham
CR4 2YR
Tube: Colliers Wood / Station: Mitcham Eastfields
To sign up to this workshop call 020 8274 5745.

My last Rock Gig in 2018!


Catch me live on The Big Bad Bass in Sister Witch at:


THE UNICORN

Thursday 13th December
227 Camden Road,
London
NW1 9AA
Doors 7-11pm
Free Entry

In between these two great events, I'll be producing my first Easter audiobook which I've just finished writing and composing! I'm planning an Easter Library Tour next year! It's going to be amazing! So I'll be in and out of the studio over the next few weeks either rehearsing or producing!

I'm trying to make time to enjoy nature and take time to stop, breathe in fresh air and do nothing! It's just as important as reaching all the goals we set ourselves. Sometimes I need to be reminded of this!

Also getting into the festive spirit too with lots of tasty hot chocolates! I can't believe we're in December already!

Hope to see you at one of my events!

Anna-Christina 

Thursday 8 November 2018

Big Time Buzz!

What an AMAZING two weeks of Storytimes I've had! I'm so proud I managed to do 8 successful Storytimes, pretty much back to back! :-)

Anna-Christina from Music Audio Stories at Swiss Cottage Library doing Storytime with Anna-Christina

It was such a pleasure to visit so many new libraries and meet all of the wonderful families and children I have met! Thank you to all of the families who attended. It has truly been a magical two weeks for me! I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to make so many children happy through my Music Audio Stories! I'll be writing Blog posts about my sessions so keep a lookout for them on our website!

Next up...

I'm super excited to be back at the Baby & Children's Market UK again this year! Music Audio Stories don't often do markets, so this is the one time when you can get your hands on our special offers! Plus I'm extra excited because for the first time ever, we will have our 'Storytime with Anna-Christina' package available to purchase!

The Baby & Children's Market UK are markets where parents buy, sell and save a fortune on baby and children's items and where new businesses and their products are introduced to the community. Here are all the details...

Sunday 11th November

10.30 - 13.30
Salusbury Primary School 
Address: Salusbury Primary School
Salusbury Road
London
NW6 6RG
Tube: Queen's Park
Parking: Free parking around the park, on single yellow lines and on all pay and display bays.
Adult entry £1.50 first hour | £1 after | Kids go free

I'm so excited! I've been  busy organising amazing gift sets for this market this week!

Come and say hello!

Anna-Christina 


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Saturday 6 October 2018

Storytime with Anna-Christina Package!

I'm thrilled to announce the launch of my first 'Storytime with Anna-Christina' Package! Woohoo!!! My Storytime sessions have been a huge success at schools, nurseries and libraries all over London! Parents have been asking me if they could buy a package from me. Are you looking for an activity that will encourage your child to listen, sing, dance and draw? This package is for you!

Anna-Christina's Storytime with Anna-Christina Package

My new package comes with a CD of my popular audiobook 'Billy Joins the Circus' and a beautifully illustrated booklet!

What you will find in my new Package:

  1. An introduction page
  2. The audiobook 'Billy Joins the Circus' CD (4m46s)
  3. A Question Tree sheet
  4. A Colouring-in template

How to use my Storytime package:

  1. Enjoy listening to the audiobook together with your child.
  2. Encourage your child to answer the questions on the Question Tree.
  3. Listen to the story again and see that all the questions are answered correctly.
  4. Have fun colouring in the template.
  5. Play the audiobook again, this time singing and dancing along with the story. Your child will love doing all the moves in Billy's song!
  6. Finally submit the finished template to my 'Kids Corner' and you and your child will have the joy of seeing the drawing on my website! Make sure your child's first name, age and date are written on the front of the drawing, then post it directly to one of my social media platforms.

How your child will benefit from this audiobook

 

Billy Joins the Circus is a wonderfully happy audiobook with a strong message that dreams really do come true! The catchy song with instructions on movements, such as clapping your hands, touching your toes, spinning around and jumping up and down is repeated three times enabling children to learn the song and the moves as they listen.

Why buy this unique Storytime Package

 

This package will provide endless hours of fun and entertainment and is great enjoyment for everyone! Use this package on rainy afternoons, during the holidays or simply on the weekend when you want to encourage your child to be creative. My audiobooks compliment Key Stage 1 and areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage which makes them a brilliant tool for teachers and homeschoolers!

I am offering my package to UK customers with free postage and packaging!

BUY IT NOW
and get started, you will love it!

Made with love from me to you,

Anna-Christina


View products and audiobooks » Visit our Shop

Tuesday 18 September 2018

My Forthcoming Events

This month was meant to be quiet before the rush of the next few months which are jammed packed full of events! However, so far, its been pretty much non stop action since the first of September!

Anna-Christina from Music Audio Stories at Swiss Cottage Library doing Storytime with Anna-Christina
I don't remember a time when I've had so many Music Audio Story events booked in the same month! There's a lot of organising, promoting and administration work and my time has been taken up mostly doing this! I did manage to squeeze in a fantastic gig (playing Bass in my friend's band) at the beginning of this month and studio time to work on a new audiobook which is coming along nicely!

My visits to London Libraries are becoming very popular and lots of libraries have invited me to do my unique Storytime for their communities, plus I have also been invited to take part in some great Workshops which I'm super excited about! If you have children, nieces, nephews or grandchildren, come and join me! Here's a list of libraries, dates and times you can catch my Storytime at...

October Half Term Story Times - Kensington & Chelsea

 

NORTH KENSINGTON LIBRARY

Date: Monday 22nd October
Time: 11:00 - 11:45

CHELSEA LIBRARY

Date: Tuesday 23rd October
Time: 11:00 - 11:45


BROMPTON LIBRARY

Date: Friday 26th October
Time: 11:00 - 11:45

Halloween Inspired Storytimes - North London

 

CAMDEN TOWN LIBRARY

Date: Monday 29th October
Time: 14:30 - 15:15

KENTISH TOWN LIBRARY

Date: Tuesday 30th October
Time: 11:00 - 11:45

SWISS COTTAGE LIBRARY

Date: Wednesday 31st October
Time: 11:30 - 12:15

Workshop Storytimes - South London

 

COLLIERS WOOD LIBRARY

Date: Thursday 25th October
Time: 11:00 - 12:00

MORDEN LIBRARY

Date: Thursday 25th October
Time: 15:00 - 16:00


Christmas Workshop Storytime

 

LIBRARY TBA

Date: Saturday 15th December
Time: 11:00 - 12:00


Wow... I can hardly believe I'm doing all these dates myself lol!

I hope to see some of you there...

Anna-Christina 


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Follow me on Twitter @StorytimewithAC

Tuesday 28 August 2018

My Musical Magical Storytime

'Storytime with Anna-Christina' taking London Libraries by storm!


I have taken part in many community events such as Family Fundraisers and the Baby & Children's Market UK several times but one of the most fun things I do, is Storytime at London Libraries!

Anna-Christina from Music Audio Stories at Victoria Library doing Storytime with Anna-Christina

I often dedicate my time during holidays to organize sessions for children and families at various libraries. It's so lovely to do Storytime with parents involved as I also love to see how they react to my audiobooks! I'm pleased to see they are as popular with parents as they are with children, and this makes me feel very happy indeed! 😊

I like doing three library dates back to back in the same area, as this makes it a lot easier to organize and promote. Plus if families miss one date, they have the option to catch me on another day!

Demand for my Storytime is growing which makes me feel extremely proud. I'm not able to do library visits every week or even every month. However, I am trying my best to do more visits throughout the holidays and branch out to cover more areas in London. This month I visited three libraries in the Westminster area for the first time and it was brilliant!

Music Audio Stories at the Barbican Children's Library for Storytime with Anna-Christina
My first Storytime was at the Barbican Children's Library. The library is inside The Barbican Centre which is a performing arts centre in the Barbican Estate of the City of London and the largest of its kind in Europe. This made me feel like I was taking a massive step up in the storytelling world!

I turned up at the library early and already, it was buzzing! Everyone at the library was so lovely, friendly and helpful and Storytime was absolutely brilliant!


My second Storytime was at Victoria Children's Library. They had kindly put up my poster around the library and on their front desk which was great for promoting the event. In fact, I was amazed to find out, that all the flyers I had distributed at the libraries a month before my sessions, had gone!

This is great, because it means, word is spreading and people are picking up flyers and then visiting our website. I noticed we have had more subscribers this month which is awesome! Plus parents have begun to sign up for my Storytime on Eventbrite so I feel like it's all happening! 🎉

My final visit for the week was at Shoe Lane Library on Thursday 16th August. That morning, it was raining very heavy and I was slightly concerned about attendance! Sometimes rainy days can draw more people into libraries but it can also put people off, so it's difficult to know how many families will turn up!

I was early and spent some time chatting to the staff. Again, they were very kind and helpful and I enjoyed hearing about their Reading Challenge and library life.

Slowly but surely, families began to arrive, in spite of the horrible weather! In the end, there was such a lovely group of children and parents who enjoyed all of my circus related activities.

Some of the children wanted to take their drawings home but I did manage to collect a few drawings of 'Big Tops' which you can see in the Kids Corner.

Anna-Christina from Music Audio Stories at London Libraries doing Storytime with Anna-Christina

I loved every moment of my Summer Holiday Library Events and I would like to thank all of the libraries I have visited for having me. I love children's libraries, they are so colourful and fun. I feel such a sense of joy visiting them with my Storytime. It really is a privilege!

I am on such an amazing adventure and 'Storytime with Anna-Christina' keeps on growing and expanding. I can't wait to see where it takes me next!

Anna-Christina 


Get A Free Audiobook
Follow me on Twitter @StorytimewithAC

Thursday 2 August 2018

Summer Holiday Story Times

I'm thrilled to announce my Summer Holiday Library Events during August at three new libraries! I'm heading into the Westminster area for the first time with my special 45-minute musical Storytime!

Anna-Christina from Music Audio Stories at London Libraries - Storytime with Anna-Christina

My unique Storytime is a mix of listening, drawing, and drama. It covers a number of skills e.g: social interaction, developing self-confidence, and encourages children to use their own imagination. They are fun, engaging, interactive, creative and educational. My session compliments Key Stage 1 and areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has been a success at schools and nurseries all over London.

Your child will:
  1. Learn about the circus and be encouraged to use their listening abilities and imagination.
  2. Make drawings which will be published in a gallery on my website making them part of my creative world.
  3. Take part in my energetic circus story, singing and dancing along.

For storytelling with a difference catch my Storytime at:


BARBICAN CHILDREN'S LIBRARY

Tuesday 14th August
11:00 - 11:45
Silk Street
London
EC2Y 8DS
Tel: 020 7628 9447
Tube: Barbican

VICTORIA CHILDREN'S LIBRARY

Wednesday 14th August
11:00 - 11:45
160 Buckingham Palace Rd
Belgravia
London
SW1W 9UD
Tel: 020 7641 6200
Tube: Victoria

SHOE LANE LIBRARY

Thursday 16th August
10:30 - 11:15
Hill House
1 Little New Street
London
EC4A 3JR
Tel: 020 7583 7178
Tube: Chancery Lane


All of my sessions are free for children and families.
I can't wait!

Anna-Christina 

Join Facebook Event Page to keep up to date with all the news on my library visits.
Subscribe to follow my amazing adventure and get one of my audiobooks for free!
Follow me on Twitter @StorytimewithAC

Thursday 19 July 2018

Santa Pod Raceway

I had the most AMAZING time at Santa Pod Raceway last weekend! I went to Dragstalgia, a weekend dedicated to drag racing, hot rods and bikes from a bygone era with classic dragsters, altereds, hot rods, American muscle and more! There was a Championship Drag Racing and Run What Ya Brung sessions on the track along with a Jet Dragster and 2 seater Dragster Rides. Off track there was Show & Shine, live music, traders and a historic car display. 🏎️🏍️

It was a bit too hot for me, but lucky for me I brought the last Japanese style bamboo parasol! ⛱️

Composer Anna-Christina at Santa Pod Raceway

I absolutely LOVED it! The roaring sound of burnouts is something I have never heard live before and it was both terrifying and exciting at the same time! I loved the stalls full of vintage and retro clothing, homeware, jewellery, crafts and collectables. From the 1920s to the 1990s, every era covered for vintage and retro enthusiasts to enjoy! There was also camping, a Fun Fair and plenty of bars and caterers with tasty food and drinks. And the cars were unbelievable!








I have always loved vintage cars! They are like works of art to me... I love the way owners leave their cars open so people can look inside of them. Check out these engines...






Here's a photo of the drivers queuing up around the back before their race...


Cacklefest cars...





I love these beautiful interiors...



If I were ever to own a motorbike, I guess it would have to be one like this one! AC7 :-)


If you have even the slightest bit of interest in cars and/or bikes, I highly recommend going! The atmosphere was electrifying, you really do need to experience it live! Have a look on the website for future events here: http://www.santapod.co.uk/dragstalgia.php 


Absolutely AWESOME!

Anna-Christina  

Composer Anna-Christina at Santa Pod Raceway

Wednesday 4 July 2018

Multitasking Master

As always, lots going on at the moment! Here's a quick rundown...

I landed my first two narrating jobs with Zeff Music! 😎 I narrated two recordings for their new range of Audio Branding solutions. Have a look here: http://zeffmusic.com/audio-branding.php

Composer/narrator Anna-Christina recording narration at Unit 2 Studios, London
Obviously because of Music Audio Stories, this is the sort of thing I am good at but this was a new experience for me. To be honest, I wouldn't have thought about narrating for other people's projects but it was such a cool experience, I would definitely consider doing it again!

Design Your Ship


I feel blessed to have worked together with Founder/Head Trainer at Design Your Ship, Andreea Vasile.

 I recorded 3 tracks which include a 20 minute morning meditation, a 2 minute rampage meditation and an instrumental track. These meditations help you to align to the love force and impress on the subconscious mind beliefs which create Gratitude, Joy and Prosperity. I loved every minute of working on this project and I am extremely proud of it!

If you are a Speaker, entrepreneur or someone thinking about recording your meditations, training programs or turning your books into audios but feel unsure of the experience, read Andreea's Blog post here: http://designyourship.com/the-emotional-journey-of-creatin

I'm really good at this!

Leggend Report


Super excited to be collaborating with director Charles Solly on his Zombie Project! More details about this coming soon but in the meantime enjoy this film clip...


Performing Live This Month


Also feeling very excited to be playing in Brighton this week with Sister Witch, supporting Stonefield on July 5th at the Hope & Ruin. We've been sounding great in rehearsals and have begun learning new material for the forthcoming gigs ahead. Join the Facebook Event Page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/114506079388550/

Soundgirls


I'm extremely proud to now be listed in Soundgirls.org 'Directory of Women in Professional Audio and Production'! SoundGirls supports women working in professional audio and music production by highlighting their success and providing a place for them to connect, network, and share advice and experiences. They work to inspire and empower young women and girls to enter the world of professional audio and music production.

I feel incredibly grateful to be part of this community. I'm like a cat... I've lived so many different lives already but this one, the one I'm living right now, is the best one of all! I'm so grateful for the people who have chosen to work with me and given me the chance to spread my musical wings.

Up and up I go...

Anna-Christina 

Composer/author Anna-Christina

Tuesday 12 June 2018

Zimmer vs Williams

I often go to the Royal Albert Hall, it's one of my favourite places in London but I have never seen it like I did last weekend! I went to 'The Music of Hans Zimmer vs John Williams' - The very best scores from the two greatest film composers of all time. 

MUSIC LIGHTS LASERS FIREWORKS!

First of all, the lighting during this concert was absolutely AMAZING!





And then there was the music!


It wasn't the first time I have heard the music of the great John Williams live! But OMG there were EIGHT French Horns and TWO Tubas! It was EPIC!

I'm a tough cookie but put me in front of an orchestra and I am like jelly! Within 5 minutes of the first piece by Williams, I was almost in tears! Tears of pure joy and love of that magical sound. The sound of an orchestra! No one composes for an orchestra quite like John Williams! There's something very powerful, playful, almost child-like about his music. None of his scores sound the same. You can feel his excitement and energy through his music and it pulls at your heart in a particular way, words can not even describe!


In contrast, and I don't wish to offend anyone, but I found Hans Zimmer's scores fell flat for me. They just didn't pop. His use of the orchestra is quite basic, that's not an insult, just an observation, it's not on the level of Williams. Even his pieces with strong melodies like Pirates of The Caribbean (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was composed by Klaus Badelt, one of Zimmer's colleagues at Media Ventures) didn't come across compared to the likes of Star Wars, ET, Jurassic Park and Superman. Zimmer is known for integrating electronic music sounds with traditional orchestral arrangements which I love and while I appreciate his idea to "work more collaboratively", I do sometimes wonder which parts of which scores he actually writes! However, I have to say, my feelings changed once the orchestra began to play Inception!

WOW!!! What an emotional, pulsing, deeply powerful piece of music and yes... now I can hear his unique style! This piece completely won me over and was the most intense moment of the concert. I took a video but I can't seem to upload it which is a shame!

I must mention how awesome Anthony Inglis, the conductor was! Not only doing a terrific job conducting but also very entertaining and had the audience laughing on more than one occasion! Half way through the concert, there was an announcement! He was taken ill and Johnny Depp was now going to conduct! He came on dressed as Jack Sparrow! It was brilliant.


He did it again during Star Wars... This is what it would look like if Darth Vader were to conduct an orchestra with a lightsaber lol!


Music isn't a competition, we all have our own tastes and preferences and the world is big enough for every musician and composer out there. For me, John Williams is a musical genius... I would highly recommend this concert to everyone! It makes for an interesting study and amazing experience transporting you into another world with its incredible, atmospheric lighting/laser display and fireworks!

Feeling passionate...

Anna-Christina 


Zimmer Vs Williams
Royal Albert Hall
Conductor Anthony Inglis
London Concert Orchestra

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN / THE DARK KNIGHT RISES / INCEPTION / THE DA VINCI CODE / GLADIATOR / MAN OF STEEL BATMAN BEGINS
VS
E.T / HARRY POTTER / JURASSIC PARK / CLOSE ENCOUNTERS / STAR WARS / SUPERMAN



Thursday 7 June 2018

Mindful Living

I returned to the second year of the Mindful Living Show at the Business Design Centre on the 1st and 2nd June last week. I was invited by Dawattie Basdeo who had a Stand for her 'Magnificent Me Magnificent You' range and copies of 'Nature's Rainbow Mindfulness Meditations for Teens' album (music composed by yours truly).



The Mindful Living Show offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the art of mindfulness and the various ways in which it can benefit daily life.

On the first day, it was lovely to see that some businesses from last year had returned and it was nice to see some familiar faces. Everyone's positive energy created such a calming Zen like atmosphere and it was fun meeting visitors. I couldn't experience any of the seminars but I did get to wander around every now and then to meet the other exhibitors.

I got to play some Singing Bowls which was great, especially as I recorded them last year!


On the second day I was able to catch one seminar in the morning with Will Young. He talked about the importance of listening, the use of language and having boundaries. His delivery was fantastic! Down to earth, open, insightful and to my surprise, very humorous! He had the whole audience laughing on more than one occasion which was lovely! I didn't get to speak to him afterwards as he had to rush off to do a matinee, however Dawattie cleverly managed to slip him a copy of our CD Nature's Rainbow Mindfulness Meditations for Teens!


Later on that day, Dawattie gave a workshop in the Demo Zone on breathing techniques. Unfortunately I didn't get any photos of this as I decided to take part. I'm glad I did because it was really good and I learned a few techniques I didn't know about.

It was wonderful to be part of the Mindful Living Show again this year and I'm looking forward to returning next year. A nice venue, lovely staff, well organised and great people involved which left everyone feeling uplifted, inspired and energised.

Have a look on their website: www.mindfullivingshow.com
You can purchase Nature's Rainbow here: https://magnificentmemagnificentyou.com

Anna-Christina  
 Composer/author Anna-Christina at the Mindful Living Show 2018